Namaste from Varanasi

Steve and Lea arrive in India
see all photos »

After a gruelling 12 hour bus ride, we finally arrived in Varanasi. We thought we had seen it all when the bus was roll-started, but we quickly realised such things are merely par-for-the-course in India.

Varanasi is India's holiest city, situated on the banks of the Ganges river. The Hindus believe the river is the water of god Shiva, and millions of Hindis travel to Varanasi to bathe in the Ganges water. Even though the water is toxic from pollution, the Indians bathe, brush their teeth, and burn their dead in the water.

Varanasi is not a going out city!

Lea pauses amid the traffic madness in downtown Varanasi
see all photos »

We stayed in the old city, which comprises narrow cobble-stone lane-ways lined with cows, motorbikes and street stalls. We spent our time exploring the markets, temples and river-side ghatts. We took a boat ride down the ganges at dawn and visited the local university.

It was a shock to be introduced to Hindi culture. Most Hindus are strict vegetarians and do not drink. Accordingly, there are no bars etc in Varanasi and no western-friendly nightlife. When we asked our hotel host to recommend a bar, he burst out laughing and said "Varanasi is not a going out city!" We were forced to spend the evenings drinking tea, viewing the cityscape and reading!

The sun rises over the Ganges river.
see all photos »

All up, Varanasi was an amazing place. The bustle, colour and noise gave us a glimpse of the real India. From Varanasi we headed west towards the Karma Sutra Temples at Khujaraho.