Hello again! Thought I would write sooner rather than later this time so I don't have so much to say. Last time I left you in Varanasi, where I was off to watch the ceramony thanking Mother Ganges for the water she provided. Well we watched that from a boat on the Ganges. The ceramony was fab, loads of colours and lights and chanting however there were millions of small flies (which resembled mosquitos...and I am not exaggerating when I say millions) which detracted from the show. Since I have already been bitten to death once I was more concerned about being eaten alive than watching the ceremony! Anyway, it was great. The next day we went to visit Sarnath, a suberb of Varanasi which is the site where it is believed that Buddha gave his first Sermon. A Buddhist Stupa now stands in beautiful parkland to mark the site where this took place.

That night we took a sleeper train to Delhi. This was an experience. Not so much a sleeper train- more an awaker-all-night train! The journey was supposed to take approx 12 hours (7pm-7am) but in true Indian style, it was late. 4 Hours late! Abhi (the tour leader) said 'the journey will be a minimum of 12 hours, but unfortunately we are in India- therefore there is no maximum time!'. I managed to dose in and out of sleep between doors banging, the train clunking and trying to get comfortable. But all said and done, it was fun. :D

Unfortunately the one day we spent in Delhi clashed with a Hindu festival- Holi. Although it was interesting to see how they celebrate, it was a national holiday and therefore everything was closed. Also, during the morning when the people 'play Holi' (basically colour each other and everyone in the nearby vacinity in dye and water), the police are completely powerless. Insane, I know, but true. So it was suggested that it may be unsafe for us to venture out during this time. On the plus side, I met the rest of the group who were meeting us in Delhi. We are now 13 in total I think with ages ranging from 21-60 and nationalities including; English, Polish, South African, german, Swiss, Scottish, American and French-canadian. Now would you believe its a small world....One of the English girls who was supposed to join us in Delhi is someone I studied Physio with (Kylie Langridge)! (She was unable to join us in Delhi as she fell ill in Varanasi but will be joining us tomorrow in Jaipur). Then...On the train to Agra today, I ended up sitting opposite someone who I went to Bilborough college with (Lizzy Ross). I later saw her 3 times at the Taj Mahal (to put this in perspective, 33000 people visit the Taj every day!). Bizarre!

So that brings me onto Agra which is where I am now (until tomorrow morning when I am off to Jaipur). Agra is home to the famous Taj Mahal, which by the way is every bit as fabulous and breath taking as it looks! I was worried that the Taj would not live up to my expectations, but it truely did. (I apologise for the lack of pictures- I am currently on a medival computer so will put them up at a later date). It is breathtaking and there is a fantistic story that surrounds its creation. I should probably also tell you that I visited the Agra Fort and the 'Baby Taj'. Impressive as they are they are sadly outshadowed by the Taj Mahal.

So thats me done for now. Hoping you've all had a chocolatey Easter.

Chocolatey kisses, Me XX