Sahil 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 ...

... some food and then I had to go back to the hotel to have a little nap. Momo and Noumet then joined me at the hotel so we could have a few drinks. We had a really good time and it was a bit surreal to meet with these guys in the middle of India!!<br><br>We tried to watch the World Cup play-off game Ireland-France on the internet but we could not unfortunately. We did not push the limits and called it a day at around 2am.

... before we set off in a taxi to meet our group in Varanasi. Friday morning Alisha, Susan and I went to visit a few places in Allahabad. We went to the old British Raj Cathedral All Saints which was beautiful but locked so we didn't get to see the inside. Then we visited the house of the Nehrus, the political dynasty that dominated Indian politics for 50 years. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first prime minister of India and his daughter, Indira Gandhi also served as prime minister before ...

... 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

... confluence, in colorul fashion with their twisted natty Shiva-like hair or shaven devotees of Vishnu, Krishna; their painted bodies; their rudraksha beads; their loving and intense and serene gazes. As music played, a sadhu dressed as Hanuman danced. Sadhus exchanged loving messages to the throngs of pilgrims watching their journey to the sangam. Banners marked the passing of different sects--the Nagas, the Ramanandi, the Dashnami, the Aghora--whose identity was revealed in ...

... from India. He did a good job. Picked out something all by himself. Imagine that. Adam shopping. I also bought something cool for Chaelah and Alannah. Not sure if they will like what I got them, but I am really hoping so! I also got 4 pairs of pants tailored and Adam got one pair. They are all made out of combed cotton and are very nice. ANyways, Adam is complaining that he has to go to the bathroom for the fourth million time today so we had better run!!! Love, Brittni and Adam

... 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.

... t want to buy, and say "NO" to children continuously who nagged around me saying some Japanese words... At the same time, I was amazed by the hardiness of people there who survive hard life. I also visited Sarnath, which is 10km north of Varanasi. Sarnath is said where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. That's why there were many Buddhist temples and ruins. Ruins had ...