Nainital was the last stop on my Indian adventure. This hill resort surrounds the green volcanic lake, Naini. It is said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Shiva's wife, Sati. It is a small place, designed for relaxing.

The lake certainly was a stunning green, surrounded on all sides by mountains. A cable car takes you up the mountain to about 2270 metres where there is a mini-themed park mainly for kids, and most importantly a bar. However, the cable car stopped running before 6pm and the bar closed at 5.30pm. How very rude! As this was the only place to get a drink (besides joining a private club), we made sure we got some drinks in. The thing was we arrived at 5.00pm therefore quickly downed quite a few!

The other main activity is to hire a boat and be rowed around the lake. A very peaceful trip around- the way to spend an afternoon, enjoying the sunshine and being waited on!

It was a good way to end a very busy tour of India. The only thing that remained was a 10 hour bus ride to Delhi, a flight to Mumbai then off to Hong Kong.

Overall India has been an amazing experience but it is a place full of contradictions. It was frustrating and soul lifting at the same time. Above all you have to respect the people. India is crowded, dusty and hot but there is a firm religious belief ingrained in it all. You can be involved in it or you can observe- and that deserves some respect. Finally India can encapuslate everything you can imagine seeing, from the deserts, to the beach or to the mountains. Beautiful scenary but blighted by a developing country. It will be interesting to see how India develops and if she starts to take care of the land which protects her.

I have spent two months here, longer than expected. I have enjoyed every minute of it but it is now time to move on. Next stop- South East Asia.