Day 12 The journey….
Today was going to be a long day. It started by getting a local bus from Udaipur to Ahmedabad. Before we got on the bus Dan either got cursed or sworn at by a woman who was begging. We are not too sure which one it was! We then jumped on a local bus for 5-6 hrs to Ahmedabad. When we arrived we stopped off at Gandhi’s Ashram (his old pad). We then had about 5 hours to wait for the overnight train so spent our time in a shopping mall. This was the first time we had seen the other half to India and the extreme wealth that existed. This was also contrasted with our tuk tuks who were parked and waiting for us in a field just next door with people sleeping rough.
We then boarded the overnight train to Mumbai which again was an experience! As soon as we boarded and found our beds (all top bunks scattered around two carriages) it began! There was farting and snoring (and no it was not Dan!) It was a long journey with limited sleep and I think we were all glad when we arrived in Mumbai!
Day 13 – Mumbai
We arrived in Mumbai quite early in the morning from the over night train. Unfortunately we couldn’t check into our room for about 5 hours so we opted to do a city tour. I think Mumbai was the realisation about the huge divide in terms of the richest and poorest. It was also one of the most polluted places we had been. The visibility was so limited due to the smog that surrounded the city (see photos). It felt and looked like a constant haze in the distance. We stopped at a beach, a temple and then we saw the house of the richest man in India. It was like a giant sky scrapper and included 3 helicopter pads, 150 cars and 600 staff! In such a stark contrast we visited the slums next. Some of the filming of Slumdog Millionaire was done at the place where we visited. It was incredible to see and not what I imagined at all. Yes it was dirty, cramped and had an open sewerage system but it also had a huge functioning industry as well. There were bakeries, textile manufacturers and huge recycling plants that collected mainly plastics and broke them down to be reused by other businesses. Walking around just made us think how lucky we are to be born into the life we have. From here we went to a huge outdoor laundry which was cool to see!
We went back to the hotel and were so pleased to be able to have a shower as Mumbai was so humid and at this point we had been on the move for about 36 hours. However when Liz had the first shower out came a huge centipede from the drain much to her dissatisfaction and horror! Dan came to the rescue!
Later that evening we walked to the gateway to India to take a photo and went out for dinner as a group. It was surprising how western Mumbai was in certain areas as after dinner we went for a drink at a craft ale and cider pub! To top the night off they also had a pub quiz which was great fun. We had such a good night , especially laughing at Tim who managed to get all his questions he got asked wrong! Brian Lara!!
Day 14 – Flight to Goa
Today we flew to Goa, somewhere we were really looking forward to as we wanted a few days chilling by the pool / beach. We arrived at took a taxi to our hotel in the North of Goa, approximately an hour and a half away from the airport. We checked in and later went on an orientation walk to see the sites near our hotel. It wasn’t really what we were expecting; it was really busy with a lot of middle aged / older men staring at us constantly – not cool. It wasn’t a great first impression to be honest! We went for some dinner and then had a few drinks back at the hotel with some of the group.
Day 15 – Beach day
We had a lie in today and then ventured to one of the quieter beaches in Goa which was actually lovely and what we had hoped Goa would be like. We took a taxi for about 45 minutes further north to Ashwem beach where our guide recommended us to go. Quite a few of the tour group were there as well and we had a lovely afternoon swimming in the sea and relaxing in the sun!
That evening was the last night of the tour and we all went for dinner as a group on the beach front. It was a lovely way to spend the last night of the tour. We also said some goodbyes as people were leaving that evening / very early the next morning. It was quite sad as we got to know people pretty well after spending 14 days with them.
Day 16 - A bit of luxury!
Today the tour officially ended. We had met some lovely people and was sad to say goodbye. Some people were in Goa for a few more days, some heading to new destinations and some were going home. We had already booked accommodation for another few days in Goa and so after check out we got a taxi to our new hotel. The hotel was lovely and what we needed after the last two weeks! The shower was separate from the rest of the bathroom, the sheets were free from stains and the air-con was quiet…luxury!!
We had a pretty chilled day and then went to Baga to meet Will, Tim, Abbie and Kim for dinner.
Day 17 - Farewells
Today was the last day with the remaining people from the tour and after a steady day by the pool we went for our farewell dinner with the nine people that were still in Goa. Everyone except us was flying the next day. We had a nice meal out and then went into Baga to have a final few drinks as a group before saying our goodbyes.
Day 18 & 19
We spent the last couple of days in Goa having a relax by the pool and enjoying the last of the good Indian food!
Day 20 – Back to Delhi!
We checked out of our hotel in Goa and flew back up to Delhi. We landed at the airport and had booked a hotel relatively close as we were going to be back the next morning for our flight to Bangkok.
Overall India was good. It was an experience and culturally very different to anywhere we had ever been before. Doing a tour was definitely the best way of seeing all the places we did in a stress free way. The people on the tour also made it for us. We had such a laugh and have made some friends for life.
Next stop Bangkok!
7 months out of office 