Today we took the train from Agra to Orchha, meaning Hidden Place. Its a beautiful, quiet town beside a river full of boulders. Our hotel, The Betwa Cottages is set in stunning gardens and we each have a large cottage with private bathroom, fantastic shower and air con! We took a walk around with the group to the market and a small temple. We were follwed to and from the hotel by children who wanted us to take their pictures and dance and sing with them! For dinner we went to another hotel which was absolutely stunning (and equally expensive!) where we had a great buffet of chicken, rice and pots. rnrnThe following day we took a tour of the 17th century temples. There are 3 temples within the complex each decorated with Hindu and Islamic details. The guide told us some fascinating stories about the King, his Wife and his mistresses. He housed 6 women in different rooms within his palace and took 3 years to dig secret tunnels and passages to each room! It is said he would visit each women throughout the week (one each day) and rest on Sunday (eat your heart out guys!!) The weather was almost unbearable even at such an early hour so we found an internet cafe (high speed my arse!!) then headed back to the cottages to watch Bad Boys in black and white then slept!rnrnThat evening we took an auto rickshaw to a local families house where we learnt some traditional Indian dishes. We cooked aloo palak, masala chai (tea), puri amoungst others then sat on the in a circle on the floor and ate! Even Chelsea enjoyed it! We are already planning our first dinner party on our return for all you guys who missed out! After dinner we went to an outdoor bar drinking and talking into the night. All we had to see was some fairy lights and some candles stuck in a potato! On the way back to the rooms, Aussie Pete decided to try and give Chelsea a heart attack by jumping out of the shadows! We had been talking about horror films in the bar so it was already in my mind!

So on Wedsnesday we went to a paper factory just outside the village. They use cotton rags to make the paper - no trees!! We watched the process at different stages and it looked really hard work (makes you realise how lucky you are!) They recently set up a charity for the local women helping them to get work, I contributed to the cause in the giftshop (lucky Roxanne!) On the way back we stopped at the ladies house who taught us the cooking the night before. Turns out she also does mendhi (henna) so Jo and I had one of our arms done. It looks wicked! We spent the rest of the day chilling out, watched Bad Boys and ate a group dinner before catching the overnight train to Allahabad. I slept like a log as did Bradley but the others struggled. I think after our 27 hour journey to the Punjab, 9hours was a doddle!!