As promised...

 ...some photos now in the gallery for you.   More to follow.    

We left Shillong the day after the 'Finish Party' (5am!) with aim of getting off that mountain to catch our flight to Delhi.  Sad to leave our mighty rickshaw... but bloody happy we don't have to drive that thing again on those Indian roads.  

Its been a crazy few weeks here in India.  Mixed emotions about it all...but amazing memories for us all.  Each day, in fact each hour was totally unpredictable.  So many stories, I can't even begin to write about them on this blog..so photos will have to suffice for now.  

Enjoy!  

                          

Thank 'tuk' we've made it!

We've made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We're sipping tea in Shillong very pleased with ourselves that we made the finish line...and are alive still.   Apologies for the lack of contact the last few days.  Its been a tough few days for us.  Roads of hell, towns that i have no idea what they are called (because they are not even on our map!), break downs, punctures, and we've inhailed more diesel fumes and dust in the last 48 hours than the whole trip!  Blessed by Assam locals in one town...which would of been nice, if it wasn't at 11pm when we were trying to get to bed.  All very surreal.   I can't even begin to describe the conditions of the roads we have been on.. but amazed our 'shaw' is still in one piece.  

However, after making good ground after our break down, we hoped the last 100km upto Shillong would be like a sunday afternoon drive.  Wishful thinking!  Road was steep, bloody busy and very dusty.  2nd and 3rd gear all the way up and overtaking manoeuvres on blind bends that would make anyone cack their pants.  Managed to blow a hole in the exhaust too...so it now sounds like a West Auckland bogans car.  

Anyway... consumed some beer,  had showers, and today we all did a victory lap of the town.  It was like something from the Italian Job!  All good fun.  Tonight is the Finish party... and we'll enjoy our cold Kingfisher knowing we don't have to brave those India roads again.  Sad to say good bye to our little 'shaw' though. Its done us proud.

And just for record... we came 9th!  So very chuffed with ourselves.

I'll get some photos on the web site very soon.  

If you are reading this and haven't sponsored us.... please do.  Believe me... your donation has been well earned.

Rickshaw Run 2011...Done!   

Cow!

I promise to never moan at Auckland traffic ever again!

...and we're off!

We didn't even make the start line....and we ran out of fuel!!!  But thanks to our friendly local rickshaw driver, lots of running around, hose and funnel purchased.... we were ready for action.   Suffering with a bit of a hangover, we made our way to Coimbatore.   Not the nicest of cities i have been too.  As for the journey there...not sure if India has a High Way Code book for road users...but I'm sure "you must play 'chicken' with on coming traffic" rule shouldn't be in there!!!  Might need that extra pair of pants after all! (and not for delhi belly!)   

Here's a photo of our pimped up mean machine! 

                              

10 weeks and counting….

10 weeks and counting…. That crept up quickly!! So now it’s all go!!The team are busy trying to get everything sorted so that we’re ready to set off on April 17th. Visas are being applied for, arms are being jabbed, accommodation searched for and the flights are all booked – we might even have found someone willing to let us have a ‘practice’ in their tuk tuk.India here we come!! We’re also busy trying to raise as much money as we can for our chosen charity in a variety of ways. Some of our friends and family have started to make donations. We are very grateful for that but still have a long way to go… It’s started to become a reality now and we’re getting very excited!!