Hey everyone,
I know I have only been here for 3 days, but so far I do not like India. So far we have been outrageously ripped off, sent to the middle of nowhere and have been given no ability to help ourselves. Right now I could think of nothing better than being back home where people at least listen to you. Anyway, I will stop moaning and explain why we are so at a loss right now.
On the 4th March we spent the day sightseeing in Delhi. We had a driver called Arin and a small, none air conditioned car, and he spoke little english, therefore we spent most of the day not actually knowing what we were seeing... I looked it up later. He kept taking us to expensive shops, when all we wanted was to go to a quaint market or see some of Delhi's beauty (turns out there isn't any) but I think they just think we are made of money. So much for the 'guided tour of delhi' we paid for. Delhi is a very smelly place, mainly due to the urea that litters the streets. Most of the people are pushy and do not listen to you, and have tendencies to ignore requests or not inform you of what is happening. Anyway, we went to the Red Fort (2kms and a dark red, pretty impressive), Lotus Temple (lotus-common symbol to Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, looked like Sydney Opera House), Parliament House (Circular and imperial in style), Jama Masjid (Largest mosque in old Delhi) and Raj Ghat (Museum dedicated to he life of Indira Gadhi, was quite interesting). All in all, it was good to see abit of Delhi but I am not it's biggest fan.

In the evening we met up with an Indian guy called Nias who Sara knew from the South. He renewed my faith in Indians for the evening, as he was interesting and courteous (something that I have found no one else to be). He took us to an indian restuarant called Splash and we had a nice time chatting away to him. We returned late in the evening to out delightful room (I use that term lightly) and had a rather rubbish sleep due to the fact that Indian's apparently don't sleep... they just make noise!

On the 5th March we flew to Srinagar... bet your thinking 'Where is Srinagar?' Well that was what we thought when we got here... because we were under the impression we were going to Manali... but that was all part of the expensive scam. They have sent us to Kashmir... which is freezing and has very little to it. Apparently it is 'just beautiful' in summer... well fat lot of good to us. We went tp a hotel where we sat reading for the afternoon, before being attacked by the torist officers, who just wanted us to buy more excursions. Anyway, luckily, that night we met a norwegian couple and a guy from Holland who had been through the same thing. It was a relief to hear them complain too. We played cards with them and just generally chatted, it was lovely.
Today we got moved to a house boat but not before Sara got shouted at by a touist officer which reduced me to tears as he was unbelievably rude. I hate him. The House Boat is cold and full of midges, but at least its owner is slightly more courteous. We went on a boat ride around Dal Lake today, which was interestintg enough but we were eaten alive by midges. We are desperately trying to get out of here... I just want to be home or in Australia again. Sorry to be so low, perhaps it will perk up. At least for the time being I have Sara. Hmm... Sorry mum for worrying you, I am safe and I will be back to my bubbly self eventually.

Love to you all, and I will call you Parents and Liam as soon as I have signal on my phone xxxxxxxxxx