So, my second and final journal from India. The last two weeks has been amazing but very hard work. I think now that we are travelling on our own things will slow down a little. I certainly hope so because im knackered already. India is beautiful. Im so glad we started here because otherwise we would have been missing out. Its pretty crazy though, you cannot describe how different things are here. Again, im glad we were on a guided tour as without Vipul, our guide/the absolute legend, India would have eaten us both alive. He saved our bacon today. We jumped in a tuk-tuk to our hotel this morning. The driver said he did not know where we were going to so took us to a tourism office. The guy at the office phoned our hotel, or so I believed. I spoke to them and was told that although we had a reservation, all rooms wer fully booked. We were offered alternative accommodation for an extra charge of 4500 rupees, about 55 squid. I declined and called Vipul as I knew he had setup some other guys from the tour with cheap rooms. He came to meet us and confirmed our booking was ok. Turns out the tourism office were trying to scam us into paying for another hotel, probably on commission. Vipul had a right ding dong with them, I think they may have threatened him. But we are sorted. Lesson learned, beware of the scam. Vipul hates Delhi. He says alot of people here are crooked. I'd tend to agree, we havent been on a tuk tuk yet who has taken us exactly where we wanted to go, or hasn't tried to ween more money out of you. Vipul's reward was Pizza Hut for lunch. So im still not a city person. I dont particularly like Delhi. Its so crowded and hectic here. Its an amazing experience but im not sure i would like to come back. The smaller towns and villages have been wonderful and I think everyone on the tour much preferred them. the holy Village of Pushkar was a highlight for me. Im not a religious person at all but I really felt a spiritual connection with Pushkar. The Taj was spectacular. Its like walking into a picture postcard, it really is perfect. No matter how many photos I took, and i took a few, they all look fake. But we were there alright. I'll not forget that day for a long time. Jaipur was pretty cool. Again as a city it is very hectic but was so much better than Delhi. It was here i managed to get my token pic of a snake charmer. I was invited to sit between the two guys and pose for a picture but I was kind of put off by the snake not wanting to stay in its basket so I declined. We have seen so many Temples, the highlight being Khajuraho's Eastern Temple group. Unbelievable detail in the sculptures and they are set in beautiful gardens too. Out of all the temples, these were my favourite. I'll not waffle too much about what we have and have not seen/done, ill let the pics tell their own story when i eventually get them on here. So, its farewell to India. we have more days here to see a few more sights, might even go to the zoo. Not sure what we might see there that does not already roam the streets though. Just seen another 2 monkeys on our way to the t'internet cafe. So, things I have learned in the last 2 weeks: Indian food is nothing like Nawaabs. Bollywood is cool, but rom-coms are so predictable Mcdonalds serves a chicken maharajah mac. Eggs are not vegetarian An STD is a pay phone Steal bog roll at every opportunity as no public toilets will have any. Local electricians are rubbish Delhi belly sucks when the only option is an Indian style 'squat' toilet Internet cafe's are rubbish unless you are used to using kerridge all day. If a monkey pinches your stuff, dont argue or it will slap you. Wolves beat Stoke. Come on. All train stations looks exactly the same and all smell of p*ss. Vipul is an undisputed 100 percent legend. None of the numbers on this keyboard work. Onward to Singapore. cant wait to have a proper poo again. Singapore Sling's in Raffles coming right up. And hopefully a PC with a USB port. Photos should be less than a week away. Take care you crazy kids. Tom.