DAY 14 : INDIA : Lucknow

Weather : hazy, hot, 34o

 

This morning we took the 6am express train from Delhi to Lucknow - 6 hours.

We were collected at the hotel by one of the company staff who deposited us to the correct platform and train.

 

 

 We really appreciated this as even at 5am the train station was a hive of industry with literally thousands of travellers flooding the area.

 

 

We were in the first class carriage - not as solubrious as it sounds but there were benefits - there was a newspaper on every seat. There it was -- the news of another Australian cricket defeat.

 

 

Hot tea/ coffee and snacks.

 

 

Cornflakes and hot milk, omelette and croissant.

Better than  Qantas in -flight service.

 

 

We travelled east on a flat flood plain. There was lush vegetation, plenty of crops and water.

 

 

Workers harvesting potatoes.

 

 

Vegetable gardens on the river banks.

 

 

Families bathing in rivers.

 

 

There are large shanty towns on the railway line on the outskirts of Kanpur and Lucknow.

 

 

 

Lucknow a city of 4 million people and the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

It is famous for being the last battle site during the War of Independence in 1857.

Also noted for its Chikan embroidery - we thought that Lucknow was special for chickens, which we thought unusual until we read otherwise.

 

 

Colourful markets near our unremarkable hotel. We didn't seen any tourists or Europeans as we wandered around this afternoon and evening - maybe because it's the end of the season or maybe just not a popular destination on the tourist route.

 

 

Delicious aromas filled the streets.

 

 

This sums up most of the Indian shopkeepers' philosophy we've met.

 

 

Unexpected "Aussie" shop around the corner.

 

 

We took a bicycle rickshaw to Hazratganj, a sophisticated part of town, and went to the Royal Cafe, which had been highly recommended.

 

 

We were not disappointed. A popular family restaurant for the locals, too!

 

 

Then we braved the traffic in an auto - I think that we must have guardian angels as we have survived so much maniac driving in the past few weeks.

 

 

  Tomorrow our guide arrives at 9 and we will discover the delights of Lucknow.

 

 

 

  M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au