Bon Voyage/Our Trip from New Zealand to the Himalayas!

Finally we are here...

Our trip from New Zealand to India was long but full of excitement. We set off after some very sad bye byes to family and friends last friday. As we boarded the plane the sad feelings created from the bye byes turned into feelings of excitement and awe as we set off to start our new life in India.

Our first stop was in Kuala Lumpur. We spent 24 hours chilling in the lovely pan pacific hotel and making the most of western food before getting addicted to curries and other indian delicacies here in Mussoorie. After a late night swim in the pool we got as much rest as we could because we knew the second we touched down in Delhi to the time we arrive in Mussoorie there was going to be next to no sleep and boy were we right!

As we hovered above the city of Delhi the feelings of excitement and nervousness started to overtake us. Staring out at the lights of delhi flickering like fire flies we made our decent and landed in our new home land of India. Just before we landed the young indian man sitting next to me winked as he undid his seatbelt and waggled his head with great attitude... Already the comical side of the people of India was showing! He was all that is man taking his seatbelt off for the most dangerous part of the journey!

We spent our first night in a very derelict hotel called the Centaur. With scummy rooms and very uncomfortable beds we had next to no sleep. It took us around 3 hours to get to the hotel from leaving the airplane. Trying to spot or taxi driver in the mirage of faces at the Delhi airport was the least of our problems. After forgetting where the car was parked and some very tight squeezes in elevators, we made it to the hotel in one piece with all our luggage. Phew!

We were picked up in the morning by our driver at 7am ready to begin the seven hour drive up to Woodstock school. The drive up was a huge eye opener for Emerald and it was just as I had remembered it. An explosion on the senses to say the least. Hundreds of very 'near' accidents occurred and there were many 'edge' of the seat moments. We took an unusual route to Woodstock due to a large number of people on a pilgrimage taking holy water from the upper ganges to their houses. The water was collected by people of the hindu religion and carried on foot (in turns) all 300+ kms! The people who were not running with the water stood on top of the vehicles dancing themselves silly as the vehicles blasted out hindi dance music at full force. MMMM mmm India :)

We stopped around half way for some lunch. Our driver insisted that we get some food! After staring at the fly infested foods in 35 degree temperatures we settled for nothing more than some crisps and a coca cola! During this stop Emerald got her first taste of a local bathroom! After almost passing out from the smell, lack of toilet papers and she wee malfunctions we decided it was time to move on!

We arrived in Dehredun  and stopped for a quick lunch! We were so happy that the hardest stretch of the journey was over and the stress levels of driving in India would finally go down. After meeting up with Sareena (HR from Woodstock) and her lovely family we headed off to start the winding trail up to 6000ft. It was a clear day and the roads were busy! The journey to Mussoorie was nothing short of exciting... The winding roads littered with smiling faces, numerous styles of vehicles, monkeys, stray dogs, horses and gorgeous little bazaars was a feast for eyes!

After a seven hour journey we arrived at homestead east, our new home :)

The journey is over and now and we are ready to begin our new lives in the foothills of the Himalaya!

Namaste!