I have been in Goa for 4 days on my own. The hotel was a bit away from the main beaches but by using the bus, taxi and tuc tuc I have had a bit of an adventure. My stomach has been playing up but nuff said.
I went to Old Goa town and saw some impressive churches, then onto the hippy Anjuna beach. Got there by speedboat and got drenched. There was a market there and I ended up in a bar drinking beer listening to a live rock band playing Jimi Hendrix etc - what a life.
Next day back to Baga beach on the bus - met an ex Commodore of the Indian Merchant Navy Fleet on the bus - he was a unassuming but interesting character. Another day sunbathing in front of one of trhe beach shacks. I also had a full body massage on a sunbed for 8 quid.
Next day did a bit more sunbathing and retrurned to Chennai. Ashish picked me up from the airport.
Had a meal out last night, but ate little!!
I am now in the departure lounge with the fight back home now boarding.
So this is the end of my second blog. A
ABSOLUELY FABULOUS IS HOW I WOULD DESCRIBE IT - THE FELLOWSHIP AND HOSPITALITY WAS AMAZING.
Thanks Ashish / Shalini - see you in the UK where we hope to reciprocate
Bye from India
Friday, 26 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
On my Own
Rachel is in the air as I write this on Tuesday morning. We took her to the airport after having a last supper (Chinese!)with Ashish and Shalini. It was wierd saying goodbye to her - I have never seen her off on a plane journey before - safe home I trust xx.
We have been so lucky to have Ashish and Shalinin as hosts - they are just so nice. In their house their boys have vacated their room for us, his Mum and Dad have been lovely and it will be sad to leave. We only hope they come to the UK so we can return the favour. They have not allowed us to pay for one single thing - no I lie, I did pay 20 or 30 rupees at the toll once.
Anyway it is off to the airport soon to catch the 14.00 plane to Goa for three nights on my own. Hotel is booked so everything should be OK. Oh and in case you readers have forgotten is is still 30-32 degrees here.
Back soon
We have been so lucky to have Ashish and Shalinin as hosts - they are just so nice. In their house their boys have vacated their room for us, his Mum and Dad have been lovely and it will be sad to leave. We only hope they come to the UK so we can return the favour. They have not allowed us to pay for one single thing - no I lie, I did pay 20 or 30 rupees at the toll once.
Anyway it is off to the airport soon to catch the 14.00 plane to Goa for three nights on my own. Hotel is booked so everything should be OK. Oh and in case you readers have forgotten is is still 30-32 degrees here.
Back soon
Gala Dinner and Farewell Brunch
Sunday night we had the Gala Dinner. Everyone got dressed up posh with a lot of girls in Saris. There was a drinks reception then a 4 course sit down dinner - the first we had all holiday. The room was laid out in black and white.
The highlight of the evening was when each country had to do a skit. Sweden's was about the meeting there next year and we were on fourth doing 4 decades of UK pop music - 4 of us were the Beatles, then 4 were Brotherhood of Man, the 5 Spice Girls(including James!) and finally Alan Short as Freddie Mercury with us all joining for a chorus of We are the Champions - it went down very well. The Belgiums did a skit at the Gents! The Dutch finished by getting the Chairmen of each country to act out a play - funny cos they had to read out the stage directions as well as the words - you had to be there.
Bed at 2.30am.
Up a bit late for the farewell brunch and we left the Temple Bay Hotel in the afternoon. Three days in paradise - it really was the best.
The highlight of the evening was when each country had to do a skit. Sweden's was about the meeting there next year and we were on fourth doing 4 decades of UK pop music - 4 of us were the Beatles, then 4 were Brotherhood of Man, the 5 Spice Girls(including James!) and finally Alan Short as Freddie Mercury with us all joining for a chorus of We are the Champions - it went down very well. The Belgiums did a skit at the Gents! The Dutch finished by getting the Chairmen of each country to act out a play - funny cos they had to read out the stage directions as well as the words - you had to be there.
Bed at 2.30am.
Up a bit late for the farewell brunch and we left the Temple Bay Hotel in the afternoon. Three days in paradise - it really was the best.
Sunday, 21 February 2010
World Meeting
All the Tablers and 41 Clubbers had a formal meeting where we each said how our clubs operated. The National President of RT India flew in to address us. We exchanged banners gifts and pins and lots of us had to drink a shot as a fine. All the money going to support their Day Care Centre which we had seen yesterday.
Then more brilliant food at lunch followed by some silly inter country games, one of which Shirley won. We all headed for the sea for a swim and lazed about for a few hours.
We are about to get dressed up for the Gala Dinner - girls in saris etc. More about that on the next blog - and hey I am up to date. Goodbye readers - hope there are some as hardly anyone has left a comment.
Rachel will be heading home tomorrow night but I am flying to Goa for 3 nights - weeeeyyyyy
Then more brilliant food at lunch followed by some silly inter country games, one of which Shirley won. We all headed for the sea for a swim and lazed about for a few hours.
We are about to get dressed up for the Gala Dinner - girls in saris etc. More about that on the next blog - and hey I am up to date. Goodbye readers - hope there are some as hardly anyone has left a comment.
Rachel will be heading home tomorrow night but I am flying to Goa for 3 nights - weeeeyyyyy
Temple Bay for the World 94 Club weekend
Just when we thought it could not get any better - it blooming well did !! This place is paradise - it is a 5 star Radison resort hotel with two amazing pools - one in amongst the chalets and one overlooking the beach. The beach is sandy and great for swimming with warm shallow ish water and decent waves. We have all been in - Flick 13 times she says.
Off in the afternoon to look at the local World Heritage Site which was quite something - great big carvings of temples out of rock and other amazing carvings related to Hindu mythology. The tour has actually been quite cultural amongst the partying.
Evening time was - guess what - party time. The party was almost outside our chalet in the balmy evening - food again, but Indian dancers with flame throwers and a snake which lots of us put round our necks - then dancing which adjourned inside after 11pm. Bit loud, so lots went to bed but R and I did dance through till 12.30am.
Off in the afternoon to look at the local World Heritage Site which was quite something - great big carvings of temples out of rock and other amazing carvings related to Hindu mythology. The tour has actually been quite cultural amongst the partying.
Evening time was - guess what - party time. The party was almost outside our chalet in the balmy evening - food again, but Indian dancers with flame throwers and a snake which lots of us put round our necks - then dancing which adjourned inside after 11pm. Bit loud, so lots went to bed but R and I did dance through till 12.30am.
Chennai Again
Back in Chennai we only had 5 hours sleep before we were up again and off to another Tabler's house to start a 2-3 hour treasure hunt around the city. We were split into country teams and given a facilitator who gave us the clues as we got the previous one. We went on all forms of transport such as the train, Tuc Tuc, Share Auto, Bicycle and rickshaw. Challenges involved cutting a passer by's hair, walking a cow, cycling a rickshaw, buying a cherut and making a flower garland. The UK team of Gary, James, Richard, Alan and myself came home first in 2.3 hours just incredibly 5 seconds before the Danish team. A great way to see the city with all the locals enjoying it at the various clue stops - no threatening surroundings, even in the poorest areas.
The girls teamed up with Greg as all the other South Africans were still in bed - they had great fun as well.
We had a 32 dish meal on banana leaves in the Tablers garden, washed down with a few beers. After a quick look around the Spencer Mall it was back home for a rest. That night - Friday - we went to a disco club called 10 Downing Street - not so much food thank goodness, but lots to drink and lots of wild dancing - about 120 of us nearly took the place over - English pop songs from 1970-2010. Bed after 1am .
The girls teamed up with Greg as all the other South Africans were still in bed - they had great fun as well.
We had a 32 dish meal on banana leaves in the Tablers garden, washed down with a few beers. After a quick look around the Spencer Mall it was back home for a rest. That night - Friday - we went to a disco club called 10 Downing Street - not so much food thank goodness, but lots to drink and lots of wild dancing - about 120 of us nearly took the place over - English pop songs from 1970-2010. Bed after 1am .
Friday, 19 February 2010
Cochin
Left the lovely Zuri Hotel at midday Wednesday for Cochin. Had lunch on the way then via the port with all the containers, logs and lorries to the Oberon Trident. Time for a relax and a swim for some before off againto the Yacht Club? Hosted by Cochin RT this was one of the best nights so far. Held a RT Business Meeting under the palms on the lawn before lovely food followed by dancing. A lady sang a lovely RT India song - What a Wonderfull World it would be. Emotional.
Had a few white wines and gin and tonics and danced away in 28 degrees. Back for another coach journey with Gary cracking his head open on the coach - not too serious but bloody.
We had the next day around Cochin or Kochi - the church, the fishing nets, the New Town, the Dutch Palace. Then time in the local market streets where Rachel and I bought a few little gifts and one really nice pendant for her in Yellow Oche? Crafters had an amazing collection of old furniture.
Our plane back to Chennai yesterday night was delayed so we had rum on the coach, then an extra meal in the ABAD HOTEL - what a name. Jacob our guide had been brill. Bed 1.30am
More to follow later as I am hogging the internet
Had a few white wines and gin and tonics and danced away in 28 degrees. Back for another coach journey with Gary cracking his head open on the coach - not too serious but bloody.
We had the next day around Cochin or Kochi - the church, the fishing nets, the New Town, the Dutch Palace. Then time in the local market streets where Rachel and I bought a few little gifts and one really nice pendant for her in Yellow Oche? Crafters had an amazing collection of old furniture.
Our plane back to Chennai yesterday night was delayed so we had rum on the coach, then an extra meal in the ABAD HOTEL - what a name. Jacob our guide had been brill. Bed 1.30am
More to follow later as I am hogging the internet
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Up in the night !!
Yes it finally got me, but I seem OK today. We had 9.5 hours sleep. Just chilling at the moment - bus leaves for lunch at 12 noon, then onto Cochin for a night out with the Tablers from Cochin RT. Rachel is fine
The Backwaters of Kerala
Great day started with breakfast in this smashing hotel. Then it was off to board a wierd house boat cum canal barge which had two floors and big enought for 100 people. There were lots of different sizes on the Verdana?? Lake.
It took us nearly 3 hours to get to our destination, firstly in open waters then down a wide river. The land either side was lower than the water. It was all very green quite unlike our first few days.
We got off to be escorted in groups of 10 around a big village spread over a few square miles. Our escort was a local man who had a cow and a small holding. We visited his house along the edge of a dubious looking stream and saw lots of lovely people who came out to wave at us foreigners. We went into the local primary school which was in session and also saw the nursery with 12 angelic faces all lined up on the porch. It was a real eye-opener, to think these lovely people have such basic lives. He told us that in the rainy season the water rises by 2 meters and everyone has to live in the school for about a month !!!!
It was absolutely boiling - about 37 degrees - sweat running down us for about 2 hours.
We got back to the boat for a meal and then had the canoeing races. Each nation had to choose 3 guys to race. South Africa won the first heat and we came fourth(last) - all down to James, Alan and Gary - but at least they had a go. The final was won by Sweden. We watched from the bank alongside lots of locals who had come from miles around to see us. Everyone was shouting and screaming when the race was on - it was just great. A clash of two cultures.
After a long ride back we got to the hotel for a swim and relax before another lovely evening meal. Rachel ate little and me not much more as our tummies are just a little delicate and we did not want to push our luck with lots of spicy food.
There was another cultural display which was really wierd. We are off to bed now, but first today's question. Who will be the first to tell me who won the canoe races?
If you are reading the blog leave a comment - not many have so far - just register, you do not get any junk mail at all
Barry
It took us nearly 3 hours to get to our destination, firstly in open waters then down a wide river. The land either side was lower than the water. It was all very green quite unlike our first few days.
We got off to be escorted in groups of 10 around a big village spread over a few square miles. Our escort was a local man who had a cow and a small holding. We visited his house along the edge of a dubious looking stream and saw lots of lovely people who came out to wave at us foreigners. We went into the local primary school which was in session and also saw the nursery with 12 angelic faces all lined up on the porch. It was a real eye-opener, to think these lovely people have such basic lives. He told us that in the rainy season the water rises by 2 meters and everyone has to live in the school for about a month !!!!
It was absolutely boiling - about 37 degrees - sweat running down us for about 2 hours.
We got back to the boat for a meal and then had the canoeing races. Each nation had to choose 3 guys to race. South Africa won the first heat and we came fourth(last) - all down to James, Alan and Gary - but at least they had a go. The final was won by Sweden. We watched from the bank alongside lots of locals who had come from miles around to see us. Everyone was shouting and screaming when the race was on - it was just great. A clash of two cultures.
After a long ride back we got to the hotel for a swim and relax before another lovely evening meal. Rachel ate little and me not much more as our tummies are just a little delicate and we did not want to push our luck with lots of spicy food.
There was another cultural display which was really wierd. We are off to bed now, but first today's question. Who will be the first to tell me who won the canoe races?
If you are reading the blog leave a comment - not many have so far - just register, you do not get any junk mail at all
Barry
Monday, 15 February 2010
Indian Tour Health Report
Well here we go - first Sharon got ill, then James followed by Tracey, Gary, Claire and Chris. All got tablets from the doctor. Then today Alan and James junior got ill for the coach journey. Finally Richard is also now poorly and went to bed early!!!!
It seems to be mostly us English who are getting this deli belly, but thankfully it seems to be a 24 hour thing. Rachel and I wait for it to hit us.
Plus a waiter had to go to hospital after he got anaphylaxis after a wasp sting.
It seems to be mostly us English who are getting this deli belly, but thankfully it seems to be a 24 hour thing. Rachel and I wait for it to hit us.
Plus a waiter had to go to hospital after he got anaphylaxis after a wasp sting.
South India Tour
Time for a catch up!! The overnight train on Friday was an experience. We were meant to have two carriages to ourselkves, but it did not work ouit like that. We had a scrum to get on the train and managede to get on OK. It was a mad night. Lots of drinks flowing in crowded conditions. Barbera from Denmark got very drunk, as did lots of others. At one stage there were 20 of us in the space for 8 - all singing songs, playing silly games and annoying any one who wanted to get to sleep!!. Eventually at about 1.30am most people tried to get some shut eye as we trundled throught the night on the Chennai-Madurai "Express".
Next day we arrived on the train at 7am and walked thru the crowds to the hotel. Somehow our bags got there too. After a nice Indian breakfast on the roof top, we were allocated to a bus - green, red, yellow, blue. We were green. Off to a fantastic temple in Madurai on a special day - there were thousands of worshippers and the temple had these 12 big towers covered in amazing sculptures. We saw lots of amazing stuff - an elephant, a market and lots of murals -plus a glimpse at the religious rituals - this temple covered many acres - very interesting, but quite complicated.
Then some shopping and back to the hotel - a quick rest and the off again a Cultural Cenre 15 miles outside the town. Very interesting explanation of the religions and some dancing demonstrations. Then cocktails on the hillside and we had a traditional southern Indian meal eaten off banana leaves - very nice and quite healthy. Idylic surroundings away from the city.
Next morning it was an early start at 7.30am, then a 4 hour coach journey to the mountains of Kerala - lots of hairpin corners as we climbed. We arrived at the Elephant Court Hotel at midday - it was lovely - we had room 118 - very nice. It was much cooler up in the mountains - only 20-25 degrees. In the afternoon we went to on a Spice Tour - just a walk round these gardens with all different spices growing - so now we know where and how they grow. The evening was on the terrace by the pool - absolutely lovely - first some smashing dancing and martial arts, followed by a meal and disco. All the groups were singing their songs. The disco was cut short after complaints from the locals so we ajouned to Alan and Claires' apartment which had its own inside pool!!!!!
Then came the first cock up when I set the alarm wrong and Rachel and I missed the nature walk. She was very understanding especially as it meant we got more sleep. Breakfast, then back on the bus for a 5 hour journey thru nice countryside with hundreds of tea plantations.
We then arrived here at Zuri and it is unbelievable - lovely apartments, a lake and lovely grounds - but by God it is hot again - 30-35 degrees.
Boat trip tomorrow - be back soon
Next day we arrived on the train at 7am and walked thru the crowds to the hotel. Somehow our bags got there too. After a nice Indian breakfast on the roof top, we were allocated to a bus - green, red, yellow, blue. We were green. Off to a fantastic temple in Madurai on a special day - there were thousands of worshippers and the temple had these 12 big towers covered in amazing sculptures. We saw lots of amazing stuff - an elephant, a market and lots of murals -plus a glimpse at the religious rituals - this temple covered many acres - very interesting, but quite complicated.
Then some shopping and back to the hotel - a quick rest and the off again a Cultural Cenre 15 miles outside the town. Very interesting explanation of the religions and some dancing demonstrations. Then cocktails on the hillside and we had a traditional southern Indian meal eaten off banana leaves - very nice and quite healthy. Idylic surroundings away from the city.
Next morning it was an early start at 7.30am, then a 4 hour coach journey to the mountains of Kerala - lots of hairpin corners as we climbed. We arrived at the Elephant Court Hotel at midday - it was lovely - we had room 118 - very nice. It was much cooler up in the mountains - only 20-25 degrees. In the afternoon we went to on a Spice Tour - just a walk round these gardens with all different spices growing - so now we know where and how they grow. The evening was on the terrace by the pool - absolutely lovely - first some smashing dancing and martial arts, followed by a meal and disco. All the groups were singing their songs. The disco was cut short after complaints from the locals so we ajouned to Alan and Claires' apartment which had its own inside pool!!!!!
Then came the first cock up when I set the alarm wrong and Rachel and I missed the nature walk. She was very understanding especially as it meant we got more sleep. Breakfast, then back on the bus for a 5 hour journey thru nice countryside with hundreds of tea plantations.
We then arrived here at Zuri and it is unbelievable - lovely apartments, a lake and lovely grounds - but by God it is hot again - 30-35 degrees.
Boat trip tomorrow - be back soon
Friday, 12 February 2010
DAY 1 CHENNAI
This will be quick. Off to a great start apart from my ears on the plane and my still very sore throat which is a pain - I can hardly talk and landing in Chennai was really sore.
Ashish and Shalininare great hosts. We had breakfast yesterday, then shopping where I bought 3 shirts, then lunch and a 3 hour catch up sleep. We then went to a fantastic house party where we met 25% of the whole party - lovely food and drink and we met quite a few people.
This morning we had a trip around Chennai and visited the Basilica of St Thomas and a Temple which was really crowded - we saw all the different parts of Chennai - rich and poor.
Then it was on to the Madras Club for registration and meeting everyone - more lovely food and drink in lovely surroundings.
We are now getting ready for our overnight train trip to Madurai, leaving at 9.45pm tonight. We will have tea and leave. No blogging tonight!
By the way the temperature is just over 30 degrees - jealous or what! Actually it's a bit too hot.
Bye for a while.
Ashish and Shalininare great hosts. We had breakfast yesterday, then shopping where I bought 3 shirts, then lunch and a 3 hour catch up sleep. We then went to a fantastic house party where we met 25% of the whole party - lovely food and drink and we met quite a few people.
This morning we had a trip around Chennai and visited the Basilica of St Thomas and a Temple which was really crowded - we saw all the different parts of Chennai - rich and poor.
Then it was on to the Madras Club for registration and meeting everyone - more lovely food and drink in lovely surroundings.
We are now getting ready for our overnight train trip to Madurai, leaving at 9.45pm tonight. We will have tea and leave. No blogging tonight!
By the way the temperature is just over 30 degrees - jealous or what! Actually it's a bit too hot.
Bye for a while.
Up Up and Away
Well, here we are at Birmingham International Airport - in Yates!! Some of the party are living it up in the Executive lounge with free drinks and nibbles, but the rest of us are with the plebs.
I have had a really sore throat and bad cold these last few days, but it might just be easing after taking a whole lot of Vitamin C courtesy of Maria at work - plus decongestant and Vic then Albus oil in my hankie. I must be rattling when you add to that malaria tablets and probiotics to prepare my stomach for the treats in store.
For the record our party consists of Rachel and myself, Richard and Helen, Flick and Paul, Sharon and James, Dave and Chris, Gary and Tracy, Alan, Claire and James.
Our mission is to join fellow Tablers, and assorted guests from all 9 "94" numbered Tables around the world for the annual twinning weekend. As it involves a trip to India the Tablers from Madras Cosmopolitan Round Table (MCRT) in Chennai have organised a week long trip around southern India beforehand and a four day trip to Delhi and the Taj Mahal afterwards. Not all are going to Delhi - Rachel is coming home and I am staying on for a few days in Goa.
We have a 7 hour trip to Dubai, followed by 4 hours to Chennai, but we are with Emirates so should be fine. The departure is delayed by 30 minutes.
We have all been given the names of the families where we are staying - ours are Ashish and Shalini. Mehul and the team from MCRT have been brilliant so far - we are even getting Indian sim cards so we can phone each other cheaply.
I will try and keep the blog up to date but it might be difficult - I have my laptop, but might need to post on line using computers in hotels if I cannot cut and paste into the blog.
Please post you comments. I will be running a competition to see who is the first person on the tour to tell me the answer to a question I ask on the blog. The answer has to be communicated to someone from England to one of the 15 travellers from the UK and they have to tell me the answer in person. First answer concerns the meeting point for our coach trip around Chennai - it will be at the Ghandi memorial on the beach road - thats all you have to tell them
Well that's it for starters. Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I have had a really sore throat and bad cold these last few days, but it might just be easing after taking a whole lot of Vitamin C courtesy of Maria at work - plus decongestant and Vic then Albus oil in my hankie. I must be rattling when you add to that malaria tablets and probiotics to prepare my stomach for the treats in store.
For the record our party consists of Rachel and myself, Richard and Helen, Flick and Paul, Sharon and James, Dave and Chris, Gary and Tracy, Alan, Claire and James.
Our mission is to join fellow Tablers, and assorted guests from all 9 "94" numbered Tables around the world for the annual twinning weekend. As it involves a trip to India the Tablers from Madras Cosmopolitan Round Table (MCRT) in Chennai have organised a week long trip around southern India beforehand and a four day trip to Delhi and the Taj Mahal afterwards. Not all are going to Delhi - Rachel is coming home and I am staying on for a few days in Goa.
We have a 7 hour trip to Dubai, followed by 4 hours to Chennai, but we are with Emirates so should be fine. The departure is delayed by 30 minutes.
We have all been given the names of the families where we are staying - ours are Ashish and Shalini. Mehul and the team from MCRT have been brilliant so far - we are even getting Indian sim cards so we can phone each other cheaply.
I will try and keep the blog up to date but it might be difficult - I have my laptop, but might need to post on line using computers in hotels if I cannot cut and paste into the blog.
Please post you comments. I will be running a competition to see who is the first person on the tour to tell me the answer to a question I ask on the blog. The answer has to be communicated to someone from England to one of the 15 travellers from the UK and they have to tell me the answer in person. First answer concerns the meeting point for our coach trip around Chennai - it will be at the Ghandi memorial on the beach road - thats all you have to tell them
Well that's it for starters. Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Here we go, here we go, here we go. Blogging our trip to India with the Round Tablers, Ladies Circlers, Tangent and 41 Clubbers from Shirley as part of the World 94 Meeting. 15 of us will set off on Wednesday 10th February for Chennai via Dubai.
We are all officially very excited by now having had a meeting at Alan's last Sunday. A few of us are getting together tonight at our house to swap fancy dress clothes.
Anyway watch this space for news of our travels
Barry and Rachel
We are all officially very excited by now having had a meeting at Alan's last Sunday. A few of us are getting together tonight at our house to swap fancy dress clothes.
Anyway watch this space for news of our travels
Barry and Rachel
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