Varanasi

Day 130 - 132.

Heading to Varanasi (the Holy capital) meant crossing some delightful 900km of road, at least in some parts this was the case - the bumps on my head indicate that a good proportion still remains very much a dirt track.

Regardless of injuries, 13 hours and countless packs of orange biscuits later we had arrived. Expecations again were relatively low, Varanasi had been sold by many as a place that HAD to be seen but also one that would truly test each and every sense in our body. Not only is this the Holy capital of this deeply religious country but it is also known as the dirtiest, poorest and most scam rich area in nearly all of India.

In fact this really was a city that has to be seen to be believed, the Ganges river is lined for miles with countless ghats, Ashrams and temples all of which are bustling with life (and death) from dawn to dusk. From the spiritual rituals, to the morning bathers and those simply paying their respects to the dead, whatever the occasion it was always quite something to watch!

It was certainly a town of firsts, and one where you had to have your wits about you; turn that narrow alley too quickly and right in your face a dead body being charged at you, enjoying that fresh blueberry Lassi but just glance in the wrong direction, another dead body rolling on by to really put you off. (Lassi's were still finished off of course, just once I'd finished persuading Limbster the dead skin cells hadn't in fact made it into her drink).

Although very morbid it was actually fascinating and totally normal for those living here to see dead bodies carried through the streets and cremated on the waters edge all day long. On a positive note on the back of this visit we now have very clear funeral plans for one another, and if fate should have it, bring on Billy Joel and a big old oak tree at Lepe beach to remember us by.

Varanasi so far has been the people watching capital of India for us. Home to countless Ashrams, and with the soon approaching annual Holi festival means my favourite Sadhus are in abundance here, there is literally orange everywhere and I love it - every street is a photo opp, much to Ellies dismay.

Sadly, unlike the holy men all around neither of us quite had the stomach to take the almightly dip into the Ganges whilst here and thus remained firmly on our Boat or the safety of the ghats. We also discovered the numbers six and seven are pronounced with such similarity that limbster cannot tell the difference, swiftly dodging her 'what are the odds' commitments, once again.

Although beautiful at sunrise and dusk, 3 full days of 35° heat accompanied with what seemed like the full concentration of Brazils mosquito population began to take it's toll on us alongside every other foreigner in Varanasi. Limbster especially suffering from the fateful combination of real mozzie bites and sheer paranoia decided it was time we said farewell to the Varanasi adventure.

Few top games here to note for memories also.

1. Dodge the Cow Tail. (Cow 1 Limbster 0)
2. All the dobble (Craig 1 Limbster 0)
3. Would you rather, Varanasi special (Too many crackers to note, have to hand it to Ellie here, Craig 0 Limbster 1)
4. The 5 rules of Varanasi (Dodgeball) are key when walking, dodge duck dip dive & dodgeOkumaya devam et