An overnight train took us from Varanasi to Calcutta, the last place in the Northern India trip. It was also one of the girls in my group, Laura's birthday. Our leader had got us party hats to wear and a cake for her to enjoy on the train. It was absolutely quality. The whole of our carriage when they realised there was a cake gathered round to sing her Happy Birthday and also to take her picture. It was a warm and happy environment. Entering Calcutta was like e...

Varanasi is the one of the holiest places in India, where in the Ganges Hindu pilgrims come to wash away a lifetime of sins or cremate their loved ones. Arriving at Varanasi on the Festival of Colours meant that we saw it in a very different way. This festival celebrates the beginning of spring and is known as Holi, one of the most exuberant festivals in Northern India with the Hindus throwing coloured water and powder at anyone within range. Alcohol and bhang ...

So before I can talk about Agra and the Taj, I have to mention that we stopped in a place called Bharatapur where the main attraction was a bird park. Given my severe hatred/ fear of birds I elected to ignore this sight seeing attraction and spent the time very enjoyably lazying in a hammock reading. Not a lot to tell, but worth mentioning! Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal. We had 2 days to spend in Agra but as we arrived just after lunch we opted to wait until...

Leaving the countryside behind we headed via another bus journey to Jaipur. Thankfully this time the bus ride was slightly less eventful. Jaipur is a massive city, home to more than 5 million people. Tuk tuk's cane it round corners, oblivious to anyone else in the road. Cycle rickshaws compete for space and then there are the cars. All crammed into tight roads, all ignoring any road rules. We were based in the centre of the city but given it's size required tran...

It is said Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the earth and Pushkar floated to the surface. This town is a pilgrimage site based around a lake and one of the world's few Brahma temples. Consequently it is crammed full of pilgrims and hippies all trying to get that mystical experience assisted by plenty of bhang floating around! Pushkar is away from the main cities and is surrounded by mountains making it for me, a really enjoyable place. Touring round the town we ...