India
Deoria

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    • Day 35

      Erdbeben in Nepal

      November 4, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

      Ich bin gerade schockiert.
      Genau heute Nacht war ein Erdbeben in Nepal!!
      Viele Tote und viele Menschen werden vermisst.
      Nach einem Beben kommen doch immer Nachbeben.
      Heute komme ich nur nach Gorakhpur ( Indien)
      Der Bus nach Kathmandu fährt morgen früh um fünf!
      Ich weiß nicht, was ich tun soll???
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    • Day 36

      Go to Kalkutta, yippie!!

      November 5, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

      Immer, wenn ich wirklich nicht mehr weiter weiß, kommt ein Inder: can i help you, mam?
      Er sah wohl meine Verzweiflung.
      Er füllte mit mir ein Formular aus und ging mit mir zusammen zum Schalter.
      Gleichzeitig ging die Inderin, welche mir gestern gesagt hatte, ich solle um neun wiederkommen, zu ihrem Kollegen und sagte ihm glaube ich soetwas wie, du gibst jetzt sofort der deutschen Frau ein Sleeper Ticket.
      Beide redeten auf ihn ein, aufeinmal hatte ich ein Ticket nach Kalkutta in der Hand.
      Ich habe es bestimmt zehnmal geküsst und und beide fast auch geküsst.
      Da der Zug wieder Verspätung hatte, musste ich drei Stunden warten. Ich habe mit drei indischen Kindern rumgealbert.
      Dann entdeckte ich noch einen Massagesessel, da habe ich mich eine halbe Stunde massieren lassen.
      Jetzt sitze, schlafe, esse, rede ich mit 3 Indern im 4 er Abteil 22 Stunden lang :-)
      Meine längste Zugfahrt ...!!
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    • Day 9

      Mahaparanirvanatempel in Kushinagar

      September 17 in India ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

      An dieser Stelle starb Buddha. Die liegende Statue ist 6 Meter lang und 2000 Jahre alt. Wir durften unsere Hände auf seine Schulter legen. Natürlich nur die rechte Hand☺️. Die gelben Seidentücher werden von Buddhisten gespendet.
      Danach umrunden wir die Stupa, an der Stelle an der Buddhas Leiche verbrannt würde. Sie enthält Asche, Knochen und Utensilien des Buddha.
      Noch ein kleiner Tempel danach...
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    • Day 621

      Route nach Varanasi

      March 18 in India ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

      Am Morgen geht es so weiter, wie der Tag gestern geendet hat: Neugierige vor meinem Zelt. Ich ziehe schließlich eine Linie mit dem Zeltnagel. Diese darf von Besuchern und Schaulustigen nicht überschritten werden. Und zu meiner Verwunderung halten sich alle dran, auch der Hund, den ich verdächtige, dass er es war, der gegen mein Zelt gepinkelt hat.
      Die Fahrt geht heute abseits der großen Hauptstraßen durch viele kleine Dörfer und schlechte Straßen. Es ist beschaulich und es gibt weniger Gehupe und Gedränge auf den Straßen. Anscheinend gibt es kaum Touristen, die sich hierher verirren. Ich werde oft gefragt woher ich komme und wohin ich will und warum ich mit dem Fahrrad fahre, und so weiter. Immer die gleichen Fragen. Am Abend sehe einen Tempel mit schönem Grundstück und dachte mir, dass das ein schöner Platz wäre, um die Nacht dort zu verbringen. Ich fragte und und es wurde mir gestattet. Wieder kamen alle möglichen Leute zum schauen. Leider mit lärmender Musik bis etwa 23 Uhr.
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    • Day 47

      Agra, India

      February 5, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

      Taj Mahal day!

      We woke up early and walked to the Taj to be there for sunrise. We were briefed on the history of the monument before we had time to explore independently.
      The Taj Mahal was built by the emperor as a testament of his love to his wife after she died during child birth. The only part of the structure which is asymmetrical is the emperor’s grave which was placed beside his wife’s.

      We watched the sun rise of the marble roofs. We saw the inside of the monument which was decorated with hand carved precious and semi-precious gemstones.

      After some time in the hotel to rest, we went back out to watch some carpet making, which is what Agra is famous for. After we went to a marble workshop and learnt how the artisans create the designs for furniture and ornaments.

      Later in the evening we boarded the overnight train to Varanasi. Well, that was an experience! Unlike what I had pictured in my head (think Hogwarts express), the carriages were crammed full of three tier bunk beds, crying babies and people watching movies on full volume. Alex and I both slept on the very top bunk beds. I popped in some earplugs and my eye mask and slept quite soundly. Definitely not luxury but an easy way to travel.
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    • Day 47

      Varanassi, India

      February 5, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

      Day 1
      After the long train ride, we finally arrived at our hotel in Varanasi. In the evening we caught cycle rickshaws down to the river bank of the Ganges. Down at the river, we hopped on a small boat and sailed down to see the prayer and flower ceremonies. There were flowers with candles floating all down the river and the constant drone of chanting which echoed along the water. We floated down toward the cremation ceremonies. Here, giant fires were alight along the banks set against a backdrop of sandstone buildings. Families waited with the body of their loved one, for their turn. Hindu people believe that death is a time to celebrate life. These ceremonies are surprisingly welcoming to visitors.

      By the time we had returned to the dock, there would have been easily twenty thousand people lining the banks of the river. There was also hundreds of boats pulled into the bank, full of further people. These Hindu people visit the banks of the Ganges to pray and bathe in the river, hoping to cleanse them from their sins. I was surprised to learn that this ceremony has happened every single night for over four thousand years!

      The place was an absolute buzz. Imagine the sound of chanting, clapping and music, the smoke from the candles and incense, fires burning in the distance and thousands upon thousands of people dressed in colour. We were lucky enough to have a full moon glowing red in the background. It certainly had an energy not experienced anywhere else!

      Day 2
      Another early wake up meant we watched the sunrise over the Ganges. The area was still buzzing from the night before and we could see Hindus bathing in the river. Most had travelled long distances to bath as an important ritual of their religion.

      We walked back over to the area of the cremations, where we witnessed a cremation up close. The family circled the body and chanted. Next, they lit the fire using flames from the eternal flame, which sat above the banks. The family members then stood and watched and chatted. This takes around 3 hours. We stood beside the family and observed. They didn’t mind having us there.

      After a rest at the hotel, we headed back out to see the silk village. This was an area of around 2km, full of tiny alleys. As we walked around, you could here the constant galloping by of mechanical silk weaving machines coming from almost every house. We watched a demonstration and browsed the available items.

      After dinner we headed straight to bed. Yet another early morning tomorrow for our trip to Nepal!
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    • Day 2

      Le toit du monde

      June 9, 2023 ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

      À défaut d'avoir eu notre correspondance de minuit à Doha, nous avons eu les places du hublot gauche de l'avion suivant.
      Plein Nord, l'Himalaya.

    • Day 6

      Crazy 24 hours travel to Kathmandu

      October 29, 2022 in India ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
    • Day 11

      Bijaipur

      March 4, 2023 in India ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

      We didn't have to leave until 9.30 so breakfast was at 8. I slept well, the bed had a nicer, smooth duvet on where as most of the others have been very lumpy and felt like old blankets inside a cover.
      The lake looked beautiful in the morning light, with all the orange coloured flowers on the trees reflecting the light.
      A man with an alsation dog was fly fishing he was hoping to catch snakehead fish? He said with a big head and long body.

      We were picked up in the jeeps that we travelled in yesterday. Visiting a local farm to see what was being grown, was fun. We stopped to look at the crops in a small area, there was coriander and other herbs, garlic, onions, cabbage, chickpeas, and some crops for the cattle.
      We had seen enclosed netted off areas where they were growing poppies for medical companies to make opium. The companies know how much opium each area will produce so there is no room for error!
      The seed heads are scratched after the flowers have fallen, causing them to bleed a back liquid from which the drug is extracted
      If anyone is caught in possession they go to prison for 25 years with no trial.

      It is made by scratching the seed heads to bleed them of the black milk and collecting it. This is done when the poppies have flowered, and before the seeds dry out. It is weighed and a register is kept of the quantity of each yield.

      The lady whose plot we were looking at wasn't happy when one of us went into the netted area. She shouted and banged a stick on her pan that she was making her breakfast in.

      We then went on to the village where we were welcomed like celebrities. Everyone was smiling and waving to us and we saw some happy, smiling children and their families. They all wanted their photo taking, James took lots.
      We saw a lot of bantam like chickens here all scrabbling about in the dust.

      Then back to the jeeps and the bumpy Road and on to our next Heritage stay at Bijaipur.

      It was the most wonderful surprise to arrive at the castle Bijaipur. Built in early sixteenth century the Heritage property is owned by the local King whose family have lived there for thirteen generations.

      We were welcomed with a cold drink and cool flannels to wipe our hands. A garland placed round our necks. The gardens were very colourful and everything well kept, cut flowers floating in water around the pool area.

      Once again we had a beautiful room, with red bedding and a raised seating area infront of a window overlooking the courtyard. We were sitting drinking tea with the window open, I looked up to see a swarm of bees all around outside, heading for the window. Lucky I manage do close it just in time.

      The room had a dressing room and the bathroom was at the far end. The doorways were really low and there was also a step so I was convinced one of us would crash our head in the night but we didn't.

      James didn't feel well, he had a cold and sinus headache so just slept for the afternoon. I made the most of being able to relax, I had my hand henna painted. The girl who did it was very efficient, it took 5 minutes and she drew freehand. She drew four completely different ones payterns and they were all perfect.

      When the henna was set I had a swim, it was great to cool off in the lovely pool. I wasn't going to have a massage due to my fragrance allergy but Carol described the foot and lower leg massage she had and I was up for it.
      This was pure heaven, the masseuse knelt on the couch at my feet as she deeply massaged my calves, under my feet and ankles.

      Dinner was a buffet under the stars, it was a clear night. The food was brilliant, the best yet, slightly sweet, nutty, spicy dhal, mixed vegetables with peas and red carrots that have far more flavour than our orange ones. Split aubergines with spicy sauce, there are several different types of small aubergines here. Very long basmatti rice and spinach with potatoes
      Rice pudding flavoured with cardamon, pistachio and a tiny amount of dried fruit for desert.

      This is the sort of dishes we have had in many places, but this definitely had the most subtle fresh flavours.
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    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Deoria, DER

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