Wednesday, May 23 Delhi, Varanasi

Ganges at Asi Ghat, Varanasi

The area near the Delhi Hotel in Karol Bargh is a curious mix. It has a few hotels, hospitals, and car suplly shops. Our return tothe airport was much more straightforward than yesterday's adventure. The airport featured shops such as WH Smith, Marks and Spensers and the Body Shop.

As the plane descended into Varanasi, the pilot told us that the ground temperature was 44 degrees. At the terminal we negotiated our way through a flurry of porters and drivers to our cabs into the city. It was very hot, congested and dusty. As has been the pattern, our drivers found the hotel after a few false turns and requests for directions. The entrance to the Sahi River Guest House is not auspicious: you go along the ghat, turn up an alley, then through a side alley, up a couple of flights of stairs to the lobby of the hotel. The Sahi River View Guest House does indeed have a beautiful view of the Ganges. We ate at a pizzeria east of the hotel to make plans for the next day.