Golly Mike - I certainly don't think it's a junker - not by a long shot. The sheer depth of colour and this particular comp (with you in it) is very good. You know me, I normally wait for people to move out of view (same with Humayun in that respect) but here it gives the scene its scale. I've seen plenty of Nat Geo images with more flare than this and I think that it works as is to be honest. Purists will probably disagree, but hey - it's up to the beholder isn't it?
If you don't want it, I'll have it! LOL
EDIT: I can see what you mean now - by exacerbating the flare. Wow. It's a biggie! How much better did the 17-40 handle this? Same scene and time?