Goaing to Goa

We've just finished up our first week in India, and have had an amazing time. Our journey to Jaipur Rajasthan was an interesting one. We got to the train station to buy our tickets, and when we found out that the next available one was in 12 hours the most sensible thing to do was to sit and wait in the train station. With this decision we lost one of our travel buddies, Austin, and got the deck of cards out in preparation for the long night. When 5am rolled up we boarded the train for our 6 hour journey. Luckily it was a sleeper train, so we just passed out and got to Jaipur in time to check into a hotel and get a feel for the city. Jaipur is very different to Delhi, and we met some lovely people. A man asked if I could scribe a love letter for his girlfriend in Cambridge because he can speak English, but isn't very good at writing it. For payment he gave us necklaces from his jewelry shop and some very big kisses. After getting out of that situation pretty quickly we hopped on a bus up to the Amber Fort which is incredibly impressive. We got a lovely tour guide and understood about 70% of what he was saying. We met a lovely Irish couple on the bus and we all went to see a Bollywood film which was terrific! Apparently we went to the most famous cinema in India!! There were lots of whistles and "whoop whoops" from the audience, but I was able to put aside my strict cinema conduct code and enjoy the ride. On the way back to the hostel, we heard some loud music...so thought we better check it out. It was a massive street party in a tent to celebrate the Gods, and they invited us in with open arms. They gave us loads of free food, and invited us in to meet everyone. I still can't get over how friendly everyone here really is. We got flower garlands and red paint on our foreheads...and a serious workout from the dancing...I thought one old guy was gonna keel over. Brilliant experience.
The next morning we got on our train to Goa, and prepared ourselves for another long journey...29 hours. We were in a sleeper compartment with two really sweet girls from Israel, and we all played cards and hung out. We met a lovely family with two little ones who want Sian and I to come back for a family home stay! Goa is beautiful and very different from any of the other places I've been to in India. We made it to the beach for an hour after finding a hostel and sorting ourselves out. I stepped on a nail, so hopefully I get to keep my foot...otherwise Sian better get ready to carry me. We're looking forward to hanging out here for a couple of days, and then heading back to Delhi. Hope everyone is well at home! xxx

India continued

We are having an AMAZING time. This hostel is really great, and we've been meeting some fantastic people who we've been traveling around with. We've explored New Delhi, and Old Delhi...similar and loads to take in! The Red Fort was closed due to "Republic Day," as are a lot of things...but doesn't take away from the experience! Unfortunately squeezing five of us in a tuc tuc is becoming a common thing, which doesn't make for the most comfortable ride, but its hilarious. The picture above was a camel march through Delhi, it came out of no where, and was a great site to see!

 Sian getting henna on her hand.

 These are the guys we're traveling around with.

 Cheesy Taj pose...gotta be done.

 We're so happy to be at the Tah Mahal!

Sian's new friends at the carpet factory.

A group of us went to Agra yesterday to check out the Taj Mahal which was very impressive. We also saw the mini Taj, the main fort, and then a bunch of textile factories that our hilarious tuc tuc drivers wanted us to see/sell to us. We went to a marble designing shop where they showed us how they engrave the marble and Sian almost got a stick in the face which was hilarious. A carpet shop where we saw how they design the carpets and make them, a very long process. Although surprisingly they only seemed to be working while we were walking around and had vanished when we came back to the tuc tucs. And then ofcourse a bunch of textile shops where we were supposed to buy all sorts of things that would never fit into our overstuffed bags as it is.
Throughout the day we get photographed and recorded on peoples phones. We posed with pretty much every Indian tourist at the Taj Mahal and are met with an abundance of cuddles and hand shakes. It gets kinda weird sometimes, but for the most part its fun!
We're off to Jaipur today for a few days, and then thought we'd go check out Goa. Seeing as a 29 hour train journey is only $2, time is more of an issue. Our trip to Darjeeling was cancelled because it's "closed." Apparently there is some sort of protest going on and no hostels or ANYTHING is open...shame, but there is still plenty to do! You'll be happy to know that we weren't allowed on the roof terrace the other night due to too many monkeys! Unfortunately Sian got her flip flops eaten by monkeys last night. We've seen camels walking down the street, and will hopefully hang out with some elephants today. Its all about the animals!
Neither of us are poorly...touch wood. We're meeting loads of people and having a terrific time! Keep the emails coming, would love to hear from you! xxx

First day...

Our first moments at the aiport were incredibly exciting, with mostly jumping and screams on my part. After making friends with the aiport staff and check in lady (who warned us not to go to India) we said our goodbyes and went for a tuna sandwhich.
Our flight was absolutely fine, until we realised that the two coniving elderly ladies who stole our seats were actually feeling pretty cushty with their extra leg room!! But luckily dinner was being served, and we had a grand selection of films. Dinner was curry. Curry that was far too spicy and far too bold for our first go at the good stuff. So we had our bread rolls and caught some zzzzs. When we woke up breakfast was being served and we would be landing within a couple of hours. Breakfast was the same curry, and we didn't fancy it at 9 AM either...we might be losing weight faster than we originally thought at this rate!!!
To make a very long story short, we were not met at the airport due to a tire puncture. So we got our own taxis to the hostel. Our driver didn't know the way to the hostel, so had to stop of to ask his fried Sam at the Tourist Centre how to get there. Sam continued to call "the hostel" and pass the phone over to me, where the "manager" proceeded to tell us the hostel was fully booked and we couldn't go. Bums. So helpful Sam pointed us in the direction of a new hostel...
As Sian and I were relaxing in our very swanky new hostel, it dawned on us that this just wasn't right. We rang the original hostel to confirm the lack of space, and they had no idea what we were talking about. So we quickly rushed to make plans for Ricky to pick us up and take us to the very apptly named Nirvana Hostel, and away from evil Sam and his evil mullet.
We are now safely at Nirvana hostel, surrounded by bold colours, oodles of fabric, and smiling faces. The other guests (which were lacking in evil hostel) seem friendly, and we can't wait to spend more time here!!
Looking forward to tucking into some rice, not swimming in curry, and getting some shut eye.
Our first day has been an adventure, but we've giggled our way through it (even when being threatened with the Police) and managed to keep happy!
Love you all lots, and looking forward to hearing from you! xxx