Trouser sails to trash kites

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Hi all, long time no blog.
First we got on very small row/sail boats down the ganges. The group had three boats (four people per boat) and one kitchen boat. For meals they tied all the boats together and we passed the feast around. The sail was made out of old jeans and trousers and the main boatman was weathered looking and gorgeous. Anyway no wind the first day so the poor man had to row for 5 hours. This was difficult for the conscience but lazing in the silence was lovely. We saw a few ganges dolphins (apparently endangered).
We rowed into the twilight then the boatmen set up camp on the banks of the Ganges for us and fed us another great meal including bollywood music soundtracks on an ancient stereo run by a car battery.
Slept OK and next day we had some wind so sailed the remainder of the way to a small town where we switched to Jeeps for the drive to Varanasi.
Im sure you all know that Varanasi is Indias most holy city. It is a very good place to die, be cremated or have your ashes or body thrown in to the ganges. It is smoky and noisy with lots of cows, narrow roads and holy men. First night there we caught a row boat into the river and released candles and flowers in little boats made out of leaves and made wishes. It was really lovely.
Next morning caught the same boat for a tour along the Ghats (steps on edge of river ). Saw everything from cremation to clothes washing. Shopped a lot - got some lovely cotton stuff. Bought a one rupee kite made out of a plastic ?chip packet to fly with the little boys on the ghats. The kite was soon appraised by a team of 6yo boys who deemd that I had been ripped off and could buy a much better kite for that amount. Anyway they got it into the air but both Clayton and I didnt have a great deal of luck flying it. I think is is now littering the ganges with the millions of other pieces of garbage that live there. The string was cannibalised and is now part of a much better kiting set up.

Then it was time to head to Nepal. Caught jeeps to the Nepal border then had a terrifying short trip in a bus to Lumbini - Buddhas birthplace - saw the rock on which Buddhas mum did it. Not much else in that town. Caught another terrifying bus to Chitwan National Park. Saw 3 serious accidents on the way but were calmed again by the absolutely gorgeous landscape. This is really one of the most beautiful parts of the world. The small town was quaint and quiet. Elephants walk down the main street. Traditional mud and thatch houses on the edges of town. Walked for an entire day in the park seeing monkeys, leeches, deer, leeches, birds and leeches. Then stayed in a rustic (same usage as renovators delight) camp in the park. Next day hit the jackpot with one of the best experiences of our lives - elephant safari. Sat atop a lovely elephant and saw rhino up close. BEST THING EVER. Has made the trip.

Sad to leave Chitwan we caught bus to Kathmandu past beautiful terraced coutryside. This is a cool place. Very set up for tourists but still interesting. Great architecture. Seen the monkey temple (swayambunath stupa) - cool. The tour finished last night. We have 4 nights here then are on our own which is a little scary but will be fine. Next we will probably head to Pokhara for a closer look at the himalayas

So you are now up to date. We will add some photos in the next day or so.
Seeyou, Megan and Clayton.

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Comments

[mum]

Getting good.
What a facinating trip...tough by the sounds of it!!!! getting good with loading the photos...looking forward to all the stories..hopefully will see you when you get back before we head off to sydney. Take care Love Mum and Lee

[shan]

gorgeous
The photo of the guy on the boat is so dreamy. Did you ride on a boat too?