February 4, 2008
I board the plane and try to get some sleep, I am in the very centre on an emergency exit row, so I don’t have anyone in front of me which is good but because a partition wall is there I am unable to stretch out fully which is frustrating and uncomfortable.
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February 3, 2008
I get up at 08:30 and have a quick shower before heading downstairs with Angus to say my final goodbye to Anuj and give him a thank you tip for his great work as tour leader.I go back upstairs and pack my bags, go back downstairs again and put my bags into storage until I get back. I say goodbye to Angus and Hector
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February 2, 2008
I woke up and went for breakfast at a local Israeli restaurant called the Third Eye, unfortunately they had no electricity so could not make my toast so went back to the hotels restaurant for some cheese on toast, but I don’t think they could understand the concept as I had two slices of cold toast
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February 2, 2008
Because of the animals and drafts I did not sleep very well last night. Anuj got us out of bed at around 07:40 and it was quite a struggle to get out of my sleeping bag as it was nice and warm in there but very cold outside.Eventually I did get out as the sun looked great low on the horizon. I took a look down the well now that it was light, it seemed to go on forever and I could not see the bottom.
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February 1, 2008
Woke up at 08:30 and went for breakfast before we checked out, we had it outside on the tennis court. I had eight slices of toast, greedy I know.We then took the 4×4 jeeps for an hour and a half to get to Pushkar. Along the way we passed through small villages, loads of cattle, goats, camels and even a funeral procession.
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January 30, 2008
I wake up at 07:30 and get some breakfast and leave at 08:30 to go to the bus station. Our bus leaves at 08:50 and we just make it. Our bus is the basic type and we are all squeezed in.It takes abour two and a half hours to get to our stop we then switch to 4×4 jeeps to take us the rest of the way.
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January 29, 2008
I wake up at 07:00 and go down for breakfast and had what seemed to be my usual for this trip, four slices of toast with jam.We left at 08:00 to go to the Amber Fort by auto rickshaw, it is about 13km away from the hotel, so took a bit of time to go there, we passed the Water Palace on the right hand side
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January 28, 2008
I get up at about 05:50 after the loud prey music from outside pours into the room, no matter how much I try, I can’t go back to sleep. Every noise at the hotel seems to be amplified, people working in the corridors, telephones ringing, doors opening even toilets flushing.I finally get out of bed a 07:00 brush my teeth and go down stairs
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January 27, 2008
After an uncomfortable journey on the train we finally arrive at Agra, the station is very busy and we finally get out and take auto rickshaws to our hotel. Surprisingly the back seats come down in them to reveal a small boot area, I did not know they did that!The hotel we are staying at is the Sheela Inn Hotel, about 400 yards from the Taj Mahal.
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January 26, 2008
The alarm clock goes off at 06:00 but it is cloudy outside so there is no chance of seeing the sunrise so I go back to sleep.I eventually wake up at 09:30 and have a shower to refresh me for the day ahead. I am so glad that I have brought my foam travel sandals that I use in showers as the entire bathroom is the shower so the water goes everywhere,
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January 25, 2008
I have a bit of a lie in today and don’t get up until 08:20, freshen up a bit and go down for breakfast for 09:00 to meet Anuj and the group.We have breakfast at a hotel which is about a ten minute walk away. I have something simple, four slices of toast and a bottle of water.
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January 24, 2008
We are woken up at 07:00 with a cup of Masala chai. It is still raining slightly so I leave it to the last minute before I get out of the tent.
Because of the rain we have breakfast on the boat this morning which consisted of porridge and toast before we headed to Varanasi. Read more
January 23, 2008
I wake up at about 07:00 and have breakfast, toast and jam before setting off back down the Ganges at about 08:00.
Today is not as pleasant as yesterday and it begins to rain after lunch and we have to put a tarp over the top of the boat. Because of the weather we don’t hardly see anyone on the banks except for a couple of groups playing cricket. Read more
January 22, 2008
I surprisingly had a good nights sleep and the train was smoother and quieter than expected.
After clearing up and putting the beds back we depart the train at Mirzapur and are taken by taxi to the hotel galaxy to have breakfast consisting of an omelette and toast which was only 100 rupees. Read more
January 21, 2008
I woke up quite early today at about 06:45 after a very good nights sleep which was only broken by sounds of people being sick in neighbouring rooms.I go for breakfast at 07:15 and have a couple of rounds of toast and a cup of tea.
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January 20, 2008
I try to stay in bed for a long time today as it will be the last time I can do this for a while.
I go down at 12:00 to see Ragz and Disha off and say goodbye to all my new friends. Read more
January 19, 2008
Today is the wedding, but to me it did not start off very well. I slept through my alarm call at 08:30 and did not wake up until after 11:00 so I missed breakfast, but I don’t think I could have stomached it anyway as I had such a hangover. I promise myself not to drink tonight as I don’t want to feel like this tomorrow morning.
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January 18, 2008
Upon arrival at Abu Dhabi I enter the main lounge, it has coloured tiles all over the walls and ceilings that make it reminiscent of the interior of a mosque.
When it is time to depart I go to the gate and catch the bus to the plane, we travel all the way to the other side of the airport but the driver does not know which plane it is so we go back to the gate and wait for about 20 minutes in the bus. Read more
January 17, 2008
I managed to leave work on time at 12:00 to go home, calling at boots along the way to buy some last minute medication for the trip.
At home I have a shower and pack, I think my bag is a bit big and am worried about carrying it around for the next couple of weeks when in India. Read more
