That’s all folks!
Well, it’s home sweet, wet, cold, home!
Since we left you in Kolkata we flew to Mumbai (Bombay) – we saw the slums that hold 55% of Mumbai’s population as we flew in. It was very sobering as they went on for miles. There are also many huge, impressive British buildings that we enjoyed strolling around, and we watched hundreds of people playing cricket on the Oval Maiden.
It took us 14 hours on the train from Mumbai, but we had a fabulous, relaxing time in Goa. We visited 3 gorgeous beaches: Anjuna, Arambol and Mandrem. Anjuna had a huge market by the beach on wednesdays so we were able to bag some last minute gifts. Arambol was full of dippy hippies swinging balls on ropes around on the beach or performing some strange form of Tai Che/ ‘I want to be a tree’ on the rocky headland, but the beach was beautiful and the oceanside restaurants served delicious seafood and curries of course.
After the painful train experience on the way to Goa we were very happy we had booked a flight back to Mumbai to connect to our flight home – and so here we are!
It has been the most exciting experience of our lives. Our favourite country remains New Zealand because the countryside is so stunning and varied, the people were very friendly, the food and wine were awesome, and it was just so organised with many things to do and sights to see. Laos was a close second for both of us, as again the countryside was stunning, it had the quirks and beauty of south east asia but without the pushy loudness of the people of many other asian countries we have visited; the people are so friendly and chilled.Nepal must also be up there because of the jaw dropping scenery, the best of the trip.
Our favourite day was when we both lost our senses and jumped out of planes or headfirst into gorges, followed by celebrations of our bravery with new friends in Queenstown. Other very special days were wine tasting around Marlborough in NZ, tubing in Laos, walking on the volcanic White Island in NZ, exploring the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, surviving the hard slog of the Thorong La Pass in Nepal, and seeing the imposing and amazingly beautiful Taj Mahal. There are so many more I want to list but it would take too long and you will get bored reading!
There were thankfully very few lowlights, but these would probably be getting ripped off in Vietnam, staying in the tacky area of Phuket surrounded by sex workers, and dealing with hocking and spitting and other gross habits in India and Nepal.
We are now both gradually getting back into normal life, though it’s gonna take a while. We hope that you have enjoyed reading. It has been so great for us to write this as a record of our adventures so thanks to everyone for the comments. I look forward to reading it back when I’m old(er) to remind myself that we have done something exciting and amazing in our lives.
Until the next trip!…
10 comments
Welcome back to Blighty. Sounds like you guys had a fantastic trip – lucky people 🙂
Boo hoo – no more blog! How will we cope? guess we will just have to make do with the “real thing” Welcome home you two. Thank you soooo much for sharing your trip with us all. We have really enjoyed reading all of your experiences – good and bad. It has been a privilege” travelling with you” I had a lump in my throat reading the last blog. (Rachel – you are SO going to blub at work) Until the next travelogue !!!!!!
Love to you both(it really is good to have you back safe and sound)xxxx
Hey looking forward to seeing you back in the office 🙂 with the post travel blues no doubt – thank you again for sharing your amazing trip!
OMG I can’t believe its over!
I am sad that you are no longer travelling and that I know longer have your blog to read!
Can’t wait to see you in the office tho! I am having to move for you Matt so I hope you appreciate it! I’m not in next week but will see you on the 14th!
Welcome back from hippsville and to the real world of rain and wind .You have both done really well to have done the whole year . I start on my big adventure on monday to australia ,n/zealand and canada ,but i wont be jumping out of any planes unless i have to ,anyway welcome home and have a nice christmas. J.
Welcome home Rachel and Matthew !!
We are so glad you enjoyed your once in a lifetime travel experience – something you will remember for the rest of your lives. It is great to have you both home safe and well and we look forward to your stories of adventure first hand. We all missed you so much. The blog has been a great contact for us to share your experiences. Thank-you for the updates and we wish you both all the very best for the future.
Love Mum, Dad and Grandad. xxx
Welcome home – I am just about to send Matt a recall for his dental appointment and was checking where you are in the world!
Welcome back to reality. See you soon. Sheila
Hey you guys!
So glad you are back. Back to reality with a bump!
Loved reading all about your amazing travels but nothing better than having you back home. Looking forward to sharing christmas with you both this year.
Have really enjoyed your stories and videos (especially Rachel jumping out of the plane on her sky dive-very funny, though shame she didnt get the really dishy instructor!)
Anyway, JUST GLAD YOU ARE HOME SAFELY!
Love you loads
Carol, Daniel and Harry xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hey guys,
Welcome home! I’d love to invite you to a pretty cool event STA Travel are holding next week in London. Any chance I could get your email address?
Thanks in advance,
Camilla
comment from a random passerby:
Excellent trip, I admire the way you travel the world.
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Is it your design?
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