Namaste Everyone,
What a busy week it has been. We have been through many trialing and tiresome times but we have finally made it here to Goa.
To start our last day in Calcutta we had our 530am start for the last time. Heading down to Mass as usual followed by our regular breakfast and prayers. We went to our respective homes for the last time which was emotional for some but it was such a great experience everyone felt uplifted to have had made a difference. After work we had to prepare ourselves for the 36 hours we had ahead of us on the train. After our 'last supper' at our favorite Blue Skies Cafe' we were all packed and ready to depart Hotel Emirates. We got to the train station on schedule for the 815pm train only to find out that it was delayed 9 hours. This meant we were in for a rough night staying in 'first class' sleeping on the floor and wooden luggage racks. Just a regular night for many millions of Indians but a huge experience for us. After little sleep the train arrived and everyone caught up on some much needed R&R. The train ride was quite enjoyable with lots of card games, sleeping, eating and just chilling. We arrived in Mumbai to sweltering heat, amazing high rises and sky scrapers. We taxied to the YWCA Hotel for a quick freshen up before heading to Maccas for some well deserved kai! We were then off to our next stop which was the Mumbai Central Bus Station only to find that our bus was non existent. After waiting two hours on the side of a busy Mumbai street, we finally found a bus that would deliver all 34 of us to our next port of call. Our anticipated travel time was extended 5 hours because of a road accident 15km ahead. Bouncing, swerving and speeding through the hills we began to understand why India's road mortality rate is of 22 people an hour. We arrived to the sunny, beautiful and boiling 42 degree heat. It was like entering into a different world. We were so lucky to spend our last day of 2011 in such a beautiful environment which was a nice reward after a long and hard year in Christchurch.
Happy New Year to you all!
Love Hamish S and Hannah P :)
What a busy week it has been. We have been through many trialing and tiresome times but we have finally made it here to Goa.
To start our last day in Calcutta we had our 530am start for the last time. Heading down to Mass as usual followed by our regular breakfast and prayers. We went to our respective homes for the last time which was emotional for some but it was such a great experience everyone felt uplifted to have had made a difference. After work we had to prepare ourselves for the 36 hours we had ahead of us on the train. After our 'last supper' at our favorite Blue Skies Cafe' we were all packed and ready to depart Hotel Emirates. We got to the train station on schedule for the 815pm train only to find out that it was delayed 9 hours. This meant we were in for a rough night staying in 'first class' sleeping on the floor and wooden luggage racks. Just a regular night for many millions of Indians but a huge experience for us. After little sleep the train arrived and everyone caught up on some much needed R&R. The train ride was quite enjoyable with lots of card games, sleeping, eating and just chilling. We arrived in Mumbai to sweltering heat, amazing high rises and sky scrapers. We taxied to the YWCA Hotel for a quick freshen up before heading to Maccas for some well deserved kai! We were then off to our next stop which was the Mumbai Central Bus Station only to find that our bus was non existent. After waiting two hours on the side of a busy Mumbai street, we finally found a bus that would deliver all 34 of us to our next port of call. Our anticipated travel time was extended 5 hours because of a road accident 15km ahead. Bouncing, swerving and speeding through the hills we began to understand why India's road mortality rate is of 22 people an hour. We arrived to the sunny, beautiful and boiling 42 degree heat. It was like entering into a different world. We were so lucky to spend our last day of 2011 in such a beautiful environment which was a nice reward after a long and hard year in Christchurch.
Happy New Year to you all!
Love Hamish S and Hannah P :)
What an experience sleeping at the railway station there will be many stories to tell,and fabulous memories forever from this trip.Enjoy your last week.
ReplyDeleteGreat to read your latest blog! Sounds like you are all handling any changes of plan that come your way with no problem. All part of the adventure! Hope you all enjoyed your time in Goa, and that the next phase is just as amazing. This time next week you will all be home, but your memories will last you a lifetime. How fortunate you all are to have such rich experiences to treasure. Can't wait to see the photos, and hear how the shopping goes in Singapore!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Best wishes,
Hamish's family.
What an amazing adventure you are all having. This is an experience that will remain with you a lifetime so take time to treasure all those special moments.
ReplyDeleteJim and Paula