Incredible India. It sums up the country perfectly. A country where everything is possible, both the good and the bad. The best word I can think to describe this mass nation is unique, I can say with confidence that there is no other country on this earth that is like India...in any way.

The country, for the most part, is mental. Just nuts. The huge volume of people of course is the major factor behind this but the intestity of these people is something else. Everyone is your friend, or at least they want you to think that. I have never been asked so many questions throughout the course of a day. "Hello, my friend. Where are you from? Where are you staying? Would you like to come into my shop/tuk tuk ride/buy something/Where are you going? I can help you" At times it was just too much. In fact most of the time it was too much.

The begging was difficult too. I have encountered it many times before of course, I mean the Westside Plaza is my local shopping centre. Here was different though. It was constant and incessant, on you all the time and no wasnt a response the people seemed to recognise. What made it worse, particulary in the big cities, was that the people begging for a little money (50p would have been a large sum for them) were doing it in the shadows of the skyscrapers where India's billionaires sat and watched. Watched the young children, young mums with babies, crippled, invalid and insane as well as the unfortunate beg to stay a little longer on this planet.

On the other hand though, we got to see the good, welcoming, hospitable and caring side of the people as well. Our driver Ganesh in particular could not have been more accomodating. Top bloke that Ganesh.

Cadge and I also witnessed some fantasic sites along the way. Some of the largest and most impressive fortresses built by man on any continent, Kumbulgarh especially. The Hindu temple at Ranakpur was so intricatley decorated that it would easily hold its own next to any of the mosques in Istanbul or the churches in Rome. Delhi, much lauded by others, has some maginificent sites of its own. A grand fort, a fantastic masouleum and a Muslim Pillar all worth visiting. Add to all these sights the stunning natural beauty of some parts of the country and you have somewhere that captivates the mind and imagination like few other places. The mountains of southern Rajasthan where the roads wind there way down and around them like a large serpent are great fun to drive with some awesome views to accompany. The beach at Goa, although full to bursting with Russians is a very nice beach and Goa is a great place to chill out and escape the mad India for a while.

Then of course there is the Taj Mahal. Rightly, in my opinion, one of the Wonders of the World. A true wow moment and one that I still cant really believe that I have been lucky enough to experience.

Oh yeah and the food. How can you have a summary of India without talking about the food. I, me, Neil, went veggie for almost an entire month and I absolutely loved all that I ate. The potato curries, lentil curries, spinach curries and even the paneer curries, all so good. Im now converted to chipati too. No more naan breads (thats not a serious comment so dont hold me to that). Pakora to die for, good fish, great smells and flavours everywhere and not a Delhi Belly in sight. All I would say though is the street food wasnt as good as I had hoped it would be. Aside from that, for a man who enjoys a good Indian this, funnily enough is the place to go.

So India. Sights, sounds, smells, colours, noise (very different from sounds in this case) and Wonders. This is a testing but fantastic place to visit. Unique. Incredible. India.

As a foot note, Varanasi. No