Where in the world...
are those LeapFrog guys?
INDIA (Part I)
Read their blog:
'The whole of Humanity in one
cheese wedge shaped country'
following a bit of Delhi Belly, The Taj Mahal, getting sick as dogs in Varanassi and
fighting off curious thieving monkeys...
Blog Link
'Breaking Through the Iron Curtain' Bulgaria - where did this country come from?... Beers at 1 euro, friendly beautiful women everywhere... and a warm dry climate make this our favourite place so far'. Blog Link
'Which LeapFrog member are you?'
The Brain (Froggy Number 2 Max) had some spare time and created a Facebook quiz:
'...test yourself to see whether you're a real kiwi... or vone of zhose frohgs. Ehhh.'
Quiz Link
Part II of the LeapFroggers in India to
follow in next month's newsletter as
well as the next installment of
Transylvania and the Legend of Dracula.
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"...it's nice to know exactly when you
put your foot in it culture-wise."
- Benji Hall
"I'm just excited about finishing up on the complete opposite side of the world."
- Antoine Bourgin
D O W N U N D E R T R A V E L
I N S U R A N C E
is covering the LeapFrog Kiwis with a Backpacker Insurance Policy
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Spotlight on:
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India
"Whirl your mind, dazzle your eyes and fall in love with India's extremes."
India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it. Nothing in this country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India is a litmus test for many travellers - some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime." - Lonely Planet
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"This is a truly incredible land of dramatically diverse cultures all under one flag, all of them unearthly and some - like Rajasthan - positively barmy. The sites are endless, from the Taj Mahal, through the forts and palaces of Rajasthan, the erotic temples of Khajuraho, the carved caves of Ellora to the wandering cows on busy highways and garish Bollywood posters. And then there are the people sights... saris, huge clunky silver jewellery, handlebar moustaches, brown fishermen in pink thongs, pilgrims bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi while bodies float past, sadhus and their bizarre habits, snake charmers, glorious weddings..." (read more)
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November is a good time to visit India if you plan on seeing some of the more popular tourist sites and also if you plan on trekking in the Himalayas.
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With a population of 1 billion, India is a huge country and visitors need to spend at least a week there to make their trip worthwhile. For the full experience, anywhere from a few weeks to six months is recommended. It is best to perceive India as many different countries if you plan on setting aside enough time to maximise your adventure. Map of India
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For an extensive list of India's main attractions, beaches and festivals, visit bugbog.
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Just remember that India has its fare share of unrest and natural disaster. Being such a diverse country, it is prudent to research the areas that you plan on visiting before buying your ticket(s). Visit sites such as Virtual Tourist or Safe Travel NZ to get the scoop.
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To the ancient pagans Halloween was a stock taking harvest festival. It was believed that for one night the boundary between the living and the dead dissolved, rendering those alive and their crops susceptable to the illness and damage of the deceased.
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Flying High -
Tip of the Month
Take careful care of your ears: Some airlines offer passengers boiled sweets to suck on during takeoff and landing. This gets your mouth salivating which prompts you to swallow, helping your ears to adjust to the rapidly changing cabin pressure. If you are concerned about an infant getting sore ears, try to get them to drink from a bottle during takeoff and landing. Another option is purchasing ear plugs which slow the movement of air into and out of the outer ear, giving your inner ear more time to adjust to the changes in air pressure. Special earplugs can be found for children and infants too. The added bonus of getting some earplugs is that they will double as mufflers to cut out the cabin noise and make for a more comfortable flight.
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