Right are you sitting comfortably? tea in hand? Biscuit in the other? digestive? good.

Okay week 6? is it week 6 already. dear lord. we left you from good old Dharmashala okay so much has happened. pharaphrasing is on.

left dharamashala - sad to leave our host family "Aunty, Tsetan and Tashi" had looked after so so SO well. took a taxi to Chandigarh (shout out to Anita-Mai Goulding!) and met up with family friends of Debs's. AJ and Sangita along with Sangrikka and Arjun proceeded to take us under their wings. As AJ is a medic in the Indian army - cue cute Indian men in uniform. Good first impressions of Chandigarh. Sangrikka and Arjun decided we had to be shown a night out in India - so we frequented 'Black Magic'. A few kingfishers down we were LOVING the mix of Gaga and Bollywood tunes and were up into the wee hours. Had ice-cream munchies at 3 am aswell. all in all. Fabulous evening. Next day - saw the sights Rock Garden, Lakes and in the afternoon took a cable car to a remote resort on the top of a mountain. views - amazing.

took an overnight train (had A/C thank god) to Jaipur. 10 hours on a train. hhhmmmm. squatting for the loo on a train. even bigger hhhmmmmm. after we had a little sleep and got over the stares we arrived in Jaipur at 7.00am. Found a autorickshaw 'tuk tuk' driver called Tiger to take us to the first decentish hotel he knew. Found oursleves in a hotel that was rather on the nice side being told it was 3000 Woopees for a eveing. PAH. Laura said no. Debs said please? Laura said we are not spending over 1500 Woopees. Hotel man said I can let it go for R1500. Really? In exchange Debs had to teach him the wonders of setting up a faceyb account. Skills.

Now Jaipur. Where do we start? Battle of the Auto-Rickshaw boys is all I can say. Weighing in on one side we have Tiger and Vicky on the other Raj and Richie. 'Raj and Richie' showed us the sights - 'a bar called the Black Dog' (that should have been our first clue) we told them we'd see the tomorrow for the day SIGHTSEEING. Then Tiger picked us up in the evening and we went to Monkey Temple. Beautiful temple with views over the city, monkeys going ape sh1t everywhere. also met a cobra. nearly died of shock. Met Raj and Richie the next day - saw a tomb and then they wanted to go for another drink.... hhmmmm. after separating us (can you see where this is going) they proceeded to declare their love. HA. Raj to Debs - "I could just look into your eyes forever," and "can i rest my hand on your leg?"... Erm i think not. Richie to Laura (a little bolder) - "Can i touch your lips with my lips?" Mate I'd rather you didn't. After telling them to BACK OFF we somehow thought going clubbing with them might be fun. we were wrong. only saving grace was they played Beyonce. a lot of vodka and cranberries later we'd had enough of the stares and the put-downs. Boys we're outta here. On the way home nearly got into a racial slur fight between our Rickshaw and a black mercedes. shouting out the windows. police were called. Blondes bringing the drama to Jaipur. Obvs.

Next morning after seeing we had 12 missed calls from Raj and Richie - we sided with Tiger and Vicky and they actually showed us more than a bar. went to Amber fort where we got to ride elephants! Whoop Whoop! Got harrassed by a picture seeling man. Laura shouting 'No No No Nahi Nahi Nahi.' He jusy kept on going. Laura then asked in Hindi AapKaa naam kyaa hai (what is your name) because I am going straight to the Tourism authorities' after the shock of a Hindi speaking blonde he then backed off.

Afternoon - we went to Soul of India - A textiles/fashion house - Sunny exports goods to Monsoon and Topshop. Think Philip Green of India. We got to design and make our own dresses!!! surrounded by magazines of Vogue and the like with more fabrics a girl can handle. fun times. Debs got a maxi dress and black evening dress. Laura got a little going out number. All in all good day!

The next day and 20 missed calls and 5 texts later from the boys - Seriously? Seriously? we decided to leave Jaipur for Ranthambore National Park. another hot hot hot journey we arrived at a lovely resort in Ranthambore. Saw again a BEAUTIFUL hotel room complete with swimming pool, which was unfortunately empty. They said 2800 Woopees for a night. Laura said No. Debs said Please? Hotel man said seeing as we don't get many English people (English people you mean two young blonde women) I can let the room go for 1500 a night. Laura said only if the swimming pool is filled aswell. They were more than happy to oblige to that request. Backpacking? laughs. Went on Tiger Safari (unfortunately saw no tigers. Laura swears she did in the grass somewhere 'over there') but saw wild boar, antelops, deer, snakes, monkeys, crocodiles, snake-eating lizards... you know the usual day to day pets. The National Park itself was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Spent the next day lounging by the pool. Debs realised she had had far too much sun her boobs had turned a lovely colour of puce.

Next day had to make our way back to Delhi for flight to bangkok. Another 7 hour train ride without A/C and a burn to match Ronald MacDonalds hair colour it was a tough ride. Arrived in the airport thank god. Sad to leave India.... so many fond memories but its hard to travel in so many other ways.

Had serious chats with Jet Airways. Look You If these bags go missing again I swear the sh1t will hit the fan. After blagging better seats with more leg room due to our previous trauma fairplay to Jet we arrived in Bangkok with bags.

So Bangkok. The airport was incredible. modern. clean. smelt nice. far cry from Delhi. Got a taxi to our hotel. The hotel was lovely for 10 squid an evening it was incredible complete with a rooftop pool. done. Went shopping. first things first. explored China town. could not get over the fresh friut stalls! mango, the pomengranite seeds where the size of my thumb! For dindins had the most incredible Pad Thai. Yum Yum Yum iin our tums. After dindins thought we'd treat ourselves to a lovely manicure and pedicure for the tidy sum of 3 british pounds. bangkok = immense.

next day more exploring of the city - a LOT of golden buddhas. alot. As our Hotel was situated next to Khao San road - the legendary night out district. We didnt need to be told twice. We hit the 'sangsom' bucket. basically a bottle of whisky, coke and red bull and you are away. as we crawled from bar to bar, a couple of mai thai cocktails later a 'ping pong' show seemed like the next logical step #for more details please contact us directly# after the 'show' and more beer Laura thought she had suddenly been transported into celebrity get me out of here and proceeded to eat scorpions, locusts and silk worms. just for laughs. Debs stood retching at the side.

Lauras face the next morning should be used in an advert for 'reasons not to drink'. After gettingin at 2.30am we were up at 6.00am to pack and shower ready for a bus to take us to Koh Chang island. Debs with her burn, Laura with her scorpion breath and 2 pretty serious hangovers loved the 6 hour bus ride. But it was ALL WORTH IT. arrived at Koh Chang (called elephant island) and were blown away. Our accommodation is a delightful thatched cottage, not too far from the beach and rainforest!! After exploring the nearby shacks we went to Jae Eiw - nicknamed the best seafood we have had. period. think fresh squid, crab, octupus, the meal was incredible. we are returning.

Which brings us to today!!! Phew. you must be on your 3rd cup of tea right? This morning we went on an elephant safari. Our elephant Rambo was his name was a BEAST> so obedient and clever. we trekked with him throught the rainforest, saw a snake in our path. Eek. then we stopped at a rockpool where we got to go swimming with old Rambo. It took Debs about an hour to get in the water as she was convinced there were s-s-s-s-snakes. too many indiana jones films. IT was the most amazing experience of our lives to date. we got to ride bareback to camp and then gave the elephants a good old handful of bananas.... today this could be the greatest day of our lives. sing. hell yes. then hit the beach. sand. wow. sea. wow. do we need to go on? Then this eve we have just returned from our amazing seafood restaurant. squid. done. crab in coconut sauce. done. Tom Yam (spicy prawn soup) done. Prawns with asparagus. done. mango salad. done.

Okay over and out. LOVE YOU ALL. truth. until next time. keep watching. X

Friday 19th March 2010:
Here we are again guys - just checking in! Thought we'd update you with news of the previous week and a half. Where did we leave you - oh yes the Uprising - March 10.

Well we both donned on our 'Free Tibet' t-shirts and we up at the crack of dawn to join the other thousands of Tibetans to rally down the side of the Himalaya mountain. After the Dalai Lama made a cracking speech, and a memorial was unveiled to those who died in March 2008 - Laura was thrust into the limelight of Asian International News and gave an interview about why we are here supporting the cause. Anyone catch it?
After our 6 mile hike waving flags and chanting we made it back up the mountain and were in desperate need of a good old drink (or 5)... 5 Kingfishers later & altitude = fun times. Along with
our co-ordinators Dawa and Chok we proceeded to eat out weight in daal, naan, paneer (cant remember what else was on the table - probably a few more Kingfishers in the mix) in what is known in McLoed Ganj as "Pierce Brosnan's favourite hang-out" a restaurant called McLlo.

Started on the volunteering front. We have been placed at the Tibetan Refugee Day School where we are teaching reading and English. The children actually seem a little more advanced in English than the Indian children we have met so far. Dawa informed us that the exposure of the Tibetan situation in the press has led to an influx of funds and the schools and educational system in McLoed Ganj is actually pretty developed. This means most of the Tibetan children have a sturdy grasp on English and we have progressed to songs and tales of Dick Wittington.

As well as teaching at the school we have started participating in an English evening conversation class run by a couple of Tibetan students. The class is aimed towards new refugees to the area, getting then involved in the local scene and trying to improve their English. Debs has fallen in love with a monk - "he's just sooooo cute" who loves the fact she's from Oxford. We both love a bit of the monk! She purchased him an 'Oxford English Dictionary' which we shall unveil this evening.

Apart from volunteering - over the weekend Laura had a touch of the 'belly' :-( and Debs suffered from a cold. Nice. I know.
We did a Tibetan Cooking Class with Sangye's and learnt how to make the Tibetan delicacy 'momos' - they are amazing. no lie. Spinach & Cheese and Chocolate momos are our favourite. Chocolate Momos are the bomb diggity as it has been said - we'll cook for you when we're home!

We've had a wonderful massage 6 Squid for an hours bliss. We have explored the amazing surroundings with a couple of treks to nearby hang-outs and waterfalls. On our last trip to the waterfall along from McLoed Laura was attaked by a mountain goat, who seemingly mistook her green hair for mountain shrubbery. Debs was surrounded by dogs - they seem to like her - with one even following her all the way home. Imagine a dog Pied Piper if you were. Debs is hating the dog howls at 3 am. But they are just serenading her.

Went to McLlo again last week -with a couple of volunteers we had met and had a wonderful experience with old McPervison - who continued to stare with his hands down his trousers. He thought his luck was in it seems and even followed us upstairs. So we have quite a fan club in old McLoed - McPervison, dogs and goats.

Just a last note to tell you how terrific our host family is - 'Aunty', Tsetan and Tashi have been absolutely incredible. Aunty's cooking is out of this world. We wake up to a breakfast feast of porridge, Fried Eggy Bread, Pancakes and fresh Chaai. Set well and truly up for the day. Evening meals are even better with favourites being - momos, chow mein and Thukpa (noodle soup). They have even taught us Tibetan (seeing as our Hindi is actually quite useless in this town). We are truly going to miss them all!

Off to Chandigarh 2mrw for the next step - will keep you posted as I know its probably the highlight of your day.
Much Love to you All. Sals and Shlugs xXx

Tuesday 9 March 2010
Sorry for the delay guys Week 1 has been crazy! to start from the beginning.
At Delhi baggage claim - Me "god do you know how many bags airlines lose each year, like millions." 20 minutes later Debs and I are the only ones left standing around the belt.
They lost Deb's bag. Horror. After much disbelief she figured it would be okay as she had packed her make-up in her hand luggage. to quote her "there is a god."
The week proceeded with lots of bag drama, with Debs and I visiting the airport. a lot.
Things perked up on the Monday as Debs and I participated in Holi (one of the biggest Hindu festivals of the year) Imagine a huge water, mud, paint-throwing fight and you've pretty much got Holi. Being blonde we were targeted massively. Fun times. Downside = the paint has dyed our beautifully blonde hair. I'm now highlighter green. Debs a lovely shade of red. Bad times.

The week proceeded with our Host family in Delhi -Raj and Namu kindly took great care of us. Along with 4 others Angele, Becky, Rahul and Ari we started our Hindi lessons "Namaste" and explored the sights. Harrassed for photos everywhere we went. white skin with red and green hair meant we stuck out just a little. Food was amazing. Touch of the belly but no full escapades to date. We'll keep you posted. Took Raj and Namu out for a meal and got them drunk - Western style. Have bought our weight in jewellery, pashminas, shoes etc. Week ended with a trip to the Taj Mahal. Breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. You should all go.

Flew up in a tin can to Dharamsala yesterday. We couldn't speak it is that beautiful. Our room looks out onto the Himalayas. Jealous? have explored the markets and have drunk Chai tea with the locals. Met the president of tehe National Democratic Party of Tibet this morning for a political discussion as you do. We have been invited to work with the government administration next May. Taking part in a political rally tomorrow to highlight the Tibetan cause for freedom from Chinese occupation.

Hope you're all okay. We miss you lots and lots.
Thats all for now folks. x

Day 0

So here it is guys....the blog part one! All packed (just)...Sals packpack 26kilos. Shlugs packpack 33kilos. Allowance 25kilos. No ones getting presents.

flying at 9pm this evening, arriving in Delhi tomorrow. Keep in touch via faceyb and hotmail...Debs will have different sim cards in each country so wont get texts/calls.

will keep you all updated!
S + S xxx