Pushka

Udaipur to Pushka was only 6 hours, but was six hours spent in the most disgusting bus it smelt horrible. we had sleeper cabins so u can lie down, which was nice but not when the sheets are as old as the 40 year old bus and the roads have bigger wholes then the grand canyon. charlie  had a wet patch he had to work around and fass keep complaining about getting the wind knocked out of him from the craters in the road. anyways we got to ajmer and took a connecting government bus to Pushka and arrived at are hostel at around 8 am. which cost 250rp for all 3 of us. 5$ a night.

Pushka is amazing one of the oldest cities in india,  the city is in between 2 mountains and based around a holly lake which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. we wondered around the lake which has steeps sinking into it from all sides and found a lovely cafe called u turn. we had pizza pancakes and special lassi. Much to my disgust in Pushka beer is illegal but hash is pretty much legal. terrible!!  we then stumbled into some incredible markets, we usually walk around and get lost and see what we can find!

The first night we hiked the mountain right behind our guest house for the sun set. the mountain had a temple on the top with people banging drums and praying. the views from the top were incredible overlooking the city, desert and the adjacent mountain which we hiked the next day.

We origanlly thought we would only stay in pushka for a night but we all loved it and decided to stay and extra night and take a camel safari into the desert. First time for all of us on a camel so was pretty exciting, and sleeping under the stars in the desert in the middle of india was pretty epic!!the trip was 4 pm to 10 am the next day so we got sunrise and sunset, dinner and breakfast! a highlight of the trip so far for sure!! got back into pushka and hoped on a train strait to jaipur!!

Pushka is super SWEET!!

Udaipur.... after 24 hours on a bus!

After changing multiple buses, no ac, 90 heat, a packed bus, 22 hours we finally arrived in Udaipur.  Udaipur, what a different city to mumbai.  The guest house we stayed in was amazing, roof top views of the palaces, the lake, sunset, even 8am yoga which only ollie was up in time to do! Every restaurant we ate at had a roof top where you could eat over looking the palaces and the lake.

Once here we went and saw the largest palace in India, not before a little bit of camera trouble as we tried to us a used camera pass... didn't realize half was already missing.  Eventually had to buy a new one.

It was the day of davali, the biggest festival of the year we there where fireworks everywhere.  While having dinner it was basically like having a panoramic firework display.  Outside our room kids lit of fire crackers and other fireworks for  9 hours straight and continued this on the next day.  Late that night Raju (guest house owner) took us to the festival which was crowded, lights and candles everywhere and with dancing horses and camels.

Met loads of locals, one invited us into his house where he should us his art work and we lite fireworks off on his roof.  Ollie even managed to find one who liked crystals as much as him.  He took him to his workshop on the back of his motorcycle.... an experience in its self.  Pretty sure he is sending crystals out to America!!!

Pictures Coming soon!!!!

Mubia and Elephanta Island

Mumbia

Yesterday we toured the city and went to elaphanta island,  an island in the middle of the bay. took about an hour to get there, on arrival we are met by goats, monkeys and locals trying to take us on tours. there r caves all over the island built into the hills, in the caves there are the most incredible sculptures carved into the walls.  each cave was a tribute to a different god. it was crazy leaving the city and being able to look at in=t from the water, the size of this place is ridiculous. 16 million people!

Today we went to the train station to try and book  a ticket out of Mumbai, unfortunately like people had warned, the trains can get booked days in advance, the fact that it is festival season (festival of lights) made it even worse. so we had to take option 2 a 16 to 20 hour bus journey. (with no ac) so tomorrow we are headin to Udaipur about 600miles north of Mumbia. dubbed the most romantic city india, it is set on a lake with many islands, palaces and temples, will be nice to slow down a bit and get out of the madness of Mumbia.
Also played a game of football with some young boys and a crowd started to gather!! haha so much fun.

Miss u all!

Just arrived in India yesterday!

total culture shock!!! driving from the airport to our first hostel was a crazy experience, they are very aggressive drivers and they have no lanes. each driver lays on their horns, constantly, squeezing where you fit. it took about an hour going through the slums (see the movie) to get to our hostel from the airport, pretty intense!!! when we got to our place we were relieved to see the difference in scenery, it's beautiful. we went and checked out the city right away, the food was a little intimidating, taking about 2 hours to find a place to eat but it was delicious. could not communicate with our waiter or anyone else at all, the language barrier is pretty embarrassing. i feel like all the foreigners we served this summer, who we loved!!!...after almost 40 hour of traveling with no sleep we called it an early night and our taking a crash course on hindi in the morning......wish us luck!!!!

London BRUUVVVAAAA

just got to london today 12 hour layover, pubs, kebabs and old friends.  leaving london  at 9:30, strait to india, so it begins!!!!

here we go

2 days till departure and still have not started packing, pretty sure charlie and chris havent ethier. should probably get a move on!! we plan to keep everyone in the loop and post pictures on charisivers blog so make sure u check it out and stay up to date with our where abouts!

cant wait to go but am genna miss everyone like crazy!