The Central Park Gwalior

... or ten)
The train arrives and people jam themselves in like sardines. Salesmen wander along the tracks selling fruit, samosas and of course chai (tea). There's a slightly overwhelming smell of urine and faeces as the toilets empty onto the tracks and over the noise of people spitting out the windows, the calls of "chai chai chai ", the horn blows, there's a last minute panicked rush and we're off.....next stop Agra !!!!

... was built in an Italian style. They then decided to fil it up with more things. There was the train which the guy used to send the cigars and brandy round the table after dinner - if he didnt like you he didnt stop the train! A swing made of Venetian glass which the family used to celebrate Vishnu's birthday - yup he was sat in the middle - bonkers!!! Lots of staircases, light fittings made of Belgian glass, The biggest handmade carpet in Asia which was v big but v boring ...

... complex. After visiting the fort and two other temples on top of the ridge, we noted some Buddhist detail on the walls of the ridge below. I included some pictures of them as well. This territory has changed hands many times over the centuries. We left here for Delhi, leaving Central India behind. We are now heading to Rajastan, Land of the Kings.

... as most cant speak any English whatsoever-Getting the tickets was a bit of a nightmare but i got them in the end-cost price 500rupees i paid 1000 they were asking for a lot more 1000 is around 18euro, they are not the cheapest about the middle- .... Will add more after the game OK well all did not go to plan to say the least!! Did a small bit of site seeing in the morning, grabbed a bite to eat ...

On the next day we went north a few hundred kilometers to see Gwalior, another city with fantastic old forts and palaces. This city was moer to become the adventures at Hotel Moyur than anythnig else. First the hotel: We arrived at 10 pm, tired and very hot from the day in Orchha and the 3 hour bus ride. We wanted some cheap room, with a cool shower and some sleep. They spent 20 minutes trying to get us to take some Delux suite for 500 ruppies ($13 or so). We declined and ...

Our last visit of the trip was to another slum in Gwalior. The New Mehera Colony is part of the SESI project which we learnt about yesterday with Dr Singh. The slum was very different to yesterday's and seemed to be much less crowded and a bit cleaner. We were welcomed by children at the school, and a Belle opened the new school latrine block. After a lovely speech she asked one of the girls to help her cut the ribbon and we all celebrating by ...

This evening we helped WaterAid India launch two research documents to a gathering of local dignitaries (including the commissioner) and Representatives from local NGOs and the communities. The evening started a little late (we were waiting for the commissioner who had promised to attend) with a formal welcome from Dr Singh. Myself, Dan C and Andrea then gave a short presentation on behalf of the supporters ...

... With a certain supply of water they can now grow different crops which include, chilies, wheat, sugar cane and ground nut. The wealth of the village has increased 4 fold since the project began and there are now more tractors in the village and 60% of people have upgraded their homes, as a real sign of our times they were keen to tell us that 40 families even have a mobile phone! We the obliged by singing a couple of numbers from our rapidly expanding ...

... and only arrived at Gwalior 5 minutes late. I walked out of the station past waiting rickshaw touts and walked over the bridge that took me over the railway. I found my first choice hotel - the Hotel Saya straight away and they had a room available. So I checked in and unpacked. My room had a small TV and I found the Ashes on ESPN so watched it for about half-an-hour with England needing a target of 626 (!) in their second innings to save the test before ...

Sitting in a compact internet cafe in a smallish village called Orchha in India. We just left an even smaller village called Chanderi this morning after spending two nights there. Intrepid tours are the only tourists that visit Chanderi right now...they send 2 groups per week there. So many amazing and wonderful things in India. I am pleasantly suprised by how much I am loving this place! Unfortunately the internet is painfully slow and uploading text and photos to the site ...