Murshidabad

“Gandhi has asked that the British government should walk away out of I did and leave Indian people to settle difference among themselves, even if it means chaos and confusion” - Strafford Cripps

Today we would leave the upper Ganges crossing through the barrage to West Bengal where the river is know as Hooghly River or the lower Ganges river. Going through the lock reminded me of primary school geography. We were delayed at the lock which would delay our land excursion later that day.

Breakfast on the sundeck food is very good always great with the aid of modern antibiotics to fix the Varanasi belly.

After breakfast we sailed until nearly 3.00pm we were late for the next land excursion. I spent most of the time on the sundeck enjoying the country side. Hazarduri Palace which dominates the skyline was our destination there were many tourist from India and Bangladesh and just our boat of western. The palace was very British inside and regal outside. It was used by the British to collect taxes. There is also a mosque in the grounds. We were then all aboard by a convoy of electric tuk tuk quietly through the streets to Katia Mosque. Due to our delay it the stop was brief. We were then whisked through the town to go to a Jain temple but due to the late arrival and festivals they would not let us in so back to the boat we went. The ride around was full of lots of interesting site with drums beating

When we returned to the boat the routing is to take you shoes of and they clean and put back at your door -my Cinderella shoes have never looked so fabulous

That night during cocktail hour a group of dancers performed on the boat. the lead dancer was a ladyboy and so extrovert with lots of laughter.