TravelStream™ news feed for member jamadaia on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/jamadaia en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:18:24 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1228457520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1228457520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1228457520/tpod.html Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:18:24 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

We arranged for a private car to drive us to Delhi over night, with a 10pm pickup. It was the same guy who had taken us to Chittoragh as arranged through Deep.Spent the afternoon by the pool (Shipla) with turtles and mongoose for company.And later that night we whent to really quite gorgeous restaurant with Laura, with a beautifull view of the lake palace. But man did the puppet show they later had, was well quite frankly on the shitty side.At 10pm we hopped in a taxi to Delhi and the deathrun had official begun!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224130620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224130620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224130620/tpod.html Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:11:39 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Today we awoke all excited about our train trip to Delhi and flight to Kathmandu, but with a feeling of sadness that we would be leaving Udaipur. It was the place we liked the most from our India trip.We started of the day with visiting the City palace and were greeted with the usual set of guides at the entrance vying for our attention and naturally money. Now the people at our hotel had told us that we should have a full tour which would last like 2.5 hours or so, and this would have detailed explanations etc. However the guide who beckoned us did not want to do this but instead an hour or so only. To make it worse he wanted the amount that we were told the 2.5 hour should cost. I managed to compromise with him somewhat and did a 2 hour tour for the same amount.During the tour we bumped into a girl who I had briefly met at the guest house. Her name is Laura and she is from Brazil. I saw that she was on her own and not with a guide etc, so invited her to join us which she happily did.After the tour was over, Ben and Amanda wanted to head back to the hotel but both I and Laura wanted to continue sight seeing so decided to take a pleasant boat trip across to the Lake Palace.The weather was lovely but we had some time to kill before the boat ride, after having gotten the tickets. So we popped off to the nearest cafe joint and had a shake each accompanied with some nice veggie pakoras. They were very tasty and hit the spot.The boat ride was really nice and we met two really nice couples on the boat, one of whom were staying at the very swanky hotel across the river. They told us that it cost a fortune and the rooms were amazing (each with an infinity pool). However the people staying at the hotel were well to put it bluntly rather snobbish and full of themselves. They were glad to meet sociable and down to earth people like ourselves. Yet more reason for me to stay away from such over the top places. Anyway, we arrived at the lake palace and had a lovely drink, at an expected high price tag. Shame about the works they had going on in the palace, which spoiled its atmosphere.I headed of back to the hotel, while Laura carried on with shopping etc.At about 5:30pm we all packed up and said our goodbyes to the hotel staff including Deep who had gone and gotten us flower necklaces in the traditional Indian way to say farewell to friends. It was very touching and everyone felt a sadness about leaving.We left for the train station and this is where all the drama began...We were originally on the waiting list at places 7-8-9, but when we got to the station we were told that we were only moved up to positions 1-2-3. Gutted!I proceeded to talk to the people at the relevant ticket window but to no avail and was directed to go speak to the main man in charge at a separate office just round the corner. This guys name was (roughly translated) "big man" which in all fairness he was when you look at the average Indian. He asked us to come back at 6:30pm and wait in the upper class waiting room in the mean time. But it was no good as teh train we wanted pulled of without us in a matter of minutes. When we spoke to him he said that he was goign to try and get us on another train that would get par tof the way there and that we would then catch another connecting train from there. But even this train was not garunteed. So we all agreed to head back to treh Dream Heaven Guest House and make alternative arrangements (after having spoken to Deep over the phone).We arrived back at the guest house looking rather embarassed but Deep was as always very kind and welcoming. And gave us Ben and Amandas room to stay over night.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224051960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224051960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224051960/tpod.html Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:17:45 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Ben and I went to another town for the day, 85Km out of Udaipur called Chittogarh. We had booked a taxi via the Guest House we were staying at.On our way there the driver asked if we could stop at his relations village that is on the way. We agreed, as long as it did not take to long, since we didn't want to reach the forte when it was too hot, what with it being high up and exposed.The village was small and his relations bred horses which he proceeded to display to us with grea enthuisiasm. Although it all started getting a bit over the top and bothj me and Ben had to ask them to stop before they whent too far with parading the horses and making them do all sorts of uncomfortable looking tricks.The women here kept peering at us but weren't allowed to leave the house. Everything here screamed "old school", from the Ox and cart, women carrying water on their head and men lazy as all hell. Needless to say we found it interesting and worth a visit but hinted at being on our way.After the village we ended up at Chittogarh Fort which is about 30km wide (basically a small enclosed town in every sense). It was very hot, about 40C and was hard walking around the fort especially with all the monkeys loose.Later that night we had dinner at our hotel and I was taught how to play the card game "shithead", which I then proceeded to win many games at (Ben and Amanda were not ammused).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1223988000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1223988000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1223988000/tpod.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:29:22 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Took us a while to work out the date...time is lost on us already!Worked up at 8am and did the usual&nbsp;three S's routine, and went up a little later to the breakfast/restaurant area as wanted to give the guys some time. But they were no where to be seen, so after a bit gave them the familiar knock on the door and was greeted by a bleary eyed Ben. I was right that Ben's "we will be up at 8am and down by half 8" was slightly over optimistic at the least.Had the usual toast and bowl of Muesli shared with Amanda. It is on the substantial side, but I do notice it has been decreasing each time we have it hmmm. Decided to plan our time in Udaipur over breaky:- Yoga- Swimming (Shilpy resort)- Chittor-&nbsp;Climb hill for sunset point- City Palace- Boat ride to palacePersonally don't think we will get more than half of the above list done, but who am I to say hehe.Anywayzzzzz, decided to do the Yoga straight away as it is round the corner and we feel like we could kick some serious ass. So treaded of for a quick change and off to Yoga it was.Ben turned up in Amanda's green pants which suited him scarily well other than a fair amount of slack around the posterior region lol.Got there and found no one and I started messing about on the Cram board game. Someone turned up in a minute and I felt busted, but it was ok as he started playing against me after shouting out for the instructor. It was not the usual time&nbsp;for classes so we caught them a little off guard (it was near 12pm). Did ok, as got a few good shots in and surprised everyone hehe, but then legged it upstairs when a few shots went pear shaped.Well our instructor (nick named Raj, like every other Indian Ben doesn't know the name of), quickly discovered that we are absolute beginners especially when&nbsp;Amanda couldn't hold her balance or concentration. 1.5 hours later after a few stretches in positions we thought our bodies could not do. A few photos taken, to help our learning and a 1,000 donation&nbsp;to the local animal shelter, it was back to the sanctuary of our guest house, to refuel and teach&nbsp;me to play a few&nbsp;card games (bought form shop opposite, where the owner tried to charge me 50 rupees for a 2 litre bottle of Bisleri mineral water...no chance).The City Palace should have been on our list but Amanda and Ben wanted to see my new found confidence and progress in the water. So off to the countryside resort of Shilpa, 3km out of the town. Were it is quieter and not busy like the pools in the town.A hairy rickshaw ride later via a dodgy re-felling store where we picked up a quart kingfisher bottle of petrol, for 60 rupees. Past along the dirt road and saw some lady goat farmers, finally arriving at this guest house which was meant to have a fabulous pool.Well we got in and all we could find was a empty feature pool about 4m x 6m long. Me and Amanda both looked at one another in dis-belief, especially since Deep had told us about it. Luckily I came to the rescue by asking some builders in the vicinity where the pool was, and we then popped our head around the corner and tada! Indeed there was a fab 15m x 6m pool with just 4 or so guests lazing about. Ben lasted about 30 seconds, or as long as it took for him to strip him shorts off and jump into the pool. I took a little longer as I heard the giggle of the local girls behind me when I realised Ben was in full board shorts but told me that he was going in small swimming trunks. Me being a fool had gone in the latter as I believed him. Well that and I had to pin point the shallow end and strategically place my goggles (I was expecting UK levels of chlorine lol).How refreshing it was, and it was the coolest we had felt since we arrived in India 9 days ago (as every day has been at least 35c). Ben tried to teach me how to float with ease, breath, do hand stands, lotus position under water and the old favourite #1 annoying action for all others in the pool: the BOMB!A rickshaw ride later (after a few drinks in the outside restaurant area), our plans had changed from sunset to Internet cafe and insect bites for the lads grrrrrrr. Mean while Amanda pampered herself in my luxury blue bathroom.Another dinner in Dream Heaven Guest House (and me on my favorite fruity fresh drink) with a mild spice dinner. Followed by gecko watching and proper card playing attempts (I failed here lol) with intermittent explosive fireworks that scared the pants of everyone (it was a full moon deity&nbsp;festival of some sorts).Ben was still unable to have a bowel movement, which shows the antibiotics are doing the trick hehe.One funny thing that happened was that Ben had to by a pen, and so we had a quick poke aroudn the local area and found a small stationary corner shop. Here he was to find the pen that was to serve him well for the rest of his journey (travel journey that is, not life I hope).It was a very dodge looking parker with the following written on the back (worth the 70 rupees alone imho):<i>GET A PREMIUM <i>FROM PARKER<i>"You are a go-getter. Then why let an ordinary pen hold you back? Carry a Parker"<i>"....... And let the metallic finish perfectly symbolise your successful and dynamic personality"<i>Manufactured by Luxor Writting Instruments.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224507660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224507660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224507660/tpod.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:13:27 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Bhaktapur, Nepal

We all got to have a bit of a sleep in as we weren't due to depart till 9am for Bhaktapur - this gave us time to organize our last 4 nights in Nepal with a tourist company that Irfan overheard them saying "charge them 50% more" on some aspect.Lucky he didn't tell everyone that on the spot so we paid our US $250 per person which included 3 nights at Chitwan Park Jungle Island resort (2 star) plus 1 night in Kathmandu (Tibet Guest House) at a 3 star which we realized afterwards that we paid US $100 per room.Back to jump on the tourist bus cofeeless (the price we pay for an up with the birds call, the power was out from 6 - 9 am) and onwards for the 30 min trip to Bhaktapur (which took more like 1hr 30 min due to the Kathmandu rush hour traffic).Made a pit stop at the local Piranha pond before our accent on this dive of a town that was full of poverty and touts, not to mention that everything was on the menu was out for display (town water supply, rice, veges, goats, chickens, dogs, nappy-less bottoms. Also saw the latest in pottery being created in front of our eyes with photo's being allowed for minimum of 10 rupees. The buildings resembled something out of Japan made from carved wood and red crumpled brick, even found our own version of Regent Street. One of the buildings where we had lunch about 4 floors up in the open air deck which you had to by pass the kitchen (with the toilet next door) where we thought the safe option for food was in order. The Dal was more like soup while the others dishes both had the dry-est (worst)&nbsp; Vege fried rice (although Sky thought it was good hmmm) in their life.We went for a pleasant stroll through the town, watching the locals dry rice and other food items in the town streets. One annoying thing was how the rode motor cycles through these cobbled, winding streets, forcing us to be on the constant look out. Among the things, we visited a paper factory were they made the paper, and various different items out of it such as the cover for books, bookmarks, cards etc etc. At the end of it we ended up in the inevitable tourist shop for the factory to buy items. Me and Amanda bought some pretty card sets, much to Bens disgust and protests. Following on was a trip to an Art school which was very awe inspiring. The sheer detail, perfection and magnitude of them mad even the most sceptical person sit up and take notice. I loved it here as we even entered a rooms were half a dozen artists were sat and painfully doing these paintings. In the last room was the best were there were some very big paintrings that took two artists something in the order of a year or two to complete. No one bought anything from here, due to cost and also inconvenience of taking things back.Following on from our disappointing lunch Ben decided it was time to retire to the room where he passed out, as did Amanda. This passed the afternoon nicely in this rather rank town, and by the time we woke up and played a few games of 500 (not to mention the demolishing a packet of short bread meant for the hike), we experienced an organized/timed power outage from 3-6pm so sat in the darkness with light from the mag-light and mobile phone until Irfan came to our rescue with the candles and Quality Streets. Dinner outing again that night and we were hoping for the best. A nice modern quest house with another rooftop view. The boys were instantly drawn to the "macaroni and cheese" after their poor lunch while Amanda was a little less fortunate, firstly asking for the aubergine lassangia. Where the waiter responded "it takes too long" with a look that made me understand that I better order something that the others had. So it was Vege noodle soup with chapati or actually on its own (as chapati takes too long too !). Lucky Amanda had changed her option as she turned out to be the first one to be served from the group with a few spaghetti strands. Ben's garlic bread (literally normal bread with a splatter of garlic) hardly hit the spot. When the macaroni cheese (which was last) finally came out, the boys tucked in. Soon they realised it wasn't macaroni as they knew it (or most of the world). It was the same vege flavoured goop that was i the noodle soup but with pasta spirals and strigy cheese that ws stuck in the back of our throat. Could Pudding save us?? Thought my silly brain. So I couldn't resist the Chocolate Pudding, as I fantasise over some lovely spongey chocolate cake in hot thick creamy chocolate sauce. Oh how foolish, as all that was served was some hot custard looking slop, an even that was an isult to custars everywhere. Andrew managed but I had wasn't going to sit and eat that insult to pudding kind and my resulting protests and wise cracks had the whole table in hysterics. I managed like one spoonfull of it and left it well alone. Luckily Amanda decided to put me out of my misery and take pitty on me. She shared some of her Lemon Sugar Ruber pancake with me.Pretty much everyone was in be by about 9pm, but that just wasn't my style. So I decided to sneak out with Andrew and his full on camera. For some nighttime photography of the immediate surrounding grounds. All was going well untill we bumped into one of the waiters from the place we had just had dinner at. Let's just say he didn't have all his senses about im. And proceeded to spurt out all sorts of jibberish to me for the next 15 to 20 mins. Needless to say I made my excuses and dissapeared. Enough town nightlife for me (think way too much rice wine drinking go's on here).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1226831520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1226831520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1226831520/tpod.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:48:04 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Kathmandu, Nepal

We were glad to get up at 5:30am for our departure back to Kathmandu where we changed to a tourist bus outside the American Embassy. I originally was allocated a decent seat 2 rows back but decided to move to the seats 5 rows back.To my luck I chose the window seat, directly above the rear wheel and permanently reclining (almost 90's in Irf's lap after the 7 hour journey). The journey was a softer version of the Delhi death run however the Indian trucks and the horns, provided us with vivid flashbacks of that night of the 17th.Alas after a breakfast and lunch stop later we arrived in Pokahara and to our room which we were lucky enough to be given a delux (3 beds and AC if only we could find the remote). Anyways this was paradise in comparison to the previous night and the views of the Mountains and lake made us feel that we had finally got away from the pollution and touts that we have seen in Nepal. Although a quick trip to find the ATM (which was broken) proved that you can never get away from harrasements. Had dinner in the hotel while traditional music and dancers performed in the background. Amanda opted for "something north of the border" while the lads went for tomato and cheese naan pizza. After we retired to the room to finish packing before we turned off the light at 9pm.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224507600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224507600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224507600/tpod.html Sun, 16 Nov 2008 05:32:09 -0500 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Bhaktapur, Nepal

We all got to have a bit of a sleep in as we weren't due to depart till 9am for Bhaktapur - this gave us time to organize our last 4 nights in Nepal with a tourist company that Irfan overheard them saying "charge them 50% more" on some aspect.Lucky he didn't tell everyone that on the spot so we paid our US $250 per person which included 3 nights at Chitwan Park Jungle Island resort (2 star) plus 1 night in Kathmandu (Tibet Guest House) at a 3 star which we realized afterwards that we paid US $100 per room.Back to jump on the tourist bus cofeeless (the price we pay for an up with the birds call, the power was out from 6 - 9 am) and onwards for the 30 min trip to Bhaktapur (which took more like 1hr 30 min due to the Kathmandu rush hour traffic).Made a pit stop at the local Piranha pond before our accent on this dive of a town that was full of poverty and touts, not to mention that everything was on the menu was out for display (town water supply, rice, veges, goats, chickens, dogs, nappy-less bottoms. Also saw the latest in pottery being created in front of our eyes with photo's being allowed for minimum of 10 rupees. The buildings resembled something out of Japan made from carved wood and red crumpled brick, even found our own version of Regent Street. One of the buildings where we had lunch about 4 floors up in the open air deck which you had to by pass the kitchen (with the toilet next door) where we thought the safe option for food was in order. The Dal was more like soup while the others dishes both had the dry-est (worst) Vege fried rice (although Sky thought it was good hmmm) in their life.We went for a pleasant stroll through the town, watching the locals dry rice and other food items in the town streets. One annoying thing was how the rode motor cycles through these cobbled, winding streets, forcing us to be on the constant look out. Among the things, we visited a paper factory were they made the paper, and various different items out of it such as the cover for books, bookmarks, cards etc etc. At the end of it we ended up in the inevitable tourist shop for the factory to buy items. Me and Amanda bought some pretty card sets, much to Bens disgust and protests. Following on was a trip to an Art school which was very awe inspiring. The sheer detail, perfection and magnitude of them mad even the most skeptical person sit up and take notice. I loved it here as we even entered a rooms were half a dozen artists were sat and painfully doing these paintings. In the last room was the best were there were some very big paintings that took two artists something in the order of a year or two to complete. No one bought anything from here, due to cost and also inconvenience of taking things back.Following on from our disappointing lunch Ben decided it was time to retire to the room where he passed out, as did Amanda. This passed the afternoon nicely in this rather rank town, and by the time we woke up and played a few games of 500 (not to mention the demolishing a packet of short bread meant for the hike), we experienced an organized/timed power outage from 3-6pm so sat in the darkness with light from the mag-light and mobile phone until Irfan came to our rescue with the candles and Quality Streets. Dinner outing again that night and we were hoping for the best. A nice modern quest house with another rooftop view. The boys were instantly drawn to the "macaroni and cheese" after their poor lunch while Amanda was a little less fortunate, firstly asking for the aubergine lassangia. Where the waiter responded "it takes too long" with a look that made me understand that I better order something that the others had. So it was Vege noodle soup with chapati or actually on its own (as chapati takes too long too !). Lucky Amanda had changed her option as she turned out to be the first one to be served from the group with a few spaghetti strands. Ben's garlic bread (literally normal bread with a splatter of garlic) hardly hit the spot. When the macaroni cheese (which was last) finally came out, the boys tucked in. Soon they realised it wasn't macaroni as they knew it (or most of the world). It was the same vege flavoured goop that was i the noodle soup but with pasta spirals and strigy cheese that ws stuck in the back of our throat. Could Pudding save us?? Thought my silly brain. So I couldn't resist the Chocolate Pudding, as I fantasize over some lovely spongy chocolate cake in hot thick creamy chocolate sauce. Oh how foolish, as all that was served was some hot custard looking slop, an even that was an insult to custards everywhere. Andrew managed but I had wasn't going to sit and eat that insult to pudding kind and my resulting protests and wise cracks had the whole table in hysterics. I managed like one spoonful of it and left it well alone. Luckily Amanda decided to put me out of my misery and take pitty on me. She shared some of her Lemon Sugar Ruber pancake with me.Pretty much everyone was in be by about 9pm, but that just wasn't my style. So I decided to sneak out with Andrew and his full on camera. For some nighttime photography of the immediate surrounding grounds. All was going well until we bumped into one of the waiters from the place we had just had dinner at. Let's just say he didn't have all his senses about him. And proceeded to spurt out all sorts of gibberish to me for the next 15 to 20 mins. Needless to say I made my excuses and dissapeared. Enough town nightlife for me (think way too much rice wine drinking go's on here).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224345900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224345900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jamadaia/1/1224345900/tpod.html Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:45:09 -0400 From the giddy heights of Nepal to beaches, kangaroos and Casinos.

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Kathmandu, Nepal

I awake from my dazed slumber by my name being yelled out by Ben "Irffffff!!!"My eyes open and all I can see is the headlights of a big truck heading directly towards us, mere metres away.You can imagine my reaction lol.I quickly check around me and it ain't no dream as I am still on the road aghhhhh.Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, Ben has woken me up to the news that the driver has at some point told him it is a 12 - 13 hour journey to Dehli. I can't beleive this is happening and assume Ben has got it wrong, so ask the driver in Hindi. To my shock he says "yes, course its a long way away". I tell him I have been told my verious people it was 8 - 9 hours, to which his response is "they haven't driven that far in there life, thats why they think that".Ben is not happy at all and is chanting the mantra "Why does nobody ever listen to me. I told you it would take much longer".I air my displeasure in Hindi, and get a quick response from the driver as he puts his foot on the pedal and re-adjusts himself for a full on racing experience. This makes me semi chuckle, especially when I witness the reaction from Ben "No! tell him to slow down. I would rather get there late than not at all. I dont want to die!"I just let things go, and again put full trust in the drivers hands and resume my slumber. With the dying mutterings of Ben in the background.I drift in and out of sleep, being woken every now and then by either shrieks from Ben, sudden "driving maneuvers" ... and I use that term loosly. Eventually waking up about 7am. Forcefully getting a gauge of how much ground we have gained, and so can we make it. Good news is the driver has done a sterling job, bad news is that it still means we cant make it to the flight, if we stop of and pick up our luggage from the hotel storage in Delhi.Amanda comes to the rescue and suggests we ring the hotel and get them to drop of the luggage at the airport. Thus we can go straight to the airport and save ourselves valuable time.We all agree and arrange this with the nice hotel owner Sanjay, for 700 rupees.Make it in good time, getting to the airport at 10pm. So we have to wait for the luggage drop off, as they are at 10:15pm. Unfortunetly there seems to a one dimensonal tendancy to objey orders, as the drive was told to wait at the car park which is a few mins away from the departure area. And it took several calls to convionce/make him understand to drive up to the departure area.Eventually got everything, and headed off for the loo, followed by rushing off to the only shop in the airport, and grabbing some chocolates and like for the trekking ahead of us. Also tried to get a Subway sandwish that was next to our gate but havign looked at the manky state of the salad, both me and Ben opted for cookies instead hehe.Arrived on time in Kahtmandu and immediately felt the slight temp drop, which was welcome. Went throught the usual malarky with filling in the arrival cards and also the VISA application forms, with 2 passport photos (they have a person there to take the pics at hand). As per usual I got asked silly questions liek "when were you born" and "do you have your work security bade or pass on you". I entertained the ass wipe, but then changed my tone and added slight level of sarcasm. He realised he ain't getting anywhere so let me through.
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Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Woke up 6:30am and went on a boat ride down the Ganges. Very nice, saw the burning Ghat and got a close up look at the Ganges. Slightly freaky was that we saw what looked liek a still born baby at the waters edge near our Ghat, freaked the hell out of me. Interesting boat guy, who seemed to be very well groomed and dressed in smart casuals for this place. Still werent going to complain commen, although couldnt resist asking where he got his Salamon hiking boots from. His reply was an Australian tourist gave him them as a pressy, 8 years ago! Either Salamon are that damn good, or he treasures them greatly (think its a bit of both really hehe).Came back and slept till 2pm then had lunch where these Kiwis sitting across from us were complaining that they had been waiting for 1.5 hours for a cheese burger. Was a tad embarrasing, but kind of understandable.Decided to go slik shopping, and the chap in the hotel from last night (Sanjay) recommended a local place which will give lowe prices as he is a good friend of the hotel owner. So he waked us up to there, a mere 2 mins walk, which I cross checked with him was not the Indian 2 mins aka multiply by 3 for everyone else.He took us roudnd the back to his private stash, and proceeded to throw out every piece of silk who could.&nbsp;From scarfs, table cloths, bed spreads. As can be expected Amanda was in heaven hehe. Intention was to get one scarf each, but this soon went out of the window and actual purchases turned out to be:6 x scarfs, 3 x table runners, 1 x bed spread with pillow casesGrand total was 10,500 rupees (approx £120), but got a bit more reduced (1000)&nbsp;after a bit of haggling.He also showed us some export only silk of his which are huge single pieces with intricate patterns that take 3 people a full year to make! Not to mention his baby daughter which Amanda found cute but Ben named 'Satans Child'. Left there after paying and the owners son promissing to drop by at noon tommorow to give me a ride on his bike to the DHL office which is about 15 mins away by bike.Later that night, we decided to stay in and eat because no one was particularly keen to go wandering around here especially late at night. Just didnt feel good.That evening Ben discovered Veggies Kofta and gorged himself on it. Sayign it was one of the best he had ever tasted. Lets just say that later he will wish he never had lol. Or more precisely his tummy, bottom and consequently wish so.
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Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Up early, 5am, to take a boat ride along the ghats&nbsp;before the masses swarm. Very easy as the stairs to the boats are right outside the hotel.Couldn't find the guy who we had had the boat ride with yesterday and had promissed to do it at 5am. Bt someone else knew about this and said that he was the stand in. We trusted him and we recognized it was teh same boat as the other guy had used and ths guy knew the timing etc. Also he looked sharp and dare I say it (relatively speaking) trust worthy.Watched a poor old guy cut open his shin on the boat or something, only to be told by his fellow boaters that he was causing a drama. Felt sorry for him, but they did kind of help him patch it up.Whent downstream this time, in the direction of the actual burning area etc. We ended up here and it was getting light by this time. Had the boat guys explain variosu things to me, and I as per usual quizzed him about things, to which he was very receptive and aswered enthusiastically.One of the key things was that when teh body is burned, the sternum (for men) and pelvis (for women) dont burn so are then thrown into the river. Which we sadly witnesed a little to close for me and Ben's liking. As the guy in the burning area chucked a pelvis only 2 or 3 metres away from the edge of our boat. Naturally me and Ben scurried at the thought of getting splashed by toxic water.Also another interesting point was that 5 types of dead bodies are not burned, but instead a rock tied to them and left to sink to the bottom (children, pregnant women, holy men, snake bite victims in commatative state and some other I forget).He mentioned that a crocadile was spotted in the Ganges the other day, which kind of freaked us a bit.Even watched the special holy man light a body, from the 500 year old burning flame (apparently that is the only flame that the burning can be initiated from).Against mutterings from us, the boat guy insisted on waiting until this rather dodge holy-come-guide hopped over to our boat and without asking us, proceeded to give us a full blown lecture on the whole thing. We put up with it and then has hinted that people&nbsp;who visit give him as they please, including a thousand or two. me and Ben looked at each other and thought screw that. Not giving you a thousand or two, for 10 mins of yapping which we were not even asked permission for. So gave him like 100 or so. The guy hinted the fact that the woode that is used to burn the bodies is very expensive and it takes 3 hours or so to burn a single body i.e. very costly excersise (180 rupees per kg). Didn't change our viewpoints, so semi-muttering he wandered of to the next victims/tourists.Ben commented that he would rather give it to a local Orphanage than hand it over to some bloke who will use it as beer money lol.We headed back upstream to the Sita hotel,&nbsp;and watched various people praying, washing there teeth?!? And even four nutty Jap's having a full on bath in the Ganges a mere two or so ghats away from the burning section! IRFS bike ride goes here...........Dinner later that night, Amanda was not feeling too well and Ben wanted to stay on his antibiotics after the Kofta fiasco. Thankfully I am ok, but still decided to stick with a sweet rice dish called Kasmiri Byrani.Said sad frewalls to Sanjay and the hotel owner and the sweet old man that works there and is hard of hearing. Amanda wanted to have a photo taken with him but he was too shy an kept scuttling away. Very nice man always greeted us with a smile and Namaste whenever he saw us.Headed for the crazy train station with power outage&nbsp;in the&nbsp;foriegners section, which considering it was an upper class section was bti of a dive. Still survived and had another daring train trip, where Ben picked up his branded Indian rail hand towel!
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