Bonjour Ok, what a busy time I've had. Flew up to Dehli from Kerala on the 3rd March, met Mum and her cousin Jean on the 5th at the International Airport. Started two-week package holiday with a tour of Dehli, then over to Neemrana, Jaipur, Agra, Unchagoan, Nainital (which was bloomin' freezin!), Corbett National Park (which was bloomin' amazin'!), Haridwar, Rishikesh and finally back to Dehli. Have seen and done much in the two weeks, including catch a bit of a stomach bug much to my annoyance, because it's the first time I've been poorly since I came back in December. Finally got to see the Ganges (Ganga), the observatory, Palace of the Winds, City and Amber Palaces in Jaipur. We visited the Taj Mahal which was every bit as beautiful as I hoped. We went on safari three times, by elephant, jeep and canter (open-sided, bus-type vehilce). Didn't see tigers but did see (here goes. . .) one elephant, monkeys, langurs, sambar/barking/spotted deer, wild pigs, peacocks, serpent/lesser fish/tawny eagles, brown fish owl, red-headed or king vultures, little green bee eaters (bird), kingfishers and no end of other bird life. It's been an incredible experience. The tour ended on a high. We stayed in "The Glasshouse on the Ganges", 20km out of Rishikesh, which was absolutely fabulous, comfortable and homely, with fantastic staff. The morning of the last day in Rishikesh was spent white water rafting down the Ganges!!!! Yes, Mum and Jean joined in and we all had a hoot! It was great fun - very wet, but great fun. So, back to Dehli and the normality of having to carry my own bags again and argue with taxi/rickshaw drivers, etc. Have booked a flight to Chennai tomorrow and will go down to Pondicherry (50km south) to sit on a beach and not do much for the last two weeks of my travels. I'm flying home 2nd April and although I'll be sad to leave India and her delights behind, I must say, I'm very ready to go home. Saying goodbye to Mum this morning as she and Jean left for the airport was very difficult and I started to wonder why I hadn't just booked my flight home from Dehli on the same day. Think once I get out of Dehli and back by the sea I'll be fine. Hopefully will meet up with Russell again before I leave, that's if he's not too busy having fun!!! Hope you're all well - hope to see you all soon. Kate x