Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

When I last wrote, I was heading to Bangkok to visit Mai and her family. I was so touched and blessed by them. They work very hard and have recently been encouraged by being able to rent a new church with a house attached to it so that they can set up a home for children. The idea behind this is to have 5-6 orphans come and live as part of their family and teach them about family life! I was also very encouraged meeting a young missionary family who have come from South Africa to work with the Thai people and it was great hearing a bit of their story. Mai's mum worked very hard all day as they had just received the keys the day before I arrived. I don't have a before shot but she really transformed this place!!!

While she was working so hard, Mai had been showing me some sights around Bangkok and we took a river boat cruise. Now I can say I have been on a river Taxi!!!! In effect that is what it was. It is a commuter boat used by Thai's going to and from work! It's a quick and great way to get around and beats sitting in Traffic, especially when it is very hot!!

As yet, I have not confirmed my plans for New Year! Apparently the fireworks in Sydney are not to be missed and this is probably the only opportunity I will ever have to see them! So I should stay for that and then make my way up the coast to Cairns!!!


I arrived in Sydney on Wednesday and I was so relieved to reach here and to see my good friends Adam and Christyn!! We had a lovely couple of days together before they had to head off up the coast for SU camp. They trusted me with their home, handed me the keys and off they went. They have been super hospitable! Adam really wanted to show me Sydney and took me for some lovely walks to the National park nearby and I saw some beautiful birds in their natural habitat!  

Unfortunately the weather was not great for my first couple of days as it was raining. But thankfully the sun came out for Christmas day and after dinner I learnt how to surf on Bondi Beach!!! Adam's sister Belinda, kindly hosted me for the day and made a beautiful dinner. Her husband Terry, from Santry in Dublin, made me feel so at home. Their kids Marcus, Erin and Catherine were great fun on Christmas morning all overjoyed by Santa's gifts!!! I couldn't believe not only was I on a beach on Christmas day but BONDI beach!!! There were at least 10,000 of us and the beach was packed! It didn't feel like your average Irish Christmas but it was such great fun!!! I have to say I really enjoyed not having to work at all this Christmas and also not getting caught up in the busyness, therefore allowing me time to remember the true meaning of Christmas. We went to mass as a family both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I have to say Christmas morning mass was lovely even though Father preached the same sermon word for word and used the same jokes!!!! One of them goes like this: Two men are talking about Christmas and one says 'Look at what I got my wife for Christmas' and he showed him a beautiful diamond ring. 'Wow that is some size of diamond!! the other one said, 'But did I not hear that your wife wanted a BMW for Christmas?' Ah yes she did but you see it is much more difficult to fake a BMW!!!!!'


So it came and went like any other day and now it is Boxing day and I have been left, minding yet another house and this time a 3 month old kitten!!! The Farelli's have gone camping and have so kindly let me stay in their home!!! It is a beautiful place just 10 minutes walk from the beach and Bondi junction. I plan to get acquainted with more local beaches in the next couple of days!! There are some beautiful ones here in Sydney which are less populated than Bondi!!


Sydney is an awesome city and I really enjoyed my day at Manly with Adam. We took the ferry across the harbour and enjoyed stunning views of the opera house. We tasted some good fish and chips and a I took dip in the sea while Adam preferred to hold the camera!

That's all for now. When I next write, I will have seen in the New year and who knows what else will have happened in that time!!!! I hope you all had a super Christmas and Happy New year!!!

God bless

On the move! Happy Birthday Allegra-2 today!

Just a quick update as I am bored and sitting waiting for my bus!!

The weather has been a bit wet here on the island so I have decided to go back to Bangkok to Visit my friend Milana Mai!!! The flight back was going to work out too expensive so I am catching an overnight bus which will get me into Bangkok at around 05.30 tomorrow morning!!

Well it makes life a bit interesting!!!! let's hope I get a bit of kip on this bus!!

Koh Lanta has been beautiful! Yesterday I hired a little motorbike to tour the island. First time I had been on a scooter in a few years so I was being very careful! I stopped to ask directions at one point and got talking to an English girl. I parked my bike and walked into the shop. Next thing we hear is a scream and a crash!!! The English girl had lost control and crashed into my bike. Thank goodness I had got off and was a few metres away or I would have been squashed and knocked over along with my bike!!!!! She had some minor injuries and ended up going to hospital to get her cuts and grazes seen to. But I think I would have come off worse had I been in the way!!!

Anyhow, all is well and ends well!!!

Chat again soon
Jane

Thailand!!!!

As I was sitting on a boat today coming back from Koh Phi phi I was so excited to be writing my blog tonight as I feel the last few days have been so precious! I arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday night to the same hotel that I had stopped over in last month. Talk about deja vu! Although I was in a different room and also this time I met Roma from Yorkshire!! We had a lovely evening of chatting and getting to know each other over a few beers. And needless to say we will keep in touch and she assured me she will make the trip to NI at some point!!!

The next day Roma and I were setting off early at 5am to the airport, only she was heading to Malaysia to meet her family and I was catching a domestic flight to Krabi!! I had booked myself into a resort on one of the islands as a bit of a treat to me and a chance to be pampered!!! I was a bit nervous at first as the taxi driver didn't know where it was. Thankfully I had their phone number stored in my phone so we were able to phone them for directions!!! Getting here was some task, having to cross the river in a boat, then take the tuk-tuk for 20 minutes to reach my destination. The drive through the island was interesting and really beautiful. I was greeted by the beautiful Penpit who took the time to get to know me and make me feel very welcome!!! The island itself was no bigger than the Copeland Island's off Donaghadee and the inhabitants of the island live a primitive but what appeared to be a content lifestyle. There are no cars or roads on this island and the path was just about big enough for two tuk-tuks to pass each other. However arriving at this resort I realised how beautiful and peaceful it was. There were more staff at this time than there were customers!!! But it was lovely to be pampered and my accommodation was so beautiful. The pool overlooked the sea and I had it all to myself!!! I was making the most of it as I knew the next few nights were to be spent in budget  accommodation (<£5 per night)!!!!!!

The next day I did the same journey back to Krabi and really enjoyed the scenery on the way. Just watching the local people live so simply but yet so happy, I couldn't help but think how nice it is to live that way. Yes life may be hard work but they have everything they need and are self-sufficient which I think is quite amazing.  I then began my onward journey to Koh Lanta, another island off the coast, only a much bigger island with numerous beaches, shops, housing, restaurants, hotels and resorts!!! It is really beautiful and I am looking forward to exploring this island (30x8km) tomorrow by motorbike. Today I went on a boat trip to Koh Phi phi. It was a really lovely trip and we got to go snorkelling. I couldn't believe my eyes when I got under the water seeing fish who were all sorts of beautiful colours. If only I had a waterproof camera but the images will remain in my mind!!! After our snorkelling we were taken to have lunch at a beach and then to monkey island where the monkey's were somewhat amusing as they fought with each other and were so tame that they actually took food out of your hand!!!

This Place is so beautiful and even though it has been raining and predicted thunder storms the sun managed to make an appearance today!!!!

Friends

A day with Mr. Singh

It was an extremely early start on Wednesday morning to go to Agra. The auto picked me up at 05.50 to take me to the train station. I always find it a bit disconcerting when my auto driver decides to cross over the crash barrier and begin driving against oncoming traffic. There are some things they do in India and I have resigned myself to the fact that I will never understand. This being a  prime example!!!!! Arriving at the train station and going through the usual madness trying to find some space to walk without tripping over a railway dog or worse still a person lying on the ground......the best bit about the trains for me is when you sit in your designated seat and in your carriage people start arguing with each other cos they go to their designated seat only to find someone else sitting in it.....it is really quite comical watching them argue. The trains are so busy and crowded but very eventful, even if it is just the men walking up and down selling Chai, water, crisps and the little performing kids who put on a little show, so hard to resist them!!

Arriving in Agra as with any place, I am completely bombarded by taxi and rickshaw drivers. Mr Singh was first in line and grabbed my attention. For a relatively small price this Sikh guy and his driver just drive me from the different attractions and wait for me in between. The initial introductions are the same as with every new Indian you meet, your name? From where? age? occupation?..... Mr. Singh tells me that he will treat me like his own daughter!! Our first stop was the infamous Taj Mahal! Mr Singh left me off at the west gate and gave me clear instructions to meet him back at that same place in two hours. Vehicles are not allowed to go right up to the gate in order to preserve the Taj so it was a 10-15 minute walk to the gate. So off I set having been warned by Mr.Singh 'Remember Jane, no rickshaws, no food and no guides, they will try to rip you off!'
The Taj was beautiful. It was busy and we were herded like sheep inside. I was asked my some Indians if they could take my picture. This always makes me laugh. Random people who just want a picture of themselves standing beside a white person!!! Sharing my amusement was a Dutch guy who was standing back observing the photo shoot! This guy and I got talking and he and his companion joined me then for the rest of our visit to the Taj. They were pleasant chaps and I was imparting some advise as they were about to travel to Varanasi!!! After our tour we bid farewell and wished each other a pleasant trip! I set off to find Mr.Singh and as per usual my sense of direction was terrible and I took the wrong gate out of the Taj which meant I had a long walk back to meet Mr.Singh. Even though I was very late he was still waiting for me, as promised!!


Mr. Singh like every other one of his kind, took me to extremely expensive emporiums where they pressure you into buying things that even if you did have the money, you really don't need!! He gets commission on anything you buy in these stores. He didn't make anything out of me that day but I enjoyed some complimentary cups of tea!!! I was taken to a nice restaurant for lunch where I met two southern Irish girls who were being chauffeured round for the day also. Again they were heading to Varanasi!!! After lunch and numerous shops where I had to pretend to be interested in what they were trying to sell me, I was taken to the Agra Fort. This was another amusing experience where numerous groups of young lads asked could they take my photo. This photo shoot lasted about an hour by the time they all got their photo taken with me individually but I didn't mind cos they were pleasant and seemed to be really enjoying themselves!!! They were so funny and we had such a good laugh together! Mr Singh dropped me off at the train station where I bumped into the same guys!!! They gave me a box of sweets, very charming!!


It had been a long day and I fell asleep on the train. When I woke in Delhi I had no voice!!! My cold had been quite bad and my voice a bit croaky but it had gone now and it was a challenge trying to negotiate with the auto drivers to get me home!!!!  Just a few days more in Delhi and then off to Bangalore!!!!! It is hard to believe I have been here for nearly a month already. And now I try to process my thoughts and feelings about India. One doesn't leave India unchanged or unaffected by it and if one does, one has not truly experienced the real India!!!!!!! I am excited about the next chapter in my travels!!!!

Pictures of India

 The Taj Mahal

 Indian's can sleep anywhere!!!

 Random beautiful little boy!

 A really small Indian!!!!

 Sam (from Canada) who saved me from a situation at Imam Bara

 Old Delhi

 Lotus Temple Bahai Faith

Residency, occupied by the Brits prior to Independence in 1947!

Planes, trains, autos and rickshaws!!!!!

Dear All,


In the last three weeks I think I have been on every form of transport possible in India and numerous times at that!!! I have been travelling lots and have been on numerous domestic airlines, overnight trains, Auto taxi's and Cycle rickshaws. Trains in India are a real unique experience!!! The train stations are the most interesting of all!!!
So I have been travelling round most of North India and this week I get to go to Bangelore in the South.

I have met some very interesting people along my journey and some have shown great kindness to me. I have had a few moments where I am ready to snap. It seems that in India absolutely everyone wants to cheat you and con you out of money. It makes it worse being a white person but they even do it with Indian's. It is a daily struggle and all part of life in India!!!! But God always provides me with something or someone. For example this week when I was in Lucknow, I went to visit Imam Bara. This is a building that was built by the king during the famine as a way to provide jobs for people. Today it is a historical monument beside the Muslim Temple. I had already paid what I considered to be a bit much for an entrance fee into this building and then the tour guide wanted to charge me more than he is supposed to charge for the tour!!!!! I said forget it, I will do without the tour. I was walking around annoyed that I had paid so much money to get in and now I was just going to have to walk out having wasted my money as I didn't know what it was all about. Anyway an Indian man approached me and said would you like to share a tour guide with me? Not only was this company for me on the tour but it was a great idea as it halved the cost of the tour. It turned out this lovely man was called Sam and has lived in Toronto for 40 years and was a tourist in India!!! We had great fun together and really got to know each other as we walked and talked for the next hour and a half!!!


Since I last updated my blog I have been to Varanasi! I went there expecting not to like it but I have to say it turned out to be one of my highlights!!! This is the Hindu capital of the North and one of the oldest and most sacred cities in India. Walking along the Ghats of the river Ganga, day or night there is always a ceremony of some sort. And of course there are the cremations on the river. First thing in the morning, locals can be seen having their bath and washing their clothes. Being cremated at the River Ganges gives you the best chance of moving out of the cycle of reincarnation and moving on to heaven. People carry the body from up to 60km away to a cremation ghat where the body is piled on top of a pile of wood which is then set alight in a special ceremony and left burning overnight until it is just a pile of ashes and swept into the river. Needless to say I decided not to bathe there. Aside from the burning bodies, raw sewage is pumped into the river and they say it is actually septic!!!! 


I have really enjoyed my time so far and have just had fun getting to know people from all over the world!!! India seems to attract a lot of westerners who are searching for something.......maybe some sort of spirituality...there is a huge focus on Yoga and meditation.


The food here has been amazing. While in Lucknow I had the privilege of staying with Usha and Jerusha! This was a real highlight and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them! I mention them under the food category as we shared some lovely meals together both in their home and at the Royal Cafe!!!

I constantly feel exhausted and am really looking forward to a whole week at the coast in Thailand where I can relax and unwind!!!!

Pictures!!!!

Sunset at Mussourrie

Kids who greeted me on their way to school this morning!!!!

You need to look very closely but you can see the snowcapped Hymalayas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

India-Thanksgiving

As I write this, I am sitting in Mussoorie, in a restaurant eating dinner. I asked the waiter for spicy and he recommended a dish so I said yes that sounds good. Now as I sit with my eyes and nose watering like crazy, he is watching me like a hawk to see how I cope with SPICY!!!!!!

I arrived in India a week ago today. It has been a very interesting week. India is such a contrast from everything that I know and am familiar with. Although thanks to some very good friends, I was well enough informed prior to my arrival so as to prepare myself to a certain extent!!! Delhi is a mental city but I thoroughly enjoyed my time there with Kara, Atula and Mercia.

Kara and I flew to Udaipur. This is a very historical city built round a lake. We enjoyed chilling out and saw many a sight. We happened to see lots of preparation for weddings as this is wedding season in India!!! I got some beautiful pictures of the a bride and her closest family sitting by the lake. I just love the colours you see in India. It was here that I bought myself a saree for a wedding I am going to next month! Whilst in Udaipur we met a lovely girl from London called Laura (above). She was staying in the same hotel as us so it was really nice to meet up and have dinner together. We all really enjoyed our sunset cruise on the lake followed by a rather interesting dinner where we enjoyed our beer from an actual Mug!!!!! Laura is great craic and it turns our she is doing the same trip as myself only our dates in each place don't coincide! However we will meet again I am sure!!

Back to Delhi, just for a night and then off I came to Mussourie to chill in the Himalayan mountains! Literally chill and metaphorically relax!! It is cold here!! I am staying in a lovely guest house where Manoj will do anything at all to make my stay pleasant and comfortable!!! He says that I can just phone him anytime and he will pick me up on his motorbike!! Whilst I trust him completely and as much as I would love the thrill of the ride, the roads here are just too dangerous so I think I will stick to my feet, still rather dangerous but less risky!!!! I am here for another day and then back to Delhi.

I really love India and I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. My train ride to Mussoorie was an interesting one. We passed through the city for a while before we reached the countryside. The train set off at 06.50 so as we passed through alot of slums, I was watching as people were just getting up and starting their day. I have seen endless amounts of poverty since I began my travels but I think the hardest thing I have seen so far has been watching a little boy climb out of bed and waken his brother. This sounds pretty normal but instead of being a bed, it was what looked like a coal bunker and rather than having a mattress to sleep on, he had been lying on rubbish with only a blanket for cover. This was right in the middle of what can only be described as a landfill site. This breaks my heart and brings a tear to my eye every time I think about it. No child should be forced to live in such poverty. If I hadn't been on the train, I think I would have taken that little boy and his brother and tried to do something for them. But that train was not stopping for another 530 kilometres.


There will be plenty more Indian experiences as I travel through the country! Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and let's truly give thanks!!!!


Jane