Bollywood Capital 33 degrees

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Great flight over with Virgin, took a record 8.15hrs and got bulkhead seating - so loads of room, lush. Arrived in Mumbai lunchtime and got a fast car into town and hotel on Marine Drive with airy rooms and balconies over-looking the Arabian Sea.

Mama survived the flight well, but little sleep so well tired when we arrived, so packed her off to bed for R & R the first evening. We have been well entertained and looked after for the past 2 days by Tarla our Indian lady friend, who Mama had not seen for 30 years! It was quite an occassion and she has since treated us for drinks and dinner at the Bombay Cricket Club several times, where she is a life member, so we have been well spoilt.

Yesterday we were living it up again at the Taj Mahal 5 * hotel (Mamas treat!) where we all had High Tea in the Sea Lounge which overlooks the Gate of India.

Today has been a shopping day with Tarla taking us around all the stores where we have picked up great kurta (handloomed) cotton clothing at the Goverment Store for literally pennies which we willl need as we shall be off to Cochin tomorrow which will probably be hot and steamy! Mama is just spend spend spend, seeing a new side to her here must be the Oriental influence!

I unfortunately have managed to put my back out and finding it very difficult getting in and out of bed and taxis! Think it was lifting heavy rucksack awkwardly before we left and have pinched a nerve, it's a damn nuisance so I am living off painkillers at the mo. I hope it gets better soon, will have to book myself in for an Auyervedic massgae as soon as we get to Cochin and hope that helps.

Well thats about it, off for a Thali tonight and a few Kingfishers as you do in these parts,
from your Own Correspondent, Lesley, www.travelblog.com!

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Comments

[Doug and Mandy]

See You Soon
Hi Guys, glad mum made it ok. Soundds like you are living it up already. We are counting the days (3) till we fly out to join you. Can't wait. I will bring you some good pills for your back. See you all on Monday Doug and Mandy

[Lou and Crookie]

Hi everyone!
Great to hear you are having a good time, really happy Nan has something to spend her money on. I'm not well got a cold and sore throat. Hope your backs better soon. Have a few drinks on us both!

[Annette Harris]

Your News
Great to catch up, sounds like you're having great fun...is that Mike's Mum with you? We're just back from Egypt, stayed a week in Luxor, absolutely terrific, tombs, temples museums, and palaces....fabulous.....couldn't compute how magnificent everything was.......sis still in Koh Samui in Thailand, she's made that home now, so good excuse for us to drop in some time. Spend a couple of weeks in Cyprus in July/Aug, that was a good restful holiday, only hired a car for a couple of days, so got about on local transport, and shanks pony......continue to enjoy India, I've been to Sri Lanka, but would love to see India sometime.... Take care safe travels Annette and the gangxxx

[Les and Peg]

Hello from Mooloolaba
Enjoy following your travels. Wish we were there too. Have fun.

[ken and Louise]

news from MAGPIE
Hi there everyone, lovely to hear that you are all well and enjoying yourselves. Hope the back is getting better Lesley. Nearly the end of Mandy and Dougs time with you we hope they have had a fantastic time. we have just got our laptop set up again so will keep in touch again. Your travel plans sound wonderful. Keep going as long as your health allows... Glad to hear that Mum has enjoyed her stay we think she's brilliant. Love and best wishes for now.. Ken and Louise in sunny Spain x