Wake up call at 5:00am and Joyce on the bus at 5:30, enroute back to the River Ganges. Gail stayed behind to nurse her cold.
Big traffic jam so we had to bail out of the bus and take an approximate 20 minute walk to the River's edge. Got into a boat same as the one we were in the previous evening and went for a "cruise" on the river.
Watched the sun come up over the horizon ....... gorgeous! The reflection on the water was beautiful.
Were rowed past the crematorium where the ashes from the previous evening were being gathered up, making things ready for today!! Kinda sad and kinda gruesome.
Watched many taking baths in the River....cleansing (?) themselves prior to prayers!
The walk back to the bus was an experience in itself....... so early in the morning and a "people" jam!!!!! Again, buses, motorcycles, tuck-tucks, cows......you name it!
Back to the Hotel, breakfast and then onto the bus for a short ride to the airport. Our Guide took care of the luggage, boarding passes, etc. ....nice! The flight to Kathmandu was short and uneventful. And then there was the Airport!!!!!! Oh my Gawd, what a nightmare!!! Fill out an Immigration entry form, line up to pay Visa fee, get into another line up to get Visa (four planes landed all around the same time!!), people, people, people..... then off to get baggage.
Kathmandu from the air nothing as expected......it's a BIG city!!! Almost 2 million people! Saw the Himalayas from the air which was nice. Picked up a local Nepalese Guide at the airport.
Hotel is spectacular! Late dinner and then to bed!
Wonderful Varanasi and the holy Ganges - a world of it's own. Your morning boat ride will be lovely, beautiful colours as the sun comes up and life around the river awakens, although I'm not sure it ever "sleeps".
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and embrace the sights, sounds and smells!
Don't touch the water!