PS

I've added some new pics at the foot of the blog

Last blog home...

 

Well we arrived at our final location on Friday night truly exhausted (but exhilirated) with car horns blaring and hazard lights flashing, to the rousing sound of a traditional Keralan 'band' and the hugest and most beautiful elepant - carnival time! It was magical. There was much hugging of newly made friends and tears of relief and sadness that the trip was essentially over - save for the last party!

The party was to start at 7.30pm so we emptied cars and made our way to some of the best accommodation we have had on the whole trip - little apartments looking out onto beautiful lawns bordering a huge feshwater lake with the view of fisherman laying their nets for the night from narrow,elegant rowing boats and the traditional raffia covered houseboats gliding quietly by.

After much scrubbing under hot showers we gathered in all our newly bought Indian finery on the lawns of this beautiful hotel with the lake in front of us, palm trees and the sound of crikets all around - it was a stunning sight and a great party!

So to finish off I'd like to say that Neil and I have had an amazing trip: we've seen some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and the Indian people we have met on the way have been an insipiration to us in their tolerance of others, their diversity and their inner stillness where somehow they can 'just be' amid all the chaos that is India.  Thank you India for having us.

   

Tea, tea and more tea...

Today has been magical and great fun - we left this morning in thick cloud but as we descended our mountain the clouds thinned and the sun shone. After driving through a large connerbation during rush hour and a really delightful village that Neil said reminded him of Cornwall (really had to use my imagination for that one) we began our ascent to the tea plantations through countryside which I can only describe as majestic - it is so so beautiful - each hairpin bend leading to an even more breathtakng view until we arrived at the hill station Munnar in the middle of mile upon mile of tea!

There were however 'words' exchanged on route - we are clearly feeling the strains of ten days of driving and Neil lost his rag twice today - I know you're going to find it hard to believe but I remained calm (oh the beauty of writing the blog)!  But  I digress; the first 'exchange' was as a result of Neil's difficulty in reading our map whilst looking out for an 'English wine shop' (a bit of a misnomer as they don't sell wine) after coming to our fourth fork/T junction with no word from Neil as to which way to go - all I said was 'you're supposed to be navigating' - when the bottom lip went out and he shouted that it was not possible for him to do two two things at once - oh what fun I've had with that.

The second was when we were on a narrow bit of road with a vertiginous drop to one side and a large bus motoring towards us whilst blaring his horn loudly and continuously - I couldn't believe how little space there was availalble so was trying furiously to capture the moment by photographing said bus (it was exciting) but Neil screamed at me that this was not the time for taking holiday snaps! Anyway, we made it and holiday snap is v good!

Before I go Neil said today that to see the tea plantations in all their glory has been worth every gruelling kilometre!  And lastly - how on earth did Russia get to host the 2018 world cup?!

Today's Update from Thelma and Louise !

Hi all. No energy to blog last night.  There was a landslide on our route so instead of driving 295km we drove 500!! Nearly 100 in the dark which was a bit scary and last 50 a continuous climb through hairpin bends!! Tired and emotional. One of the group so ill he had to be lifted out of his car and wheelchaired to the hotel but refused to go to hospital for a once over. Woke today in mountains to drizzle  and low cloud so boo hoo! Off to the tea plantations in munnar now and hoping for some sunshine. Neil making me drive down then mountain who said chivalry is dead!  By the way heard its freezing there !

Arrival at Tamil Nadu

We crossed the border and entered Tamil Nadu yesterday. The rainy season has just finished and the land is lush and green, but we were so nackered yesterday that it was hard to take anything in! We arrived at Jungle Hut just as it was getting dark but we ate, drank and sang raucoulsy around a camp fire beneath a starry starry sky and eventually fell into bed in our jungle huts truly exhausted!! Today has been a rest day in that we've stayed here and not travelled although we did get up at 5am to go on a safari - and saw a giant squirrel, jungle chickens and a peacock! I think I see more wildlife on my journey to work!!  After breakfast Neil went to his room and I found a hammock slung between two trees and so I slept for six hours - what absolute bliss! Everyone has had a wash and brush up and we're now gathering on the terrace having a few beers with the sound of the jungle all arround - Leonard Cohen (I'm You Man) and the chink of glasses!

Tomorrow's going to be a long one - 250Km through mountains and potholed Indian roads - so chocks away by 6am!  It'll be an even bigger challenge for the sick ones amongst us - the sickness numbers are rising - ooer...

Before we go - big apology to Bob who I mistakenly rang from my mobile at 4.30am - I'm so sorry!!

Speak soon - managed to post some new pics too - feeling so organised after a day's rest!!

Judy and Neil

The cricket game

Sorry it's been so long but getting a connection has had to wait until our arrival at Mysore - driving has been gruelling with 'potholes' up to 2' deep and all manner of livestock and wildlife slowing us down! Neil knocked  over and killed a chicken yesterday which made him feel a little poorly. But that said we've been driving through mountains and the most stunning rural areas with children cheering and waving from the roadside wherever we go.

The accommodation has been varied although some dormitory sleeping with the added fear of snakes and spiders challenged some yesterday - with copious amounts of neurotic bag emptying and shaking and patting of bedclothes!

We're managing pretty well on the roads with only half a dozen very close shaves to speak of.

The other day half a dozen of us Ambi drivers stopped to watch a cricket match being played in a field by some local kids and we were challenged to an India v england match (5 overs a piece) it was hilarious, we were hopeless in comparison being challenged by both fast and spin bowlers - but Neil hit one for six and also had to make a run - THAT's on the video clip and I'll be charging per view!!

We're heading south all the time and the temperature changes are noticeable being cool in the mountains and hot and muggy on the coast - we've woken today to a scorcher!!

There's a party on the last night and we've been told to 'wear Indian' so last night was spent searching Mysore for something suitable to wear - we've found a Maharja suit for Neil - looks quite the part although thought he might break into 'goodbye my love' by Demi Roussos at one point.

Starts are early up by 6.30am every day and am being told by Kate to get down to breakfast fast - will post some pics if I can .

Judy and Neil

A Message From India

Neil and Judy are currently having problems with their internet connections so she has contacted us to put an update on the blog, so here it is:

Haven't been able to get a connection for the last two nights and tomorrow we are camping so no chance then!

All is going well.  Nels not sporting any bites but has a heat rash!  He is getting acclimatised and no longer leaking in the car.  Scenery is breathtaking!  There has been a couple of accidents and lots of near misses in the group.  Travelled from Goa through western Ghat to Kawar yesterday and on to Murudeshwar today - came close to killing a cow!  Off to silent valley Kalasa tomorrow via fort at Nagara.