Amritsar, India

after an non eventful border crossing we arrived India. After the madness of Pakistani traffic Amritsar seems quite sedate, I am sure if I hadn't experienced Pakistan I would think it was bedlam. We are staying in a fantastic guest house called Mrs Bhandari's. She had an amazing life and loved to 101, she only died a few years ago and by all accounts seems to have been an amazing character.
After a week of hotels I am back in my tent, and it is very hot!
We have a pool here that is very welcome, finally we are allowed to swim.
Dee, Andy, Brian and Rosie didn't come through Pakistan with us, they arrived at Mrs B's just before us and it was great to see them again.

Finally I don't need to cover up, once I got to the India side my shorts were on and headscarf off. We've got a pool at the hostel so it was great to get in the water. So refreshing when it is so hot

After a morning swim we took a tuk tuk into town to the Golden Temple. It was an amazing place, it was packed with people but still managed to feel serene. Hopefully I will make it down to see the sunrise there.

today a few of us visited a local salon for some pampering. One pedicure, manicure, dye, conditioner and bouffant blowdry we were done. I only wanted my roots done but they ended up doing my whole head. I am now a dodgy shade of blonde!! photos to follow..
Rachel and Dee came too and we all had out hair dried the very same way. The big hair didn't last very long, humidity hit is and it wilted pretty quickly

I went to watch the border ceremony at the Pakistan/Indian border tonight. It was fantastic, the atmosphere was brilliant and the actual ceremony was very entertaining.
six of us went, and as there weren't many westerners and there were thousands of Indians we stood out just a wee bit. We had loads of requests to pose for photos and also for us to take people's photos. All good fun