Loyal Readers,

My Indian Adventure with Mr. Richard, Mrs. Richard, Antony, Louis has finally come to an end. We are currently at the Delhi airport waiting for our flight to Singapore. In Singapore the Kennetts will continue home to Melbourne and I will begin the second leg of my asian adventure.

Today we had a tour of New Delhi. We began with a walk through the government area - parliament, the presidential palace and other government buildings. Due to a combination of it being Sunday ( the day off in India), it being so close to the Republic Day (Jan 26) and there being a constant military presence, everything was very quiet and remarkably orderly. It was a bit weird that there were so few people around and everything was so clean!

Next we saw India Gate - a war memorial to those soldiers lost in WWI

(19,000 soldiers). The gate is huge and has each of the soldiers' names inscribed on them. We then saw Humayan's tomb and Qutub Minar (a 13th century tower; and an Iron Pillar from the 4th century).

I learnt a few things on this trip.

1) India is predominantly Hindu - who are very peaceful and friendly people.

2) India is also home to the second largest muslim population in the world - 200M

3) Antony sleep talks

4) Honking is not considered impolite, just a regular part of driving everyday.

5) When the British left India to become independent, they stuffed absolutely as many jewels as possible into their pockets on the way out.

6) Sonu (our driver) should be in some sort of professional race car driving league.

7) There are easily over a million scarve shops in the country... And Lucy has now been in about half of them.

8) The life and energy in markets across the country is incredibly vibrant and friendly. Richard has about 350 pictures of old people and vegetables to prove it.

9) Despite the fact that a large majority of the people seem very very poor to us, they are a very pleasant and happy group of people. People do not strive for more than they have, but are satisfied with their place in life.

10) Despite what appears to be chaos, everything seems to just work.

Everyone has their roles and seem to fit seamleslly among everything going on.

11) The Taj Mahal is unbelievable.

12)White people are a HUGE attraction in India. The numerous requests for photo ops with me from Indians is proof. Most seemed to be too shy to ask Lucy for a photo, so they just took their photos from afar!

13) Antony and Lucy didn't have any disagreements.

14) Indians could be less efficient than Australians

15) Richard has yet to Relax... Lisa on the other hand has had no problem relaxing.

16) India isn't as hot or as smelly as everyone says - At least in the winter!

17) A 4 seater jeep in North America is a 24 seater jeep in India.

18) India is a democracy - Everyone can use the roads as they please!

Great trip. And considering we played no golf and did not go skiing or to a beach - that's a big statement from me.