wiki: Rishikesh

Rishikesh

Photos

Indian couple dozed off during the ride from Delhi to Haridwar

Senior police officer lighting up a beedi, like all police in India he's armed with a bamboo batton. We've noticed they don't dislike using them.

After a tiresome and long journey (7 hours) from Delhi to Haridwar, another hour on the local bus to Rishikesh and finally another 20 minutes in the riksha to the area called High Bank (of the Ganga) we continued on foot. Stumbling up the steep stairs we at last arrived at the New Bandari Swiss Cottage (they are quite creative with names here).

And there they were! Danielle, Zack and their newmade friends! (How bizarre to see friends from home in my "fairytale" world!) Our sweaty and dirty bodies got hugged and promptly ushered to our room. I (Mick) am almost due to become 34, so Danny and Zack put together a little surprise. They have been staying in Rishikesh for over two months (busybusy with their Panchakarma) and had arranged for Mei and me to stay in the most luxurious room in what they refer to as "The Palace" for a night.

The handwritten note welcoming us to Rishikesh... definitely Danielle style :D

I can assure you this is the biggest bedroom I've ever slept in, silk sheets, velvet curtains, grand view of the mountaineous valley with the Ganga running through it. Big black marbled bathroom including a real bath! O man... I reckon this is the kind of luxury people get in the Hilton.

But something which the Hilton does not provide, is a table full of friends with a delicious home cooked food and Gin Tonic to quench our thirst!

Chilling on a high cliff overlooking the Ganga in restaurent "The Third Eye"

One of the two major suspensionbridges connecting the Ganga banks.

The bridge was meant for pedestrians, but respecting the lawlessness of India, roaring Enfields, stubborn cows, bulls and the occasional monkey horde gladly use it as well.

A peek at one of the countless pujas (rituals) going on the banks of the holiest of holy rivers, the Ganga

Another peek at the bridge at another of our favourite hangouts... The German Bakery. But don't be fooled by the name... German Bakeries are almost as common as riksja's here.

Ehm... a temple I guess?

But not just any temple... it really dominates the Lakshman Jhula bank.

Innumerable sadhu's begging for alms as you descend the stairs to the suspension bridge.

Donkey are being put to use quite extensively for heavy load transportation. You better watch out for a loaded up donkeytrain trying to pass you by in narrow alleyways.

Zack intently watching the Ganga pressure by... he's got rafting on his mind :)

The deep rumble and slosh of the Ganga has mesmerized Mei...

Danielle and Zack... this actually is a very good example of the possibilities of my new Canon Powershot S3 IS (Image Stabilizer) with a whopping 12x optical zoom!

I shot from at least 50 metres away :)

Stiffnippled Zack returning from his icy baptisation in the Ganga. I can assure it is a VERY revitalising experience, my shoulders felt light, I had a spring in my walk and my soul felt cleansed. Just imagening swiming in a river filled with prayers is awesome...