Things came to a nerve racking end in Australia as time and time again people viewed the car, sometimes on several occasions, and then gave us the run around. We really started trying to consider our options for getting rid of it if it didn't sell. It then came down to the penultimate day of our stay, and the worst possible happened, it broke down (yes, again!). Luck was shining on us in some sort of way that day though, as we had broken down outside a hostel, opposite a Toyota dealership, who took a look for us, and confirmed it wasn't a flat battery (it wouldn't start) but the air conditioning condenser had seized. Easy, just drop the alternator down and remove the belt and try and start it. Well it would be easy if I had some tools, again luck was on our side and next to the Toyota dealership was a backpacker van rental, complete with workshop, they were kind enough to let me use whatever I needed. A couple of 12mm spanners later and a new alternator belt from the Toyota garage (the one they use for Camry's that don't have A/C) and she was alive again! Not only that but the annoying whining sound that had been putting people off had disappeared. We had a viewing that evening and then an offer in the night, he would buy the car on our LAST DAY for the same money we had paid 2 months earlier (which still left us out of pocket due to the amount of repairs we had done but at least we got some money back!).
A couple of days later we found ourselves in Chennai, celebrating my birthday over a cheap vegetarian curry. On the flight there Fran had organised a surprise birthday cake with champers to celebrate - aaah! We enjoyed visiting a film studio, some bazaars, a small town called Mamallapuram which had lots of interesting rock carvings, and generally just getting back into Asia mode, enjoying the local flavours. We only had a couple of days before flying to Delhi, where we went to a tailors and were measured for suits. Delhi is an interesting place which in parts is a lot cleaner and less congested than I had imagined, but other parts more than make up for it with horn beeping rickshaws and piles of rubbish lining the streets. We had a week to fill so booked train tickets to do the loop known as the Golden Triangle, first stop Agra and the Taj Mahal. The Taj really is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, built by the Raj as a monument for his wife who had passed away, a testament to their love. We really enjoyed walking around the grounds and seeing it up close, its simplicity one of the keys to its magnificent aura.
Next stop was Jaipur, in Rajistan, an old capital with ancient city walls and old city centre, all painted pink by a previous ruler as it was a colour of prosperity. Things are slightly more chilled out here, and the food is good. Our favourite was a local Indian Thali house, with no menu choice, but vegetarian Thali, all you can eat (they bring round more Chapati's, Naans, Rice and Dal), for only 50 Rupees (£0.70 in our currency!). We still wanted to visit small town India, so made the journey to Pushkar, and things got really laid back with hippies and dreadlocks hanging out everywhere. The town has a nice (but touristy) market, which we wandered around, and a lake which is a pilgrimage destination for Hindus (although it wasn't too pretty given the fact they were cleaning it on a grand scale).
Back in Delhi we had just enough time to pick up our suits after final alterations and enjoy a couple more meals out, our year was almost up. We were feeling good about going home, living out of a backpack and in hostels / hotels / a tent / an RV really takes its toll, the excitement of seeing all our family and friends after such a long time really cheered us up. For the time being we will be staying at my folks house and letting our tenant continue to rent our house, until we can get jobs and pay off some of the debt we have accrued (we went sightly over budget - I blame the Holden Apollo!).
And I guess that's about it really, if we met you when we were travelling then hope to see you again sometime soon, if we knew you before we went then hope to see you real soon! If you gave us a roof for a night or more, then a huge thank you for your hospitality, feel free to visit us in Bromley when we have our house back and I'm sure we'll be able to find you somewhere to sleep! Take care everyone, thanks for reading!
A couple of days later we found ourselves in Chennai, celebrating my birthday over a cheap vegetarian curry. On the flight there Fran had organised a surprise birthday cake with champers to celebrate - aaah! We enjoyed visiting a film studio, some bazaars, a small town called Mamallapuram which had lots of interesting rock carvings, and generally just getting back into Asia mode, enjoying the local flavours. We only had a couple of days before flying to Delhi, where we went to a tailors and were measured for suits. Delhi is an interesting place which in parts is a lot cleaner and less congested than I had imagined, but other parts more than make up for it with horn beeping rickshaws and piles of rubbish lining the streets. We had a week to fill so booked train tickets to do the loop known as the Golden Triangle, first stop Agra and the Taj Mahal. The Taj really is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, built by the Raj as a monument for his wife who had passed away, a testament to their love. We really enjoyed walking around the grounds and seeing it up close, its simplicity one of the keys to its magnificent aura.
Next stop was Jaipur, in Rajistan, an old capital with ancient city walls and old city centre, all painted pink by a previous ruler as it was a colour of prosperity. Things are slightly more chilled out here, and the food is good. Our favourite was a local Indian Thali house, with no menu choice, but vegetarian Thali, all you can eat (they bring round more Chapati's, Naans, Rice and Dal), for only 50 Rupees (£0.70 in our currency!). We still wanted to visit small town India, so made the journey to Pushkar, and things got really laid back with hippies and dreadlocks hanging out everywhere. The town has a nice (but touristy) market, which we wandered around, and a lake which is a pilgrimage destination for Hindus (although it wasn't too pretty given the fact they were cleaning it on a grand scale).
Back in Delhi we had just enough time to pick up our suits after final alterations and enjoy a couple more meals out, our year was almost up. We were feeling good about going home, living out of a backpack and in hostels / hotels / a tent / an RV really takes its toll, the excitement of seeing all our family and friends after such a long time really cheered us up. For the time being we will be staying at my folks house and letting our tenant continue to rent our house, until we can get jobs and pay off some of the debt we have accrued (we went sightly over budget - I blame the Holden Apollo!).
And I guess that's about it really, if we met you when we were travelling then hope to see you again sometime soon, if we knew you before we went then hope to see you real soon! If you gave us a roof for a night or more, then a huge thank you for your hospitality, feel free to visit us in Bromley when we have our house back and I'm sure we'll be able to find you somewhere to sleep! Take care everyone, thanks for reading!
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