Varanasi

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After a mega train ride from Jalsalmer to Lucknow, we then headed onto Varanasi. Millons come to bath in the "Holy" Ganges river yet its far from clean, running sewage poors into the river, but it doesn't stop those crazy Indians from bathing and even drinking the water.

Its also famous for the burning Ghats which are on the river banks where bodies are cremated infront of a live audience. Over one hundred people are brought to the burning ghats everyday and swarms of people carrying the deceased swiftly move down the narrow streets singing away.

Darjeeling next for us, 20 hours away. We are leaving tommorrow at 6pm.

I am now fully recovered from my Camel incident. I'll never look be able to look a camel in the eye again, those damn smelly hairy beasts.

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Photos

Gaylord Ice Cream
'Fresh and tasty' it says, I opted out. Gerrald on the other hand pounced on the chance of one.

The Burning Ghats
Cremation of the dead by the river. If you die by getting bitten by a snake you cannot be cremated and so are plopped in the river in hope that you will revive.If you die of leprasy a rock is tied to you and you sink to the bottom.

Varanasi
The boys in orange marching down to the holy river for the month long festival of their god Shiva

Gez
This is a man that likes his beer, his second litre of Kingfisher and its only 10.00am

Gez
This is a man that likes his peas deep fried and salted. His second pack of the day on our airconditioned 12 hour train trip to Darjeeling

Varanasi
One for my friend Amar