Hope you managed to find a tv in time for the Champions League final but, if not, you didn't miss much.
The big game's actually this Monday - West Brom v Derby in the Chamionship play-off final at Wembley!  Make sure you find a tv in time for that...
Come on you Baggies!

I'm sure Beth's already told you but can you believe old Raftery's gone and got engaged! There's now a massive conspiracy theory that the wedding's going to be before you and Beth get back from your travels so they can save a few bob on the guest list! Thomson has been doing her best to staunchly oppose such a move. I shouldn't worry though, it'll probably be February before Mike's organised any kind of celebratory drinks.

Hey Danny! I forgot to say in my email a second ago. Maybe delve into 'A Suitable Boy' or 'Two Lives' both by Vikram Seth. He's s'posed to be amazing! It comes recommended from my book-club. When in India... c x

Hey Dan!

Just caught up on your blog posts - sounds fab. and you on a camel -thats wicked! Was it smelly? Was it a one humper or two? i hear the one humpers aren't as comfortable! Alls well here - just had all my hair cut off though! The show opens tommorow night on the main stage next door so its all rather hectic here. Wish us luck!

Really love reading your blog posts dan - i know what mat mean about the guardian esk style - personally i love it cos i get to learn new words! hope your okay dan and meeting lots of interesting people. Beths coming over next weekend for the race for life which i'm really looking forward to. Went for a run at 7am this morning - now thats dedication!

Take care and keep a good stock of immodium! Lots of love x x x

Hi everyone. Great to hear from you. I'm now in Bombay/Mumbai and will post a proper entry soon. It's also difficult uploading photos since the connection is quite slow over here. Anyway, I thought I'd try and reclaim my blog before it becomes some sort of subversive anti-Dan page. I don't think it will take you guys long. Anyway, a huge 22hr bus journey allowed me to escape the humdrum of Diu to the quite friendly, so far, Bombay. First impressions are good but I'm sure I'll find something that annoys me soon. Saying that, am struggling to be able to watch the Champions League final tonight which is now Number 1 priority. Selfishly, the Salvation Army dorm where I'm staying (v cheap though i don't think I've got budgetitus yet) doesn't have ESPN or Sky. What's a man to do??!!

Hi Dan, I didnt make your farewell (slapped wrist) but great to hear all your news and stories from across the globe - I wish I'd done something similar for Aus - but I suppose a 3 week trip isnt the same as your adventure will be!

5 pairs of boxers! Living life on the edge arent you ;o)

Keep up the typing !!!

Take care Shell x

Hi Dan lovely to hear from you today Dave phoned as soon as we put the phone down spooky eh. Its brilliant reading your blog you and your friends experiences sounds amazing. Me and Dad all sorted now on internet and  wi fi too so should be able to keep up with your travels now. Take care stay safe talk soon love mum xxxxxxx

Hey Dan

Blimey - reading Bryce's message will keep you in India for the whole 8 months!

News from DCMS - Chandru has now started - still very keen (well someone has to be !) Ian has broken his rib playing football and is whinging like a girl ! Ransome is being unbearable (no!) re West Ham - but thankfully you are not here to back him up... We are all looking forward to the new government line-up - well we are civil servants and these things seem exciting for the first 5 minutes!

Went to see Patti Smith in concert last week - she was excellent! And have tickets to see Prince in August.

Going to be off for a couple of weeks but will keep in touch with your progress and send you rude messages

C

Yey, photos at last!!! The happy snap skills are coming along nicely babe x

Namaste Daniel

Mumbai is going to be great. It's a crazy place. I spent a week there in 2004 on my way to London, and I loved it. There are thousands of what like 1950s Indian versions of Austin Ferinas painted black and yellow and used as taxis. No seatbelts of course, but they are pretty groovy, and drive at high speeds all over the road, tooting at anything their way and disregarding the painted lanes.

Driving into the city, you'll see the masses of slums which are a bit depressing, but you'll later realise that the people in them are the "lucky ones", when you eventually see countless thousands of homeless people sleeping on the footpaths. Quite full-on. And, of course, you've probably already seen we lots of beggars. It's hard to know how to handle it. There's certainly some minor scams going on, but it is difficult to ignore the fact that people are living such an extreme existence while you're walking around with an expensive digital camera etc. But, I also reckon it's quite safe there, and people are very friendly.

Mumbai is huge - it's the second biggest city in the world (apparently after Toyko). And half of its 16 million people live in the slums. But it's also a very wealthy city, with a large middle-class and apparently more millionaires than in Manhatten.

Also, like Manhatten, Mumbai is an island, linked to the mainland by a number of bridges. And the island is made up of lots of little islands that have been joined together by reclaimed land. I guess you'll be staying at the very south of the island, in the area called Colaba.

Make sure you go to Chowpatty Beach, and make sure you eat bhelpuri (thin, crisp rounds of fried dough and vegetables and spices).

I have to say that I'm impressed that you're becoming vegetarian! Well done.

I hope I haven't taken over your blog! But just wanted to pass on my enthusiasms for Mumbai. 

And Sarah says not to bother going to Elephant Island. And I say that you should drink heaps of the fresh fruit juices they sell on the side of the street. Yum!

Namaste 

Bryce

Hello Dan, what can I say - you could be the first 'Marco Polo' from Essex travelling around the Far East ! - what a wonderful experience for you (& Beth when she meets up with you)- I hope its nothing like 'Carry on Up the Khyber'- joking apart, we are all thinking of you,  - make sure you get some good roast dinners, to keep up your stamina etc - talking of samosas',Mrs Patel (at no.4) makes a good vegetable samosa,& she was very interested about your travels thro' India. Look after yourself & keep safe, love from Mum & Dad.

Yo man. Hows things? good i hope. didnt realise youd gone anywhere at first. til we left the airport without you. your blog entries sound like youre writing for the guardian or something - a bit too much for a metro reader like myself. Put in some stuff about paris hilton and you might reach a more mainstream audience...! i know it would keep claire gripped at least ;0) india sounds pretty full on. Bet you wont wanna see another samosa for a while. so what are you missing more, football or cheese?See you soon(ish). take care mate,Mat