SMS Update
Life without a rickshaw seems suddenly empty. Spent the day exploring Gangtok. Had the tiger fitted for a suit and saw snow leopards and red pandas at the zoo. Himalayas sadly obscured by fog but judging from the postcards they are spectacular. Heading for Delhi tomorrow.
SMS Update
We've made it to the finish in Gangtok. 3800 km across India in a lawnmower!
SMS Update
Darjeeling was a worthy point of pilgrimage and after a day's respite we are begining the final leg to Gangtok. Spies tell us it is very steep and we are weighed down with tea. Wish us luck!
SMS Update
From the ridiculous to the sublime. Another long drive yesterday, cheered by convoying with the penguins, we were, again, scrambling for a hotel room in the dark. Ended up sharing a dismal room with a few unwanted guests. Today a different story climbing up through the mist into the hills, racing the toy train up to darjeeling. Our shaw clearly has a head for heights, overtaking several others and we are now indulging in high tea!
SMS Update
Sunrise boat trip along the ghats made a beautiful start. Tina had the exhaust we'd promised her and had her values cleaned as a special tre ** some text is missing **
SMS Update
Coming to you from a terrace by the Ganges at Varanasi. James knighted for services to weaving recognising some stellar anti-truck manoeuvring and Anna gets a gold star for navigation, straight to the hotel. Both win medals of tolerance for not purchasing a cucumber, despite being stuck at a level crossing for 15 mins next to vendors who'd make car salesmen blush. Meeting with some others tonight to gloat about the tiger spotting.
SMS Update
following our tiger excitement, the drive in to Rewa, was uneventful though the 20km on a road that was more pothole than road took over an hour and a half and led to some serious off roading tuk action. The wee beastie coped admirably though we might owe her another exhaust job in Varanasi tomorrow. Early start again... We've been told the road is not the best... What's new! Cannot wait for first sight of the Ganges though.@
SMS Update
spent last night in Bandhavgarh tiger reserve... This morning we were rewarded with sight of two cubs. Inspiration for the push to Varanasi next!
SMS Update
Made it to Jabalpur on long dusty roads with monkeys lining the route. Two visits to the mechanic - exhaust, breakshoe and oil sorted -so friendly and helpful but am sure they think we are mad! Heading into Tiger country tomorrow.
SMS Update
hours on the road but we made it. Tiger diplomacy continues to work wonders, this time charming the policeman who pulled us over. So late that we stopped in the first hotel we came to in Nagpur... And turns out to be amazing. The rickshaw was valet parked!@
Anna is supporting Macmillan, who provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. To donate please visit www.justgiving.com/itsashawthinganna.
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"><strong><font color="#ff9900" size="4"><font color="#ffcc00">Te<font color="#ff9900">am</font> <font color="#ff6600">Cr</font><font color="#993300">ou</font><font color="#800000">ch</font><font color="#000000">in</font><font color="#800000">g </font><font color="#993300">Ti</font><font color="#ff6600">ge</font><font color="#ff9900">r;</font> Br<font color="#ff9900">ok</font><font color="#ff6600">en</font> <font color="#993300">Ri</font><font color="#800000">ck</font><font color="#000000">sh</font></font><font color="#800000">aw</font> </font></strong></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"></span></p><p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt">will be on the Rickshaw Run in late March.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"> </span></p><p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt">3000 kilometers across India in two weeks, from Cochin to Gangtok (no, we hadn’t heard of it either), in a the ultimate off-roader... an auto rickshaw.<span> </span>Powered by a small gerbil in each of its three wheels and apparently mendable with an elastic band and a nail, the humble rickshaw will power us the length of the subcontinent and all for good causes.</span></p><p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt">We aim to raise at least £1000 for 2 good causes and be assured that none of the money you contribute will be spent on us enjoying ourselves. Not only does this sound less and less like fun the closer we get to it, but our own expenses will be entirely covered by ourselves - all the money donated goes to charity!</span></p><p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt">Do check back for updates as we intend to fill in on a regular basis as Anna’s fingernails get shorter and James’ to do lists get longer!<span> </span>Oh and please make free with our just giving sites!</span></p><p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt">Many thanks</span></p><p align="center"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: #1c1c1c; font-size: 12pt">Anna and James</span></p></span>
