Blogs

First full day in Varanasi, wipe up with the birds again. Have no idea how it's possible for my internal clock to be working like this. Took some really good pics off balcony yellow roofed building and one titled orange.

Hit the ghats avoided the burning ghat for now.. Just wanted a feel for the places and bearings. Strange to see so many cows and buffalo in a concrete jungle. Many touts tried their are selling weed, though it's everywhere here they were claiming a government shop. Far to shit scared to go near anything that would put a noose around my neck. So the get the really cold shouldered NO not interested.. Some can be really peasky others not so much.

Wow only here a few hrs and this place has all ready grown on me! Herd this was a special place, but mind altering. 

Arrived at train station after 20min waiting out side station in stationary train. Once in called the hotel to get my ride in. First time ever done that and what a blessing! Found some German medical students, who were also waiting for the driver. After brushing off many touts, yip getting there. Some one seemed to do the secret hand shake with the German girl. We were then off on a tuk tuk through the madness, tight little place Varanasi is. Any how after quite a few min in the taxi, she got a call from hotel owner. Turns out we were conned into the wrong one. Well she was, I was to buzy chatting to the others when deal went down.

After the pretty long day in Agra, awoke at 5am to knocking on the door. Bloody alarm did not go off, iPhone bug tisk tisk.. Luckely my 'buddy' driver was on time and managed to get the hotel staff to wake me.

Stuffed last few bits in my bag, headed for the bus station. Got on a local long hall bus direct to Khujaro, was pleasently surprised how spacious the bus was. Was lucky had the seat next to me empty. A few stops every few hrs, at the local stations. Driver dissapears with the ticket entorage into the station. Locals pile off and smaple the local bits and bobs on offer.

Once in my room, stopped dropped and rolled through the shower. Headed straight for the Taj in the mid day sun. Cheaper than the guide book for a change 250 to get my ass through the gates.. The Canadian girls warned me that they were way strict with what u culd take in. So made sure my bag was way empty. At the main Taj drag there was no where to prop the camera so whipped out the tripod. Only to get rudely interrupted, "No, No sir come".. Thought I broke the law crossing some sacred line or so.. Had to leave the tripod. 

Was not expecting to much with the Taj, but it's truly worth the mission to Agra it's HUGE! The inside is getting a little spoiled by the troops of tourists touching the white marble turning it black. Would have loved to have gone up one of the spires on one of the corners but no cam do.

Got my train ticket at the Amritsar golden temple ticket office. Was good rubbing sholders with the locals, no segrigation there between the locals and tourists. Got the shadbati exp to Delhi a bit fast for what I needed, 5hrs vs that 13hrs trip up. As could not spot a train direct to Agra. Arrived at 23:30 odd. 

Had it in my head not to get ripped by the touts again. But they had the last laugh. Fished at the other side of the station, from all my last passages through it. But was sent to the opposite end by the man at the ticket window.

Seems got taken for a small ride with this bus. Even though happy 2 have left Delhi! Been playing musical chairs with people sitting next to me. The air con is leaking, not that it seems to be working. I've had almost half of India on my lap. The shockes must have been wealded to the chassy.

This driver sure got his licence in India! Because iv nearly been fly through the front window of the bus a few times now, I'm on the back seat. And cherry on top due to my position in the bus the other one in tow, does not stop with his hooter. NOTE bus hooters are very loude.

Think iv got a plan for these buses, coz iv got them all the way to Katmando. I'm gonna get narly as hell, moms not here and no girl friend in tow. So a few more days with no showering and I'll smell like a king! I'm sure one does not smell their own stink that much. Then any of these farmer browns, who try snuggle my leg will be playing with fire!

Last few days in Amristars were pretty bland. Did miss my blanket (newly departed friends) but did not come on this trip 4 that. After say good bye to Laura, took a short nap. At 8 wondered around the side of the temple and got a train ticket back to Delhi as nothing was going direct to Agra. Took the opportunity to hit some temples around Mata and the silver temple. The Mata temple is mainly used for Hindu woman, who are pregnant or wanting children.. So who knows maybe I'll pop one out soon, a screaming pooping bundle of joy :P

Getting off the train we were headed out of the station when Lathan, did the usual. Scampering back to the train, searching for the coach we were in I found my phone. After the torcher that we endured in Delhi waiting for the train to Amritsar. The city with the Golden temple has won me over, the people have been so friendly here.

The first thing we tried to do was book into the free accommodation at the Golden Temple. But with the 13+ hrs on the train we only got to the temp after 6 pm. The dorm was full so had to make alternative arrangements. We started right by the temple looking for room, the first place wanted 750 rupies. But a few more later we had one at 300 rupies, no air con but was cheep as chips.

Waking up early to make the bus at 9:00, we awoke at 7. Packed as we were not staying another night in this doggy dirty little room. Once checking out another younger guy was at the reception. The who checked us in was lurking around as well. We had to paiy the renaming 350 for the room. Upon doing that the little smuck says no you still need to pay 10% more for government tax. Well did Lauras mouth only let out a loud NO, we agreed on 650 last night and that what we paying. Other little bugger did not even open his mouth!

Last two days in Mumbai were fun, was getting a bit board with the place. Any how being the last day we were all together I suggest we do the slum tour. So we headed for Dharavi in the heart of Mumbai. First stop was getting some tickets, reality tours and travel was the NGO that took us on it. Unfortunately photos were not allowed at all. We found the ticket office close to the dodgy shop posing as a tourist information booth. Stairs were every steep and passages were so narrow only one person could fit at a time. Reminded me of Amsterdam a little.

So tickets booked we were to meet our tour guide at one of train stations. After the time had come and gone, a fellow popped out of no where. He said he was taking us to the guide who was in the slums. Weird as we were expecting the guide, anyhow 15 rpuies later we were on the train. Now our second train travelling with the locals to and fro from work. Way grand!