Crash and back......

 

So....all was going so well. We had just made a monumental ascent up 27 hairpin switchbacks, discovered lunch was NEVER an option on the road and were enjoying some lush new scenery when we unsuspectingly hit a bridge and flipped the rickshaw over it and into a ravine. In a heroic attempt to save us, Natalie jumped out of the shaw as we tumbled over the side. Unfortunatley, that meant she not only hit the bridge but also fell to the bottom of the ravine and cut her foot badly. Not to worry though, about 100 locals jumped out from behind the trees and helped us get ourselves and our stuff out of the ravine and onto a passing bus. Before we go on...we would like to say, we are all now fine!!!  We jumped from the bus and found a local driver to take us the remaining 100km to Mysore where  we found a hospital, ana a charming dr. Vijay who took lots of photos of the wounds for "academic purposes." THe next day Ali, found a man (actually 5 non english speaking men) and a truck to go and fish "Nelly," out. She was missing mirrors, seat, battery, speakers, etc. but her slightly torqued frame was intact minus the windshield. They enlisted the help of a passing backhoe-no joke! Got Nelly on the truck and returned to MySore in time for a lovely candlelight dinner complete w indian attire on the veranda. The next day was spent w a follow up visit to the Dr. and tinkering negotiations. Ali and Kelly thought they had struck a deal only to find that we were an easy mark the next day! Suffice to say, we got ripped off but Nelly runs and we love her spirit!!!

Deciding that time was running short we drove her to Bangalore w the intention of hopping on a train with her to Kolkata. Two days of negotiation and a very very kind Saif (local tuk tuk driver that has befriended us and become a local celebrity in the process) has meant that we set sail (or rail as the case may be) tonight. 35 hours to Kolkata and then w a much healed Pinon, we are back in the race!!! 

in the words of many of you "an adventure you wanted, an adventure you got!!"

And so it continues.....  the three of us are looking forward to the train ride and to getting back on Nelly at the other side. To our friends and family, thanks for your support over the last few days. To the other teams, Courage! We wish you godspeed!

Looking forward to dancing the night away in Sikkim!