Varanasi

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Arrived in Varanasi after a surprisingly comfortable 12 hour train ride through the night. We're met by a friend of our driver from Agra, who seemed very nice and friendly. He took us to our hotel which was by the Ganges, so the location was nice, but it was a little difficult getting there. We had to get a boat down the river to right outside the place, the streets nearby were too narrow to get a rickshaw up, and the river was too high to walk along the bank. After dropping off our bags we started a tour of the city, which took in all the major sights, mainly temples surprisingly enough, lots of monkeys though so that was nice. Also went to the university, which is apparently the biggest in Asia, not a patch on Manchester though obviously. At the end of the tour we took in the seemingly obligatory trip to a craft shop, this time selling silk bedsheets and other silk things. By the end of this trip we'll have enough furnishings to fill a house. Next day we had a bit of a rest and explored the town and the streets and alleyways around us. This is where Rosie had her confrontation with the cow. Also had a nice meal that night in a restaurant recommended by rough guides, although we're not entirely sure why. Right above the main road with a waiter who really didn't seem to understand that he was running a restaurant.

Third day in Varanasi we moved hotels to be closer to the airport for our flight to Kathmandu in a couple of days time. On leaving our first hotel, a swarm of rickshaw drivers immediately descended upon us offering rides to the train station and the airport, ignoring us when we said that we weren't even going there and had already arranged to meet our guide just up the road. Some even quoted prices to us without even saying where they would take us. Went to Sarnath after checking into new hotel, which is a town just a little north of Varanasi and is where Buddha first preached his stuff. Went to a museum here too, not much to say about that though. In the evening in our hotel we experienced a new side to Indian culture that we hadn't quite expected. Namely a poolside party with loud European music and people dancing under showers of water and swimming in the pool fully clothed. Last day we had another relaxing day and broke from the traditional traveller image with buffet lunch at the Raddison next door.

Next stop Kathmandu

more soon

Neil and Rosie

xx

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Photos

Tulsi Manas Temple
More of the same temple

Tulsi Manas Temple
More of the same temple

On the balcony
The balcony of our hotel overlooking the Ganges

Sarnath
The site where the Buddha first preached his preachings

Buddhist Temple
Near the site of the Buddha's first preachings.

Buddha's Head
Near the Buddhist Temple

Tulsi Manas Temple
Hindu temple, very expensive for some reason, left with paint all over our faces and on our clothes.

Rosie and the Cow
This cow later either gently nudged or charged Rosie, depending on who's telling the story.

Sarnath
More of the Buddha's preaching site

Sarnath
Snowy on the spot where the Buddha used to meditate.

Comments

[Duncan]

india
hello neil and rosie! we like the blogs so far, me and dad want to see some pictures of the monkeys in the temple that you have seen! mum says "be safe" look forward to the next update, Duncan

[neil and rosie]

RE: india
Photos of monkeys will be coming soon. We can't give you too much of the good stuff too soon. Lots more monkeys seen in Nepal so far too, pictures of them will likewise be up soon ish.