TALES FROM THE AMBASSADOR

Saturday, 13 November 2010

Gone in an instant..

Completed rally. What an amazing experience - there were live bands, ceremonial elephant, live tv coverage, fireworks and crowds to welcome us. Now, its an indian dress themed evening. Certificate ceremony and sad goodbyes.

To wake me up it will be a 4am start on Sunday morning to get the flight via Mumbai.

Dear all - over and out...

Last 80km of journey.

All over bar 80km. 2400km, 3 car crashes. Not us. Not serious... 95 hours driving and all safe. Off to hotel for final 'do' this evening. Emotional exhausted and happy. Signing off and looking forward to seeing everybody again.. so much to share.

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Today was the ENDURO part.

300 KM from Jungle in Masinagudi to Kodaikanal. Up 2 mountain passes to 2000m altitude. Via Ooty Kottagiri, Mettapalayam, Dharapuram. Stunning waterfalls - scenery but straight to bed as, yes, exhausted as been up since 5am. Car going well, phew.

A taste of southern india countryside from my phone...

A bit small but you get the idea.. !

updates.

We have had the first rest after 9 days of travelling NON-STOP. In Jungle hut while cars are being serviced. Up at 4am and no day off, no jeep to see the tigers! Fingers crossed they pass our way. Saw elephants, monkeys, deer and owls though - Rudyard Kipling comes to mind with Jungle Book!

Tuesday, 9 November 2010

Our Sick Ambi...

home from home

cow filling up with petrol!

Hi All,

Been in the remotest part of India with absolutely NO SIGNAL whatsoever - however in Mysore I have access to email (just) so I thought I would take the opportunity of letting you see some pics. I am dirty, exhausted after 1100 km on unbelievable excuses for roads.. and a bit hungry. The car is OK but has broken down once and there are elephants, cows, dogs, people, goats and sheep in the "roads" or should I say tracks! However, the people, poorer than I have ever seen anywhere are so unbelievably friendly that this has been one of the best weeks of my life. I will bore you all senseless with the pics when I get back. Until I get a signal next time - little ditties from the phone... Ciao from a wet and rainy late monsoon in Mysore.

Monday, 8 November 2010

Mysore Palace

More of Mysore Palace... having a look round there tomorrow as we have first late start.

Sunday, 7 November 2010

MYSORE PALACE

From the remote villages to Mysore Palace... what next we wonder..!

MORE BREAKDOWNS BUT STILL IN GOOD SPIRITS

Cars struggling. Mechanics working flat out to keep us on the road. Delhi Belly rife. Between Kalasa and Kadkani! HAPPY DIWALI everybody.

Photo shows the weather coming in..

A quick snap unformatted but gives you an idea of our travel still. Will hopefully get more as weather permits and no power cuts. Patrick

True Adventure

Another exhausting couple of days and FANTASTIC experience so far.

Friday we drove from Muredeshwa to the Silent Valley. The accommodation was so basic that we slept under the stars with comments of "Beware of Tigers, snakes and monkeys!!" GROWL.. !

The following night was torrential rains and red mud everywhere... No tigers but lots of monkeys, snakes and spiders. Only one loo between 16 people. Everybody really is exhausted already what with jet lag catching up, restless nights and 10-12 hour driving during with day.

Friday, 5 November 2010

Day 2. Gruelling

Driven 280km today which took us 12 hours, lots of hill climbs, little villages, stopping for a couple of breakdowns - I'm exhausted.

Tonight we will sleep under the stars and tomorrow is Diwali - significant to the Hindu, Jain and Sikh as a celebration of good. Lets see what tomorrow brings.