The Macdonald files

Sunset over Mumbai

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Hi blog readers..We had a safe trip to Singapore for our onward flight to India…we had planned to sleep in the airport but ended up being amused by all the wonderful things in this superb airport..football on the floor with a laser moving football..doing rubbings of animals for the art gallery…and watching a programme about shark attacks in Brazil on chairs with personal speakers in them..fantastic (was quite relieved we weren’t off to Brazil!)I phoned home for about 2 pound and we had free internet everywhere…we could also check bags about 24 hours before..and nobody was rushed busy or hassled!!Everything just runs without a hitch in Singapore! You could come on holiday just to the airport!!!!it is so far removed from those” holiday from hell “programmes..we then relaxed in the transit lounge called the Oasis..which had lounge chairs and soft whale music(am I dreaming or is it jet lag induced hallucinations?)They even had an alarm set in your chair!!Good job ..if we worked on Macdonald time we would have missed the flight! as it happened it flew and hour early!!Why does that never happen whilst waiting in a cue at Manchester airport..amidst angry holiday makers and scousers who have lost their sense of humour? Singapore airlines were so good with the kids and gave them their food first which is so helpful especially when you are at the back of the plane and know you will get the choice of leftovers when they eventually get to you..the kids said yuck..ate the crackers and went to sleep..So Hamish and I helped ourselves to our fussy kids breakfast..and had ours about an hour later..All the staff are so gorgeous..They would be more at home on the catwalk than an airplane… would make more money….bliss! On our way to Mumbai (Bombay).We were relieved to touch down in Mumbai flew over some shanty towns which I told Flora were houses which she replied no they are not silly!!Fantastic to be greeted by Kirsty and Javid (Hams sister and her boyfriend) lovely to see them..we were all very excited and so grateful they had done the gruelling trip to meet us. We had arrived in the midst of a Hindu festival called Holi..which celebrates colour and the coming of spring and they fling coloured powder over everyone….quite something to see…every Indian in sight an array of bright colour!!Hamish got blasted with purple as we got to our hotel..quite suited him!!It was very hot in Mumbai..very colourful..extremely noisy..extremely dirty and smelly…though some of the smells were lovely..incense..and spices..India is quite an assault on your senses…..it is like nowhere else..poverty is everywhere…and on mass…quite a shock and upsetting….though we didn’t venture into the really poor areas….cant quite imagine how people can be forced to live like this..but think it will be an interesting place..We went on a boat trip to elephant island..where dome shrines/caves were the kids were impressed with the monkeys..everywhere and very naughty. A band of them ran up to me looking none too friendly..not fancying a bite I generously gave one my fanta orange to my relief he seemed satisfied to play with that rather than me..and drank the lot!(see photo of the crime).We also visited the towers where one religion leave their dead for the birds to eat them..novel! but cant get too close. We walked around markets ..temples..and a park..with lots of chipmunks in..we had a lovely time there. We ate great food did some shopping..replaced clothing..and bought Flora a drum(just to add to the noise!)The next morning we arrived at the station for our 13 hour train journey to find it was running 6 hours late! Sounds like Honduras..Doesn’t sound like Singapore!!oh well we sat on the platform..smelling of poo(the train tracks are the toilets….it is quite another world)we made our own fun as it where and eventually we were allowed on the train..which was great a sleeper!!!Darcy started to vomit..just to add to the mess on the train tracks..was quite unwell for a couple of hours then after a sleep made a dramatic recovery…thankfully. Once we got going it wasn’t quite so hot..we had a good time..food was cooked on the train and brought round..very good service really….we arrived in Goa at midnight feeling exhausted..off to Kristy’s flat to sleep..wonderful. It is lovely here..beach…palms..and very laid back atmosphere..it is still very much India but not as harsh as Mumbai….we will enjoy just relaxing for a while. We have all been poorly with colds fevers etc this week Hamish got muscle shaking so bad he went for a malaria test..thankfully negative..so we have all been miserable..and in bed lots…all been on antibiotics and various medicines..gone through the whole family..nasty but we are all feeling a bit better now..we hope the worst is over. Been in touch with a Paul Hallam’s work here will go and visit soon and help out if needed…..went to a Christian church on Sunday ..it was really great..very lively..good to see. So, I am now going to join my family on the beach..and read and swim..just read Peter kays auto biography very funny..Could barely breathe with my runny nose and laughing so much….met so many people here from Bolton for the winter..so many Northern accents…always amuses me..cant wait to get back to good old England! Anyway!!!will write about our adventures again soon..love to you all Rachel and gang .xxps has anyone had trouble getting our emails?my parents have and we are wondering if it is theirs or our end..we query this as someone this week said that their emails weren’t getting through..we try to reply to everyone’s emails..so let us know..Ta.

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Well we have spent a week here and it has been wonderful would love to come back some day.Kuching(cat city) is so pleasant and you can walk everywhere which is great.It is a laid back safe place, and wandering down the river is so pretty especially in the evening.The highlights were seeing a cultural village with longhouses..where the kids learnt how to use blow pipes..like the headhunters..they were very good at it..we have packed a few to bring back for children in UK so watch out parents!We saw orangutans ..monkeys of different varieties..which the children loved..such naughty and entertaining creatures!We visited a crocodile farm which was great..feeding time was terrifying..as were the photos of people being cut out of crocs stomachs..very gruesome!!they are a problem here at times.Talking of crocs..Bako national park was great apart from you had to get in a little boat and go down a river then estuary for twenty minutes to be dropped off at a beach to wade to shore…the beware of crocodiles sign unerved me somewhat..but hey we are all still here.We were greeted by very naughty monkeys..and spotted the very unusual prosperos monkey with its strange nose.Withinn five minutes Seth was delighted to find a pit viper!!!a gorgeous looking snake but not one to mess with..check out the photos..got some good ones!!We did a three and a half hour jungle walk which was great and Darcy dodging tree roots and water nearly stepped on a python..what a commotion..they were so excited..thankfully it wasnt too big..they werent in danger of being swallowed.We also visited another national park gunung gading to see the worlds largest flower and do some walking had a great day..enjoying the jungle and all its noises and waterfalls..then we cooled off in a clear waterhole for a swim..lovely!We also visited some amazing caves..pitch black..huge and full of bats..all the kids needed a torch so of course it was a hit with them!!accomodation..food and transport here is very good and very cheap..if you have adventurous children.Borneo is the place to come!off to singapore tonight then India..take care all love and God bless Rachel and clan.

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Well off we went for a lively couple of days in Kuala Lumpur, a vibrant city..walked around in awe of huge buildings..interesting mosques…and general chaos of a large city. We headed to the west coast to Terengganu for a few wet days!!Darcy wasn’t too well with a cold sinus trouble..so we stayed put a couple of days to rest and recoup..as we has a fairly ok room for a good price.We then went north east to catch a boat to the Perhentian Islands..the boat trip was very rocky..only half an hour…but got soaking wet..glad we all took travel sick pills!Well it was worth it when we got there..crystal clear water white sand backed by beautiful unspoiled jungle..no cars on the islands..just wildlife and a few tourists!the first day we saw monkeys in the trees..lovely.We spent much of our time in the sea snorkelling..and saw nemo fish in abundance..much to the delight of the kids.Also spotted were parrot fish..huge humped nose parrot fish (huge!) a blue spotted stingray..a turtle..a reef shark and leopard shark..it was such a colourful world..fantastic to see..wanted to stay..Forever!!We met some lovely people doing diving courses…and a marine biologist who told Seth where to find the sharks!we are now making a rather arduous trip to Singapore..including a night bus..and lots of hours waiting in between connections..soon off to Borneo for a week…so I will hopefully write again then..enjoy the photos of these lovely islands!love to you all Rachel.

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