Living it up in Banbassa

Gail (on the left), Lorraine and I headed into the nearby town of Banbassa to do some 'shopping'. Gail is one of the older girls on the farm and one of the girls I studied with (pics to come). Lorraine is another volunteer at the farm as part of her Media degree. Lorriane is Indian born but grew up in Dubai! I travelled with Lorraine to Delhi at the end of my trip.

I didn't take any pics in the town for some reason! You'll just have to imagine... Lots of small shops selling just the neccessities really! And the occasional cow mooching about. It was super hot so we rickshawed back. Gail squeezed on as well can you believe. Poor guy earned his 60 cents/2 dhs.

Kevin'n'Raymond

Here are my friends Kevin and his little brother Raymond. Such super cute little boys. Kevin takes a while to get warmed up but we were good mates in no time. I did ask him if he'd like to come home and live with me but he said a most definite NO! (as did someone else when I suggested it LOL). The bottom photo cracks me up, they honestly smile like this all the time. I'm sure you'll see those cheeky grin again!

Cots... India style

I laughed when I first saw the girls cots, but they actually work really well keeping the flies and mosquitoes away but the breeze coming through... If there is any breeze that is!

Shivani and Saloni

Just about a month before I arrived on the farm Shivani and Solani moved in. They were originally very unwell and malnourished but despite a few small set backs the girls are looking healthy and happy. The twins must be about 3 months old in these pics.

Pool time!

Here I am swimming in my pyjama shorts (dress is VERY conservative in this part of India). The pool has been purpose built and uses the farms irrigation system to fill. It was so hot while I was in India, around 40 degrees and often there was no electricity so what a relief to leap into the cool water and have a splash.

Put this shot in cause you can see the cow shed behind. The mily is all boiled and then the milk and cream used every day on the farm.

Shucking

So here are the small boys and I having a shucking competition... The small boys are 10 yo +. Such lovely boys and lots of fun. In this pic there is Kamal, Diridge, Jacki and Clifford.

Here are the real workers.... Chris in the background who was the driving force behind the operation, Clifton in the foreground lending a hand, and a variety of other small boys and hostel boys (the older boys). The pile you see in front is of course, all my work....

India

Well... Let's put Australia on hold for a bit. I feel like I'm falling behind as I haven't even mentioned our 4 days in Istanbul last month, but there's only so much I can write about! I am back from India and just about rocovered from the bout of Delhi Belly that thankfully did not hit untill I was back in Dubai... Despite me eating every type of street food I saw and doing rash things like brushing my teeth with tap water. So think I am going to give you a photo a day type thing of India. My Dad wont be happy, but he'll just have to put up with it!

Lots of kid pictures from India! You might get sick of them!!! Here are 3 of the small boys shucking corn. Dirage (sp?) Clifford and Jacki. The corn has been grown on the farm, there was more than we could eat so they are drying the excess to try and make corn flour (I think... Farming, not my strong point....)

Here is the link to the orphanage's website, I'll link on the side when I remember how to do it!!!

Cataract Gorge ~ Launceston

One of my favoutite places, we spent a lot of time here when we were teenagers.

My faves...

Zadok and I were married just near here and had photos just here.

Swan River and Rottnest Island

Day 3 saw us cruising the Swan River, out past Fremantle and over to Rottnest Island, just off the WA coast. It was a public holiday so it was pretty busy. We hired bikes and snorkles and set off in the 40 degree heat... Was lovely on the coast but super hot when we took a wrong turn and found ourselves cycling up this huge hill!

No pics of me on the way back as I looked a right state having cycled 20kms and snorkelled in the sea! We cruised back up the river and got into Perth just in time for a sundowner. Perfect!

That was it for our whirlwind stay, hopped on the plain the next morning to fly to Tassie via Melbourne. Would definately go back, hopefully with a little bit more time to see Margaret River and those things a little further away!

Kings Park

Up on the hill looking out over the lovely Swan River and over the city of Perth, Kings Park is a must see in Perth. We took the free bus which dropped us at teh BOTTOM of the hill... Leaving us to climb who knows how many steps to the top, much more slowly than some of the locals who were out for their morning run! I am trying not to look cranky in that first one, lol! We met Auntie Phil and Auntie And up here for a picnic, but I didn't take any snaps!

Perth

Zadok and I were lucky enough to spend March in Australia. As neither of us had been to Perth before, we planned a 3 day stop over before heading back to Tasmania. After landing in the wee hours we dragged ourselves from our bed and headed down to Fremantle. We took a tour of Fremantle Prison and then meandered through the markets and along the coast. Fish and chips is a must do (for me anyway....) Then we headed back to Subiaco on the train and watched the West Coast Eagles play very badly in an AFL match... Still fun to watch though!