Ganga Beach Resort Rishikesh

... watching our first film of the Jolly - Raiders of the Lost Ark!<br>The rafting was really good even though it was quite short. We went through several rapids, took a dip in the river and had a go at 'cliff jumping'. You would have thought the Indians had just jumped off the transporter bridge, the way they were celebrating and taking pictures. Nice one guys - you did it! <br>The following day we took a walk to ...

... countless other jumps too!<br><br>The next morning we left for a four day trip up to the foothills of The Himalayas where we were to camp and go on treks through the mountains. The journey was a sweltering nine hour jaw jarring, bone bashing ride in a thirty year old nailed Toyota 4X4 with racing slicks instead of tyres, down a road which had been washed away in places, blocked by landslides, potholed to a depth of a few feet etc. Progress was slow even without the ...

... The most nationality that is around here is definitely Israeli by far. There are so many of them here, and most seem to have just finished their service in the army. It is really interesting to talk to these people who are my age and have all just finished three years in the army. There are so many Israelis here that an Indian man said "shalom" to me when I walked into his restaurant.<br><br>Sunday night, we had heard about a concert across the bridge featuring ...

... apeshit' (don't excuse the pun), pulling Mari's hair and basically forcing the girls to jump into the river and swim for their lives till some Indian guys turned up to scare the monkeys away. I said that if I'd been there, I would have torn my shirt off in a manly display of dominance, beat my chest and roared at the mongmongs till they ran away defeated and dispirited. The girls disagreed and said I would have been shrieking and swimming for my life in the river with them. Who's right? YOU DECIDE!!

... all good). One day however, I found a roach sniffing around my backpack and then I saw one go into the headboard of the second bed that I don't sleep on. Out of curiosity I checked under my mattress and found one going into MY headboard. That was enough for me and I went out and bought some roach spray. I sprayed at night and this one lovely guy named Terence hung around with me while the massacre unfolded. We waited. After about half an hour or so he went in to clean up the carnage and ...

... depending on our teacher. 6:00 pm: Quick dinner break as we only have a half an hour till the night lecture. It can be difficult to fit dinner in as usually a group of us heads to the same restaurant and most of the restaurants here have one or two burners so the food can take a while! ALl the restaurants have pretty much the same menu, serving Indian, Chinese, Italian, Israeli, and Continental foods. All is vegetarian and all is dry (there is no meat or alcohol in the whole town ...

... to the evening ganga aarti at a riverside tempe in Swarg Ashram. The aarti is a holy, enchanting ceremony with singing and chanting musicians. Also, candles are lit and with a little prayer sent down the river. The candles are cradled in a little bouquet of flowers. The next day was another sight seeing day. We ate dinner at an atmospheric little restaurant on the hillside. A wildlife safari ...

... t hurt myself. He observed and made adjustments around the room. At one point I'm flat against the wall holding a position while gasping for air, he walks up and asks "first time"?? I felt a little embarrassed as I looked around and all the Yoga Bunnies were looking at me. "Yes", lots of smiles. I finished the class, felt a sense of accomplishment and actually a lot better. I went back for more the next day.

... the floor wondering what we had stepped into!? All we wanted was to do some yoga and relax! I am no good with religion - there are too many opportunities for me to put my foot in it. Fiona too is struggling with the no talking at dinner.<br><br>Our inital thoughts changed over the week as the friendly (and highly camp) staff were very chilled and were just happy for you to simply experience the ashram without chastisement. The veggie food was also really good ...

... India again. As my time comes to an end in Mussoorie, I have to say that it is my favorite town in India thus far, and everybody should try to experience it someday. It is not too big, but not too small; it's a little hectic (as all of India is), but not overwhelming; The people are all so friendly and welcoming. Mussoorie really has a distinct culture that you can see in every day life. Please continue sending me e-mails, I really am enjoying them:)