Kerni Palace Katra

I woke up quite early to speak to Rita on Skype but as soon as we finished I went back to bed. The guys came to get me at around 12.30. We had a drink at the hotel and then went for a swim at the hotel swimming-pool. It was nice to spend the afternoon chilling.<br><br>The girls and I decided to go for some food while the guys stayed in the swimming pool. During that time, Momo got to talking to a French guy who was there and he was from Billé and had played for Bill ...

So I was now in Delhi airport probably still drunk and waiting for my flight to Varanasi! They would not let me on because I was missing a tag from security so I had to go back and get it which was a bit annoying!!<br><br>I eventually made it to Varanasi and got a good deal with a cab driver to take me into town. He had to drive me around quite a bit because I could not find a decent cheap hotel. I ended up deciding to ...

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later, but after eating the results of our cooking class and boarding the night train from Orchha to Allahabad I got really sick. We were in an open sleeping car (not private) and I could not sleep. Let me tell you throwing up in the bathroom in the middle of the night on a jarring, jerking train is not fun. Another girl named Alisha and I were too sick to travel, and especially too sick to do the rowboat "cruise" and camping trip on the Ganges so we ...

... the mountain 'here's the top, no not really trick' (that the standard indian storekeeper has his own variation of with prices to tourists). Plenty of chai and biscuits were ingested at the top accompanied as ever by efforts to pull, tweak, squeeze, prod, bend, spin, buzz, whir, rip or click everything and anything on our vehicles from outer space. Oh and my back wheel came a little bit off. Must remember to not let that happen. Ho-hum. (Won't do it again Mum). Tim

... People were all curious about why I was there, what I was doing. The atmosphere was loving and full of life. Slowly, however, the crowd of millions was condensed onto a point--the confluence of rivers. At this point, people coming and going began to clash. In the past, stampedes have casued tramplings and deaths. Tens of thousands of police kept order, though the situation was tense. Finally, escaping to the side with a pilgrim from Allahabad, I washed my face and hair in ...

... Since we last wrote we have been to Khujarho, Panna National Park, Allahabad and Varanasi. In Khurajarho is where the karma sutra is carved out onto the walls of some Hindu temples. Very interesting. At Panna National Park we had a nice quite day. Went on a tiger safari again, but only saw some deer, a little mini gazelle thing, and a crocodile (a big one!). Then we travelled to Allahabad, which I wouldn't have minded having more time at. The city was a little more modern than ...

... the river and walked the streets window shopping and dodging cows all over the streets. Bought a small handmade foam bunny rabbit this guy was selling on the street. Very surreal looking but quite ingenious use of common materials! Heading to Varinasi tomorrow for the last few days of my tour. Hopefully I'll locate a faster internet connection soon...I know you all are on the edge of your seats for the Kama Sutra pictures! Cheers : )

... Makes me want to learn more about how India gained Independence from Brittan in the 40's and the decision to partition Pakistan from India--all I know about the time period is from my Lonely Planet guide and from watching "Gandhi!"

... and bathing in the holy water of this magnificent river - but everyone seems to accept this now. Hundreds of tourists. This afternoon we will visit the "Chowk" or market area but it will not be very comfortable for us. We are just walking dollars in this type of area.

After 12-hour-train-ride, I arrived Varanasi, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Varanasi is located on the bank of River Ganga, a holy river for Hindus. They believe it to have flown from heaven to wash away sins. To die in the city is a promise to be liberated from the endless cycle of life and death, and to gain eternal absolution. So thousands of pilgrims come to Varanasi to pray ...