Sri Lanka to Kovalam: Returning to India took some mental preparation... we found ourselves once again going to the beach. In Kovalam we were meeting Sim and Emi again who were there learning some of the Keralan martial art and massage. Emi practised her massage on Mendo (in a little cotton g-string) with me, Sim and the master watching on. The traditional massage utilised her feet and hands - it looked brilliant and from what Mendo said, Emi has some magic comin...

After Gokarna we headed Sth, keeping to the coast to suck in those lung-fulls of precious salty air. Right now I can't give exact details of where we went (I don't have the maps on me) but I'm sure it was beautiful... we then headed inland thanks to a great tip-off from Sim and Emy. Endless rows of Coconut palms swaying in the breeze gave way to rubber plantations, gave way to coffee bush's and finally gave way to copious amounts of tea plantations! I felt like w...

Wow, we're stunned it's nearly Christmas. It certainly doesn't feel like Christmas - no packed Warriewood Square, no getting REALLY sick of work and willing the days away, no carols over the radio sung by women with sickly sweet voices, no anticipation of relo bashes, no outdoor cinemas, no decorating the house whilst listening to 'the Tin Lids Christmas Carols', no work Christmas party's... but I will say it's interesting being in Goa which seems to be predomina...

Chittorgaugh: We were told by the lovely Stephan (the German) that Chittor had the best sound and light show in the country... and the bible talks up the huge fort quite a bit so we thought we should check it out on our way south. The massive fort overlooking the town was interesting and quite nice but I've now seen better. We went to see the sound and light show to be told at 8pm that they couldn't put it on for only 2 people... such is life! Mandu: Youch! A 32...

Udaipur: We planned to stay for a couple of days and instead stayed for 9... c'est la vie. We arrived to a city which was dressed up for a party: walls freshly painted, tinsel strung across the streets, bright colours painted in beautiful patterns on doorsteps and little delicate candles lit in tiny crevaces. And the firecracker shops were doing a roaring trade! Diwali had arrived in India and it was exciting! We had wonderful city experts, Stephan (the German) a...