Mathura and Return to Taj MahalOn to MathuraA driver arranged through our AirBnB host is set to pick us up at our hotel at 11:00 am to take us to Mathura. We get a call, he is coming from Mathura and is caught in traffic. Eventually he arrives at noon.Mathura is the birthplace of Krishna. It is also the epicentre for the Holi celebrations that happen once a year. …
Last Day in New DelhiQutab MinarJohn and I have a leisurely morning. We take the stairs to the lobby, passing one of the hotel staff making toast in the stairwell landing. We meet up with Garima for breakfast at the restaurant/sweet shop next to our hotel. It seems weird without the rest of the group. Garima leaves today for her home town of Jaipur.John and I head out by …
On to New DelhiOn to New DelhiI slept well despite the guy constantly walking through the compartments late into the night and early in the morning chanting “Chai, Chai, Chai” over and over again. How many sales does he think he’ll get when everyone is trying to sleep?Our overnight train from Varanasi arrives on time. New Delhi seems serene compared to Varanasi…now that’s saying something. We head back to …
Free Day in VaranasiMorning in Varanasi John is up at 5am to go to one last Aarti ceremony at Assi Ghat. I decide to take it easy, shower and pack.Upon his return, we bump into Paul in the lobby. Paul had gone for an early morning dip (full immersion) in the Ganges. We head to breakfast at the Open Hand Cafe. Such a relaxing place hidden amongst the bustling chaos …