India

Mumbai

We arrived in Mumbai on 10th May and what an arrival it was! Due to the swine flu outbreak we had to fill in a health form - all very official - until we arrived at the airport. We had to fight our way through crowds to be checked by medical staff who because of the amount of people couldn't even see our faces but passed us as healthy anyway! Our first impressions were of a busy, hot, noisy, smelly and dirty city. Not one of our favourite places! However, we spent a lovely day sightseeing which included the Gateway of to India, the fish market, Taj Palace Hotel, a boat ride in the harbour and eating Thali! Never the less we were quite pleased to be leaving for Goa the next morning! We arrived at the train station to catch a 6.30 train but sadly it was delayed by 4 hours - quite normal we were assured by others who were also waiting. So we joined them on the platform for the wait. We finally arrived in Goa just before midnight.

Little Angels

We are living in a small village called Calvim which is in north Goa. It is actually on an island that is acessible by ferry 0 always fun negotiating the many scooters that come on an off at the same time as cars and people! We are living with a Brazilian couple, Pedro and Genilda, who have been here for 10 years. They also have an adopted Indian daughter - Owie. We are getting very involved with a project which has just opened called Little Angels. This is a home for children with Special Needs. At the moment there are two boys living there - Kumar and Gabriel. They are both lovely and we are having lots of fun getting to know them! There should be three more children arriving when school starts next week. Deepak is a young guy who used to live at the previous children's home they ran and is now helping out at Little Angels. David and he have become firm friends and have enjoyed building fires in the garden! Which leads us onto the work we have been doing. So far it has been very practical. David has been gardening and cementing part of the house. Zoe has been painting, teaching and trying to learn to cook some of the delicious food that Owie prepares. Amongst the work there has also been lots of fun which include a visit to the beach and playing Carrom (a great game flicking counters around!) - more often than not India beat England but we are getting better! We hope to go to Pune soon to see some of the projects that are begin run over there.

Goa

We have had some free time to explore some of Goa on a moped - which seems to be the main method of transport here. We have seen up to five people on one moped but we have only managed the two of us! The markets are amazing, full of fresh veg, fruits and spices! We took a weekend to see the northern beaches and so far our favourite has to be Bogmalo. Some of them were very busy as although it is the end of the tourist season it is now holiday season for Indians. We love the sea although it isn't that refreshing as it is generally like getting into a very warm bath! It is a really beautiful area and we are assure that it is just a beautiful but just a 'little wetter' in the monsoon season! It is due to start raining next week so we will let you know!

Well that's all for now! We are off to church in Panjim where David has been asked to give the sermon!

Leaving New Zealand

So the weather has become colder and wetter which can only mean one thing it is time to move on to a warmer climate! It has become quite cold I have even started to wear trousers over shorts in the last week. But when we think about the seasons May here would be November in the UK. It has been a near perfect Autumn, with bright sunshine which warms you and lovely golden leaves that fall to sit crisply on the ground. We are back in Auckland and staying with our friends the Websters. Last Sunday we sold our good and trusty van. We were shocked at the amount of vans that were on sale and as it is now out of season there were not many buyers. But we did manage to sell her on that day. We are now trying to get ourselves ready for India which we leave for on Sunday morning.

Highlights from New Zealand

1. Walking - we have done some great walks or tramps as the natives call them. We have managed to see some great parts of the country. We have seen incredible wildlife and of course we even manageded to get lost!

2. Fishing - we have both enjoyed the fishing. Sitting on the rocks in the sun was so much fun. But also was catching and eating the fish. I also enjoyed it when the line got stuck on the rocks and I (David) would have to get naked and dive in to free the line.

3. Friends - we have met some great people. Everywhere you go in this country you meet lovey people. This could be at church or on the bus or even fruit picking.

4. Weather - it has been so nice to have proper seasons with not much rain. The only drawback is the sun is so bright. We need to wear sunglasses almost everyday.

5. White water rafting was so much fun. I loved jumping off the cliff but the water was so cold.

Native speak

Sweet as!! Roughly means Very good. A term of approval

Good on you!! You hear this everywhere. Another term of approval

She'll be right!! Don't worry it will be OK.

Food and Drink

Sausage on a stick is great you can get it everywhere. If your lucky they dip it in red stuff.

Ice cream they then dip in hot chocolate sauce giving it a hard coat.

L and P a drink that can only be bought here a little like 7up.



Good bye from New Zealand and we are about to start the return trip with a "little" stop off in India.