VARANASI Pop 1,211,749 After collecting our bags from the airport with unexpected ease we made our way through the front doors into the waiting jaws of the hundreds of touts, Rickshaw drivers and general public all barking orders, ideas and sales patter at us. We did what we always do, ignore them, push our way through, stand back to get our bearings and if all that fails push as hard as they do and start shouting!! There was no need for the latter as we heade...

Mysore - Bangalore - Delhi - Varanasi The return journey from Mysore was the best yet. We were in sitting class and it was virtually empty except for a slovenian guy who was also travelling, so we passed the hours exchanging stories, drinking Chai and taking photographs of the abundance of life that takes place alongside the railway tracks. It is hard to believe anyone could live this way, camped out beside the tracks sometimes with just a blanket for cover, se...

MYSORE Pop - 799,200 We braved the circus that is Bangalore City train station having already confirmed the details of platforms and seats, climbed the countless stairs up and down and settled onto the heaving platform with a cup of chai waiting for our train. We had booked seats in non AC sitting rather than an AC sleeper as it was a short journey, a new experience and a whole lot cheaper. We boarded the train and as usual had to fight our way on, it is ridic...

BANGALURU - BANGALORE Pop 5.7 million. We had a fantastic journey most of the way on our deluxe coach. We relaxed and took in the sights passing through villages and towns and climbing high into the hills around a mountain and back down again. We finally got to watch a Tamil film, well actually two, one with English subtitles, one without they were both great!! We stopped for lunch at a locals restaurant and bakery and filled up on Veg and cheese pasties and c...

CHENNAI - MADRAS Pop - 6.6 million We left Mamallapuram and travelled for two hours in relative calm and comfort through the busy villages and towns leading to Chennai. We were only in Chennai on an overnight stay before catching the bus to Bangalore so we didn't have much time to explore. Chennai is such a vast city that given two weeks you would struggle to fully cover the whole area. Entering Chennai is not unlike entering any big city. You are immediately...