The Builders Store on the Square, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, England, UK is where it all began... this world wide adventure.

Married two years, the thought of spending our entire lives (or at least the next 20 years) driving in and out of London, never seeing eachother except for the hour we meet and eat before bed...

Not the life for us! So, we packed it all in... job, car, business, security, etc... put two backpacks on and ...

It doesn't seem real...We haven't even started to pack . . . plenty of time. Too much work to do in the meantime.

Well, let's see. Today we start our malaria tablets.

Hooray. I have just passed on a bit of design and web work onto two very capable professionals, and I am glad my clients will be taken care of after I leave.

Other than that, we haven't packed, bought our sleeping bags or mosquito nets (& spray) organized the removals, sorted our finances, completed on our house, or stayed sane all day. We are holding it together though.

Duncan is coming around to visit tonight, I think both Lisa and I could use the break.

This is Duncan Francis >>

Well, third dose of malaria tablets with a concoction of drink supplied by Costas Constantino, and one liners supplied by Neil Smith. They are in Lisa's Sales team and we had them over to say goodbye!

We still haven't organized anything, and we're busy, busy. Otherwise, I have experienced the first dose of excitement - it is really starting to kick in.

The work side of things is waning and the travel mind is waxing. I hope all of you are well, and we will write again soon., but not too soon. Bombay in five days!

It is an amazing feeling to be packing and not to be sure where and when we will see our things again... what is around the corner for us... I wonder... (reunited with our things... five years later)

Lisa is sleeping - she had a hard day. I had to get a whole new American Passport today because the Thai Embassy couldn't fit the visa in it.

Noelle & Del [Derek] helped us pack the house, we were recording all our music unto mini-discs...we have about 40 of them now! Lots to do still, so good-bye all. We will see you somewhere in the world.

We are in the car with Tracey [Lisa's best friend] on our way to Heathrow. It is cold and raining.

It was sad to leave the house, I was very upset.

The whole idea of doing something for the last time is truly heart wrenching. BUT. . . the whole idea of doing something new is extremely exciting.

I need to stop now because the car is wobbling and neither Lisa or I have slept since yesterday morning. Lisa was up all night writing letters and she gave Tracey 30 envelopes to post. We finally got finished at 4.40am and we needed to be out of the house by 5am...Almost 24 hours awake - I hope we will make up for it in Mumbai!

TRAVEL TIP:
If you are planning an Around the World Trip start getting your affairs in order earlier and make a list of all the people who you need to write to in advance!!

Metro Hotel International is not what we expected, but there was a bed, that's all we needed.

It is situated in the middle of a very "odd" neighborhood - odd in the sense of dogs and walls and gates all around. But nonetheless, we are here.

Bombay, India. It is hot and humid, around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The thing is, it is three o'clock in the morning.

We met a man named Nirav on the way to this hotel. He is from Hawaii and is traveling to Pune to a meditation resort/ashram of some sort.

He asked whether we would like to join him because he has a taxi coming at nine in the morning.

After a few minutes, we decided - "OK, we may as well start our trip as we mean to go on - Hello and Good-bye Bombay, and welcome Pune (wherever that is.)"

Here is a collection on beautiful Indian photographs... see the real Bombay and Pune for yourself!

This is Nirav

Had a fantastic day today. Found a flat to stay in in Pune, did a bit of negotiation with several Indian gentlemen, enjoyed the ashram, and ate well.

If you want to read the whole day's events read my first real day in India: The Mosquito Hunter.

Some photos of the commune so you can get an idea of what it is like.

This is the Buddha on the River.

You can visit the Osho International site here: The most exquisite place of inner learning on the planet.

You can also have FREE Tarot readings online here:

Check out this place of paradise for yourself...

MG road is insane. Cultural insanity. It was a cross between a 1950's worn down movie set, a dusty western film, and the movie Blade Runner.

Insane!

If you go you will find it unbelievable!! it is worth seeing for sure. There is no order, there is only chaos.

Dirt, people, rickshaws, beggars, guys selling ties and socks, clothing stores and electrical shops that don't really sell many electrical items.

We were looking for a digital camera to show you all what it looked like, but it is pointless.

Plenty of cows wandering around, and rickshaws coming out of your eyes, but decent electrical items - guffaw!

We traveled to and from MG Road in a Rickshaw (see photo, right).

TRAVEL TIP:
Always barter before you get into a rickshaw in India. You can pick up "meter charts" too which tell you the exact prices. Ask around.