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Sorry people! It has been a long time since I have updated the blog. I am going to have to jog my memory…

Where was I… ahh Chennai! All I can remember about Chennai is the super modern cinema complex named Satyam! I can't remember the number of cinema screens, but the gaming zone…! A floor of PC's, with 28" flat screens, a Wii floor with a bowling alley, an arcade floor and a Xbox/PS3 mezzanine level! The mezzanine level had the sound chairs, 32" screens and a selection of the latest games! The level of noise, excitement and number of adolescent kids was intense! The main reason I went to this place was because of the air conditioning, as it was a lifesaver from the unbearable midday sun, of course!

The discovery of a decent milkshake joint helped quench our thirst, and mega cheap biriyani stalls on every corner (making sure we went to the busier ones occupied by only the locals).

Dan and I planned a day visit to the orphanage where we were given a warm welcome by the children and the other volunteers. The children were loving the attention and having new people to play their games with. The chocolate sweets made us even more popular as did the puppets! Volunteering is another aspect I want to introduce into my travels, having seen the good work at the orphanage and invaluable benefits to you and the other person(s).

I continued my stay in Chennai without Dan in order to pace my traveling and to absorb the place I am visiting but most of all to rest up. It also gave me the chance to speak to my family, with individual calls to my sisters on a hot and humid Chennai night, dripping wet in a cubical with a noisy fan which I switched on between dial ups!

The plan on my "not planned" journey was to fly across to Singapore, with tickets at reasonable prices but a highly rated destination to be left untraveled. My mother easily persuaded me to travel further north and not to miss out on the beauty of Nepal.

I broke my journey up to help me recover from traveling on government buses and trains, also the heat of the Indian sun was verging on unbearable, Kolkata was the next major city where I ended up spending more time than expected…