Now at Rashmi/Palace on the River in Varanasi. Varanasi is indescribable and apparently, even a little crazier than usual due to a local festival celebrating the marriage of Shiva. To add to the madness it poured rain today, soaking the thousands standing in line for the temples. Jeane and I have managed to stay dry and are just taking it all in. We've had a very helpful guide who gained his fame on Tripadvisor - Pappu arranged for us to see the Aarti last night from the water and took us around today as well. We haven't had to think too much and so far that has helped with our appreciation of this amazing city.

The forecast for the coming week is 80's and sunny every day - we look forward to it.

The Rashmi/Palace is nicely situated and, while it is definitely a 2-star, I would stay here again. We are sleeping with earplugs and that is helping. The staff are friendly but I have not yet come across Bruno, the Great Dane of Death...Our "Super Deluxe" room has a fantastic view of the Ganges - it is small but there is room for our luggage and walking around.

We had dinner last night and breakfast today with another Fodors couple - live42day (Debbe) and her husband Doug - it was great sharing notes with them.

The internet here is very slow so this is it for now - lots more to say in my detailed report when we return.

Varanasi - I'm so jealous! Glad you're having a good time.

have fun and take a dip in the river for your health... shop, shop, shop

Wonderful to hear your check-in and to know you haven't yet been dragged into the Ganges by Bruno.

It rained on me pretty much all day in Tampa!! Back home to the icebox tomorrow afternoon, unless OHare gets closed (but it doesn't look like that will happen...darn).

So glad you two made it to Varanasi. Rain is much more pleasant than SNOW, trust me.

Tell Bangkok I'll be back in April. I'm sure the vendors at Chatuchak are waiting for me...haha.

Carol

Who/What is Bruno?

Mohammed meet Bruno:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...--varanasi.cfm

Now in Delhi - meeting with our Rotary exchange student and her mom in about an hour. Managed to escape via Varanasi airport unharmed via Kingfisher business class. No lounge at airport but complimentary cheese sandwich at airport restaurant. The plane was rather tired - both of us had seat function issues. The meal for the 1-1/2 hour flight was awesome - on par with the best airline food I've ever had - Indian food of course. The service was also fantastic - personalized help at each end with baggage, check-in, etc even though they did not know we were in biz class. We are at the Radisson right now - really nice hotel. Leaving for Udaipur tomorrow am.

Had a great day at Sarnath with an excellent guide - saw things that tourists usually don't including the most beautiful Buddhist monestary/temple with worship in progress - we sat (lotus position) transfixed for 1/2 hour. Much more details in trip report to follow.

Bruno, alas is no longer affiliated with the Rashmi/Palace, Btw.

Happy V-Day!

Craig,
So you are at the Radisson in New Delhi. Do try their "all you can eat" kebab special...awesome. Served at the table, atleast ten courses, each is a different type of kebab from different regions of India. It was about $17 a few years back. Need reservations for dinner.

Don't know if you'll see this post in time before you leave for Udaipur. You will not forget the kebab special...try it if you can.

Enjoy your trip!!!

I meant to suggest that you have dinner one evening while in Udaipur at the Restaurant Ambai. The food was reasonably good and it's in a wonderful spot, right on the lake overlooking both the City Palace complex as well as the Lake Palace.

anxious to read more--- only 15 patients have asked to have all their records thus far--- not to worry..

Surely the revenue from renting the office space for a fraternity party this weekend will make up for any lost patients...

Jeane is laughing in the background...

The Radisson provided a nice break from "India" and we are now in Udaipur for 4 nights. We did not get a chance to do the kebab special at the Radisson as we spent almost all of our free time with our Rotary exchange student, her mother and her aunt. They were in Delhi having spent 3 days in one of the outlying towns on a Rotary project delivering polio vaccines to school children. We were able to entertain them in the Club lounge during the 7 to 9 PM happy hour so it worked out well. The Radisson buffet breakfast was fabulous.

We have a huge "suite" room at Pahuna Haveli, our homestay in Udaipur. Hemant, our hostess has been very helpful. The accomodations are modest but comfortable. It is in a quiet neighborhood. The others that are staying here are mostly French. While Pahuna Haveli is beautifully landscaped, a cow stands in the empty lot behind the home next door eating garbage.

Jeane and I plan to have dinner at Ambrai on our last night.

We are at a nearby internet cafe. On the way we passed a primary school and were invited in to watch a song competition. The kids were cute and we were able to stand right in front of the stage for close-up photos.

That's all for now - going to do City Palace and shopping today, Kumbhelgarh Fort/Ranakpur Temple tomorrow.

sounds great....i am so envious...

for the party i have choosen all music students from hart school of music so they will all behave while playing symphony music and doing speed in between....i expect to be able to cover the renovation costs from the garage sale of drugs that were left over...

Right after the music students comes the rugby party. I've been to hundreds of those, so don't worry about a thing. Beer will not stain the carpets.

Ha ha. Kumbhelgarh was spectacular. The Jain temple was less but still worthwhile. Great rural drive but at 5 hours + touring, a bit long. Probably will not post again until we get to Bangkok on Monday.

I'm glad you liked Kumbalgarh! Wish we could have stayed overnight to see more of it.

Andy-thanks for the fabulous photos of your party.

I had no idea that those guys were all Ruggers! But how do you tell the teams apart on the field? Are there logos on their Speedos? Too small to see in the photo.

The keg hooked up to the mouth rinsing thing is a nice touch, but what are those two people doing in Jeane's dental chair? Is that legal???

Too bad she does not use nitrous oxide in the office...

Now in Aurangabad - Ajanta caves were awesome today. We had a guide who was very helpful in explaining the various stories in the frescos.

Weather is hot and dry - real nice. Lemontree hotel very comfortable. We are in a suite even though we didn't request it. The buffet dinner does not start until 7:30 - quite late but we find that dinner is late everywhere in India.

Kingfisher flights have been pretty good but never on time - meals offered on even the shortest all-economy flights.

Udaipur was great - we had wonderful hosts at Pahuna Haveli and made some excellent purchases also. Details in trip report to come.

No more time.

Can't wait to see your photos when you get home. Enjoy the GTG. Jean you better get a few Thai wall hangings for the office to hide the hole where someone put a fist thru the wall. kk