Once again a story in pictures.... read more

It’s often interesting to hear about the costs of things in other countries so here are few things for you. Remember that there are about 30-32 rupees to the dollar. 1 hour on the internet - 30rp. 1 small kit-kat - 5rp. A cup of street chai - 7rp. A good cup of REAL coffee - 25rp. 375mls of local whisky (tastes O.K.) - 92rp. 500grms of those delicious little sweet cakes - 85rp. A Thai feast for 5 in a little restaurant (my birthday) - about 1000rp. Naturally everything seems incredibly inexpensive, but then the average person here would earn so little that these things would be luxuries. An interesting hairdressing experience. I decided that my hair colour needed doing and after having hunted high and low (in Darjeeling take that expression literally) I went ... read more

6th March This week I started working at what will be my school for the next 10 weeks. The walk there was amazing and I was worried that I would ever be able to find my way back, although in Darjeeling, I have worked out that if I get lost, I go up and eventually will find somewhere I know! And of course in the back of my mind was, that if going to school we walked steeply down, then coming back from school, I must have to walk steeply up. Ugh! Never was a truer word spoken. I will end up with legs like an Amazon and lungs like Joan Sutherland. I may not look sexy, but by God I’ll be fit. Wow betide any man who gets betwixt my thighs when I return!!!! The ... read more

25th February Well here I am at last. Darjeeling, my home for the next 10 weeks or so. The drive from Bagdogra was scary and amazing all at the same time. I couldn’t begin to describe the roads. Hair raising would be an understatement but my driver was wonderful, more of a tour guide and did an incredible job. We stopped for tea and momo’s (yummy) and he paid. Yes, of course he was hoping for a tip, but when I gave it to him he stayed back and seemed embarrassed to take it. He told me that his elder brother works in Nepal for a bank and that he would contact him so that I could stay with him and his wife and children when I visit there in May. People here are just wonderful. ... read more

Saturday 14th February SHAVE DAY Now if you have done your homework, you will now know that one of the things that has to be done within 24 hours of the Otonan ceremony is the “Official Head Shaving”. It doesn’t really matter who does it, but Niang (may be spelled wrong, I have no idea) other grandmother was elected as she has great experience at doing this and as you can imagine, it’s not something you want to mess around with. ... read more

The party was huge, fun and hot and held at Tasha's "school". Children and adults had a great time, which after all is the whole point. Toby insisted that I have a beer - at 10a.m! After that I went onto "Te Botol", iced, sweet black tea in a bottle - really nice. Unlike our birthday parties, the gifts are not opened until it’s all over with everyone gone home and as not many had gift tags, no one has any idea who bought what. I suppose it gets around everyone trying to outdo each other! I hope you like the photos, bit worried about my grandchildren’s drinking habits though!!! By the way, my Australian phone is still playing up so for now I shall use one Toby has given me with an Indonesian number. It ... read more