We caught a train from Varanasi to Gaya and from there we travelled to Bodh Gaya. The train ride was a real Indian experience with a 2.5 hour delay taken as normal, 11 people packed into our 6 person compartment, a constant flow of touts and people just throwing all of their rubbish on the ground. We were incredibly lucky to make friends with a very helpful Indian on the train who ushered us through the scamming rickshaw drivers when we got off and helped us get...

We visited Allahabad which is a 3 hour bus ride from Varanasi, as there is currently a six week long festival called Magh Mela, where millions of people partake in a pilgrimage to this area in order to participate in some holy dips. When we got there it was a massive city of tarpaulin tents which reminded us of the movie District Nine. Walking along the water side it seemed like everyone was there to bathe, sell tat to the bathers or beg for money. We found Alla...

Varanasi, where to start? On one hand it seems like the streets are an assault on the senses. The streets smell strongly of urine and cow poo with an intermittent smell of curdled milk - not the spicy, delicious curry smells we were hoping. The streets are also absolutely jam packed with vehicles all continuously honking. On top of the horns there is the constant touts yelling to get your attention. This goes for the banks of the Ganges too, only everyone is try...