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.