I’ve been using Air Asia (AA) to fly to destinations around South East Asia on the cheap. They are a Malaysian based low cost carrier, very similar to UK brand easyJet.

In terms of brand consistency, AA really have a different visual presence when comparing them to other South East Asian airlines.

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across British type designer Rob Clarke’s portfolio a couple of months back, who helped develop the logo and typeface in partnership with Start Creative.

Top job chaps.

Take a moment to look over Rob’s portfolio if you haven’t seen it already. Solid work.

The Taj certainly lived up to my expectation.

We were first inline when we arrived at the west gate ticket office at 5.40am. After another “Sir - I have no change” conversation at the ticket desk, we moved to another que closer to the west gate. Just after 6am the gates opened, and we rushed to find the Taj before the sun came up.

I appreciated the un-spoilt view of the Taj, taking lots of pictures before the wave of packaged tourists turned up to pollute the tranquil landscape.

Onwards to Delhi!

A holly man gazes across the Ganges River.

When I crossed the bridge that spans across the Ganges River, the old city looked rather tranquil and sleepy. That moment quickly evaporated when we started to navigate through the vast labyrinth of narrow lanes towards the river and our guesthouse.

If anything, the network of small narrow lanes added some light relief from the sun during the day leaving the mornings and early evenings to stroll along the Ganges.

The Manikarnika Ghat was fascinating. Being meters away from families burning their beloved ones in a process of liberation from the cycle of birth and death will stay with me for a long time. 

Equally, I certainly wont forget having to move out the way for busy ‘outcasts’ carrying dead bodies through the small alleyways towards the Ganges River.

Being in Varanasi was a perfect time to re-watch Ron Fricke’s amazing “Baraka” film, which features shots of the Manikarnika Ghat and burning ceremony in high definition glory.

Onwards to Agra!

I’m hooked on this roti/dal combination that seems popular in Bodgaya. A small wholemeal roll stuffed with herbs and spices served with dal. Very delicious and good value for 15 Rp.

We arrived at Gaya Junction train station at 6.30am after 10 hours on the train from Kolkata. Leaving the morning circus of Gaya behind us, we hit the road for serene Bodygaya which was 30 minutes ride away via rikshaw.

After a short stand off between the rikshaw driver and myself over the tiresome “Sir - I have no change” conversation, he finally broke my 100 rupees note and we made our way in to Mohammad’s Guesthouse.

Mohammad’s House is located in a wonderful little local village with cheap rooms, a kitchen, an open roof top and lovely views of the sunset. I don’t think the other guesthouse options on the busy main road would of gave us the same experience. Highly recommended!

Indian tourists pay respect underneath the bodhi tree where Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha some 2600 years ago.

After a quick shower and chai, we set off in to the hot hot mid day sun in search for the Mahabodhi Temple. The facade on the spire of the temple was certainly different to anything else I’ve seen before, looking rather futuristic and sci-fi in pattern design.

The Buddha trail continued, this time with 4 men and 1 motorbike, riding 12km north east of Bodhgaya to the Dungeshwari Cave, where Buddha spent 6 years of penance before descending on Bodhgaya.

It was a lovely motorbike journey, albeit a little tight on space, through little villages, dried river beds and lots of wide open space.

Onwards to Varanasi.