The Ancient Cities An early 6am start to my day and my driver Anish was ready and excited about the 2 day trip that he had planned for me. A few days before l had approached a few taxi drivers that operate around the hotel area, with a list of places that l wanted the see whilst in Sri Lanka. After being quoted some of the funniest prices for this trip, l spotted Anish who had taken me a few times into town. I give him the list and his quote, with a hotel room for the night including evening meal and breakfast was still expensive compared to India but in the previous week l had learnt that Sri Lanka is not India and nor are there prices. Our first stop after a 3 hour ... read more

So after a couple of days in Kochi we set of on a 3 day tour to see what Kelara had to offer. We had arranged for a Taxi driver to pick the 3 of us up at 6.30am to drive the 120km to our first night stay in Munnar. This journey was to take us 4 hours on sometime good roads and then onto roads with more potholes than even Delhi. During the drive we stop at many pit-stops to view waterfalls, dams and the magnificent Tea plantation. The Cheeyappara & Valara Waterfall The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara Falls cascades down in seven steps. It is a real feast for the eyes. This is also a great place for trekking. Valara ... read more

So after about a week in the resort of Palolem it was time for Suzannah to to end her year long journey around the world and had back to the Grey & Wet Country otherwise known as Home in the UK. So after 6 weeks together we were now just two, myself and Sue. We had already descided that we would move on from this quiet beach onto an even quieter one about 2 km away. So on Monday morning it was time to pack the rucksack again and move onwards. Mind you I'm now getting a dab hand at the art of packing or is it that I now have another small ruck sack too? So after a quick Taxi ride we both arrive at our new home for the next couple of weeks. Patnam ... read more

The Tea Capital of North India "Wanna go see where a cup of tea comes from?" we are asked "Teabag of course" comes the comedy reply. (Yes ok that was from me) "No, real tea" 20 minutes later the group arrived at the Palapur Tea Co-Operative Tea Company. We are taken around the factory were we see Tea leaves from freshly picked to the end product. About Palampur and its history with Tea Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India. Set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with the Dauladhar ranges. But tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special resort. Abundance of water and proximity to the mountains has endowed it with mild climate. The town has derived its name from the local word "pulum', meaning lots ... read more

Dharamasala is steeped in history and blesses by nature. Nestling in the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himachal Pradesh, its one of the most important centres of Buddhism. For those in quest of a place for a peaceful time. Dharamasala can be a perfect retreat. Since it is the seat of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile, the very presence of so many monks can have a calming effect on the nerves. From the pulls and pressures of City life (Delhi for one) can instantly be transported into a world of peace and quiet where monasteries, fluttering white flags, prayer wheels and long nature walks can overtake senses. It took us a 2 ½ hour Indian bus ride on the Saturday morning from outside our camp in Sungal to the very heart of Dharamasala. The road ... read more