15 - 19 Nov

Apologies for the complete lack of updates but tinterweb access has been a bit tricky over the last week or so. I'm also on the IPhone so typing is a bit problematic with my fat fingers but here is a quick run down of recent activity:

15 Nov D + 42 (Sally says 43 but i like the way Churchill a d Eisenhower numbered things)

Bogmalo Beach Goa - got a taxi from Panji to this place at the advice of the hostel owner. Great option, beautiful quiet beach with no tourists in sight and just round the corner from the airport. Stayed at a lovely little guest house called Jouets and happily whiled away a couple of days KBR ing ( kicking back and relaxing) before our early morning flight to Mumbai/Bombay.

17 Nov Bombay
Both loved Bombay. Much more civilised than Delhi and has a real buzz to the place. Beautiful colonial architecture in the old port area, some great restaurants and most definitely worth a visit.
Of note was our usual trick of turning up somewhere and there being a religious festival on and This meant no alcohol was getting served in the city. After much traipsing around we found a swanky bar and sweet talked the bouncer who sorted us out with some additional antimalarials ie some G &T.

Left Mumbai at silly o'clock the morning of the 19th.

Some brief thoughts about India:
People - just endless numbers of people. Everywhere we went, be it the middle of a desert, top of a mountain or stuck in the jungle there are people, and lots of them. Each area has a distinct flavour but in general the Northerners were quite hard and basic in their approach to life where as the southern Indians seemed a bit happier with their lot.
North - A stroppy French Waiter on a bad day who feels he needs to rip you off for the meal you just ate, which was also the incorrect order and was 2 hours late
Southern Indians - Happily tipsy Canadian who you ask for directions but he dosent know but with good intensions makes it up then smiles and asks for a couple of quid.

As soon as India motivates itself, the new generations move on from the Caste system and money is a bit more evenly distributed the world is in for a shock. Nevermind the uk cutting it's carbon emissions with a few windmills as soon as the cost of a family car comes down to affordable level we are in big trouble.

A brilliant, beautiful, mind blowing attack on the senses is about the best way to sum it up - get your visa and get over there!

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