A Short Indian Adventure

We arrived in Thekkady as darkness fell after our first experience of a local bus. The journey was not to long at around 5 hours, although for the most part it was rather crowded. As we got on at the start point we managed to maintain a seat for the journey but people were in and out cramming into every standing space available. For the majority of the jouney it was raining and there was a choice between getting wet or over heating, due to the open windows, that could only be closed with a solid shutter. As we got higher and into the greener western ghats the rain continued, but the air cooled. As we approached the end of the journey the number of people thinned out and we actually began to feel quite cold, which made a nice change!

The rain continued throughout our stay in Thekkady limiting us as to what we could do. On our second day, Chris, Mikey and i went for a short elephant ride which, although only short, was enjoyable and more comfortable than riding a camel!

As we took another public bus to Munnar, the main tea growing region, the rain continued. After settling into a hostel we thought we’d wait our the rain, which didn’t stop. The next day we took a jeep tour to Top Station, a view point high up in the hills on the state border with Tamil Nadu. As we got higher we moved into the clouds and eventually just above them, for a few moments of sun to admire stunning views, a Victorian dam and some wild elephants. As we began our decent the rain started again. Once back in town, we braved the rain to look around the many tea and spice shops. Today the rain seemed to hold of enough for us to go on a short walk into the plantations, although damp in the clouds, with a few drizzly showers, we stayed dry for the most part, and were able to enjoy some great views.

We have one day left in Munnar, before heading to Bangalore tomorrow afternoon. After a couple of days in Bangalore we move on to Chennai our final destination before home!

After an overnight train journey from Madgoam, Goa we arrived in Kochi, Kerela. With the city divided into areas around a bay, we decided to stay in the area of Fort Kochi. We found a very friendly homestay in the pouring rain. After a tour of the town by auto rickshaw, we were challenged by our hosts to a game of cricket in the park. With a little help from one local and a small amount of skill on our part, we were beaten. Though not by as much as we expected. following this we were given a lift to a local fish market to purchase some fish for dinner at local prices rather than tourist prices, one of our hosts then cooked us a fantastic fish curry with some fried fish to go with it. I was one of the best and definately the cheapest meal we had in India.

The next morning we drove to the backwater town of Allepey andfound the only place showing the football. The following day we had a short boat tour of the backwaters as we were short on both time and money. After a pleasent few hours, cruising the canals and backwaters we were dropped off in town. We parted with Chris, who set off for Bangalore and his exam, and caught the train south to Varkala.

We arrived in Varkala as darkness set in, with Patrick eager to find a TV to watch the Arsenal. After a failed attempt to find lodgings at our Lonely Planet recommended hostel, our rickshaw driver took us to his recommendation. Arriving at a very welcoming family run hostel just set back from the cliffs, we quickly settled and asked where we could find a TV. The friendly owners immediately offered us theirs and moved it into our room. After a few minutes searching we discovered they did not have the channel needed to watch the football, so we set out along the cliff tops to find a bar or restaurant that did. Just in time we found one. The next morning we awoke to brilliant sunshine and headed for the very small beach a little way along the coast. We spent the day enjoying the sun and the incredibley strong waves under the beautiful cliffs. Today however, was not so nice with overcast skies all day followed by a storm that chased us along the clifftops until we found safety in a restaurant.

Tomorrow we head for Thekkady, via Kottayam where we will be reunited with Chris.

After our two day stay in Mumbai we took an overnight sleeper bus down to Goa. Arriving in the morning in was strange to be somewhere small where places are close together. So far we’ve had a walk along the beach and around the small towns that merge into one, however monsoon season is very present here. Heavy rain showers have confined to us to bars and restaurants a few times. Even with the rain it is still a very beautiful place and different to other places we’ve been. Another difference is that Christianity is very strong here due to the Portuguese influence, its strange to see shrines with images of jesus and mary rather than ganesh or shiva. We are staying in Goa for another few says before heading down to Kerela on wednesday evening.

We spent six days relaxing in the beautiful mountain city of Srinagar, the cleanest and possibly quietest place we have been to yet! During our stay in Kashmir we did not encounter any problems and it is such a peaceful presence. However, there is a very strong military presence, with many barracks located in major cities on the road from Jammu, as well as patrols all along the road and in towns. This did not put us off though, as the Kashmiri people we encountered were some of the nicest do far. During our time in Srinagar we spent a couple of nights on a house boat, we did not stay on the more popular, larger and busier Dal lake, but on the smaller. more tranquil Nageen lake.

After a very relaxing few days we began the long journey south towards Mumbai. With over 48 hours in transit including jeep, bus and train travel we finally in Mumbai early yesterday morning. Before coming to India we had been joking about getting in a Bollywood film, as we had read it is a common thing. On arrival at our hostel, before even having time to check in we were propositioned with the offer of a day’s filming for a music video. Me and Mikey agreed and were driven to a nightclub set under a bank building, where we spent the next 12 hours joining in as extras for this music video. Mumbai itself is a great city, very different to Delhi, with a great number of colonial buildings mixed with more modern ones. The roads seem to be slightly more ordered, as well as offering a few flyovers and bypasses to ease traffic flow. There are also slums dotted all around the city, adding to the interesting mix. This evening we are getting a sleeper bus and heading for Goa where we will be for a week or so before going through Kerela for the following week and a half, then onto Chennai and ultimately the flight home!

After about 40 hours of travel time from Agra through Delhi and up north, including mini bus, train, tuc tuc and jeep we arrived last night. The train from dehli was not bad as we were able to sleep through the night. The jeep ride along the mountain roads was quite an experience, with high winding roads and cars overtaking trucks. Luckily we had the incredible views to take our mind of the craziness of it all. Now we are staying here for about 5 days just relaxing after our frantic rush around Rajasthan.

We just returned from our visit to the Taj Mahal. We caught first sight of the Taj last night with great views from the rooftop restaurant at our hostel, it was a magnificent view. In the afternoon a few of us went to visit Agra fort which was rather impressive on it’s own with great views of the Taj across the river. After an early night we woke up at 5 and the sun was already on its way up, so we headed in. As we entered we saw the great marble building glowing pink with the light of the early morning sun. After a couple of hours wondering round taking in the beauty of the building and it’s grounds we returned to the hostel to get ready for our long journey north, via Delhi.

We are now in Jaipur, approaching the end of our tour of rajasthan. We only spent one night in Pushkar and it seemed very touristy and very small, although we had fun walking around the market. After arriving in Jaipur today we sampled an Indian Mc Donald’s and then a few of us went to the famous Raj Mandir cinema for a Bollywood experience! We have a full day here tomorrow before heading to Agra and the Taj Mahal the day after. Jaipur is a rather large city which makes a change from the smaller desert towns we have visited so far. After Agra, we head north for a week or so before beginning the long journey south towards mumbai followed by goa and kerala.

After our one night in Jodhpur we are now in Udaipur, and there is some greenery at last! As well as that, it was pouring with rain on our arrivkl last night, our first taste of the monsoon. Luckily when we woke up this morning the sun was out and although still hot it was a lot more agreeable. We have visited the palace and temples, and had a boat trip out on the lake and we are now relaxing, ready to go to Pushkar tomorrow.

In Jaisalmer we decided to rake on the adventure of camel trekking in the desert, we chose the overnight option. Looking back now it was so worth it, but at them time some of us did not agree! After several hours of riding teh the sun and the heat drinking warm water there were a few sun burnt legs and sore thighs. I have to say that camels are not the most comfy things to ride! However it was worth it for the views we got as well at stars we saw. Back in Jaisalmer we went up to the old town in the fort (worth a google), and discovered why it is called the golden city. In the evening light everything turns gold, ross described it as a living movie set. Today we arrived in Jodhpur, the blue city. It is very ;large compared to jaisalmer but just as stunning with our hostel located within the huge fort walls among the winding streets we are looking forward to sunset!

Hello from india! We are now on our fourth day of travelling. So far our plans have changed drastically, we are currently in out third town in rajastahn, jaisalmer. An old hill fort in the desert, we just had a beer looking at the city walls from our hotels rooftop terrace. Tomorrow we are heading out into the desert for a camel trek and a night camping in the desert. Our next 8 days will be spent in the rest of rajasthan. Internet access seems less available that we first thought although we have been rather rushed and not had time to stop really, until now. Will do my best to keep you updated!