Bird’s eye view: Around 350 kms once again. National highways in UP are good. One can cruise on without strain. We were on NH30 most of the time, and there was a stretch from Prayagraj to Lucknow that was practically devoid of traffic. Makes one feel downright nervous, you know. We left today at 7.15 am and reached our hotel in Lucknow at 3.30 pm. Not a bad stint, though the morning weather was unsettling. But first things first. Leaving Varanasi (7.15 am): Sunrise over the Ganges was there in riotous colours and we had front-row seats, sitting on the open terrace sipping earl gray. Yesterday’s road-tripper couple joined us there, and together, we ushered in the new day. We were leaving at 7.00 am, as usual, in order to get onto a quick start (which implies an early finish too, which I love). Our homestay owner had kindly packed breakfast for us, so that we could have it on the road at any time of our choosing. It is these personal touches that endea...