Kanpur Day 2

Four of us (Dhun, me, Mamta & DK) were due to head off to Varanasi however due to the Kumb Mela, an event to celebrate a rare alignment of planets in the Hindu faith - resulted in about 50 million people heading to a neighbouring town and the overspill causing Varanasi to effectively "shutdown" - cars banned, events cancelled, streets mobbed etc. so we decided to cancel, particularly given the plan was to travel by train and there was a recent stampede (at Delhi station) associated with people trying to get to Kumb Mela.

A new plan was formed and we headed to some relatives for early snacks (in a cramped 6 seater "auto") - then off to the Ganges to the spot Dhun's dad's ashes were spread and then on to a boat club for a (surreal) speedboat ride on the Ganges arranged by an old cousin of Dhun's dad, it was the first water sport I've done with two Octogenarians!!

We had lunch at the home of the person who'd arranged the speedboat, then back to the hotel for a rest followed by rooftop bar drinks then dinner at a restaurant with more relatives (a family of 4 doctors!) .

Dinner was delayed slightly as in the middle of snacks one of our hosts had to dash off to perform a cesarean, once she'd returned (literally 40 mins later) we went to a restaurant in the private complex where they have a flat - all really lovely & another reminder of the disparity of wealth which is ever-evident in India.
Sad to be leaving all the loving welcoming extended family in Kanpur.Read more