That's it! I'm home and on very cold, grey and English soil. It's all over.
I got back home last night to quickly dash to the Bathroom and expel an awful lot of sick - I don't know why but I am so ill...it's not homesickness it's some disgusting form of my body deciding to make me feel unbelievably ill so that all I'd planned to do when I got home is now no longer possible - at least for a few days or until some medicine kicks in!
I have to say and I know it's clichéd but my travels to India were unbelievable and a fantastic experience. I met some great people, saw great things and feel much different for doing so - however nothing beats being home and I think I'll stay here for a while now at least.
Thanks for reading everyone...maybe this blog will come alive again in the future...India is on the list for a revisit but I think I'm going to do Europe later this year (I saw Europe - I really mean France, Italy and some places inbetween!).
Namaste!
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Guess where I am...
I'm back in Bangalore at good old Katary Villa and it's amazing! I've missed Bangalore so much and even arriving back this morning to hoards of auto drivers quoting me high high prices to get back to the Villa didn't anger me too much because I knew what was at the end of the journey...a very smiley Mrs Katary, Mary, Manjua and Bimbo the dog plus my old bed :)
I treated myself after my 15 hour train journey from Vasco de Gama in Goa (which I haste to add I got a free upgrade on to 3AC for no charge!) and took lunch at my No.1 place to chill in Bangalore - Mocha and woa it was worth it! All that food whilst I have been travelling with the exception of 1 place was put to shame by Mocha's Panini & Mocha Latte (plus I can buy one of their MASSIVE mugs for 400rs - for sure!).
The last few days in Anjuna were amazing, I met some really nice guys there and have some amazing memories, yesterday I spent the day with Francesca (a veterinary assistant from Switzerland); we went to the animal shelter she works at in Goa and played with Puppies, Kittens, Calves and walked loads of dogs too - it was amazing to see all these animals and give them some play time outside of their little tiled cages....I wish I could have brought them all home but that may have been tricky!
Anyhow, I'm in Bangalore now until Monday.....then after some cheeky planning I get a nice flight back to the UK....that's right I'll be home on the 15th! See you then!
I treated myself after my 15 hour train journey from Vasco de Gama in Goa (which I haste to add I got a free upgrade on to 3AC for no charge!) and took lunch at my No.1 place to chill in Bangalore - Mocha and woa it was worth it! All that food whilst I have been travelling with the exception of 1 place was put to shame by Mocha's Panini & Mocha Latte (plus I can buy one of their MASSIVE mugs for 400rs - for sure!).
The last few days in Anjuna were amazing, I met some really nice guys there and have some amazing memories, yesterday I spent the day with Francesca (a veterinary assistant from Switzerland); we went to the animal shelter she works at in Goa and played with Puppies, Kittens, Calves and walked loads of dogs too - it was amazing to see all these animals and give them some play time outside of their little tiled cages....I wish I could have brought them all home but that may have been tricky!
Anyhow, I'm in Bangalore now until Monday.....then after some cheeky planning I get a nice flight back to the UK....that's right I'll be home on the 15th! See you then!
Friday, 4 April 2008
Paradise Lost
The last few days have been exciting....I went to the Flea Market which was chaos, everyone selling things and asking you 'How much?', 'Do a little business?' and all that...I picked up a few nice things and saw a few other things which I now know I've been ripped off buying in Bangalore - either way it all adds to the Indian experience!
I met Francesca on Wednesday, a really nice Swiss girl who's working here as a vet's assistant, we went on her scooter to the market (that woke me up) before she introduced me to Sugar Cane which is pure sugar in a glass with ginger and lemon (that really woke me up!) - the afternoon was spent lazing around on the beach as usual and I watched the sunset over the sea...and saw dolphins...it was a postcard moment!
Unfortunately...the calmness and paradise was pretty much destroyed that evening when I met Adrian & Amy...two really nice people from London (we've spent the last few days together before they went this morning to Vagator) - I decided it may be a good idea to introduce them to Kaju Fenni. For those that don't know; and we really didn't, this drink could actually kill you....we took 2 shots and yesterday had the worst hangovers you could imagine....stayed in bed all day and stuck to Lassi and Milkshakes - but it was all good fun whilst it lasted - well before the achey heads set in!
I'm still in Anjuna for a few days until I know what's going on at home (I think I am coming home early - no problems, just ready to come home now) so I'll keep you all posted on my return!
Off to the beach again.....got a good healthy glow going on :)
I met Francesca on Wednesday, a really nice Swiss girl who's working here as a vet's assistant, we went on her scooter to the market (that woke me up) before she introduced me to Sugar Cane which is pure sugar in a glass with ginger and lemon (that really woke me up!) - the afternoon was spent lazing around on the beach as usual and I watched the sunset over the sea...and saw dolphins...it was a postcard moment!
Unfortunately...the calmness and paradise was pretty much destroyed that evening when I met Adrian & Amy...two really nice people from London (we've spent the last few days together before they went this morning to Vagator) - I decided it may be a good idea to introduce them to Kaju Fenni. For those that don't know; and we really didn't, this drink could actually kill you....we took 2 shots and yesterday had the worst hangovers you could imagine....stayed in bed all day and stuck to Lassi and Milkshakes - but it was all good fun whilst it lasted - well before the achey heads set in!
I'm still in Anjuna for a few days until I know what's going on at home (I think I am coming home early - no problems, just ready to come home now) so I'll keep you all posted on my return!
Off to the beach again.....got a good healthy glow going on :)
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Anjuna...
Wow....I'm in Anjuna and it's amazing - it's like Paradise as one of the other travelers called it. I arrived yesterday and won't leave until Monday (back to Bangalore) but my time here is going to be so much fun....even though I won't be doing too much.
I'm staying in this little guest house called Coutino's which is beautiful and surrounded by jungle and birds and noisy insects and the beach is a 5 minute walk away through a bazaar of little shops selling sarongs, beads and what not....I've bought some coconut and sandalwood beads - very hippy and I smell lovely; they also match the bright red face I have as a result of forgetting to apply sun screen yesterday.
Today I woke up and mooched over to Martha's Breakfast House for Banana Pancakes and a cup of English Tea - very nice :) and this afternoon I'm going to have a look around the Flea Market here which is meant to be an experience before spending the afternoon lazing around on the beach with my flip flops for some paddling; plus I've applied sufficient amounts of sun screen so I should be alright!
I think I'll do a final post before I leave Anjuna next week to tell you how the tan is going!
P.S This place is amazing, I'm sat in the boiling sun with a fan on me, a nice cold mango juice on a super fast broadband connection - I wish my work place in England was this swish!
I'm staying in this little guest house called Coutino's which is beautiful and surrounded by jungle and birds and noisy insects and the beach is a 5 minute walk away through a bazaar of little shops selling sarongs, beads and what not....I've bought some coconut and sandalwood beads - very hippy and I smell lovely; they also match the bright red face I have as a result of forgetting to apply sun screen yesterday.
Today I woke up and mooched over to Martha's Breakfast House for Banana Pancakes and a cup of English Tea - very nice :) and this afternoon I'm going to have a look around the Flea Market here which is meant to be an experience before spending the afternoon lazing around on the beach with my flip flops for some paddling; plus I've applied sufficient amounts of sun screen so I should be alright!
I think I'll do a final post before I leave Anjuna next week to tell you how the tan is going!
P.S This place is amazing, I'm sat in the boiling sun with a fan on me, a nice cold mango juice on a super fast broadband connection - I wish my work place in England was this swish!
Monday, 31 March 2008
Panaji? or is it Portugal?
I arrived in Panaji (the capital city of Goa) a few days ago and immediately loved the place. It used to be under Portuguese rule so all the buildings, roads and alleys look like they've been picked up from a small Portuguese village and placed the hillside greenery of Goa. It's so nice here.
The first day I thought I'd take advantage of the Mediterranean feel and had lunch on a balcony overlooking a street with a nice cold drink and a Greek Salad - which was the best salad I've had in India - they're not really into cold salads here. I spent the afternoon wandering around the city and many churches it has taking photos and enjoying myself really - such a contrast to Bangalore or any of the other places I have visited.
The next day I visited Old Goa, which is where the Portuguese had their capital city, it has some enormous churches and cathedrals and the tomb of St Francis Xavier - which was a glass coffin (you could see him and everything eugh!). I spent a good few hours mooching around before I headed back to the guest house I was staying in.
The guest house is amazing...it's ran by a retired teacher and is so cosy and decorated like an old Lisbon town house plus it had REAL hot water...that was amazing!
Today my last day in the city before I hit the beaches of Anjuna I visited a Spice Plantation (or more so a smaller demonstration plantation next to a larger plantation) which was really good fun, you got a tour of the plantation seeing all the plants and spices and saw elephants and what not before lunch and a small shot of Kaju Feni - this is the strongest drink I have ever had...I'm trying to track down a few bottles to bring home - but lets just say it made me wretch so much that I choked; I then met a family from Cheshire and we talked for a while before I bought a few spices and plodded back to Panaji for a nice siesta (I've been taking alot of these!)
Next post from Anjuna!
The first day I thought I'd take advantage of the Mediterranean feel and had lunch on a balcony overlooking a street with a nice cold drink and a Greek Salad - which was the best salad I've had in India - they're not really into cold salads here. I spent the afternoon wandering around the city and many churches it has taking photos and enjoying myself really - such a contrast to Bangalore or any of the other places I have visited.
The next day I visited Old Goa, which is where the Portuguese had their capital city, it has some enormous churches and cathedrals and the tomb of St Francis Xavier - which was a glass coffin (you could see him and everything eugh!). I spent a good few hours mooching around before I headed back to the guest house I was staying in.
The guest house is amazing...it's ran by a retired teacher and is so cosy and decorated like an old Lisbon town house plus it had REAL hot water...that was amazing!
Today my last day in the city before I hit the beaches of Anjuna I visited a Spice Plantation (or more so a smaller demonstration plantation next to a larger plantation) which was really good fun, you got a tour of the plantation seeing all the plants and spices and saw elephants and what not before lunch and a small shot of Kaju Feni - this is the strongest drink I have ever had...I'm trying to track down a few bottles to bring home - but lets just say it made me wretch so much that I choked; I then met a family from Cheshire and we talked for a while before I bought a few spices and plodded back to Panaji for a nice siesta (I've been taking alot of these!)
Next post from Anjuna!
Friday, 28 March 2008
Goa.....Go where?
Welcome to another edition of neighbours - just for you Jess :)
Today I am leaving Pune or Poona - depends what kind of a mood you're in I suppose! The train ride here was so much fun, I got to eat curd rice and chapati courtesy of all the Indians in the cabin I was in and I only saw 3 cockroaches and had to smell the toilets 10 or 11 times - that's sleeper class for you! I got here last night at about 11:30pm and mooched up to this place called the Grand Hotel which is ran by some anal old man that thinks he's big time - he asked me loads of questions about my Visa, couldn't understand why I was in Banglore for so long and then charged me Rs 800 for a shabby room that had the BIGGEST gecko you've ever seen resident on it's roof - it was horrible! I checked out this morning.
I should have been getting the Deccan Queen train to Mumbai tomorrow morning, however after a traumatic night of being watched by Mr Lizard and the Gecko (oh and some super cute puppies - they were fun!) I found out that I couldn't get from Mumbai to Goa in the end so instead I am going on a sleeper bus tonight to Panjim in Goa for 1 week. I've booked myself in at the Hotel (hot water, big beds, old house - nice) and then after 2 days I am going to Anjuna in Goa as per a reccomendation by Lorraine - apparently its so peaceful and the beach is amazing so that's my next 5 days lazing around on the sand eating coconut and reading my new book - Freakonomics (which I hasten to add is very difficult to describe in Charades even to English people let alone a poor Finn - Ella!).
So the next update will be from some sun dashed beach in Goa, miles away from General Anal of the Grand Hotel and the horribly boring streets of Poone <<< I merged the two!
Ciao for now.
Today I am leaving Pune or Poona - depends what kind of a mood you're in I suppose! The train ride here was so much fun, I got to eat curd rice and chapati courtesy of all the Indians in the cabin I was in and I only saw 3 cockroaches and had to smell the toilets 10 or 11 times - that's sleeper class for you! I got here last night at about 11:30pm and mooched up to this place called the Grand Hotel which is ran by some anal old man that thinks he's big time - he asked me loads of questions about my Visa, couldn't understand why I was in Banglore for so long and then charged me Rs 800 for a shabby room that had the BIGGEST gecko you've ever seen resident on it's roof - it was horrible! I checked out this morning.
I should have been getting the Deccan Queen train to Mumbai tomorrow morning, however after a traumatic night of being watched by Mr Lizard and the Gecko (oh and some super cute puppies - they were fun!) I found out that I couldn't get from Mumbai to Goa in the end so instead I am going on a sleeper bus tonight to Panjim in Goa for 1 week. I've booked myself in at the Hotel (hot water, big beds, old house - nice) and then after 2 days I am going to Anjuna in Goa as per a reccomendation by Lorraine - apparently its so peaceful and the beach is amazing so that's my next 5 days lazing around on the sand eating coconut and reading my new book - Freakonomics (which I hasten to add is very difficult to describe in Charades even to English people let alone a poor Finn - Ella!).
So the next update will be from some sun dashed beach in Goa, miles away from General Anal of the Grand Hotel and the horribly boring streets of Poone <<< I merged the two!
Ciao for now.
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Bijapur & Badami
Don't worry I am now over the terrible emotional breakdown I had....I spoke with Aneesa (one of the nicest people you could ever meet) and she had a good rant at me about how we all miss people and just to give it a few days....I gave it a few days and now I feel fine as I know I will see them again and I think it was just down to the fact that the first place I visited alone was so remote that I was literally isolated and without anyone around - now I am super happy and the wallet I lost in Hampi.....has now been found in Hampi - I'll get it back soon!
I spent yesterday in Badami (that horrible isolated place) looking at caves carved into mountains and being harrased by monkeys and little kids wanting to show me what a Nandi was in return for a gift - aka Rs 20 :P
Today I arrived in Bijapur, which is a little more city like (I think I prefer Indian cities to the smaller towns and villages...I cannot cope with not being able to talk to anyone, or read anything if it's all in some odd looking script!) - Roll on Mumbai!
Bijapur is beautiful, I visited the Gol Gombuz today which is the biggest domed building outside of St Pauls in Rome and its amazing, when you climb to the top (110 steps - I learnt this for Rs 12 - another gift!) then you can whisper and the whole place hears what you said....needless to say the kids there thought that if they screamed the whole of India would hear.....I certainly did!
I spent the afternoon doing Suduko in the gardens there before finding this amazing internet connection......so fast wow! I'm off to Pune tomorrow on the train, which is a sleeper train for 10 hours - nice:)
Hopefully everything is back to normal now....sorry for not being in touch everyone :)
I spent yesterday in Badami (that horrible isolated place) looking at caves carved into mountains and being harrased by monkeys and little kids wanting to show me what a Nandi was in return for a gift - aka Rs 20 :P
Today I arrived in Bijapur, which is a little more city like (I think I prefer Indian cities to the smaller towns and villages...I cannot cope with not being able to talk to anyone, or read anything if it's all in some odd looking script!) - Roll on Mumbai!
Bijapur is beautiful, I visited the Gol Gombuz today which is the biggest domed building outside of St Pauls in Rome and its amazing, when you climb to the top (110 steps - I learnt this for Rs 12 - another gift!) then you can whisper and the whole place hears what you said....needless to say the kids there thought that if they screamed the whole of India would hear.....I certainly did!
I spent the afternoon doing Suduko in the gardens there before finding this amazing internet connection......so fast wow! I'm off to Pune tomorrow on the train, which is a sleeper train for 10 hours - nice:)
Hopefully everything is back to normal now....sorry for not being in touch everyone :)
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