Xmas Aussie Style

Well it's the day before my flight to the sub-continent and I am a ball of emotions right now. Excited about this amazing adventure I am about to embark on, a little anxious about travelling on my own in a completely foreign part of the world, and scared to death at the possibility of having the squirts for five months! The malaria tablets are already giving me grief so hopefully my body will just get used to them soon.

Our visit home has been wonderful, but tiring. I stopped over in Hong Kong on the way which was a blast. Stayed with Gav the beeaatch who was a brilliant host and made my stay in Hong Kong a weekend to remember. I visited the local neighbourhoods, markets and went to the tallest outdoor statue of Buddha in the world on Langtao Island (I don't have my Hong Kong book with me so the names are probably completely wrong...and I know you will tell me Gav!). The only problem with Hong Kong is that I felt like a giant. Everyone, including the men, are so tiny. I was the giant ogre on the bus into town, and the poor girl next to me only had half a seat because they make the seats so small (at least I'm hoping they made them small, rather than my ass expanding so much that I'll soon be asked to book two seats on a flight instead of one!). But there is so much to do and I would love to go back and explore the other islands. Thanks again for a great weekend Gav. I hope you got all of your work done in the end because hopefully you weren't going to bed at 4am after I left :)

Then it was onto Brisvegas where I was greeted by my very tall nephew (he continuously reminded me how he was only an inch shorter than me which kind of made me feel better after feeling like a giant in HK....actually, I think the entire nation has grown...it felt good to feel small again). It was great to see mum and the family, especially my great niece (yes, I am a great aunt, well I always have been, but now my title is official :)

I spent the first week sorting myself out with a visit to the dentist, doctor, department of transport etc and hanging out with mum. Then the chaos started when we had breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday with different people, Tracey's 30th birthday, Rellie's 30th birthday (welcome to the dirty thirties ladies!), Xmas at mum's, Dave & Kate's wedding (congratulations again guys), and unfortunately, Charlie's funeral. Not a nice way to start the holiday but I'm glad I went to the funeral which was most moving and had about 200 people attend. Very sad indeed.

Xmas was great wish traditional aussie xmas meal....cold meats, salads, and ridiculous amounts of prawns. And not just any prawns, king prawns just off the coast. Unfortunately, my morals get left in London when it comes to seafood...how can I resist a Moreton Bay Bug? Actually, some would say I would be crazy not to.

So it has been pretty hectic to say the least and I'm sorry to those who we didn't see. But next time, Thurstan and I have decided to arrange one night out in Brissie to see everyone and we'll give plenty of notice. So look out for the invite in 2009!

Thurstan and I spent two night in a beautiful cottage in Mt Tamborine for new years. This was our only 'time out' and although it rained with gale force winds, it was very relaxing and we got to spend some quality time together before I go. Or as Heidi put it in her New Years phone message ýou two are getting jiggy with it, jiggy with it, jiggy with it'...it was quite a good tune :)

So now comes the hardest part where I have to say goodbye to my baby. I get teary just thinking about it and now can't really see what I'm typing. My flight is at 6.30am Wednesday 2nd January 2008 (didn't plan that too well did I?). And I arrive in Mumbai at 7.25pm Wednesday 2nd January, local West India time. I look forward to eating the local curries which cost between 50p and 3 pounds per meal...woohoo! And I really hope everyone wobbles their head like in Shantaram...Laura and Rachael, I'll let you know :). But it's going to be hard to say goodbye, and as always, customs will look at me really strange when my bright red, bloated face comes up to them and they try and compare it with my passport photo....hmmmm....

I spend two nights in Mumbai and then fly out to Colombo where a representative from the Millenium Elephant Foundation will pick me up and I start my adventure with the elephants. I'll try and update this every couple of weeks so just keep checking as and when you can. I'll try and post some pics as I go as well. I will be texting Thurstan everyday and we will arrange days for phone calls so he will be up to date with everything.

Well, here goes....I feel like I'm just jumping into something frightening yet amazing. Wish me luck!