Indian Rupees 1 Sterling = 57.75 Indian Rupees

Before I start, To quote the Bible - or The Lonely Planet:

"India is not a place that you simply and clinically see; it's a total experience, an assault on the senses, a place that you'll never forget"

This is very true. India, it has been hard work but extremely rewarding. Reports from people who have travelled here before were diverse; some absolutely hated it, some adored it and some only loved it after some time away.... We love the country, but we are outsiders - we have not shared in the customs directly. We are experiencing India very much as an observer rather than actually taking part in the social behaviour (mum will be glad to hear I am not yet spitting, snotting and shitting on the streets).

India is tiring; simple tasks take a lot of time and pushing, buses and trains are cramped, the filth and squalor is appalling, everywhere is crowded, people are tiny and malnourished, limbless beggars and children surround you, the stench from the garbage, sewers and cowpats on the streets, the pollution, and constantly watching and holding tight to your belongings.

However, India is an incredible experience not to be missed. The customs and underlying culture and social behaviour of the race are fascinating and arouses so much emotion. The experience and process of getting things done and the atmosphere are more important than seeing a specific site or place of interest. It is hard to describe here in words, and I do not have the benefit of a thesaurus, dictionary or brilliant descriptive writing skills but I shall try my best and hopefully get some photos unloaded when I get to a scanner. Here goes anyway!

The route we took in India and Nepal is as follows:
Landed in Bombay, north to Varanassi (1,500km), Bodhgaya (230km), Varanassi, north to Sunauli (border with Nepal), Pokhura (130km from border) Kathmandu, back to India - Delhi, Rajasthan; Agra, Ajmer, Pushkar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaiselmar, Delhi, Calcutta.

We only had 2 months so unfortunately we had to rush. Those with more time should see the extreme south regions and spend more time to go deeper in Rajasthan. Goa is the spot for those who want a touristy beer-drinking time. Some reports loved it, others were not so keen. The extreme north and Pakistan was having trouble at the time we were there but those hardened travelers we spoke to who came overland from Europe loved the area. Remember as a rule; the less frequented the more risky getting around is.
Also for various reasons we went from Kathmandu to Delhi. Instead, if weather allows go east to Darjeeling then down to Calcutta.