Out of India

Getting to see the largest mausoleum built for love - the Taj Mahal - was no easy task. In attempt to be organised, Dennis kindly pre-booked our train tickets to Agra - the home of the Taj. Our time was running low and we had one day to spare to see the 'must-see' of India. The only must-see of our tour.
We arose at the crack of dawn to lug our packs down to the train station. We fought our way through the crowd of touts, hustlers, and beggars that are a constant on the platforms to board what we thought was our train. Once we boarded we found that our seats were taken and were quickly told that this was not our train. Our train wasn't leaving until tomorrow. So, with a panic arising in us, off we stormed to the booking office to blame someone for this horrendous clerical error. It was while we were demanding blood that the employee pulled out a booking sheet with Dennis' handwriting with tomorrow's date written on it. We went pale at the horror. Oops! Some imposter was obviously trying to sabotage our holiday - a Dennis look-alike ;) He did a good job!

After a three hour wait we boarded the next train destined for Agra. The clock was ticking and we could see our chances of seeing the Taj diminishing before our very eyes. In a change of modes of transport (train to rickshaw, including the haggling) that would make a triathlete proud, we managed to reach the Taj in the late afternoon. And how spectacular it was!

The Taj Mahal is a wonderful creation made of white carved marble that sparkles in the sun and dazzles the person looking at it as it changes colour throughout the day. We experienced sunset and sunrise (the next morning) at the Taj and it was magical. Even the crowds of people did not detract from its atmosphere. In true Indian style, the mercenary nature of the country shone through as we handed over our US $20 each while locals paid the equivalent of 50c. No sour grapes or anything though.

The next day saw us back on a train. It was someone's great idea to catch an overnight train to Mumbai - 22 hours baking and sweating in an overcrowded train, having to constantly fight for your seat whilst avoiding being pick pocketed. We managed to claim our sleepers. Unfortunately, Dennis was on the bottom bunk and a strange family who had not bought 'valid' tickets invited themselves to share his bed. Needless to say Dennis had a great sleep. It was tough travelling.


Once in Mumbai, having come full circle, we treated ourselves to a luxury hotel WITH air conditioning!!! It was a struggle to leave the room but we pulled ourselves away for one last mission - a visit to the Elephanta caves: a series of caves hand carved into solid rock about 600 years ago. It was a trek to get to the caves which the guide book had failed to mention had been destroyed by the Portugese hundreds of years ago. Needless to say, slightly disappointing, but still impressive.

After a two month haul throughout India we were more than ready to catch our flight to the first world destination of London. Don't get us wrong, amongst all our whinging, we genuinely loved our experience in India and would recommend it to everyone, but we were ready for a break from it.

In true London fashion, we flew into rain and freezing cold weather. Our bodies went into shock at the 30 degree drop in temperature. Brrrrrrr..... London is a trendy, funky city with a great vibe. Maybe that's why it is also one of the most expensive cities in Europe.


Andrea's cousin Gonzalo has saved the day by donating his room to us while we find our feet in London. He has provided us with a wealth of knowledge of how to survive in this place. What a champion!

At this point in time, we are still deciding whether to travel or work throughout the European summer. So who knows what we will be doing tomorrow. There are so many things to do and see in Europe that we could end up anywhwere. Be sure that we will keep you all updated.

Happy Birthday to Trudy! Hope you have a great day.

Delhi

Jaipur had a little gem up its sleeve for us. On a hideously hot afternoon we decided to escape the heat in the luxury of air conditioning at the cinemas. Little did we know that our lives would be changed forever... We entered the complex through a set of unassuming doors unaware of the surprise that lay before us. It was a Bollywood Bonanza! We're still not sure what was more impressive - the cinema complex or the movie.
The cinema was bizarre. We felt like Hansel and Gretel at the sight of the gingerbread house. Inside, the cinema looked like a fusion of fairy floss, meringue cake and candy cane extravagance. Lurid purple, green and pink neon lighting brought this art-deco nightmare to life. It was a compelling insult to the senses to say the least. Then came the THREE hour extravanganza that is the experience of a Bollywood film: part movie, part videoclip - all at ultra pace. Audience participation was mandatory. The crowd laughed, cried, sang, danced and even booed at the baddies. It was a highly entertaining and uplifting experience even though the storyline had more holes in it than a block of swiss cheese! We were rejuvenated and giggled all the way home like the pair of teenagers we're not.

We left the heat of Jaipur to escape to the sauna of Delhi! Apart from the heat, though, Delhi is a pretty cool city. We got a good vibe from it straight away as we cruised in on our bus.


We've been experiencing one of the hottest Mays in the last couple of years. It's hitting 45 every day. Combine that with the pollution that's pouring out of the exhausts of the rickshaws, the factories, the generators that power the shops during the continual blackouts and the dust storms that blow in every couple of days, and you have a stifling Delhi in a nutshell. It can get hard to breathe at times. But, on the plus side, our pores are clean due to the constant stream of sweat pouring from our bodies. The water sellers are making a mint off us. The highliight yesterday was the earthquake that gently rocked our table during dinner as we sat on the rooftop of a 5 story building. SCARY.


Delhi has been all about, and only about the shopping. The sight seeing has taken a back seat while we have been busy indulging and emptying our wallets before we head to the UK. All of our sight seeing has taken place from inside the air conditioned comfort of the shopping centres and emporiums, or from the backseat of a rickshaw as we've been speeding past! Soft or what?

So, tomorrow we leave Delhi for Agra to see the Taj Mahal - finally. We'll let you all know how it goes...

Happy Birthday to Bron. We hope you're enjoying your new house!