ahoy ahoy. left nepal on a rather dingy bus where we were faced with our first indian scam. of course. Having been told that india stands for I'd Never Do It Again this came as little suprise. so we got shuffled on a government bus (just like the old school buses) to take us to varanasi, a little 16 hr journey up the road. on comes a fellow to see our tickets (which we had paid through the roof for) and asks how much we paid and that we should pay some more....first impressions last......since that moment we've been scammed in every possible way one can be scammed. so other than good food and some althogether unseen spiritual forces that most tourists seem to go on about, india really is over-rated. so enough whinging. we got holy in varanasi, but not completely, just a boat ride and mozz got splashed, rather than the sin and stomach clearing dip in the ganges. off to the taj mahal, very romantic and grand but definately not the sort of place where one can rest in peace. so rishikesh promised peace, but we weren't spiritually prepared for the ashram, and refused to give up garlic and onions for inner (intestinal) peace so stayed a while, and took a swim in the ganges, where the stomach factors not such a problem, and you still get your sins reduced to zilch, and keep your appetite. AHH the appetite...the most beautiful dals and breads and curries and salad and everything the stomach could think of.
In BAga Mozz turned 26, and had her first seafood platter, which of course didnt include the king prawns we were shown when we dicided to get it....no suprises. all was chilled with dips in the pool, and cocktails at the fancy hotel that we booked. good but cruel now its over.
the beautiful colours and horrible smells clash constantly, dust is your skins best friend, and the sounds of a promised taxi ride for free, all are absorbed after a good curry with chapati. so we are hanging out in goa, where life is as western as india can get and think we might set up camp a while to settle the nerves.
so hope alls well and cruising in oz, have a pie for us.
hairman and mozzarati.
Really impressed with your travelogue and the pics of India are just great. What a blast of a trip you're having - you lucky ducks!!!Brings back fond memories of 1966 when I visted New Dehli & Agra. A belated 26th Happy Birthday Mozza. Sad about the prawns tho'. I know it's rather a mundane thought when you are in such an exotic place but don't forget it's your Dad's birthday next Sunday, 25th Nov Hamish.
Continue to enjoy the journey.
Stay safe and health.
Bruce