Update from the 40 year old!!!

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  Rangali Island, Maldives
Friday, December 29, 2006

Hello all from the Maldives....
A very late Merry Christmas and we are sorry we haven't sent any entries for about 5 days....
The last entry I sent we were in Udaipur.  We spent the 24th traveling into the Rajastan back country to visit some Jain Temples in Ranakapur.  We ended up leaving Ellie and Liam back at the hotel as it was a 2 and a half to 3 hour journey each way.  They were quite happy to stay at the hotel and hang out....unfortunately we didn't predict Ellie locking the babysitter out of the room when she got mad at her!!!!  The drive was so beautiful.  Everything they say about Rajistan....country side dotted with vivid colours of saris worn by the women.  We saw a Persian well....some of the last in the world.  This is where oxen walk around turning a well which in turn pulls up buckets of water from the lake.  We also saw a tree full of huge sleeping bats....Dad you would have loved that.  The temple is spectacular.  There are 1400 pillars and not one is carved the same.  The noise in there is very loud as they pray and chant with lots of drums and clapping....it was very moving. There were many gods around for the people to pray to.  We had a very quick tour with the head priest.  We then had lunch at a local palace..again another wonderful Indian meal.  John was a real trouper to join us especially as he got a bit of a scare when some body grabbed him to take his picture.  That evening we opted out of the hotels  set dinner menu (as we could only get a reservation in the continental area...the thought of having turkey was  unappetizing!!!  The hotel had some holiday entertainment.....singers, dancers and an incredible fire breather.  He would put kerosene in his mouth and then blow a huge torch.  There was lots of free drinks and Indian appies and it was fun.  We then went and had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant that  once on a lake front.  We ate outdoors with our own fire pit and had lots of fun.  The boys came up with names for all of us which we still giggle about...Fatty Daddy, Annie fanny, drama grandma, smelly Ellie, saucy rossy, wingy singhy (that is Shiv as his middle name is Singh), and John is Moe. 
Christmas was magical.  We began the day with all 6 of us doing a private yoga lesson.  The kids were awesome to try this out.  Ellie was very flexible and John and Liam attempted many of the poses.  Our instructor was so good as we got him to show us some of the harder poses.  John and Mike did headstands...or attempt (Mike could do it).  We went back to the room and the kids opened a couple little things that we had gotten in the crap markets...some great reminders of our time here.  Next on the agenda was massages...the adults went to the spa and Shiv had arranged a masseuse to come and give the boys a massage.  (the spa only works on 18 and older)  John loved it...but Liam got a bit shy about an old guy rubbing olive oil all over him.  We had left the kids with Shiv...and I arrived back to find Shiv locked out of the room (on our pool side) and Ellie laughing saying she wouldn't let him in until he jumped in the pool!!!  He loved how "naughty" she was.  We then all went out to 2 lovely stores where Mom kindly bought Mike and I 2 elephant paintings done on camel bone....they are lovely and it was very generous of her.  We also managed to get a few other things and also at a silver shop.....this country has unbelievable shopping.
That afternoon, Ellie and I got manicures (Ellie's first and she was soooo excited) Then we went back to our room and the three ladies got our hands hennaed....again lots of fun.  We all got dressed up, met Shiv, and the 7 of us walked up to a very old hunting lodge (150 years old) to our special Christmas dinner Mike had planned.  The path was lit with lanterns and the place was all ours.  We had singers, and 3 dancers....one was Queen Harish....a girl/boy.  The dancing was fantastic and Queen was hilarious...she got all of us up dancing and it was a lot of fun.  I also discovered that they could make good cosmos and Mike enjoyed lots of gin and tonics....it was a festive night.  After the dancing (don't worry, we have lots of video footage) we went into a room which was laid out with traditional Indian tables (low to the ground) with cushions, bolsters, and all beautiful lit with candles.  The evening was magical...again the food outstanding, and the boys were on fire.  Liam and John were break dancing, singing, and basically doing stand-up comedy.  Ellie fell asleep on the mats and John finally got some steak.  What a blast!
That night, our second victim fell to the flu...John.  He threw up from about 4 until 9 AM.  We had a slow morning....Granny went with Shiv to a run down fort which had a beautiful view of the lake and city.  Mike and I worked out, and organized all our purchases to be shipped, and hung out by the pool.  That afternoon we took a tuk tuk through the old town and then had lunch overlooking the lake.  Then we took a sunset cruise around the lake to see everything from the water view.  It was magical....
Our last evening in India was spent a little somber.  No one wanted to leave.  I can't explain, but no other country has stolen my heart like this place.  Liam, more so than John, loved it here....Granny I think, was in mourning, and Mike and I very sad to go.  Our experiences here have far exceed anything anyone of us could imagine and we are already talking about where we could go next.  Shiv has also told us that we can come for his marriage!!!
The next day we needed to be ready to go at 6 AM.  Our phone rang and I jumped up, got in the shower, washed my hair, and then started to get dressed.....put on my watch and discovered it was only 12:30!!!  We turned on the news, as we couldn't go right back to sleep, and found out Delhi was fogged in and no one was coming or going!!!
Our next day...we obviously did make it into Delhi, after saying a very sad good-bye to Shiv.  He has been awesome and such a kind heart.  All of us became very attached.  We spent a couple hours in Delhi and then flew to Columbo, Sri Lanka and then onto Male.  It was a very long day as we left Udaipur at 6 Am and landed in Male at 1:30 AM.  We checked into a hotel and slept for about 7 hours.  The next day, yesterday which was the 28th, we boarded a sea plane (after waiting for almost 2 hours.....it is now island time).  The flight was beautiful as we flew over many atolls.  The water colour is fantastic.  Our resort is beautiful....our villa is spectacular....our own plunge pool and outdoor bath and shower.  The day was spent unpacking and getting footing around the island.  The reefs have lots of fish and live corals.  We then headed off to a sandy point at the end of the island for a lovely candlelit bbq dinner and some birthday cake.  Mike told me about my birthday gift....sailing with my dear friends in the BVIs......I am overwhelmed and thrilled.  Wanted to get that out so all of you that know, can now talk about it.  It was a special birthday and even more so, with all the cards and messages I received.  Thank you so much.
Also, a very special Happy Anniversary to Geordie and Ade.  We may have missed getting this to you on the 28th, but we were all thinking about you both.  That was a special time 6 years ago.
Today, our first true day, it is pouring!!!  A little like the Cook Islands.  We are actually a little happy about it as we have free Internet access, the boys are watching Pirates of the Caribbean (they have been waiting all trip to see) on our flat screen tv in our room.  Ellie went to the Kid club this morning as Mike and I ran.  They all want to go this afternoon as they are making cookies in the restaurant.  The resort is filled with kids...all Europeans...mostly Germans and Brits.  Ellie has already made a few friends and the boys are looking. 
I apologize as this is such a long email.  I hope all are doing well as we approach the New Year.  We can get any messages over the next 7 days as the computer is all hooked up in our room.
Love to you all
Wendy and the gang

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