It's claim to fame (and what self-respecting Indian town doesn't have a claim to fame?) is that the Beatles famously ran away to Rishikesh to discover "the truth". Unlike the Beatles we weren't there for the truth, we were after some tramping and a swim in the river ganges.
We spent our first afternoon riding bicycles - the dodgiest ones we've encountered to date. With brakes breaking and chains coming off repeatedly we battled on with our one speed wonders as we tracked the course of the ganges.
The following day we decided to hire a guide and do some tramping. The guide took us to a nearby hill with promises of views of the Himalayas at the top. Things didn't start well with the guide asking why Clint was wearing "hot pants" when we he was in fact sporting stubbies. The hot temperatures created problems for our guide, and as he so aptly put it "I have more than a little problem with the hot".
After an admittedly tough climb we reached the top and were rewarded by a hazy view which disappointingly obstructed the himalayas.
And of course we had to fulfill the objective of swimming in the ganges. Colder than we were expecting but hopefully clean!
Random Fact: The most famous man in India is arguably Amitabh Bachchan aka 'Big B'. Now 66 years young, Big B was a pioneer of Bollywood and even managed to squeeze in three years as an MP in the 80's. These days his image is used to sell everything from cement to ballpoint pens.
Highlights:
- Seeing old western people in full hippy get up. Back home they may be senior managers but they left those responsibilities and their self respect in the departure lounge when they went in search of Sgt. Pepper and His Lonely Hearts Club
- Being invited back to Ajay's (tramping guide) family house for chai. Just when you begin to think that Indian hospitality doesn't exist they prove you wrong!
- Travelling with a civil engineer. Not only do they provide topical conversation about basic infrastructure, or more commonly the lack of, but every Indian they meet knows what their job entails and they are always suitable impressed. These two former public servants wish they could say the same
Lessons Learned
- Don't do the rafting which is on offer. A quick cycle up the river reveals weak rapids and a waste of money. If you really want to get the heart racing you're better off walking blind folded down the street
- The Rishikesh area is beautiful and a gateway to the north - we'll be back for more
- You're not allowed to play games in the cafe franchise 'Coffee Day'. If you don't believe us try playing a game of chess. Ridiculous
- Indian KFC is better than Indian McDonalds. McD's was always up against it with no beef but the Maharaja Mac failed to impress. Meanwhile the locals have sneakily altered Colonel Sanders secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices to somehow include traces of masala! Even so, there were no complaints from the bro below.
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