Jaipur India

Many travellers recommended seeing Jaipur and the lonely planet described it as a beautilful city, altough we must admit the 'fantastic shopping' was the pull. First night I didnt get much sleep being sick, but still ventured out to see the city. The old city is surrounded by walls and every building is painted pink, ie 'the pink city', it has a very desert feel with dry hills surrounding and loads of camels and elephants in the main streets. This might sound nice, i dont know but we were pretty disappointed. We kept waiting for a street to open to a huge bazaar where we could buy loads of cheap jewellry/ bags/ shoes etc but there were just scattered shops with owners shouting at us to buy buy buy! We did do a little shopping but it is so frustrating to be white girls in crowds, after we were both grabbed we had just had enough and left the city for a nice dinner (glad to be out). Next morning we got a bus to Dehli.
We only passed through Dehli but it looked a lot more modern than the cities we had seen and sort of hoped we had left time to look around here, oh well. We went to get our 26 hr train back to Kolkata to find we had been upgraded to first class (woohoo!)) which usually double cost, this meant A/C, sheets and pillows and a better class of people to be stuck with.
I know I sound negative, but it is just a full on place. I try to understand that many are in poverty and we have money, but overall I was very happy to be on the plane out. We still feel a little sick, but have got life back in us now we back in Thailand, a beautiful place!!!!! Tonight we are getting a bus and ferry to Koh Phangan island, where we will relax- snorkel swim and bake!!!!! and also be there for a half moon beach party. So happy again :)

Agra India

Of course we cant go to India and not see the Taj Mahal! From Varanasi we got a 16hour bus... the trip from hell. This was a simple local bus, squashes 5 seats across, very hard seats and windows so grubby cannot see out. I was stuck next to 2 Indians who kept trying to talk to me (yes, 'ricky ponting'!), the driver honks the horn at every intersection, the roads so bumpy, the window wouldnt shut so cold air, and no bathroom unless wanna squat side of road. SO glad to get off.
But the Taj Mahal was worth it, the most amazing building. Its beauty blew us away, it looks 2D against the sky, will put up photos later, cannot describe how amazing. It was one place totally clean, everyone there was dressed in their best sarees and happy. The gardens were pretty with monkeys and chipmunks and we could have spent all day admiring the view of the Taj- a perfect building. In the evening we got a bus (deluxe) to Jaipur in Rajasthan, where we are now, unfortunaly I have been pretty sick, we have been so cautious with being clean but I think its unavoidable here, hopefully it doesnt get much worse. OK, all for now xoxoxoxo

Varanasi India

Varansi claims to be one of the oldest living cities in the world, and it is the main Hindi city with the holy Gange river passing through it. We started with a rickshaw (man cycle with two seat carriage) us from station to river, again the traffic crazy and streets incredibly filthy and noisy. We found a guesthouse overlooking the river and walked around the tiny alleys filled with people and many animals from goats and cows to monkeys. For those who can afford it cremation in the Ganges is considered very sacred. Through the streets there are people carrying bodies that are wrapped in cloth and flowers, they drench them in the river and put them on fires which are constantly burning next to the river, we watched this for a while, which was a very weird experience seeing the bodies quickly burn, they then throw the ashes into the river, hundreds of bodies are burned daily. In the evening we watched a ceremony on the main Ghat, men performing rituals with smoke, singing and bells next to the river, for their loved ones. We went to a restuarant with live indian music with was really nice.
We woke at 5am to get a man to row us along the river, at this time pilgrims come to bathe in the river to perform rituals to the rising sun. This was amazing. They all bathe in their sarees in the freezing and incredibly polluted river doing many rituals, all along the river. As the sun rose and we watched the hundreds bathing it really was one of the best experiences of this trip.
We spent day hanging around. The people really piss you off. Every person we have dealt with has tried their hardest to rip us off which gets tiring and disheartening. Walking anywhere is an effort with people constantly at us. But we got to the bus station in the evening. We found out the next day there were fatal bombings in Varansi just after we left, so lucky we werent in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Kolkata India

What a crazy place to live. We arrived yesterday morning at Kolkata on the Eastern border of India. India is one of the poorest countries in the world, and Kolkata is one of the poorest with the highest population in India, so we got the shock we'd been warned about. We got a taxi from the airport, instead of using the meter he set a price (to rip us off a bit) but then the traffic was so horrendous we ended up saving money. We drove for almost 2 hours through the city and so much to see! The roads are dirt and bumpy, the traffic is psycho and there are people and animals everywhere. It was sad to see people live like this, bathing and washing in the streets and sleeping in small huts, we have seen many people with deformities that we have only seen on our disease textbooks. And boy do they STARE! Every single person stares at us like they have never seen white skin before, we try to blend in with baggy covered clothes but everyone still will not stop staring and trying to touch us. The beggars wont leave us alone either.
We decided to brave the city and walked the streets, crossing the roads was scary we always used locals as human shields and just ran, horns are constantly bleering. We went out for lunch- chicken curry rice and naan bread- yum. We accidentley got caught in some protest twice too which we tried to rush through. A few hours later we saw a tv with news headlines 'Kolkata burns' 'a protest turns to riot' 'army sent in to Kolkata' etc, so looks like it turned ugly when we left- lucky us. Last night we got an overnight train to Varanasi. This was ok, but the manners of Indians is disgusting, they constantly spit, fart, burp and suck in phlegm- men and women- so our carriage bit gross. But what amazes me is how beautiful the women look, they all wear sarees with gorgeous colours and jewellery and makeup- and they keep so clean despite their living conditions. Anyway, yea, this is another world. In Varanasi now, holy city of India on the Ganges, we going to watch cremations in the river this evening. Till next time xo

Trekking Day 3, 4 & 5- Chiang Mai

Day three we woke again to the very loud roosters, but then also by the many dogs fighting, pigs scoffing, kids playing and tea boiling from fire in hut. Today we had to say goodbye to the other 4 trekkers and guide we became very close to and met our new guide Khan. We ate brekkie watching a mother nit-pick her daughters hair like a monkey which was different, but we also got to play more with the kids here, they were a little naughty but so sweet. From now on it was only Em and I. The day was full of trekking, stopped for lunch and then arrived at village for night quite early so had a quick nap... to be woken by the most repulsive man we have ever met...
We joined another trek group that night, 6 boys, we hated the two Irish from getgo. First thing Carl says to me is how hard their trek was and that there was no way Em and I could have handled what they did... we did the same trek! But he wouldnt hear it, the 3 girls in their group all dropped out, he called one the 'f**in princess', we felt for her! He also called his guide a 'f**in animal', made the locals go get more beer (because he is Irish, he needs lots of beer!), says he constantly offends because he is Irish, dominated every conversation about himself, and kept trying to talk to me and Em, eewwww, he was absolutely repulsive!!!
Besides this the night was really good, the kids from a school put on a show for us, singing and dancing, and we stayed up talking to the rest of their group (trying to block out Carl). Next day we were happy to be back on our own! Trekking most of day to a village with a waterfall, went to swim and Em and I had early night.
Day five woke for another trek down to the river Dang. Went whitewater rafting- so much fun!!! Then bamboo rafting which was nice and relaxing, before getting ute back to city in evening. Overall, a FANTASTIC experience. Very challenging at times, but so rewarding and so amazing to see how these tribes live out in the mountains, so incredibly different to how we live in Oz. Im now tired just writing it all up!!! SO much more to say, but gets boring, so thats the basics... we heading back to Bangkok tonight then to India on Wednesday, hope all well, xoxoxoxoxoxox

Trekking Day 1 and 2- Chiang Mai

We left our luggage in the city and packed small bags with the essentials for 5 days, and we jumped in the back of a ute which drove us to the Chiang Mai mountians. We started with lunch (Pad Thai) and met our group of 11 tourists and 2 guides. Straight up was elephant riding which was so much fun! Em and I sat on a seat which we felt was going to topple sideways and we had to use alot of strength to hold on when the elephant went down very steep hills, I dont think the guy sitting on the neck really liked it, but Em and I had a ball. We then started our trek. It started on flat through farmland but soon got uphill. Within an hour we were drenched through we sweat, it was very humid and so many mosquitos! It really was one of the most challenging experiences to just keep moving constantly uphill, lucky I think gym classes put me in a good frame of mind- I can do it! We reached a bat cave at the top of a mountain, my hands were secretly shaking from exhaustion and was glad to see the bat cave more for the rest! We then continued walking through more jungle and head high grasses then through some farmland and more jungle to a hill tribe village on a mountain side where we stayed the night.
We all graciously showered in a waterfall and scoffed the Thai meal cooked by the tribe and our guides from local foods- soup, rice and veges. We slept well in a bamboo hut with a great feeling of satisfaction for making it through the day.
Next day was more trekking, easier than the first, we walked to a waterfall where we had a break, then said goodbye to half our group (who chose 2 day trek). We went on to another village for lunch, trekked to another waterfall (absolutely beautiful scenery) and back to village for night two. Again ate local Thai food, they also bought in snake soup which we ate. It had chunks of snake floating, I put a whole one in mouth, full of tiny bones and very chewy, also ate a snake egg, a powdery white oval covered in a cooked membrane probably full of nutrients-tasted ok. Stayed up talking with group- great people fall asleep night two...

Chiang Mai City

We got the overnight bus and arrived in Chiang Mai on Tuesday morning, it is hard to believe this is the second largest city in Thailand because it is alot smaller than Bangkok. We spent the day looking around, there are heaps of temples in the city centre, but it was quite humid. We then spent the evening at the night bazaar, clothing here was much cheaper that in Bangkok, and there was a traditional Thai dance show which we sat and watched, their dress is so intricate and beautiful (we think the one on the left is a ladyboy). We had a bit of trouble finding somewhere that offered a 5 day trek, they all offer 2-3 day saying that was enough, but we found a guesthouse that organised it for us, so got some good sleep Tuesday night before we head to the mountains.

Update

We have just ducked into an internet cafe waiting for our VISA photos to develop... then we are going to book and pay for India! We are flying to Calcutta on Tuesday 20th then will get train up to Dehli and to Agra for Taj Mahal... it very cheap from Bangkok so looks like we definately heading there!!
Oh, quickly, last night we all ate fried grasshoppers, so gross, very crunchy tasted like eating prawn shell with a curry seasoning, not quite the delicacy. We also went for more massages. Today we going to spend day in a hotel pool, it way too hot to hang around. Off to Chaing Mai tonight.

Bangkok Thailand

So far I am loving Thailand. Bangkok is a crazy city, although it is quite dirty and polluted the people are so sweet, the weather is warm and everything is incredibly cheap! We arrived on Friday morning, they forgot Emmas bag at Heathrow but luckily fixed it up, it was very weird loosing so much time and gettin no sleep so we arrived a little tired.
We met Amie at Khao San Rd which is a busy touristy area with lots of shops and bars and she had a guesthouse booked for us. We looked around Khao San, rested, ate and had great Thai massages. A planned quite night turned into a big one when we saw people we had met earlier, we joined them drinking in a street bar and ordered buckets (whisky/ coke/ redbull). Turned out to be fun night.
Yesterday we scammed our way into a hotel roof-top pool which was great cos of heat, later we got a tuk-tuk to some night markets. The tuk-tuk driver was a maniac, he sped through the traffic and we thought we were going to tip, but it was fun. Today we went to Chatuchat which are weekend markets that are HUGE, over 8000 stalls, we stayed for ages. It was extremly humid and very crowded but we managed some barter some nice things and absolutly exhausted ourselves shopping!
I cannot believe how cheap it is here, nice and healthy meals for practically nothing and although the streets are chaotic and people constantly hassle you to buy things it is also very laid back lifestyle. The fruit stalls are the best, tropical fruits and shakes, yum yum.
Tomorrow Emma and I are getting an overnight bus to Chiang Mai in the North so we can do some trekking!! They have guides take small groups through the mountains and live basic. They usually pass through remote villages and have elephant riding and bamboo rafting, so we are so so excited about it!!
Ok, we are off to end the day with cheap Thai food and oil massages, hehe, xoxox

Off to Bangkok

We have recovered in London and are packing our bags now for Asia, we fly out very early tomorrow morning, transfer at Doha and arrive 24 hours later in Bangkok. It is very cold here and it will be interesting to suddenly be thrown into heat, but I am looking foward to it. We will meet Amie straight away and spend the weekend with her... so very excited!

Back to London...

Last night we arrived back in London. What should have been an easy enough trip Amsterdam- Brussels- Paris- Calais- Dover-London went terribly wrong all because one train woman tried to overcharge us on the first train, we refused to pay (did not have the money anyway) so she made the train emergency stop and kicked us off in some random station in Netherlands, it actually would have been entertaining for the rest of the train, us in our pjs getting kicked off the train yelling obscenities at the stupid woman, BUT, for us it made us miss all connections and arrived here at 1am instead of 8.30pm, what a lovely end to our trip.
We are staying with Ems aunty again. Whenever we had a bad night sleep/ were hungry/ lost, etc we would say "Juuulllliiieeeeee!" (ems aunt) as though she is our God, so we finally have all those luxuries back- a bed and pillow, internet, a kettle and toaster, power points, a washing machine, warmth and other people to talk to who we trust and understand us- and love us even though we are smelly backpackers. Oh, and we will feel so beautiful after we borrow some nailpolish.
We are staying here 4 more nights. On Thursday morning we fly to Bangkok to start our adventure in Asia. We really want to go to India and trekking in Thailand. Hopefully we can do some booking in the next few days. YAY. We are so excited. xoxoxo

Amsterdam Holland

We got our last overnight train from Berlin to Amsterdam, the final "must-see" backpackers destination, we decided to brave the cold and finish our Europe trip in our old faithful tent at camping Zeeburg. Amsterdam is unique in that prostituion and soft drugs are legal so the campsite was basically full of pot-smoking deros so we stuck to ourselves. In the day the city is very pretty, its a bit like a big Venice, situated on the Amstel River so that there are canals, bridges and small streets with lots to explore. But at night the city comes alive. The first night we went through the Red Light district, which was pretty full on- prostitutes were on display in all the windows, live sex shows and brown coffee houses; but it was also packed with curious tourists so not a seedy secret. We both have nightmares remembering one woman (the size of two) in a string bikini flauting it like she was hot stuff. After some chocolate cake we had a whole other view of the city, and left very giggly, hehe...
The city is also known for its bicycles- everyone uses them, the old school ones with little baskets on the front. There are a few cars in the city, but the traffic flow is mainly for the bikes and trams. So on Friday we hired some bikes and rode around the city. Actually pretty scary, Em and I dont even have our car licence so to be suddenly in traffic with lights and other bikes, cars and trams it was all a bit scary. Every so often Id turn around and Em would be in a different lane and ride off in another direction to me, all pretty funny. We saw Anne Franks house which is still the same as in WWII. Overall we survived our Amsterdam bike experience.
There are no photos, my card was full and couldnt burn to CD, so can just imagine. Our last night camping pretty horrible, cold and raining, and u had to pay for a (cold) shower, bbrrr.

Berlin Germany

We arrived in Berlin yesterday, although it was only 4.30pm it was dark so it felt much later, again it is very cold here but we found a hostel ok. Once again the mixed dorm had a snorer, seriously the most annoying thing in the world, he was above Ems bed so she kept punching the bed and yelling shut up, but that was only temporary... stupid hostels.
Today we have had a good look around Berlin. Arriving at the main station I felt like I was in the Jetsons, it is the most modern station I have seen. The city is an odd mixture of old buildings and futuristic looking buildings. Mostly it is well organised and advanced but then the Eastern side of the city is a plain old city- the effects of the wall.
We have seen the tourist sites in the city- Reichstag, Branderburger Tor (wall gate), Potsdamer Platz. Tiergarten was a pretty autumn garden. We went and saw where some of the wall remains standing. There was a big outdoor exhibition there about the Nazi regime and holocaust, it was really in depth and we stood for ages reading and looking at photos, standing in the area where such horrific decisions were made was really sad and an experience I wont forget. There is a red pipe running down the city to signify where the wall was. So although the city is modern, you cannot forget its horrible history.
Tonight we are going to Amsterdam where we will stay until we head back to London. Hope everyone well xoxox