Hi Everyone

Sorry that we haven't blogged in a while - we didn't get much chance to use the internet in Mumbai as we were staying with an Indian family so we could only use it now and again.

Currently in Bangkok and on a wee bit of an epic journey to get to Cambodia and as a result we will have done four countries in four days by the time we get there! We left Mumbai on Friday morning and spent the night in Singpore then we flew to Bangkok today where we have got one night before flying to Phnom Penh the capital of Cambodia tomorrow. Meeting up with Amy and Justin there and heading up to Siem Reap together so really excited about the reunion tomorrow!

Past few days have been pretty crazy and we are staying the area around Khao San road which is mental and soooo busy! As if Blackpool sort of exploded in South East Asia so slightly bizare! Paying a bit too much for a room with rubber pillows (werid) and a live band next door which might as well be in our room, but in a buzzing area so just trying to stay out late and drink beer so by the time we get back they will have gone home to bed!

Singapore was an uber modern city but soooooo expensive! We paid 12 pounds each to stay in a dorm room with about 28 other people and shared bathrooms there and that was the cheapest we could find! It is like England but about 20 years ahead of us and is so clean and efficient it is very strange coming from India! Only one night there though before we had to head back to the airport again! Joe made friends with a slighty nuts lad from Nottingham who's opening line was: (In thick Nottingham accent)

"Have you seen a black lad?"
"No, why who is he?"
"He's my best mate, but I knocked him out twice today..."

Following conversations included his whole body wax he'd had in Thailand, how he'd almost died on the death railway and the intimate details of ow he'd lost a stone in 3 weeks. Highlight for Joe was he intended on travelling around South East Asia, Australia and NZ in 5 months but he lost his job and got dumped by his girlfriend and was now doing this in all in 6 weeks........ Slightly unevring guy considering he was sleeping in the bunk bed above us.........!!!

Had a great time in Mumbai - saw lots of places that we would not have seen had we not stayed with a Indian family. However I think me and Joe both put on about 1 stone in a week and were definately not feeling right by the time we left due to the vast quantities of food we were fed!! Fantastic family and made us feel so welcome and really felt part of the family whilst we were there. The youngest son Goloo came around with us most days taking us out into Mumbai to see the sights and being the photographer and interpreter for us! Mumbai is sooooo different from Delhi, it is massive and goes on forever but it is so much cleaner and with hardly any animals knocking around despite the fact it has got the biggest slum in the whole of the world in it! This is really true as well as when we flew in it literally takes up every single space it can and as far as the eye can see there are shanty towns!

Most interesting factor was seeing the religious day to day activities of a Hindu family and they do a 'punja' two times a day in which they pray to the Gods and light insence and place offerings before the Gods and bless everyone in the house with a tikka mark. We also got given a Ganesh to take with us on our travels which Jhoyti (the Mum) had been praying to to wish us a safe journey on our many flights.

Went to the Cinema with Goloo one day and it was completely different to England and makes the cinema at home look rubbish! Only about 1.50 pound per ticket and the chairs were huge leather reclining arms chairs only in rows of four or two with tables in between and a waiter service during the film! There is also an intermission half way though so you can go to the loo without missing any of the film and the national anthem is played at the beginning and everyone rises and sings along! Plus the popcorn was dirt cheap as well and we enjoyed the cinema experience so much we went twice!! The second to see a 3D film aswell! And for all my friends who have been worrying about me not seeing the new Twilight film, not to worry as I have now offically seen New Moon and its awesome!!!!

Keep your messages coming as we love to hear from you all.

We will try and post a blog sooner next time.

Lots of love

Rachel and Joe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps apologies for any bad spelling and long sentances as we have had quite a few beers!!!!