We're There!

Getting ready to go

Friday 18th July - our departure day had arrived! After a full day of activities on our 'Build Up Day' at Cranford we eventually left for Heathrow at 5pm. Passing smoothly through security we settled in for 8 hour flight to Bombay. Jet Airways were very attentive and we dozed, watched films, or ate our way through the journey.

Touching down at Bombay airport at 11am local time we had our own personal escort through the endless formalities at the airport. This caused Jasmine some consternation as her name was read out on the airplane as we landed and she was told to contact an official on disembarking - but why?!!! Because her name appears first on our party list she was the one called upon to identify the group to the airport official!


Bombay airport is massive and the local flights were form a different terminal so we were grateful for all the help through the proceedings.

Eventually touching down in Cochin at around 4.30pm we made our way outside to negotiate taxis to the hotel. Driving through the city was the first introduction to the chaos that is Indian driving! The noise, hustle, and people in all forms of transport were just amazing.

Paul our Team Leader  - first night rules!

Arriving at our hotel we settled into our rooms before going out to a local restaurant for our first meal in India. The restaurant was recommended to us at the hotel and proved to be a brilliant choice. So much so that it is likely to become our main eating place while in this part of India.

Tired and replete we crashed into our rooms for a good night's sleep.

A quick plug for our favourite eating place!

Refreshed we left today for a briefing on the trek part of our challenge. This involved a 40 minute bus ride on Indian public transport which was a great experience and one of the highlights of our stay so far. We made a lot of friends on the journey!

After the briefing we returned to our hotel and are just getting ready to return to our favourite eating place for tonight's meal.

This is the last opportunity for internet access for a few days. We will post more when we get back but from the trek but the company we are with also have a Facebook page and will also be putting up pictures. Please like Kalypso Adventures and see updates of our travels.

On the bus!

We survived! Although Freya seems to have shrunk!

Bye until next time!