22.06.10 - 07.07.10

After what seemed like a long time we finally left Kashmir. There were further delays due to tensions between Kashmir and the Indian government, the Kashmiris were rioting as the government were pretty much screwing them over (this was the opinion of the locals anyway). It seemed to be a bit of a vicious circle because the army kept shooting people which just caused the locals to carry on rioting, and because the buses are government run we were unable to catch one because they were all cancelled until things calmed down. Finally the day came when things settled down enough for us to get a bus the hell out of there, which was a relief as were we getting rather fed up of the severe lack of alcohol and single women in Kashmir. It appeared we got out just in time, the day after the shit hit the fan when the protesters burnt down the police station and other government buildings. Little scamps.

Things certainly perked up when we arrived in Delhi, we had arranged to stay at Imran's, our new friend's. That night we went out with some of his mates, and being a wealthy bunch they took us to a 5-star hotel. We felt somewhat out of place but it was all built paid for and we felt like right big shots! The nights out continued that week as it seemed like we were making up for the lack of them in Kashmir. Many funny stories came of them, but I have chosen not to share any of them. Some things are best kept in India.

Apart from the nightlife we have been enjoying some of Delhi which we didn't when we first arrived, such as going around the markets and knocking around on rickshaws (tuk-tuks) which one of them foolishly let me drive. Lucky he did not know about my track record.

So next on the agenda is a 48 hour train to Kerala, we had planned to visit the Taj Mehal and Jaipur this week but swapped things round a bit for weather reasons. Baldies arn't so bald anymore but we are still going strong!