First Installment (only took a week and a half?)

Well we made it to Delhi in one piece and spent a few nights in Paharganj. Delhi is definitely as weird and wonderful as everyone reports! Kamikaze rickshaws dodging ambling cows (cows rule the street; most amusing). We're coming back to Delhi before we head home so will check out all the sights next time round (Red Fort, Jama Masjid, etc). Just spent a few days rickshawing about, sorting out mobiles and flights and shoveling down lots of amazing curry – yum!

We flew down to Kochi, Kerala, last Tuesday. With lush rolling hills, palm trees, waterfalls and a definite slow in pace, it certainly feels a hell of a lot more chilled out down here (and about 10 degrees hotter). We’re staying in Fort Cochi at the moment. We visited an elephant camp on Thursday and watched them being given their daily scrub at the riverside. Then we visited a couple of waterfalls and cooled off with a paddle…was looovely. We watched a Kathakali show at the local theatre; a religious play/dance including facial dancing (hilarious) and crazy make-up and costumes.

Plans have been slightly put on hold as Tegan managed to get herself an intestinal infection, d’oh. So we’re on day 3 in the hospital. After lots of antibiotics and rehydration fluids being pumped into her, she seems to be on the mend. Hope to be out tomorrow. Thankfully there was a private hospital 3km from our hotel….and she was insured!! We’ve got a nice room with a tv, and are being well looked after I have to say.

Once Tegan is back up and running, we’ll take a day trip on a house boat along the nearby meandering backwater canals. Then east to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (more elephants!), north to Ooty, Mysore and Hampi. From there either west to Goa and Gokarna or east across the Bay of Bengal to the Andaman Islands for a few days of snorkeling on the reefs and lounging on the beach.

Hope all is well back home…