Hello All! So, as the Indian Adventure draws to a close, I thought it best to write a few words on the last month, filling you in on my travels, etc. I have been fairly slack of late, but what can I say, there are a lot of distractions, and too many e-mails would only mean that I have nothing better to do with my time. I will be heading onward to Bangkok on the 31st of January, after spending two and a half months in this fantastic country. Admittedly a great deal of that time was spent on the beach, in the hot sun with a cool beer, but I never meant for this to be a hardship. If I wanted that, all I had to do was stay at work. I think of this as a once in a lifetime extended holiday, and will enjoy myself to the full. This does not mean I haven't made an effort to absorb the culture, interact with the 'locals', and as much as possible, try everything, at least once! I will take with me a memory of land with enormous talent, beauty and history, and also a better understanding of what is important in life. The things that I encounter here on a day-to-day basis are shocking-the poverty alone is quite unimaginable, yet the people preserver, and take great pride in what they do. As western cultural influences become stringer throughout the country I hope, in my rose tinted traveler sunglasses, that the people here are able to continue to be content with what they have, and continue to value their traditions. Anyway, enough of all that. After a mental new year, on the beach, I had a few more relaxing days in Goa before heading down to catch up with some friends in Kerela, where we chartered and house boat and cruised the back waters-very chilled, luxurious and fun, before heading onward to Varkala and Kovalom, yup, more beaches. Same as Goa, but with bigger waves. From there I headed inland to the pireyar nature reserve, for a bit of jungle trekking and the hope of spotting some wildlife. Whilst the scenery was stunning, the animals remained elusive; all I came away with was a couple of Leeches and brief sighting of the famous 'Wild' Chicken. Looked a lot like domestic once, but my guide insisted, and who am I to argue. I also had the good fortune of arriving at the end of the sabremela festival, one of the largest in the world, and thousands of men, dressed in traditional lungi's and turbans, head out on a 41 mile hike into the hills for a good old pray. Of the few I spoke to, they were mostly business men from India's larger cities, and I thought, if city dwellers back home could go kick off in the woods for a few days each year, life in the office would be far more bearable. Having finally left the beach, I decided to continue inland and went to KodiKanal, a hill station over the border in Tamil Nadu. Again, lovely scenery, and the most nerve shattering bus ride so far, but it was cold! I had to wear three layers in the evening, and one day was enough. Which brings me here, Maduri, a large, busy temple town with up to 10,000 pilgrims visiting daily-loads of stalls, touts, noise and sleek tariqs trying to persuade you to part with your cash. It is working. Having abstained from purchasing any Indian tat so far on my travels, I am making up for lost time and buying the place out. So, should you receive a parcel of junk, don't think that I picked out each thing with thought for the receiver, but because I just can't help haggling, and once I have them down to an impossible low price, I feel an obligation to purchase the goods. So, Tomorrow I head to Pondicherry, from there Auroville, Mamamlepuram and Chennai. I'll keep you all posted of any news, but remember, no news is good news, and I am having a good one. Bye for now, Teva.