I set off for Africa yesterday. I got through Heathrow fairly quickly although take off was slightly delayed. Our pilot was a very cheerful chap who chatted away to us over the loud speakers and gave us what was a cross between a guided tour and a weather report... 'now as we take off into the dark cloud ahead you'll be able to see Heathrow's new terminal 5...' As we finally took off and began the long flight to South Africa he kept it up... 'and to your left you'll see cloud and on our right is, well, more cloud, and rain, we're just surrounded by cloud now.' Eventually he gave up and moved onto the safety instructions including the rather humourous 'for safety reasons we do not recommend sleeping in the aisles'! The flight was ... read more

The weather wasn't much improved this morning but at least it wasn't raining. We breakfasted downstairs then headed off to the Eiffel Tower, taking the metro all the way to Bir Hakim again. The only problem with Paris is the sheer sprawling size of the city. Even the main tourist sights are miles from each other. Fortunately after a few stops we were able to get seats on the metro. We even got entertainment as two guys playing clarinets came onto the train and proceeded to busk right there in the carriage. We followed the signs to the Eiffel Tower which isn't exactly hard to miss anyway. It seems no matter where we go in paris we can usually catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. When we reached the base of the tower we had ... read more

I struggled out of bed before six this morning and checked my luggage and tickets with bleary eyes. We arrived at the train station to find it deserted bar two members of staff and I grew increasingly anxious as we waited on a deserted platform with no sign of the train being ready to depart. Finally three minutes before departure the driver strolled up and let us on the train. We eventually arrived at St Pancras International, made our way through security (which is none too strict as I got through with a nail file shoved in my handbag). We bought some seriously overpriced sandwiches for lunch before boarding the Eurostar. It is the first time I've used it and I was pleasantly surprised. Very efficient - we were in Paris a couple of hours later. ... read more

I woke at around 6.20 this morning as Shivali lurched out of bed and raced off to do something or other. I finally followed, sleepily trudging downstairs. A familiar face appeared in the kitchen doorway and called out a cheerful hello - Arpit arrived from Shimla early this morning after finishing his exams. I located Shivali in her bedroom with Anu and we all had a quick breakfast on the porch. I followed Anu and Shivali to the small temple down the road and then we returned home for the bangle ceremony. Shivali sat in front of a tray of bangles with a candle in the centre. Each of the women went forward one at a time to place a red and a green bangle alternatively on her wrists. I asked what the significance was and ... read more

Well yesterday hardly seems worth mentioning! While I thought the saga of trying to get a taxi north was over, it was in fact only just beginning. I awoke at 6.30am to get ready to leave. I called the driver on his mobile at 7am to confirm he would be there in an hour and then went out to buy some water and bananas for the trip. When 8 o clock arrived and the taxi hadn't I called Shivali. What followed was a hideously stressful four hours where the taxi driver alternatively 'hadn't been told the right time but would come in an hour' or 'couldn't find the hotel but was on his way and would be there soon'. After a lot of phoning between myself, the taxi driver, the hotel staff and Shivali and her ... read more