Nikki BRUNEI (Jo) 23.3.10 Kate 1 Apr 2010 "nothing of interest for the average visitor" - hah hah I love this phrase. Must get it printed on to a t-shirt. Depressingly apt.Heh heh. Sarah D 27 Mar 2010 LOL at Corynne's comment.Does anyone remember Toby the Tortoise/Tony the Turtle? Corynne 26 Mar 2010 Am impressed you're still blogging! Well done Mrs Coat, you have learnt to focus on the task really well, and I'm sure you are collaborating with your peers too. Fantastic work :) !x

Nikki MIRI (Jo) 17.3.10 onwards SarahD 26 Mar 2010 What have you done with the real Jo you imposter? The real one would never have been so fascinated with domestic chores in Windsor.ah, no, now I see: the mention of alcohol, actively avoiding exercise. . .. it IS you after all!It all sounds very relaxing after the relative "hecticness" of travelling round India. But what's next?? Nikki 25 Mar 2010 Delighted to hear that the menu for sundowners has expanded so much since leaving India. I wonder if you'll have the opportunity to visit any of those infamous bars and see if they have changed since Miri was defined as seedy in 1994?! Corynne 24 Mar 2010 R.e. the last paragraph...Why on earth are you even CONSIDERING coming back you mad woman??!! It sounds ideal! I may emigrate...and become an amah too!!PS. Have looked up Borneo on google (am v bad in the geography stakes...!), and now know where you are! I will tell The Ragster... SarahD 26 Mar 2010 What have you done with the real Jo you imposter? The real one would never have been so fascinated with domestic chores in Windsor.ah, no, now I see: the mention of alcohol, actively avoiding exercise. . .. it IS you after all!It all sounds very relaxing after the relative "hecticness" of travelling round India. But what's next?? Nikki 25 Mar 2010 Delighted to hear that the menu for sundowners has expanded so much since leaving India. I wonder if you'll have the opportunity to visit any of those infamous bars and see if they have changed since Miri was defined as seedy in 1994?! Corynne 24 Mar 2010 R.e. the last paragraph...Why on earth are you even CONSIDERING coming back you mad woman??!! It sounds ideal! I may emigrate...and become an amah too!!PS. Have looked up Borneo on google (am v bad in the geography stakes...!), and now know where you are! I will tell The Ragster... KL (Nikki) 16.3.10-19.3.10 Jo 19 Mar 2010 Very jealous of the steam iron... Poor Charlotte's still isn't working after I blew it up on my first day here! All my clothes have been through the washing machine so I'm having to sport the creased look.

Nikki TRIVANDRUM 15.3.10-16.3.10 Kate 21 Mar 2010 You can come home now the sun is shining! You look disgustingly healthy,glad you have had such a good trip. See you soon! Ros 17 Mar 2010 You look so relaxed and happy Nikki, it's obviously been a great trip. Look forward to hearing more when you are home. love Ros Kate 16 Mar 2010 Jo-Has anyone let you know that an extra infant has been added to the Moldovan wing of the family? :-)It was hard to think of anyone potentially more out of the loop than I am, but I suddenly realised that you're...well... wherever it is that you are....and that you may yet need informing.It's a girl! Ella. Changed from Clea. But that's another story. Lorraine 16 Mar 2010 You can come home now. The sun is shining. It sounds like you have had such a wonderful time. I am looking forward to hearing more. x Jean 16 Mar 2010 What a fantastic trip, Nik and you look great - tanned and healthy. Those of us left here are white and pasty and full of cold. Oh glorious England! But spring has sprung the last few days so you've missed the bad stuff. Hope you enjoy KL. My best mate Sarah lives there now if you need a contact. Hope to see you soon. We are in London in April.........Love JX VARKALA 6.3.10-15.3.10 Kate 16 Mar 2010 Glad to see that some beer-based beverages have finally emerged! This trip has been so awash with gin that I was starting to wonder if you were both starring in your own William Hogarth engraving. Now Shandy has been mentioned I can give you my top (for 'top' read 'only) drinking tip- use ginger beer instead of lemonade in your Shandy. You might have to save this one up 'til you're back. Lindsey 16 Mar 2010 Gosh how did you deal with the stress? How tanned? Where to eat? Sea breeze or air con? Have a G&T girls, you need to chill out!! Kit 16 Mar 2010 How delightful it all sounds. I'm only worried about the excessive quantities of alcohol this trip has entailed. Will you be coming back pickled, as well as brown? Tracy 15 Mar 2010 Aah that's more like it! was getting exhausted just reading the blog with all your travels, now I feel much more relaxed .zzzzz Corynne 14 Mar 2010 I just lost my comment...! Will try again...Am guessing you didn't have to work too hard to relax?! Love the hill top huts and the view from them- fantastic.Will leave you both to perfect your very tough routine-you poor things! (i'm still picturing Jo haggling...!) Sarah Davison 14 Mar 2010 aah, yes: I remember the bargaining! from slices of pineapple or sarongs on the beach to meals, rooms and transport it pays to have Jo with you. COCHIN 3.3.10-6.3.10 Lindsey 16 Mar 2010 That's hilarious. I must admit I never really thought they used those nets. Well now they obviously do, and good for them! Glad you didn't fall in..... thought that would have been a very good photo... x Corynne 13 Mar 2010 Grrrr, you blog is like a bus... can't keep up! Love the photos again, it looks really tranquil, as do you!(the retail therapy sounds fab!) Make the most of it.

Nikki DELHI 3 (Nikki) 2.3.10 Ros 13 Mar 2010 What no fuschia pink hair? I'm disappointed Nikki!!!!! Sounds a fantastic sight to watch!!see you soon. love Ros

Nikki OOTY (Jo) 26.2.10-3.3.10 Kate 16 Mar 2010 "Blackpool style attractions" and a meat market in the same paragraph. Quelle surprise. Tracy 12 Mar 2010 Just caught up with this - your best blog yet Jo. Very humbling reading about your visit to the children's home - I'm surprised they let you out of there tho I'm sure you'll be back. I too am confused about the Chai! Corynne 10 Mar 2010 18k??! Am aching at the thought (as my sis continues her training for the London Marathon-we are so similar...) And I hate to be ignorant, but is "chai" tea or wine?!!You sound like you were in your element at the children's home- what a fantastic place, and what an inspiration- you should stay and do volunteer work in return for lodgings and chai- every child deserves a bit of the Cope influence! (Maybe you could do a bit of singing practise with them too!!!!) XP.S I hate to name and shame, but Miss Ragiiit- I know you are reading this again... so add a comment!! Sarah D 10 Mar 2010 Jothis particular entry makes me think you have not lost your wanderlust and Windsor will seem very dull when you return. Although the upside of BErkshire is that it doesn't offer the challenges of extreme exercise! Obviously all the walking did take its toll as there is not a single mention of the evening g&t!Like you I'm not sure how I would cope with the remains of food preparation lying around on the street but I am a bit of a lightweight with that sort of thing.The childrens' home sounds inspiring; are you not tempted to return sometime?All for now; I am off to look at the pics. Charlotte 10 Mar 2010 Sounds amazing! Impressed by the treking too. Glad you've been in training for the 60 stairs to the penthouse! Gin at the top may help! 2 hotels booked now although not for the 1st 2 nights. Very welcome to hear some readers here!! See you very soon!!!!! xxx MYSORE (Jo) 26.2.10 Tracy 4 Mar 2010 The photos were worth waiting for - they're brilliant. I can see what you mean about your hotel balcony it's massive! Corynne 4 Mar 2010 I want to make a silly joke about Mysore, but won't as I am a sensible responsible adult...?!! I LOVE the colours in the market, the sun setting, dolphins... but of course it's lovely here too...!! X

Nikki VARANASI (Nikki) 25.2.10 Kate 3 Mar 2010 Jo!You're back!And now we see you were clearly the ringleader in all those previous Gin-based exploits. I feel a swell of familial pride... Charlotte 26 Feb 2010 Caught up with about 2 weeks of your blog so an overdue message. All sounds wonderful. Comment about Ken and his property searching doesn't surprise me and made me smile! Hope things are going well. Lovely to speak the other day. Must be psychic- have just bought a tray of tonic to mix with the Gordon's, in preparation for your arrival! Catch up soon. x Nikki 25 Feb 2010 I am rather jealous of the deuxe Goa experience but far, far more envious of the Gordon's gin! Now you could write a little comment on one of my pages Jo, (you know how happy we are to receive them!)there will be another 4 installments when I get to the wifi heaven of Delhi so you can take your pick... Corynne 24 Feb 2010 AT LAST!!! I thought you had fallen off the face of the earth! Every time I eagerly logged on to the blog website, I was met with another update from Nikki (albeit v. interesting!) and nothing from you...now I see why - you were too busy! It sounds like you had a fab time- I can't wait to see the photos! X

Nikki GOA (Jo) 13.2.10-22.2.10 Kate 3 Mar 2010 Jo!You're back!And now we see you were clearly the ringleader in all those previous Gin-based exploits. I feel a swell of familial pride... Charlotte 26 Feb 2010 Caught up with about 2 weeks of your blog so an overdue message. All sounds wonderful. Comment about Ken and his property searching doesn't surprise me and made me smile! Hope things are going well. Lovely to speak the other day. Must be psychic- have just bought a tray of tonic to mix with the Gordon's, in preparation for your arrival! Catch up soon. x Nikki 25 Feb 2010 I am rather jealous of the deuxe Goa experience but far, far more envious of the Gordon's gin! Now you could write a little comment on one of my pages Jo, (you know how happy we are to receive them!)there will be another 4 installments when I get to the wifi heaven of Delhi so you can take your pick... Corynne 24 Feb 2010 AT LAST!!! I thought you had fallen off the face of the earth! Every time I eagerly logged on to the blog website, I was met with another update from Nikki (albeit v. interesting!) and nothing from you...now I see why - you were too busy! It sounds like you had a fab time- I can't wait to see the photos! X

Nikki KHAJURAHO (Nikki) 20.2.10 Heidi 27 Feb 2010 Sounds amazing Nikki, a world away from here...still first signs of spring appearing and weather a bit better these past couple of days. Just come back from a scootering and bike adventure- Thomas just learnt to ride properly without stabilisers- so quite a monumental day! Off out to friend's for dinner- boys off to nanny's for the night!! Whoopee. Will wait for your next installment with anitcipation. Have fun xxx Kit 27 Feb 2010 Mmm. The thalis sound good. And so do all the sights and sounds of your trip. It is helping me get through the winter..... I don't comment every time, but I do read it all. ORCHHA (Nikki) 19.2.10 SarahD 23 Feb 2010 I'm still reading even though Jo is conspicuous by her absence! She'll have to overcome her technophobic tendencies I think! This place looks stunning. CHANDERI (Nikki) 17.2.10 Lindsey 22 Feb 2010 Sounds wonderful, especially the journey to the rock paintings off road (though the tire episode sounds scarey!) The bit when you had to learn your names in Hindi and then find your place settings at your rooftop dinner sounds like a task from Big Brother, good you all did so brilliantly! Look forward to the next leg of the amazing adventure. When are you back with Jo?

Nikki AGRA 2 (NIKKI) 15.2.10 Lindsey 16 Feb 2010 I was in that restaurant! I think I asked the rather silly question "are the walls moving?!" to be told that it was just the floor that moves (of course!!!). I think we had a bottle of Indian Merlot which may account for the general misunderstanding of the dynamics involved. Ok Nikki it didn't. It was me not the Merlot!The wedding sounds wonderful and I agree, much nicer than the proliferation of squishy laminate pink and red heart shapes in every single retailer - (key cutters? Shoe shops?) - now a white horse trotting past the Carphone Warehouse.. that WOULD have been romantic.... Kate 16 Feb 2010 It's half term. Time to put aside thoughts of wobbly teeth, squared paper and lumpy custard. Time to hang out with adults who are not on playground duty, devouring all sweets that were confiscated last term, reading existential treatise and catching up with news from India. So... where is Jo?Never mind. Nikki's continued exposure to the romance of the Indian Wedding Season has provided a comedic contrast with Valentine's Day in the Home Counties. No talking, so no noise, nothing colourful except the language of the couple having a domestic by the biffa bins, and the only thing resembling a horse was a girl in a pashmina in All Bar One. Claire 15 Feb 2010 Hi ya, bet the school trip group didn't need a risk assessment!! Thank G** it's half term ;-) C x DELHI 2 12.2.10 Kate 15 Feb 2010 Phew! Finally you have found some cake! Was seriously considering shipping some out some Mr Kipling produce to you good ladies via Ken. If only to mop up some small proportion of all that Gin you're drinking...Nice work. Claire 15 Feb 2010 Indian people really are like that on the train, it takes me back - bless them!! I felt like I was there with you in this blog and love the high tea ;-) C x Lindsey 15 Feb 2010 Ok I just added a comment and it didn't work so am trying again.... will do a copy this time in case it doesn't work...The train journey sounds hilarious but so nice that people are kind and helpful, especially the old man perching on the edge of his seat! I have just looked up the Imperial Hotel in Delhi and it looks marvellous! I love those posh hotels. I hope you both have a good time away from each other in the nicest way possible - Nikki, I look forward to hearing about your next adventure and your new "team mates" - here there is more snow forecast for the South East for later in the week...

Nikki SHEKHAWATI 9.2.10 Sue 15 Feb 2010 Yum yum. Jo I can't wait to taste your dhal makhani. Corynne 14 Feb 2010 Am soooo jealous! Of the lovely food, Rajasthani shoes (I copied and pasted that!!), camels, climate, bollywood music, EVERYTHING!! It is about minus 5 degrees here (I think...v cold anyway) and snow forecast AGAIN...I wouldn't bother coming back if I was you! julie 14 Feb 2010 Dhal is my favourite, too! Willing to share the recipe? Ros 13 Feb 2010 Really enjoying your blog. High tea made me think of Brown's, Nikki. Do you remember going there? Hope you continue to have a fantastic time. Kit 13 Feb 2010 Have been enjoying it all so far. Hope the next steps go are just as fun. Tricia 13 Feb 2010 Wow - I was right there.. sounds fantastic and typical about the night noises! JAISALMER 5.2.10 Charlotte 12 Feb 2010 Think Sarah's hit the nail on the head! Better start stocking up soon! Your pictures get better and better! Safe journey for the next bit of your adventures. x Sarah D 11 Feb 2010 I think we can see now why the blog updates are so few and far between: sounds like you only sober up now and again! JODPHUR 1.2.10 Lindsey 3 Feb 2010 And I haven't had a chance to check my comments cos I've been typing them sneakily at work and making heaps of typoooooos! I really love your photos of Jodhpur, what a beautiful and unusual place it is. I think that particular blue is my favourite colour Sarah D 3 Feb 2010 You sneaky things! just because it has been so busy at work (remember that?) that I have hardly had chance to even look at the interweb you suddenly go blogging mad and I find I am 5 entries behind.I will post something more coherent when I've had chance to read and digest properly!!hope you're still enjoying yourselves. S Lindsey 3 Feb 2010 Not sure what happened to my other comment - anyway all I said was I love that audio guide too... sounds like Cholmondeley Warner from the Harry Enfield Show. Also loved the tail of the train journey - we heard of somebody who lost their money belt down the hole in the loo of an Indian train so take care! xx NB: it's getting slightly warmer in the UK... honest! PUSHKAR 29.1.10 Lindsey 2 Feb 2010 Ouch! Both for your bottoms and for your trip companions' sore heads! I clearly rember also being very sore after a camel ride in Egypt! Hope it is feeling a little better. How does it feel to have left the tour? Can't wait to hear the next installment Udaipur 27.1.10 Lindsey 2 Feb 2010 Not sure that my last two comments came through - maybe I forget to "add comment" - anyway just wanted to say love the photos of the henna - very pretty - and I'd like to see a picture of Nikki's miniature (or not so miniature) elephant! The photos and blog are great, keep up the good "work" - hope it's fun now you're struck out on your own for new adventures. x Agra 19.1.10 lindsey 25 Jan 2010 Ah a somewhat different experience to the Diana photo shoot! But much more interesting. When I saw the Taj a couple of years ago it was very misty if not foggy (another early morning visit) but it was still amazing. Hope you've warmed up! x Kit 22 Jan 2010 I wish I was there. Not.

Nikki Delhi 15th-18th Jan Claire 21 Jan 2010 Hi Jo and Nikki, I too am being entertained by your update and look forward to the next instalment - I love the Taj say hi to it from me ;-) C x Jean 18 Jan 2010 Glad you're now in the right country! Enjoy your trip. I've not been to the Taj so I'm jealous. Looking forward to your next dispatch............XX Kate 18 Jan 2010 So this is where my family hangs out!Jo & Nicki- Please indulge me briefly.. I'm hi-jacking your blog to say Hello to Ian, Anita, Francesca and Alison! Francesca 17 Jan 2010 *sorry for our typo, meant shown not showed. Have been on this computer for hours doing work..... Unlike you, living the dream- almost stress free. Mum, Dad, Francesca and Alison 17 Jan 2010 We see Jo has already showed her true colours after a whole 5 minutes in a different country. We will be looking out for the wanted mug shot. Hope there are no more delays, xxx Charlotte 17 Jan 2010 Your entry made me laugh mid report writing and planning so you'll be pleased to know your delay WAS actually worth it. Can just picture the scene in Dubai but isn't the airport SO much better although I did 7 hrs last year and it nearly killed me! Didn't have Jo there to amuse me!Keep up the great commentary. Glad to know we can text.Enjoy x Tracy 16 Jan 2010 Glad you've arrived safe - Jo you obviously had to call on all your wiillow class crowd control tactics! Lorraine 15 Jan 2010 So you have arrived safely. Hope you get lots of sleep before your travels really begin. Sue 15 Jan 2010 So the adventure has really begun. I love it.

Nikki Kit 14 Jan 2010 Ah well, Niks is used to snow from Montreal and it appears her digging prowess allowed her to get to the airport on time. Too bad about the fog in Delhi though. Can you post an itinerary though? I wanna know where you are going. Bon voyage! Anne 14 Jan 2010 Hi Nikki!Oh no not fog!Sorry to hear about your disappointing start. I'm sure the sun will be shining on you soon.No more snow days for us for a while I shouldn't think.Take care, Anne x Rhi 13 Jan 2010 Hey Nicola!One more 'sleep' and away you go!Looking forward to the diary entries...are you going to be a Bryson or a Theroux??Hope Gatwick goes smoothly tomorrow!Love Rhi x Sarah Davison 13 Jan 2010 not envious at all, not envious at all. And repeat.Have a fantastic time and try not to worry about us all shivering here in the UK.Look forward to plenty of photos and blog updates.

Nikki Ros 12 Jan 2010 Have a wonderful time. look forward to hearing all about it. Enjoy every minute. I'll think of you when I'm driving through the snow!!!! love Ros Jenny 12 Jan 2010 Well you haven't even left yet and I am already incredibly jealous! Make sure you keep us posted and your blogs will either brighten up the dark evenings or send me into a spiral of depression. :) Have a wonderfully amazing time and we'll have to meet up for some pink wafers and maybe a drinkie or two when you are back Nikki! Take care. xx Francesca and Alison 12 Jan 2010 Envious beyond belief! (al) Have a great time and we shall see you at easter :D XX Jean 12 Jan 2010 Have a fantastic time! Are you sure you don't want to stay in Yorkshire with my boys so I can go instead?!! Lindsey 12 Jan 2010 All I can say is have a wonderful time, of course I know that you will. And that's all I'm saying for now as I want to come with you!! Kate 11 Jan 2010 Tomorrow the world, Girls!Or almost tomorrow almost the world.You're an inspiration, quite frankly. Charlotte 11 Jan 2010 Hope your bags are packed and you're ready to go.. well almost. Very jealous of your adventure and look forward to reading / seeing all about it although not sure about the India section- I mean who needs to see the Taj when there's Miri on the itinerary?! Anyway, happy travels and Jo I have faith in you being coordinated at all times! x