The Photos!

You can view a selection of photos from my journey through Bengal on my Facebook page (you dont need to be a member); just click on the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9586&id=100000324806224&l=92128cf689

Job Done

Landed back in Glasgow just before midday. Having spent the last two weeks travelling it is a great feeling to be back home.

An amazing experience all round, although not one I plan to repeat.

Still got a bit of fundraising to do if i am to reach my £15k target.

Half Way Home

Another early start. Reached Dubai at lunch time and treated myself to fish and chips, mushy peas and a milkshake. Swiftly followed by three cosmopolitans. Its good to be back in the real world!

No More Curry!

After 12 days in India, I’ve just eaten what i am certain will be my last curry for a while.

Our final night celebratory dinner is over and an early night is on the cards. We are to be up at 5am tomorrow in order to head to the Airport and start the first leg of the journey home! Unfortunately a 20 hour stop-over in Dubai means it takes the best part of two days to get back to Glasgow. At least in Dubai I can enjoy a few hours of luxury, it will be well appreciated after the events of the last two weeks.

Not quite the Orient Express

Left Kalimpong yesterday morning and headed for the overnight sleeper train to Kolkata. From the moment I arrived at the station i knew it was going to be an interesting journey.

The train was huge, must have been around 30 carriages. I think we were travelling first class, although difficult to tell.

As we settled down into our bunks (of which each carriage had many) there was a constant stream of beggers, hawkers and even transvestite prostitutes offering services in the privacy of our bunks!

Cockroaches ran along the carriage and up and down the walls; didnt make for a healthy sleeping environment.

Didnt get much sleep during the 12 hour journey; there was constant activity in the carriage. At one point the train had to be stopped as one of my fellow cyclists thought he was having a heart attack. A doctor was rushed to the meet the train and was able to diagnose indigestion.

After what seemed like a never ending journey, we pulled into Kolkata at around 6am and were transferred to yet another dump they call a hotel for our final night in India.

Our day in Kalimpong

You’d have thought I might have treated myself to a long lie today; seeing as it was our first day off the bikes for a week! Unfortunatley I was wide awake by 6am (must be stuck in the habit of being up early).

Had a very intersting day, started off at church (my first time for a while). Followed by lunch and drinks with the head of the Childrens Homes.

This afternoon we got to meet some more of the children and heard some really harrowing stories about how and why many of them end up here. Made me realise that this challenge really has been very worth while.

The choir at the school then performed for us; Ave Maria, was totally AMAZING!

Back at the Himalayan hotel tonight (now with hot water); starting the long journey back to Kolkata tomorrow.

May need to have a few vodkas before we depart, the journey consists of a two hour hair raising bus trip down a very windy mountain followed by 13 hours on a sleeper train!!!

I guess it will be easier than cycling back?

Dont forget you can continue to support me through ‘JustGiving’; http://www.justgiving.com/RICHARD-SMALL0

I’ve made it!

420 miles later, we have arrived (very tired) in Kalimpong!

The last part of the journey was an experience in itself, the very agressive wild dogs and monkeys ensured we didn’t hang around en-route.

Got a fantastic reception on arriving at the school, followed by a lovely lunch.

On arrival at tonights hotel, I realised that camping wasn’t as bad as i had thought it was! Tonight we are in the Himalayan Hotel (a total dump). Everyone is without hot water, my room is without any water. I am told they will attempt to get it fixed by tomorrow.

Managed to get my hands on the last bottle of tonic water in the hotel, which they very kindly mixed with a large measure of vodka!

Almost there….

Having set off at 5.30am this morning we have arrived in Kalimpomg just after 1pm (7.30am GMT)and are now just 3 miles for our final destination, Dr. Grahams homes. Had to endure a very steep hill climb to get here, totally knackering and now just waiting for everyone else to arrive before we all cycle to the school together.

Feeling quite emotional……………

Civilisation reached!

No more camping! We have arrived in Siliguru and have the luxury of a hotel for the night. After a week bedding down under canvas, I have just checked into the room to find a large bed, a TV and even a mini bar! Unfortunatley we’re only here for one night, but I’m sure i’ll make the most of it.

We are now just 30 miles from Kalimpong, however there appears to be a lot of political unrest in the area which makes reaching our final destination less easy that we thought. The main road to Kalimpong is to be blocked all day tomorrow, no cars will be allowed through and we are not sure whether we’ll be able to get through on our bikes.

Will worry about that in the morning though, tonight I’ll just make the most of having a proper bed to sleep on.

Looking forward to reaching the end point and seeing how the money raised so far will be put to good use.

Dont forget you can continue to support me through ‘JustGiving’; http://www.justgiving.com/RICHARD-SMALL0

Still alive despite the best efforts of the Indian truckers!

Every day we seem to be risking our lives as we battle for space on the roads with the massive trucks, buses, cars and other forms of transport, all of whom seem to think they own the roads. 3 times today we were forced off the roads by truck drivers who come thundering towards us not seeming to be bothered whether we get out the way or not!

Mid morning we passed by the site of a major bus crash, 17 people dead (just a few hours ealier) when they got hit by a truck on the wrong side the road. The carnage still being searched through as we cycled past.

The good news is that I found out today that tonight is the last under canvas. Tomorrow night will be spent in a “hotel”, although whether the ameneties are any better than they are on the road remains to be seen.

Another 60 miles covered today, which i think means we done about 320 so far, so only 100 or so to go over the next two days, although we start the climb tomoorrow up towards Kalimpong which is going to be tough for everyone.

Think is our current location is somewhere around the centre of this map, nr Bidhan Nagar………..

http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=26.510519,88.241501&spn=0.418436,0.615921&z=11