Ok, so I have put some better quality photos up on flickr -

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25947232@N02/

It takes ages because of the internet connection, but once I find another quick internet cafe, I’ll re-upload all the crap quality ones because you really need the high quality to capture the colours and the sheer size of everything. Looking at the photos now makes me miss it badly. It was definitely the most incredible thing I have ever done.

This morning we got up before sunrise and walked to the Ganges to do a boat ride. As we were cruising down the riverside, we saw a dead body floating in the water nearby with two birds perched on top pecking at it. I don’t think that poor fellow made a smooth transition into the afterlife.

We visited the burning ghats again and this time we went right up close. All around our feet were the ashes of people and the smoke was thick with the acrid smell of bodies and the heat of the flames. Both Shane and I felt like we were intruding on a sacred affair so we quickly moved away, but as we got back into the boat, two shovels worth of ashes were dumped one level down onto the ground. Not very dignified! Then they get swept into the Ganges. The Ganges is the mother for Hindus and everything goes in there. I don’t know how their stomachs don’t melt when they drink the water.

Our boat driver ripped us off through a dodgy deal and after an argument we ended up getting off without paying. He was a massive dog and it was justified as he reneged on our agreement.

I promise I wil get around to documenting the trek, but right now I need to go and eat. Tomorrow we head north east to a place called Lucknow. There isn’t much there but Shane wants to see a random Indian town.

Hope everyone is well.