Back On The Road

This morning we set off on the road again after what feels like an incredibly relaxing 2 weeks. Travelling through Kerala only involved short distances for us and then a 7 day stop in Varkala after which we flew to Chennai to visit harriet for an incredibly chilled three days but today we began moving again in a big way !

Before getting onto that though ... the last few days. As I said we flew to Chennai where coming out of the airport nearly moved Kate and I to tears !!! Anyone who has travelled in India will know how unpleasant the scrum of Taxis, Rickshaw Drivers, Porters and Touts that swarm around you as you exit any airport or railway station is ... especially when you actually need them but just want two minutes to catch your breath and decide in peace ... so the joy we felt on coming out to see a handmade, colourful sign with all three of our names on held by the driver Harriet had sent to pick us up for our 3 hr drive to her house was ridiculous !

On arriving at her 'pink palace' near the foot of the spiritual mecca that is the mountain Arunachala we were soooopleased to see a friendly face and spent a really lovely three days just relaxing in the most stunning setting. Best of all we got to put down our 'lonely planet' and let Harriet tell us where to go and when and her recommendations were spot on.My highlight was a temple whose name I can't remember (embarassed smiley) that was only small but housed the most stunning, 12ft plus brightly coloured statues that blew me away. If any of you ever end up in Tiruvanammalai and haven't got Harriets details (those of you who kow her obviously otherwise that would be a bit weird !) just stop any rickshaw and ask them to take you to "Harriets House" .. it really works - and seems to be a tactic employed by many travellers as while we were there scores of people from all over the world continued to pop over unannounced to hang out.

But with only 10 days left staying longer wasn't an option so at 00:30 this morning we got taken back to chennai for the 05:30 flight to Mumbai where we crossed the city to the international airport to leave our luggage before heading back to the domestic airport with just two small rucksacks to catch the afternoon flight to Rajasthan and our first stop there Jaipur. Leaving our backs behind felt incredibly liberating although I did go back to collect my memory cards and discs of photos as I decided they were the one thing that I could never replace if lost.

Jaipur is stunning and our guesthouse great ... it even has a bath although we arrived to late to do any serious exploring .... and embarassingly after travelling for so long and with most restaurants not opening until 7pm we did fall into McDonalds to feed Toby and Ourselves before an early night.

Ironically Rajasthan had been the one state we were desperate to see before coming here and it looked like we wouldn't manage, and Jaisalmer which is said to be Indias picture perfect Desert Fort town was number one on our list of destinations and now it looks like we will effectively finish in Rajasthan with an overnight camel trek in Jaisalmer being the last stop before flying back to Bombay for two days before flying home - it couldn't have worked out better (he says having not yet endured the travelling).

The next few days are daunting though ... following todays marathon journey we spend tomorrow in Jaipur, get the 7 hr train to Jodphur Sunday and at 06:00 wednesday the train to jaisalmer before an overnight trek in the desert, a 14 hr overnight train back to Jaipur arriving at 05:00 and a flight to Bombay. oprtunately for the first time all trip all of our trains are booked (bar one) as are our flights and hotels just bombay left to arange) so most of the hassle is gone and we can just enjoy.

I feel really exhilarated by finally getting here but also I think by the knowledege that we are on the last stretch. Toby is starting to get fed up and ask to go home and has started developing quite regular night frights ... which we are told are a result of being unsettled .. no surprise there and travelling with a toddler requires huge patience which isn't always in great suppl when travelling accross a country as vast and challenging as India.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon and as always reaaaaaaaaly love hearing from you all

M

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