Nepal redeems all!

Varanasi was a place of culture and religion that lifted our view of India. Most of us managed to visit the various Ghats dedicated to the Hindu gods. We also enjoyed a few trips up the Ganges to observe the funeral pyres - these are continuous (24/7)!!

We were all told different things about the reason why some Hindu's are not cremated. I was told that babies, deaths from cobra bites, Holy Men, homosexuals and lepers were not cremated as cremation is passage to heaven for the Hindu and all these categories need to be reincarnated to reach perfection for heaven. Cremation is the only way to heaven.

I also asked if any people got sick from washing in the river and drinking it. The guide said that the 'Ganga' was his mother and that his mother would do nothing to hurt him or other Hindus. We observed a huge number of cremations and also dead bodies and dead cows and dogs floating down the river. Despite all this it was a moving experience.

Whilst here another trip going to Australia from London pulled in. It was a large lorry with a converted container for people to travel in. They had started their journey in March and don't get to Aussie till November!! I am truly glad not to be on that one. I also met a girl from York on that trip.

From Varanasi we went for a stop over in Gorakhpur (1st July). We spent ages looking for western style restaurants but the nearest we found was "Choudreys" an Indian style MacDonald’s. The food was fine. But the town...best to say nowt!

During all this time many, including me, kept having stomach problems so we have needed to eat wisely and only small amounts. We are nearly all recovered now with only one of us having to go ahead to Thailand in order to recover!!

Yesterday (2nd) we travelled to Kathmandu in Nepal, another trek! We left at 6am and arrived here at 10.30pm.!! The crossing from India was pretty straight forward and the difference when we crossed the border very noticeable - more order and tidiness etc.

This morning we awoke to a great breakfast which included fried potatoes! Then off for a flight around Everest which was another WOW! Already Nepal is proving to be amazing! We have also got great cafes and bars here with great menus so what else do we need!!??

As things have been so hectic and illness so rife many of us are taking the opportunity to stay longer in Nepal and then catch up with the OzBus in either Calcutta or Bangkok. In fact half of us are staying. I have decided to have two days white water rafting then going for 3 nights to Pokhara. The first day in Pokhara will be a trek, then a day to chill out and see the town. We will return to Kathmandu on the 8th to fly to Calcutta on the 9th.

Someone has asked about the things we do to pass time on the bus. Well we do have ‘Fact of the Day'. We try to find an interesting fact to share and also decide who might like to sponsor the fact, e.g. did you know that the people of Ireland send more text messages per head of population than any other country in the world?

Just thought I should also mention some of the painful things people do here in Kathmandu, e.g. Jenny and Kate had their tongue pierced. Jenny said it was done down a dirty backstreet for only seven quid! I think it looks good but none of my daughters had better get it done! I think they did this after serious thought and not just after the boredom of the trip yesterday.

I now need to get my kit ready for the next week so perhaps no blog for a while! Unless we find some internet in Pokhara.