My last stop in India was Varanasi which is one of the world’s most sacred cities (and allegedly one of the oldest). The main attraction here is the Ghats on the Ganges River – old Palaces and Temples at the waterfront. Pretty run down now but quite interesting to watch the activities around about it.
The burning ceremonies (cremations) go on all day. Male members of the family bring down the deceased and wash him/her in the river to cleanse the soul. It takes over 3 hours for the body to completely burn and the ashes are then thrown in the river. Some parts do not burn (men’s – chest/woman – pelvis) and these are weighed down and thrown in the river. There are 6 categories of people who are not burned (under 10 yrs/pregnant woman/holymen/those who die from smallpox/lepresy/snake bite) as these are already cleansed due to their condition – these bodies are weighed down and thrown in the river!!
Making fuel coals from Cow Dung.
An early morning Yoga class.
Sunrise on the River Ganges. 
Morning view of the Ghats. 
Learning to make silk.
A Holyman.
Swimming lessons - about 10m down river from the cremations!!
A puja ceremony – offerings to gods – this was a beautiful service to watch. 
Leaving India
James & Matt who I traveled up to Nepal with.
Matt & Benny on what turned out to be a very long cycle rickshaw ride followed by a strop by the drivers who were not happy we would not pay them 5 times the agreed fare – we did more than double it!!
.
First stop in Nepal was Lumbini - which was the birthplace of Buddha. It is now a complex of monastries and temples which have been built by different countries - above is the Chinese Temple.
The very friendly Buddhist Pilgrims I met at the temples.
The very peaceful and relaxing gardens at the Stupa complex at Lumbini.
A big prayer bell - you find these in various sizes and colours in the temples - they should be spun around to release prayers.
I liked this temple in the Stupa complex.
And another.....
A pilgrim in Thai Temple.
Ryan the Tiger on his own pilgrimage!!
The World Peace Pagoda at Lumbini - built by Japanese Buddhists - one of whom was murdered during construction!!
The exact spot that Buddha was born in Lumbini
Kermit
The view from my hotel balcony at Chitwan Park - not bad for 1.50 per night!!
The French would love these snails they are so big....
Sunrise at Rapti river at Chitwan National Park.
A Cotton Bug - these were all over the ground in the park - in fact I was so busy trying not to stand on them I missed the Slow Bear that was in the middle of the path just ahead of us - I just caught the dust and grass moving!! Teach me to be considerate.....
The main reason I went on another safari was because I wanted to bath the elephants - as you can see though turned out it was more like getting a shower from the elephant. This has to be one of the most fun things I have probably ever done - highly recommend it if you get the chance!!
I know I make this look really easy - but trust me it wasn't!!
Falling off the elephant as she lies down in the water!! Getting back on it was even less graceful :-)
How cute is this baby elephant - about 2 years old.
A Mugger Crocodile - the British got the word 'mugger' from these as they sneak up and drag people into the rivers!
Unfortunately this 3 year old Tigeress has to stay in a cage at the National Park - her mother became a man eater and was shot , 2 of her three cubs died and this one was rescued by local villagers but as she has tasted man flesh she is considered too dangerous to be released into the wild.
A storm is brewing - have actually been caught in the rain a couple of times - makes me feel at home !!
Furniture Removal Service - well at least it's enviromentally friendly - not so sure it is good for his back though.
Nepali face masks.
At least you know the portions will be big!!!
The most common phrases used by tourists in Thamel area of Kathmandu (taken from a T Shirt).
For some reason candy floss is very popular in Kathmandu - loads of kids sell it in the streets.
Watching the world go by......
Kids playing in the backstreets of Kathmandu.
Glad I don't have to wash that lot.
Or move this lot..
I couldn't work out why there was a lighthouse in the middle of Kathmandu - turns out it is Bhimsen Tower which, after climbing the 213 steps gives pretty good views over the city.
Sleeping rough on the streets of Kathmandu.
Ryan the Tiger at Durbar Square Kathmandu.
The friendly lady vendors in Durbar Square.
The Cycle Rickshaw Rank at Durbar Square.
Relaxing with a game on the steps of the Temple at Durbar Square.
Durbar Square
Me at Durbar Square.
The friendly guard at the Palace
Some angry looking god!!
Colourful gates at the entrance to one of the Temples.
Material available in any colour.
The Dragon Gaurd at one of the Temples.
Holymen at Durbar Square.
A Little Drummer Boy.
Prayer Bells around Swayambhnath Temple - also known as the Monkey Temple - funny enough because of the monkeys who play here and entertain the worshippers.
View over Kathmandu from the Monkey Temple. Yes it did rain and I had to buy an umbrella ;-)
The man who paints on the red bindi dots (not sure that is in fact the right name but you know what I mean!!).
A child taking a dump in the middle of the packed temple during the festival of Ganesh with thousands of worshipers passing by!!
Ringing the bell lets the gods know that you are making an offering to them.
A display of Gods at the temple.
Ryan the Tiger enjoying the festivities at the Monkey Temple.
Some of the thousands of people who came to the temple for the festival. It amazes me how big apart religion places in all aspects of life over here and how devoted people are to it - then again maybe that's because I'm the ultimate doubter!
A big Buddha.
Even the monkeys enjoy cooling down with an ice cream! I'm just jealous as I don't trust the power supply here enough to have one:-(
The Tibet peace protesters who were on a 24 hour fast.
One of the many odd and wonderful things you come accross whilst walking around the backstreets of Kathmandu!
As much as I enjoyed India and had some amazing experiences there I have to say I am happy to have moved onto Nepal - not only is it more laid back (well from North India anyway) but it is also much cooler - in fact it was quite cold this afternoon when it rained!! There are loads of places in India that I didn't make it too and I hope that I'll make it back someday to see some of them. I certainly learnt lots including patience and that anything is possible!!
Have enjoyed Nepal to date - people are really friendly and there is not so much 'learing' from guys which is very nice I have to say! Keep thinking things are much more expensive here than in India then remember that you get more Nepalise rupees to the pound - not that you could call it expensive anyway - my elephant bathing cost me 80p!!
I was intending to head to a small town outside Kathmandu today but turns out there is a strike on - a common occurence here - and though there is still some places open in the main tourist area the buses etc are off and getting anywhere would involve a taxi, who would undoubtedly put up the price, and the risk of sitting in a traffic blockade for hours!! The locals advised just to stay in this area. Least it gave me the chance to update my blog and I found a lovely park to chill out in until the thunder storm arrived!!
I also managed to book my trekking trip to the Himalaya's - I was intending a 6 day trip but ended up booking 10 day one - eek - just hope where my fitness lapses my sheer determination will kick in as I think I weight just a little more than the 20kg my porter will carry.....off tomorrow morning on 8 hour bus drive then couple of days later start the trekk so you will probably not get an update for a few weeks (nor any e-mails) so please don't panic....
Have also decided to skip China for the time being - too much else to do than spend weeks trying to sort out a visa and take risk of booking everything only not to get it - and the cost is going up every day we get nearer the olympics. So after Nepal think I will head to Bangkok as easiest place to get to from here and from there I can go overland to Vietnam etc......(sorry for boring you all but I keep getting e-mails from people worrying about my route given all the natural & political disasters going on!!)
Hope that your all well and keep the funny e-mails and replies to the blog coming, it is nice to log in and get them especially when I haven't had a proper conversation with anyone in days....
Jack xxx :-)
First stop in Nepal was Lumbini - which was the birthplace of Buddha. It is now a complex of monastries and temples which have been built by different countries - above is the Chinese Temple.
The very friendly Buddhist Pilgrims I met at the temples.
The very peaceful and relaxing gardens at the Stupa complex at Lumbini.
A big prayer bell - you find these in various sizes and colours in the temples - they should be spun around to release prayers. 
I liked this temple in the Stupa complex.
And another.....
A pilgrim in Thai Temple.
Ryan the Tiger on his own pilgrimage!!
The World Peace Pagoda at Lumbini - built by Japanese Buddhists - one of whom was murdered during construction!!
The exact spot that Buddha was born in Lumbini
Kermit
The view from my hotel balcony at Chitwan Park - not bad for 1.50 per night!!
The French would love these snails they are so big....
Sunrise at Rapti river at Chitwan National Park.
A Cotton Bug - these were all over the ground in the park - in fact I was so busy trying not to stand on them I missed the Slow Bear that was in the middle of the path just ahead of us - I just caught the dust and grass moving!! Teach me to be considerate.....
The main reason I went on another safari was because I wanted to bath the elephants - as you can see though turned out it was more like getting a shower from the elephant. This has to be one of the most fun things I have probably ever done - highly recommend it if you get the chance!!
I know I make this look really easy - but trust me it wasn't!!
Falling off the elephant as she lies down in the water!! Getting back on it was even less graceful :-)
How cute is this baby elephant - about 2 years old.
A Mugger Crocodile - the British got the word 'mugger' from these as they sneak up and drag people into the rivers!
Unfortunately this 3 year old Tigeress has to stay in a cage at the National Park - her mother became a man eater and was shot , 2 of her three cubs died and this one was rescued by local villagers but as she has tasted man flesh she is considered too dangerous to be released into the wild.
A storm is brewing - have actually been caught in the rain a couple of times - makes me feel at home !!
Furniture Removal Service - well at least it's enviromentally friendly - not so sure it is good for his back though.
Nepali face masks.
At least you know the portions will be big!!!
The most common phrases used by tourists in Thamel area of Kathmandu (taken from a T Shirt).
For some reason candy floss is very popular in Kathmandu - loads of kids sell it in the streets.
Watching the world go by......
Kids playing in the backstreets of Kathmandu.
Glad I don't have to wash that lot.
Or move this lot..
I couldn't work out why there was a lighthouse in the middle of Kathmandu - turns out it is Bhimsen Tower which, after climbing the 213 steps gives pretty good views over the city.
Sleeping rough on the streets of Kathmandu.
Ryan the Tiger at Durbar Square Kathmandu.
The friendly lady vendors in Durbar Square.
The Cycle Rickshaw Rank at Durbar Square.
Relaxing with a game on the steps of the Temple at Durbar Square.
Durbar Square
Me at Durbar Square.
The friendly guard at the Palace
Some angry looking god!!
Colourful gates at the entrance to one of the Temples.
Material available in any colour.
The Dragon Gaurd at one of the Temples.
Holymen at Durbar Square.
A Little Drummer Boy.
Prayer Bells around Swayambhnath Temple - also known as the Monkey Temple - funny enough because of the monkeys who play here and entertain the worshippers.
View over Kathmandu from the Monkey Temple. Yes it did rain and I had to buy an umbrella ;-)
The man who paints on the red bindi dots (not sure that is in fact the right name but you know what I mean!!).
A child taking a dump in the middle of the packed temple during the festival of Ganesh with thousands of worshipers passing by!!
Ringing the bell lets the gods know that you are making an offering to them.
A display of Gods at the temple.
Ryan the Tiger enjoying the festivities at the Monkey Temple.
Some of the thousands of people who came to the temple for the festival. It amazes me how big apart religion places in all aspects of life over here and how devoted people are to it - then again maybe that's because I'm the ultimate doubter!
A big Buddha.
Even the monkeys enjoy cooling down with an ice cream! I'm just jealous as I don't trust the power supply here enough to have one:-(
The Tibet peace protesters who were on a 24 hour fast.
One of the many odd and wonderful things you come accross whilst walking around the backstreets of Kathmandu!
As much as I enjoyed India and had some amazing experiences there I have to say I am happy to have moved onto Nepal - not only is it more laid back (well from North India anyway) but it is also much cooler - in fact it was quite cold this afternoon when it rained!! There are loads of places in India that I didn't make it too and I hope that I'll make it back someday to see some of them. I certainly learnt lots including patience and that anything is possible!!
Have enjoyed Nepal to date - people are really friendly and there is not so much 'learing' from guys which is very nice I have to say! Keep thinking things are much more expensive here than in India then remember that you get more Nepalise rupees to the pound - not that you could call it expensive anyway - my elephant bathing cost me 80p!!
I was intending to head to a small town outside Kathmandu today but turns out there is a strike on - a common occurence here - and though there is still some places open in the main tourist area the buses etc are off and getting anywhere would involve a taxi, who would undoubtedly put up the price, and the risk of sitting in a traffic blockade for hours!! The locals advised just to stay in this area. Least it gave me the chance to update my blog and I found a lovely park to chill out in until the thunder storm arrived!!
I also managed to book my trekking trip to the Himalaya's - I was intending a 6 day trip but ended up booking 10 day one - eek - just hope where my fitness lapses my sheer determination will kick in as I think I weight just a little more than the 20kg my porter will carry.....off tomorrow morning on 8 hour bus drive then couple of days later start the trekk so you will probably not get an update for a few weeks (nor any e-mails) so please don't panic....
Have also decided to skip China for the time being - too much else to do than spend weeks trying to sort out a visa and take risk of booking everything only not to get it - and the cost is going up every day we get nearer the olympics. So after Nepal think I will head to Bangkok as easiest place to get to from here and from there I can go overland to Vietnam etc......(sorry for boring you all but I keep getting e-mails from people worrying about my route given all the natural & political disasters going on!!)
Hope that your all well and keep the funny e-mails and replies to the blog coming, it is nice to log in and get them especially when I haven't had a proper conversation with anyone in days....
Jack xxx :-)
