Arrived safe and sound!

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So here we go...our first blog,

We were welcomed to Delhi by torential rain, thunder and lightening! Our first impressions after stepping out of the airport were somewhat mixed. There were crowds of people all staring at us and the continous sound of horns beeping was overwhelming. Once in a taxi, it was clear that there was no road system whatsoever....No concept of lanes and clearly no MOT's. We still haven't worked out if people are supposed to drive on the left or right but we have come to understand that there is no spacial awareness.
Nevertheless we got to our hotel safely and used the rest of the day to catch up on sleep. From what we have seen so far of Delhi, its a pretty scary and overwhelming place. However, we are new to the "travelling thing" so remain open-minded for our next visit.
We took a 12 hour overnight train to Udaipur which is where we will be spending the next couple of days. We travelled very cheap by first class, which was a relief when seeing the standard class carriages where everyone was jammed together, so i guess you could say that we felt privilaged.
Udaipur is a beautiful city built around a large lake and has completely fulfilled expectations. The locals are extremely friendly and eager to help and the way of life seems a lot more laid back compared to Delhi.
Today we took a boat to see the lac palace (a floating palace in the middle of the lake). This is where they filmed Octopussy! We explored the city in great depth, visiting one of the Hindu temples and the city palace whilst in the process getting lost along the way so decided to take a rickshaw (tiny 3-wheel drive) back to a familiar point to start again....all part of the fun! We had lunch on a roof-top cafe overlooking the city and then finally retired to the roof-terrace of our guest house 'Panorama', to soak up the remainder of the sun.
Tonight we plan to have our first tradititional Indian meal in our lovely guest house while watching the sun set behind the mountains.

All our love
Kim, Micky and Sarah
xxx

PS Sorry about the lack of photos we attempted to upload some but the internet connection is very slow. We will upload some more soon

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Photos

At the Airport
" We're Leaving on a jet plane......."

Udaipur
"Infront of the lake in Udaipur"

Comments

[Suzie Davies]

Phewy
Hello Chickens Glad you arrived safely! I called mum on Monday night and they were like little lost sheep! However, mum is gagging to get into your room to give it a little 60 minute makeover. I don't know, you've hardly even left!!! Your first couple of days have seemed to run smoothly. While you were tucking into your first indian meal I was having a indian takeout from Sainsburys on Valentines night!!! Oh I am living life to the full, its rock and roll here in Shrivenham! Keep the chat flowing, the children are very excited about your adventure. I hope Barnaby Bear is keeping you company and staying off the Jalfrezi! Lots of love your very jealous big sis!

[Ally Cocksedge]

Hello!
Hey guys.. glad to see you have started off the blogging. Just to say tho, everyone who I know has not been recieveing emails to notify us of your blogs. I only know about this first blog cuz I randomly checked this site, other than that I wouldn't have known about it.... What's goin' on girls?! sought it ahhht. Xxx

[alex peck]

so jelous.. looks quality..

[Em]

hey girlies....hows it going? wow, sounds interesting (the travelling bit i mean....scary taxis!!) but at least your panorama place sounded nice...i dont think i recieved the update of your blog....can u add my uni email to the [e-mail] because i have to check that everyday about 20times so i will deffo hear of your news that way! hope you're all well and not too many toilet problems with the food etc....hehe! life here is ok, been partying too hard as usual...need to stop for a little while. have got news to tell u but wont publicise it on here as im not sure who can read what! oh and also, not sure if im meant to write all of this on a comment....oh well im sure i will get a handle of the whole concept soon! wooo, lovely to hear from u! cant wait for more updates! be safe and be happy....love u all so so so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[dundon]

i miss u
seriously guys, a little teary now - i no u r all having such an amazing time, im so excited for u, but want u home, u no u had a week or so, so i don't thin kits unreasonable to ask for that.... u could just come to dublin and hide out here and pretend u were travelling the world still, but actually just stay with me... sound good???.... good, its sorted then, i will be expecting you!!!! xxxxxxxxxxx love you all so much xxxxxxxxxx friends for life xxxxxxxxx

[Sarah Allison]

Home safe and sound!
Hi Kimberley, It was great to hear from you on our journey across the English Channel and now that we're safely home, it is fantastic to hear your first news item from India. My journey to Val d'Isère probably took almost as long as your flight to India!!! I hit snow on the way up the mountain and after skidding on a hairpin bend, decided that snow chains were necessary. However, as determined as I was to put them on myself, I knew they weren't quite right and ended up waiting an hour for Dad and Louise to dig their car out of its snowdrift in the dark, put chains on and come down the mountain to rescue me!!! We had good news from the bank and Bonne Santé Physiotherapy Clinic will soon be completely in Louise's capable hands. Take care all of you and have loads of fun for me. Love Mum xxx

[The Wallace]

Glad to hear everything has started off well ish, with the exceptions of getting lost! Must say, the grammar is extremely good and loving the one trouser leg up, one down look micky is pulling off in the Udaipur photo. Keep it up girlies. We are all missing you like crazy! Be careful, love you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[tom c]

hey there couz, mikki and sarah, just read your first blog, sounds like it was pretty daunting at first but it also sounds amazing, you guys still surviving ok lol? hope your having an awesome time and hope to hear from you all soon! take care! tc x

[Aunty Emma]

Can't get away from us......
hi Kimberly and all your friends, Fantastic to be able to follow your journey around the world and keep up with what you're doing. really looking forward to all the installments and headlines that you manage to send us. Keep safe and have loads of fun and a wonderful adventure. Lots of Love Emma xxxxx

[Felicity]

Hi Kim,your mum has sent me your blog site so I was thrilled to read your first bit of news.Chris Duggans parents were in Udaipur after they finished their trek in Bhutan so have heard how lovely it is.You will be all 'templed 'out by the time you leave!Have fun, it will take a few days to settle down and realise that all the planning you have been doing over the last few months.....or even longer.... is actually happening.You are now living the experience 'wow!'Steve and I really look forward to your next blog and send you lots of love.xxxx

[Suzie]

Barnaby Bear
Hello Possums Thank you Sarah for your text message. No problems on the BB front I am on half term anyway! Trying to do some work but its not really happening. Had Dai's syndicate round last night so had to cook for 12. It was a good night although may have over done the vin rouge! Spoke to mum this am and she said that you were enjoying the tour. Catch up soon. lol sis x x x

[goggles]

durka durka durka
hey girlies, glad that you arrived in india safe and sound. can't wait to see more photos, very very excited for you all! oxfords proper rubbish right now, can't believe you forgot to pack me in your bag! looking forward to more updates! baggins your mummy is a star - i wouldn't have found your blog otherwise! eeee! apart from the baggins shaped hole in my life all is well here! travel safe, be careful, i miss you and love you xxx

[Philbs maaaaan]

the blog was such a good idea! it's so nice to know what u girlies are up to. sounds amazing but i miss you all veeeeeeeeeery much. take care. lots and lots of love and smooches xxxx

[Mum and Dad]

Long time no hear!
Hi babes Hope all is going well? Missing you back here. Saw Suzie today at Bicester to do a little retail therapy and escape from the house for a day - felt quite guilty as poor Dad was holding the fort again. Liz and Keith arrive back at the weekend so perhaps I'll get Dad out and about! Took the speakers round to Karl's tonight. He was about to go of training. said he was pretty bored with work etc! Hope you'll soon be able to catch up with all your messages. Take care but enjoy All our love M and D.xxxxx

[Uncle Les]

Wow
Great to see you're having an wow of a time, but stay away from that Kama Sutra stuff it looks far to graphic. Lots of Love

[Nan B]

Hi girlies Having visited India recently I was quite concerned a) about the traffic b) about the transport, c) about the accommodation!!!!!!!!!!! but you sound like you have it all sussed. I felt I was cocooned by being with a tour guide constantly ,( to steer us away from the nastier things.) maybe you are seeing a lot more of the real India than I ever did............but the Taj Mahal was marvellous. Even in a thunderstorm. Enjoy the rest of your trip in India. Special love to Kimberley Nan

[aunty julie]

sarah - ignore uncle les's comments. a little karma sutra never hurt anyone!!