Hello everyone

I thought I'd better update now since tomorrow we have a ten hour train journey, followed by another ten hour one on Friday! Who knows what we will do to pass the time - we only hope they have air con! - but we should be arriving in Mumbai on friday evening.

We are currently in Udaipur, a very lovely city, however it is still boiling!!! For any Bond fans, the movie Octop**** was partly filmed here on their biggest lake,I believe (Fatesagar).

We almost didn't get to Udaipur as we had a slight crash - it wasn't that major but it could have certainly done a lot of damage to the car and we were in the middle of a desert! I think I must be a bad omen because half an hour before the smash, I asked our driver if he had ever been in an accident, mainly due to the crazy roads in India. He replied 'no' and told me I am the first person to ask him that question. Then, shortly after we crashed into a line of big rocks (of some sort) that had been partly put across the road as a boulder. I had my eyes closed at the time and was praying we hadn't hit a person/animal/another car (we have seen a lot of roadkill along the way, namely camels, dogs and cows!)

Before this incident we had a really relaxing stop-off in Ranakpur. We stayed at a lovely hotel where, although the electricity kept cutting off every 15 mins, I had a whole pool to myself and chilled out for the afternoon! In Ranakpur we also visited the Jain Temple. This place was lovely, and like a maze, with 1,444 white marble pillars inside. It felt completely tranquil and, although meant for individuals who follow this religion, I still felt really good afterwards. It's hard to explain, but it's something about these places. Chris didn't feel it though...when I asked him he said, 'nah, I don't feel anything' (!) We did get 'blessed' by a priest at the temple (he said something to Chris and put an orange finger print on both our foreheads) - obviously we were asked for a donation...nothing is free in India!

I'm not sure if he mentioned it but Chris was ill during our visit to the Golden Fort (In Jaisalmer) - our first case of Dehli belly! Well, this morning he woke up and felt pretty bad again so we had to go to the doctors. He has been given some (awful) tablets and feels much better. He's also been advised to lay off alcohol, meat and lots of other things he loves for 3 days!!! Basically he has been told he can eat rice, cereal (with no milk) and drink soda water and lassi's (a kind of milkshake/yoghurt drink). Poor Chris doesn't look very happy at the moment and is not thinking of dinner with his usual enthusiasm.

Chris felt a bit better this afternoon so we visited the City Palace. Again, we were asked for a picture and obliged. It was funny as the family were arranging their sons either side of us like we were famous or something! It really is a strange feeling to be seen as so alien and unusual. We also had massages which were amazing - and very cheap! I think it must've been about 6 pounds for the both of us! We had them with a lady called Hansa who was really lovely and gave me a henna design too. It was a bit strange at first as we have both never had a prefessional massage before: When I came back into the room Chris was lay there in his boxers and she then went on to take them down and massage his bum!! She also made me take my bra off and I had to lay there in my knickers - which werent the biggest in the world! However, once you get over the initial embarrassment, it is a really good experience which I would recommend. At the end she gave us a discount (on the already low price) and gave me a little present, some henna to put on my 'sisters back home' and a hair clip. Bless!

Well, Chris is having a rest and will hopefully be better for the train journeys tomorrow. We're having a farewell dinner this evening with our driver Lucky, who has helped us out loads.

I'll get Chris to update once he is right as rain and were in Mumbai!

Until next time, take care!

Much Love, Lisa and Chris

xxxx

Ps - Mum, text me on Saturday and let me know that the operation went ok. I will be thinking of you and hopefully call soon. x