Final Week in India

A year on and my journey has come to an end. I cannot believe it is over so fast and all I have achieved in such a short time. This will be my final blog which I have enjoyed sharing my experiences with you. So much has happened in just this week, I will try to get my head round it all.

Completing all my objectives at work and handing over all the resources to my colleagues to continue teaching others with the material I have produced. Also another OT has been introduced to Deepshikha from India who is keen to continue my work, which is great news for the children here. I have been on several lunch invites by parents determined to fatten me up before sending me home. My colleagues and friends have lavished me with gifts so beautiful I will be the envy of everyone at home. The memories of my times in Ranchi, at the club, at Deepshikha and travelling around India will stay with me for a long time, I feel I have learnt a lot about myself as well as the cultural diversity India has to offer.

This last week I have taken my friends out for a final meal and cocktails, I have watched my last Bollywood film, seen the cricket live, Enjoyed a picnic at the Ranchi Club and been entertained a work with a leaving celebration.

India vs England Ranchi Cricket Stadium

My week in pictures:

Ranchi Club picnic with my good friends Vineeta and Harish

 My final Class with 1st Year Diploma Special Education students

 My last day at the school with all the teaching staff and Director.

 1st and 2nd Year students saying farewell party

Deepshikha School children at my goodbye ceremony.

 Last goodbyes and kisses at pre-school

The weather here has just warmed up and now it is time for me to leave to go back home to winter, snow and freezing temperatures. However this aside I am very much looking forward to seeing my family and friends and being back in York as I have missed it very much. I have a two day stopover in Delhi for some last minute shopping and return Friday 25th January, see you all soon. Thank you for reading.

South West Indian Tour

My last holiday in India and it was just what I needed a blend of sun, sea, sand, culture, family and friends. I had been planning the trip 6 months prior to going. Knowing full well Christmas and New Year is the prime holiday season for Brits to India I had to book travel and accommodation well in advance. Actually for a change everything went to plan as the trip started in Mumbai heading down the coast to Goa (Candolim) then onto Alleppey in Kerala, Kollam then finally Kovalam before returning back to Mumbai to get our flights home. A combination of flights, sleeper trains, local bus, tuk tuk's and Ferry got us to our destinations.

We gathered in Mumbai, Tom and Penny flew from the UK, Sue from Bubaneswar and Gera from Nagpur. Another crazy Indian city, sampling the fresh lime sodas, chai and of course the multi national cuisines on offer as craving western food all the more after a year here. We took in gateway to India, local art gallery, Chowpatty beach and Mahatma Gandhi's residence in Mumbai. As well as checking out the local crazy market which was very overwhelming - lots and lots of people and traffic.

After this some chill time was needed so an overnight train took us to our residence for 5 nights in Goa

Our view from our balcony sets the scene for the next few days.

 We added some snorkelling time and beer and food breaks of course.

Another overnight actually 19 hours and we had arrived in Alleppey preparing for our adventures on the backwaters.

Of course sampling some of the local dishes and Kingfisher on the way.

As the first trip was on a big cruise ferry we decided to try out a smaller canoe to see some of the local villages making furniture, coir making, boat building and tiger prawn farming.

Also got to see an eagle up close.

More rest was required so we headed off to our final destination Kovalam, we arrived about 5 pm and headed straight to the beach it was absolutely packed so many people it was initially a shock however we realised that this was the local time for swimming too, the next few days were much more tranquil. Shopping along the sea front, swimming in the pool and off lighthouse beach 40 degrees trying to keep rehydrated.

It actually felt like we had been away a lot longer and seen so many things. I enjoyed the whole trip but especially liked Goa and Kerala. Even though I am regularly disappointed in the pollution all around India the South is better in the touristy areas but its still not the haven described in the guide books. Also accommodation can be described very superbly on the net however up close the hotels did not match up. The apartment in Goa was amazing though and I would go back any time.

A Nice Cup of Tea - Darjeeling

One hour before i get on the train i get a call from my fellow volunteer 'Joel' Sorry i cannot come to Darjeeling i have fallen ill. Im in the car on the way to the station trying to relax and get my head round doing this trip now on my own, their is no turning back now.

This is my first time on 3AC train, which means 3 bunks either side in one berth. Actually this way of travelling is much better as you meet a lot of friendly people, I got to share with a nice family from Siliguri. In the morning i wake up with a head cold and sore throat its either the AC or im being punished for being on holiday!

At NJP Station I spend some time trying to locate a shared Jeep to take me up the hill. Once located i change my mind as there is a dispute going on with some other tourists that have been conned by the Jeep walla. Instead I get an auto to the bus stand to go with the locals in a Jeep, im the last one and get the back seat (boot space) with 3 others. They like to pack you in, in India. Soon I realise my mistake thinking I had done well getting away from the touts an hour into a 3 hour journey I realise the man in front of me is highly intoxicated ? drugs/Alcohol who knows but he has wet his pants and keeps proceeding to fall forward dribbling on my knee. I look out of the window to the sun going down over the hills and cant believe the beautiful view I then turn to the idiot in front of me and growl.


On arrival there was no more bad luck for me. Things got better and better. Above is a picture of my hotel The Dekeling, I was in the attic at the top. It had a lovely room and an amazingly hot shower. The landlady was really nice and made me hot lemon and ginger tea for my cold. I had been on the road for nearly 24hrs so all that was left to do was wash up and head to the pub.

Joey's Pub was a great start to the holiday. Met some friends to chat with, had a pint of kingfisher and moved on to hot toddys as the night proceeded. As you can see we are all wrapped up warm as very cold in the evenings. With my new found friends we planned to meet at Kevengers the next morning for breakfast.

 The views were spectacular and so was the food, a whole plate full of sausages with Darjeeling tea of course.






We planned the day from here first stop observation hill for more views.

Then a visit to the Buddhist temple, the flags represent prayers, the white ones are for those who have died. Then we enjoyed a trip to the Zoo check out this Asian bear playing up for the cameras.

Then onto the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, to see the wonders of those who have climbed Mount Everest, if only!



Nathmulls for tea was the next call as we obviously needed a well earned rest. I sampled the premier white tea in a champagne glass and some rare yellow tea in a cocktail flute.
 We also enjoyed some Momos at Penangs that's chicken/pork steamed dumplings and soup so good.



In the evening i was introduced to uno at Gaffy's open mic cafe.

 This place is not like the rest of India i have seen so far. Its more Nepalese  Its clean, fresh air, no pollution or touts bothering me I could have stayed much longer just to relax.

The next day i was on my own and had been advised to visit the rope way a new cable car in operation over the tea estates with wonderful views of Khangchendzonga.

 On my way back up the hill I met some lovely children who posed for a photo. I then stopped at Happy Valley Tea Estate for a tour and met another traveller Lara.







It was a beautiful set up and enjoyed a stroll around the tea plants.

 Lara then took me in her Jeep to The Tibetan Refugee Centre, saving me a massive walk up the hill which was great. I was shown how they weave carpets, make hats and clothing. I couldnt leave the shop for things to buy.

 Overall a great unexpected day with lots of company, on my last day i trekked up to the peace pagoda and also took a visit to the Botanical Gardens determined to make myself tired for the long journey home.

 I then proceeded to pick up my rucksack and head for my pre booked journey on the Joy Train to ghum. It was very interesting experiencing this journey as the train weaves through the villages and road and even gets stuck in traffic with the cars. From Ghum I got a shared jeep back to the station.

I stopped in Kolkata for a flying visit to Victoria Memorial and a good shop around the markets. Jane another vso volunteer provided me with breakfast and a shower and we caught up for dinner before I caught my train overnight back to Ranchi.

I will have some fond memories of this place it was a wonderful trip.