Hello!(last updated 01/09/10)
dear allwe originally wrote this blog to inform our families what was happening during our 3 month Indian trip in 2008. although this may be the first blog entry that you come across each time you access the site, there is much going on in the previous weeks! if you want to get in touch with us, feel free to comment, but you may reach us quicker at rajingit@googlemail.comdon't forget to click on any image to bring up a full screen version of the photo, if desired. click on it again to make it actual size (larger still).at the moment, the postings for June / July are still only in precis form due to restrictions of time and equipment while travelling - and nothing less than sloth since returning - but we are steadily updating the days that are sparsely-detailed with full details of their adventures and photographic evidence of same.
recently, we've also been reviewing older posts and adding new photos, quite a few in some cases. have a look under the April / May posts for that. to view the full list of entries for each month, click on the arrow to the left of each one.
as for more recent stuff, the latest full updates are;
other, updated entries include 'To the Bat Cave!', one of our favourite days on the trip and the second largest entry so far on the blog. it's found under the May drop down.
if you are short of time, or looking for specific places on our trip, here's a brief run down with links of where our experiences of some of the most well known sights can be found on the blog.
we do appreciate that the entries are somewhat behind (!), but they are being updated, with text and photos, so please do check here even if this message remains the first one on your screen when you access the site.our very best to alledd & philippa
Monday 30th June
- a goodbye to Mumbai - and a reminder of the contrasts of this huge country on our rather convoluted and staged journey to the airport
leading to
- the flight home
and
- arrival in a country called 'England' which we have apparently been to before but cannot recognise.
so this is it - after three months of new homes, we are now officially 'home,' and very strange it feels too. lots more on this will certainly follow, once we have managed to adjust to this strange country with vast wealth in abundance all around.
see you soon
edd & philippa
Sunday 29th June- the Monsoon in Mumbai- Wellington Circle and the National Gallery of Modern Art- a goodbye to Mumbai from Apollo Bunderplus- the bits and pieces that interfere with your last day somewhere - packing, confirmations, chores.a little melancholic today - tomorrow evening, we'll be back in London. but lots to tell, as soon as we get the time to do so. stay tuned!see you all soonestedd & philippa
Saturday 27th June- no apologies - a day of shopping! of all things.- the streets of Mumbaiit must be near the end - we've gone shopping. still, there are few better ways to see the streets and sights of a city sometimes than on foot while hunting for bargains. more will follow soon, we promise.edd & philippa
Friday 27th June- the Gateway to India- Harbour Bay - the busiest shipping lane we've ever been in (the middle of!)- Elephanta island and its rock cut, excavated temples hidden among its lush, tropical slopesa huge, busily touristy day to start our brief time in Mumbai, many more details - and photos! - to follow!see you all soonedd & philippa
Thursday 26th June- the breakfast of champions and a goodbye to our home, Herança Goesa- Diu airport - small and perfectly formed- the decadence of flying to Mumbai- the shock of the new - Mumbai, with its poverty divide rather sharply in evidenceafter over three weeks of holday, it's back to travelling and the intensity of humid Mumbai. a lot of travelling, a great distance covered, and a few culture shocks even after all this time. lots more as soon as we have the opportunity.take careedd & philippa
Wednesday 25th June- a goodbye to Sunset Point- our final Indian dhobi!- sari making in Diu- packing! for the first time in weeks - and how different is that from April and May?!- the last supperthe end of our last full day on this wonderfully peaceful and attractive island, even with the occasional drunk Gujarati and rubbish on the beaches. it's going to be very strange to leave here.more soon, please bear with us!best of wishesedd & philippa
Tuesday 24th June- touring the churches and streets once more as the count-down to leaving Diu begins in earnest.- to the mainland and the apparently unending crescent of Goghla Beach.as with all of these entries, full journal details and accompanying photos will be up on the site soon.take careedd & philippa
Monday 23rd June
- the SeaShell Museum - Part 2
- chilling reading in the powerless night
sleepy days and quiet past-times continue, with some more details shortly - ASAP!
edd & philippa
Sunday 22nd June
- a farewell to good friends - and excellent cooks!
our favourite restaurant closes for the monsoon months as a sleep Sunday passes by peacefully. a little more on this day shortly as we slowly update everything.
our best to everyone
edd & philippa
Saturday 21st June- in which we leave the island of Diu and head off to the enclave of Simbor, 20 km away. beautiful countryside, chaotic towns, deserted beaches and great plans for the future await us!lots more on today as soon as we can.edd & philippa
Friday 20th June- some more brief 'work' for local causes, including shells and rubbish! explanations to follow...edd & philippa
Thursday 19th June- the pleasant rhythms of an island holiday when the monsoon has gone walkabout.not much to write about today, which is an indication of happy contentment rather than frustrated plans. as always, we have some notes and pictures to show you, please keep checking back for more detailed updates!ttfnedd & philippa
Wednesday 18th June- unaccountably still no new monsoon rains, allowing us to get out and about on the island some more and discover some more of the old Portuguese district.lazy days in Diu are these. a little more on this day shortly.bestedd & philippa
Tuesday 17th June- the peace of a relaxed routine sets in - hurray!- a trip out to Gontimata Beach and its strange, beach hut style tombspeaceful and pleasurable, it will be strange indeed to leave Diu, as we must eventually. more details of a lovely day to follow. your patience is much appreciated!all our very bestedd & philippa
Monday 16th June- there's still no sign of the monsoon's return as the humidity increases and the rain fails to show once moreand- a birthday for one of favourite islandersa day of celebrations, and not just because the beaches were free of idiots again! more to follow, as ever, as soon as we can.lots of loveedd & philippa
Sunday 15th June- a cliff walk along the coast from Jallandhar Beach to Diu Fort - unspoiled, untroubled by other tourists, unbeatable!- the Gujaratis are in town (part II) - and they didn't bring any swimwear with them - as usual. tiresome hassle from adolescent young men then ensues...a day of two entirely differing halves, with much more to tell shortly!all our bestedd & philippa
Friday 13th June- strong showers, intense humidity, hot but cloudless skies - the monsoon has deserted us and left us with this!- Diu is 'rubbish'!- the Gujaratis are in towna strange day for weather and a mixed bag of activities, but the island still has us in its thrall. ear with us, details on this day to follow ASAP. keep checking the May posts for updates!edd & philippa
Thursday 12th June- the discovery of something called 'relaxing' and of a strange type of action called 'taking it easy.'a little more on this when the chance arises. take care everyone - stay in touch!bestedd & philippa
Wednesday 11th June- a full tour of the island via bike, taking in Nagoa Beach, Gontimata Beach, the fishing villages of Vanakbara and the North of the island.the island may be small, but there is a lot to it when you go out and explore. lots more on today as soon as we can.lots of loveedd & philippa
- chaotic and clogged with traffic, the unexpected highlights of 'The Streets of Ahmedabad' are revealed.
- a visit to Ghandi's ashram in Ahmedabad, plus more of the city's great contrasts; 'What would Ghandi say?'
other, updated entries include 'To the Bat Cave!', one of our favourite days on the trip and the second largest entry so far on the blog. it's found under the May drop down. 
- Delhi's Red Fort is at Lal Qila and getting lost.
- a magnificent day at Qutb Minar.
- the even more magnificent Agra Fort - now featuring new photos!
- for the Taj Mahal, go to 'A teardrop on the face of humanity' - now featuring loads of new photos!
- the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri.
- the Hawa Mahal in the Pink City of Jaipur.
- Jaipur's city palace.
- the Palace and Fort at Amber.
- the 'monkey palace.'
- the rat temple at Deshnok.
...located here ...
...and here.
- the mighty Mehrangarh fortress in the blue streets of Jodhpur.
- the unparalleled beauty of Ranakpur's temple carvings.
- the beauty and size of Udaipur's lakeside palaces.
- unexplored and unspoiled, the great surprises at Bundi's Palace and Fort.
- the grim history and remains of Chittaurgah Fort.