1989/90 - India Overland (Part 6 - Jaipur to Varanasi)

Wildlife, a mausoleum, temples with interesting carvings and the holiest city in India.

Monday 1 January 1990 - Monday 8 January 1990
View 1989 India on nzhamsta's travel map.

Monday 1 January - It was supposed to be an early start, but the effects of the previous night were very evident. Once the hangovers cleared, we drove to Ranthambore Wildlife Reserve (now a national park). We had an afternoon tour of park seeing alligators, deer, birds, monkeys, but no tigers.

Indian alligators.

Spotted deer.

The ruins at Ranthambore.

Our driver, Debbie, Andrew, another tourist, Craig, Wendy and Marissa.

Tuesday 2 January - A morning tour of the park also failed to spot any tigers. The rest of day spent driving towards Fatehpur Sikri. The fog rolled in at about 6:00 pm and we could not see a thing. I only found my tent my tripping over the guy ropes.

The best chai wallah in all of India.

Wednesday 3 January - The fog did not lift all day so the morning tour of the deserted city was spoilt and I could not get any good pictures. We arrived in Agra mid afternoon. To the Taj Mahal in the afternoon but again the fog prevented any good pictures.

The Panch Mahal.

The tomb of Salim Chisti.

The gateway to the Taj Mahal.

A foggy Taj Mahal.

Thursday 4 January - Another foggy morning. I did a tour of city, visiting the Agra (Red) Fort, a nice restaurant for lunch, the Taj Mahal (much better photos), the Itmad-ud-daulah (another tomb), and the Kinari Bazaar.

Probably the most beautiful building in the world.

A mosque near the Taj Mahal.

The Red Fort.

Itmad-ud-daulah, the tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

It's hair cut time in Agra.

Friday 5 January - On the road again, this time heading towards Orchha. The town has a couple of large temples and forts. We camped by the Betwa River and immediately became the centre of attention yet again as the locals came out their droves to see what this bunch of tourists in a large orange truck were doing by the river.

The palace at Datia.

The palace and Betwa river at Orchha.

Close up of the palace at Orchha.

Saturday 6 January - An uneventful drive to Khajuraho, arriving at lunch time. Interesting temples :-) We stayed at Tree Tops hotel, near the Panna Game Reserve. This is literally a tree house with all facilities a few metres up a tree.

The Vishvanath and Nandi Temples.

The Chitragupta Temple.

Sunday 7 January - A long drive to Varanasi. We got lost a couple of time due to dodgy road signs and at one point had to enlist the help of a local policeman who rode in the cab and pointed out where to cross the Ganges. A late arrival and very late dinner.

Monday 8 January - Free morning repairing my bag and finding a post office. An afternoon tour of city including a boat tour viewing the cremation, bathing and dhobi ghats. We had a dodgy guide who wanted to take us shopping instead of sightseeing. We were not going to put up with that at all so we did not pay him the full fee. He was not a happy bunny after being told he was not getting paid.

A temple to Ganesh on the river bank.