Orchha

We left Varanasi on a night train bound for Jhansi. For possibly the first time since we have been in India the train was waiting at the platform nearly an hour before it was due to leave (although, astoundingly, it still managed to leave late). Orchha is a small town about 18km from Jhansi, perched on the side of a river and surround by temples and palaces. It was a lovely, relaxing place to spend three nights (including my birthday). We stayed in the (relatively expensive) Betwa Retreat, in a private cottage surround by well tended gardens and with a view of the river. It was a spectacular setting and worth every penny. I was ill once again for the first half of the stay but better by the morning of my birthday.

Yesterday we took a train down to Gwalior. Needless to say it was significantly delayed, but this gave us more time to chat with John and Lesley, an English couple we keep bumping into on our travels. We arrived late last night and were a little disappointed by our first impressions (the hotel is a bit of a dive), however the fort and the Maharajah's Palace that we visited today redeemed it somewhat. Photos of Gwalior coming soon.