The end is nigh, the only part of our year long trip left is the flight home. Having had a couple more days relaxing on the beaches of Goa we have spent a day here in Bombay shopping, eating and generally refelecting on what has been an incredible year. We have really enjopyed our time In india, it is a fascinating country. There are things which make travelling here quite tiring, the poverty is oppressing, the dirt is everywhere, the sexism and antiquated class system is tiring and the personal habits and hygiene of some people (mostly men) in public is difficult to get used to, especially the constant coughing up of what's in people's lungs and spitting it out where you're about to walk. But those negatives are far outweighed by the positives of visiting part of this huge country. It has an ancient culture and customs which are so very diffferent to our way of living, the food is fantastic, the monuments and temples that can be visited everywhere and perhaps best that are still in use and not simply relics of former glories and the beautiful beaches, forests, landscape and climate are all things we've enjoyed. But as with everywhere else it's the people that define a country and while you have to get used to being an object of fascination the vast majority of people we have met have been warm, friendly, hospitable and incredibly keen to tell us about their country and to learn a little of our lives.

We have only seen a small part in what is a relatively short period of time but have enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Mumbai/Bombay (still not decided which it should be) the temples of Tamil Nadu, the peacefulness of Kerala, the traditions of Karnataka and the beaches of Goa. It really is an incredibly interesting place to have visited and as with everywhere else we've been, we feel extremely lucky to have had this opportunity.