Thread: Varanasi

Originally Posted by Chico

India is one place I've never wanted to visit,I won't even fly Air India.

When I was a backpacker the stories of Travelling around just but me off.

Me too. While it as some beautiful places, i am sure, I'm not keen on seeing places 10x shittier than Thailand.

Wife has been a few times and not keen on it either. Interesting though, from the perspective of a couch potatoe!

Ye its a shame as you say it has beauty,though the sheer squalor really puts me off,having to watch everything you eat.

Originally Posted by Chico

Ye its a shame as you say it has beauty,though the sheer squalor really puts me off,having to watch everything you eat.

I had no problems with food there, but I'm choosy about where I eat.

Avoiding pre-prepared street food is wise, eat only freshly cooked meals. Muslim restaurants are good value, so's the food at the Hare Krishna colony or at the Jain colony, all vegetarian,...or chew on freshly baked chapatis and alu dhum (potato curry) followed by fruit and more chai.

But, if staying at a hotel with a decent restaurant, where you can have really good meat curries, you've got a good chance of avoiding the running trots.

Take a quality camera. This is the venture of a lifetime. Do not buy film in bulk & buy from a reputable outlet. The heat is stifling.

Apart from the endless cremations at the ghats, Varanasi was once well known for its silk weaving.

I bought some last time there. One piece which I'd intended to have made into a suit ended up becoming my blanket,.. warm at night, yet cool enough to use during the day as a cloak.

Silk breathes easily, so moisture doesn't accumulate in the fibres as it can with cotton, and doesn't stink like synthetics do after a few hours wear in the heat.

Not worthy of its own thread, so here it is.

Indian food - the best will be found in England.
If you live in Asia, Singapore.

If you desire a good holiday, DON'T take your Thai wife.

Adam would be good if you could share you photos,so we can see your adventures.

Originally Posted by adam03

Take a quality camera. This is the venture of a lifetime. Do not buy film in bulk & buy from a reputable outlet. The heat is stifling.

went in 1972 and ended up so ill from the food thought I'd end up on one of the fires, as somebody said fascinating shit hole, no desire to ever go back.

Chico
My ex is the proud owner of my pics.
BTW, I did most of my travel in my mid 30s.

I am indebted to her for my travel & AA.

Kashmir was a very interesting place too.

Originally Posted by adam03

Take a quality camera. This is the venture of a lifetime. Do not buy film in bulk & buy from a reputable outlet. The heat is stifling.

Who uses film these days ?

Traditional B&W film only for connoisseurs. Pentax & Leica cameras are a minimum.
At least 2 digital cameras for backup purposes.

And to think you live amongst the peasants in Isaan.

Peasants with CLASS!
BTW, I went to India in the mid 80s & moved to Fang 1.5 years ago.
In Oz, as a CPA, I had some renowned photographers as clients. Prior to that, I knew zilch.

Fang? North east you mean Baan fang Mae fang or Fang as is in the north.?

Fang Thailand - 150km NE of CNX. Population - 20k. Expat population was 20-30k but is in decline. Too much excitement!

Right I'll be around for a beer later.

Originally Posted by adam03

Fang Thailand - 150km NE of CNX. Population - 20k. Expat population was 20-30k but is in decline. Too much excitement!

I am great company being a member of the Secret Society aka AA.
They do have nightclubs aka Lady Night clubs. Naturally, you will be fluent in Isaan-Thai. Traditional Thai is not spoken often here.
I recognize that this is all banter.
BTW, a TD member has visited Fang already. You would never guess his name.

Luigi brought his Gik club with him.

Maybe the designer of your home.

I will bring this matter up at our next Committee meeting. No riff-raff here thank you.
High tea @ 4.30pm daily. Choir practice - 11am every Tuesday.

Makes sense saw a video yesterday off dogs eating a headless baby.

anyone interested its by James hoff seems he spent sometime there.

That's not a good way to speak about respected member Luigi and Norton.

Originally Posted by adam03

I will bring this matter up at our next Committee meeting. No riff-raff here thank you.
High tea @ 4.30pm daily. Choir practice - 11am every Tuesday.

Originally Posted by ENT

Varanasi, the oldest claimed cremation fire site in India.

Anyone been there?





I love the place, a cosmopolitan mix of many religions living in peace and harmony together, all aware of the absolute present and eternity of the end.

There are Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jews and Xtians living there all considering the most appropriate way of reaching the end.

Apart from the famed cremation ghats and the almighty Ganga, Varanasi is also the site of the most beautiful Sva temples, centre of what some claim to be the oldest university in the world.






Om, namah Svayah.

How many quid for a complet job?

A mate of mine I was travelling with actually managed to get constipated , oh how we we laughed.