We are explorers.

Hello there!

These are a bunch of photographs that I took while Judy, Erika, Anna, and myself went for a bit of exploring around our neighbourhood on Bengali New Year's Day. The streets were quiet, and we didn't have so many people rewarding us with unwanted stares when we left the privacy of our four-walls.

First we came upon a large swimming pool, in which I wouldn't dip even my little toe into. It was clearly far too big to be cleaned properly, especially in this area of the city, but it appeared to still be of use to the swimming club.

As we kept exploring, we came upon some curious door-ways, and interesting textures caused by wear + tear. Anna found an open door-way which when she investigated, found a massive open room, with bright colours and columns. So beautiful and quiet in there. One man came through but didn't bother us, so it was clear we were not unwelcome there. Despite this, we still spoke in hushed voices, and left after taking a moment to stand in awe.

We spotted the top of a temple from few alley-ways over, so we decided to track it down. A few dead-ends later, we found it, and it was just beautiful! And so white. You don't see many buildings that clean around here! It was refreshing to look upon it.

After this we were satisfied, so went and bought some chow-mein for dinner, then went home.

~

Lately the heat here has been increasing a tiny bit, but we are still waiting for the worst period of it in May. I can say I am actually fearful of this, as so many people say it is nearly unbearable... We can't complain about the heat to certain people, as they will reply, "Just you wait!"

Currently the temperatures near 40 degrees C, with high humidities, increasing the 'feel' of the heat to 45 degrees plus!! Ugh.

But considering the fact that New Zealand is a very temperate country, which rarely sees above 30 degrees, I am coping surprisingly well! I think we are all beginning to accept the fact that we are going to be sweating for the entirety of the day, and most probably through the night, and just getting on with our days.

I had to leave work after a couple of hours yesterday due to a migraine that had kept me up during the night previously, and I slept for a few hours, then rested for the afternoon. I have woken up this morning with my head still aching, but I will go into work - there is a lot that needs doing! But it is a bearable ache.

I hope you are doing well in New Zealand, and feel grateful that you have been graced with cool weather!!!

x

Kolkata from the rooftops.

How beautiful is this city? It is dirty and tired, yes, but so alive and colourful!

The crows are so much larger than I expected them to be! They are about the size of a big magpie.

Sweet, milky chai for afternoon tea.

Love the scaffolding?

I love the colours and textures all around me - it is so inspiring!

I mean, look at how gorgeous that deep teal-green is!!

Thee scariest spiral staircase to climb (about 4 floors up), as it is such a tight curve, and the hand rail comes up to about  my hips...

Justin (just arrived last night), Nate, and Gabrielle.

The Howrah Bridge, a beautiful (because of the smog) sunset, and a perfect example of Indian character; risking your life to live it. I think it is an amazing way to go about life.

Judy - she is so beautiful!

Proof that I am actually in India :)

Our lounge.

My bedroom currently. Please excuse the mess... 

Triangular bread (of which I shall consume quite happily), and Thumbs Up!! I have been so excited to try this drink, and I am so glad that I have - it is so delicious! It is quite sweet, and seems to be a distant relative of root-beer from the taste; it is like India in a bottle.

Just a quick photo update for you all.

Love and blessings.

x

A beautiful gift.

On Friday night, mum's friend Donna gave me this beautiful necklace!

And what is so special about it you might ask?

The designs on either side are my own that were submitted to Charles Parsons! (My two favourites).

See them here.

I was so excited when I opened this!!

Today marks the one-week countdown ("Oh my gosh, is this even happening to me?!"), and my nerves are intense, my gut thinks it is an acrobat flipping every time I think about India, and my nights are restless.

But I am excited! I mean, I have been dreaming of India for so long, and it is finally going to become reality.

x

Bright Star

This poem is so beautiful. This movie is beautiful.

If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it. When I first watched it with Larissa, Britt and (I think) Tash or Kaitlin (?), it was Larissa's birthday, and we had the seats at the very extreme front centre of the theatre. We ended up lying on the ground because our necks became so sore from looking upwards the entire time. Everything was super disproportioned. It didn't help that the John Keats' girlfriend/fiance was called Fanny. And her sister was named/nicknamed Toots.

So if you haven't watched this, it is a true story about the poet John Keats, who died before he saw the success of his work. He died thinking he was a failure. But this film is more about the love that developed between John and Fanny, and the way in which she influenced his poetry.

Yes, this is more of a film girls will prefer, and yes, it is extremely romantic and soppy - but I have no regrets whatsoever for crying through this. None at all.

The film is as tragic as Moulin Rouge - just when things get happy between the couple, something has to give.

Moulin Rouge - no excuses. You have to watch it.

Don't even argue with me on this.

~

And that, people, is how you make a blog turn super girly and sickly with just one post.

I promise I got (most) of it out of me.

x

I'll miss this.

The beautiful sunset from our house last night. One of the things I will miss.

x

Destination #1: Darjeeling

I have decided that every now and then I am going to do a post about some destinations and sites I wish to visit whilst in Asia next year.

First up, Darjeeling.

Look how amazing the mountains look.... source.

Beautiful children in celebrating the Holi festival - read the short story behind this photo here.

And of course, the thing that Darjeeling is famous for - tea!! source

Darjeeling Hill railway. source

Sunset or rise (not sure) over the city. source

Tea pickers! source

It is just so beautiful and breathtaking. source

To me, Darjeeling just seems so far removed from the India I will be living in, in Kolkata. Because of India's size, there is such diversity between different areas - and this is just one example!

Some quick facts about Darjeeling:

• The town and hill station of Darjeeling lies in northern West Bengal, India.
• Darjeeling stands at a height of 2134m (7053 ft) on a mountain ridge.
• Almost every year Darjeeling's temperature drops below freezing during the Winter season, from November to February. In Summer, Darjeeling is delightfully cool with the maximum temperature reaching about 20°C.
• The name is derived from its old name "Dorje Ling" which means "place of thunderbolt" and it was given the name after the creation of a shrine on its hilltop. Not only is it famous for its never ending beauty and fresh air, it is also renowned for the export of high quality tea in the world.
• After cold and summer season, there comes the spring season which is a blessing from the gods. During this period, this town enjoys its first season. The whole town becomes colourful with calm and cool clouds, and everybody loves to watch those magical moments.

x