We've been in Fort Cochin now for about 4 days and we love it! It's a little fishing village which is at a headland off the main part called Ernakulam. We've looked around both parts - by getting the ferry taxi across the sea to and from the different areas, and all in all I think we've chosen the best place. The mainland is obviously more like the other big cities, but here is it so laid back and easy going that it's like experiencing 'proper' india! It makes a ...

Well, Goa was lovely. The place we were staying was fantastic, a real bargain. The rooms were cleaned everyday and we even got fresh towels and sheets! The grounds were a bit of a maze with palm trees (coconuts etc) and although we never made it in, the pool was nice, although it was covered by the trees and had a huge net slung between them to catch any heavy fruit that may fall while in bathing!! It was quite western, obviously catering for the package holi...

Mr Jarvis here. For those of you unhder time pressures, I thought I'd give a much breifer run down of the time in India so far: Delhi: Twinned with any bombed out city you've ever seen on TV. Nice under ground. Traffic problems, touts, temples Agra: Slightly worse than most open sewers. If it wasn't for the Taj Mahal it wouln't be visited by anyone. Even the rats have left its that dirty. Traffic problems, touts, temples Jaipir: Nice place, decent enough hote...

Wow!!!! I didn't think it was possible to go from one extreme to the other in less than 24 hours. We arrived in Goa (eventually after another delayed flight - Indian Time again!) and instantly noticed the difference. The taxi had seatbelts! The pace is so laid back here. The drive to the accommodation was so peaceful. There was hardly any sound at all - such a difference. Even when they sound their horn, it's more like a little polite beep, rather than the ...

Left Jaipur (finally after trawling the city looking for toilet roll for the journey!!!!) and checked in at the airport, but at the last minute the flight was delayed - Indian Time!!! We were preparing ourselves for Mumbai - lots of people, mosquitos swarms, etc etc but when we arrived there were no swarms of mosquitos but there were lots of taxi drivers all shouting at you, and each other. We tried to choose the guy that looked most respectable. But after wal...