Took the train down from Varanasi into West Bengal and its capital Kolkata. As train journeys go it was long, about 14 hours, but largely uneventful. Quite soothing being rocked to sleep as the train chugged through the countryside.

Arrived in Kolkata at the huge Howrah station on the west side of the river, so had to get the ferry into the city itself, a bargain at 5 Rupees, around 8p.

It's like being in a different country her. The people look darker are much more reserved. Sill get the requests to join people for a selfie though. It must be "have your picture taken with a weird looking foreigner" week. In Varanasi I even had a three year only plonked on my lap so the proud dad could take a picture.

Very very hot here so taking time to get used to the heat. Visited the Victoria memorial, a great palace plonked in the park to honour the dead Empress.