Our final destination in India after 10.5 weeks travelling India and Nepal was the old Indian capital of Kolkata. We had booked first class travel to see what the difference in classes were and to have a comfortable journey - unfortunately we ended up in a cabin with a older Indian couple who couldn't refrain from staring at us the whole journey.

On arrival at Kolkata it was evident that the Brits previously had rule as it was more 'groomed' than any other city in India. We got a taxi to our hotel that we had booked online the night before, on arrival both of us were furious as the hotel looked nothing like the pictures online. The room we were given was only fit enough for a cockroach. After a screaming match with the staff who refused to help us we only went and booked another hotel way out of our budget. (it was 11pm and Helen couldn't be bothered with all the faff!) Gladly we finished our travels in India in a boutique hotel with heaps of space!

The first day was spent at the Victoria memorial which is a combination of the Taj Mahal/US Capitol. Apparently it doesn't fall in the same category as the Taj as it was built for a living person! Eerie how death has such an impact on history/legends.

We wandered aimlessly around Kolkata with no purpose as this was the best way to see the sights until our feet became tired. When we got back to the hotel we realised that we were absolutely shattered so ordered room service and watched movies until we dropped off to sleep. The next day was spent at the ghats, flower market, walking all over town and trying to finish off our Christmas shopping before going to Bangkok to see Helen's parents.

On reflection after 10.5 weeks travelling India and Nepal, Helen found India chaotic, psychotic, schizophrenic etc but she loved their food and culture. Nevertheless she was relieved to leave to see her parents and to sort herself out. India spurred a roller coaster of emotions like no other place. We stayed in some really nice cheap digs and in some dumps.

Nick was relieved to leave India as he missed the convenience of the Western World and was very much looking forwards to Thailand which is cleaner and caters for us British people. However, on Nicks reflection he misses India.