When we did have a video camera, it was racist. It didn’t recognize really dark people on the viewfinder and wouldn’t focus on them. Someone should to talk to Sony about this.

So….we are sure good at this, keeping you up to date, with daily digests about our times in India. Well unfortunately that has not been the case but with good reason. Its my sad task to inform you what has actually been occurring since I last posted. About two weeks ago , while staying in Varkala, Someone broke into our room and stole all our electronic equipment, video camera laptop everything. Its all gone. This was really a big blow, as it seemed like Douglas and I had sorted out our issues and were really on track to developing our focus, we had even been out recording that day. So not only did we lose the equipment but about two weeks worth of footage and photos. We unfortunately wont be able to show you our time at the southern point of India, that for me was the hardest part, just losing those memories. It also hit home that we were doing something special and now that opportunity has passed.

We then had to deal with the Varkala police, which if we had had the video camera would have been a great story to show you, if I was to say that they were unhelpful, it would be an understatement, i think anti-helpful says it better. Always the favorite words were ‘Come back tomorrow,’ It was all we could do to get a decent police certificate for the insurance claim. So we resigned ourselves to the reality that the equipment is not coming back.

But where do we go from here? Well I can only speak for myself when i say it definitely crossed my mind that it was time to pack it all in and go our separate ways but we have made the decision to keep going, Doug has taken a break with his girlfriend Sarah, lovely girl, and I will be meeting him shortly in the North, where we will continue our tour.

Really we could have let this ruin our trip, but lets be honest its just stuff and it hasn’t worked out this time but who to say it wont work in the future. We are in India, we live and we learn, you only get one chance in life and we are here doing it. So I guess I could say that im feeling pretty positive right now, even as im typing this and considering the possibilities Im in a good mood.

And what does this mean for the blog? Well im not sure, at this stage im going to my utmost best to keep posting on here but its going to be more personal, more like a travel blog. I have started interviewing people and I even borrowed a camera to film one of them. Illl post, hopefully soon, with some of my thoughts. I did consider the possibility of just getting a crappy handicam to keep making videos but its very hard to edit and upload without your own computer. So I guess I see this space becoming a repository of both mine and Douglas’ thoughts and experiences of the trip, trying to get on here and say something when we can.

So thats enough for me but seriously guys love to you all and hope your having a good one!

- Ben.

So you may have noticed that there hasnt been so many posts so far. ( Or maybe you dont really care) But the truth is we have been putting off launching the site until things were perfect. Unfortunately if thats what you waiting for, its never going happen.

Its been an interesting and hard first month coming to grips with expectations, egos (both of us) and the subsequent realities of the situation. So due to a number of factors including the time it has taken to get the bikes and the time we actually have left in India we have had to reconsider what our approach will be for this trip. We in initially had high hopes of bringing you unique insights into Indian life and culture, we may still achieve this but due to our time constraints we have had to shift the focus from India, to us! With both of us being shy types this will be difficult but all these unique experiences are going to be seen through our eyes as we share a little bit about our journey through India.

Now this isn’t going to be the long way up Masala style, we just are going to try and have a bit a fun and share a bit of that with you. This could quite possibly be the most boring thing you ever have the pleasure of experiencing but we hope that wont be the case.

So our next goal is the Southern Coast!

P.S – We have already had some really great experiences and thoughts that didnt really fit into our original goal but now we can put whatever we want up here, so if it seems if the order of events is a bit jumbled up don’t worry we are just trying to catch up on whats already happened.

Ben-Shanti

While on a quest to find a suitable bike for Ben we got invited to this rooftop party.
Beautiful girls, good food, sucky beer and a helipad!
Enjoy!

Planning in India brings bad luck. If you want to enjoy a long trip then just go with the Indian flow. Everything is possible but nothing goes as planned…

Unfortunately Ben and I have much preparation to do for the start of our trip. Finding our bikes, ‘tuning’ them for the long ride and of course we need helmets, gloves and a jacket for protection. That is not exactly going as smooth as we expected.

Mubarac the Enfield mechanic adding a front disc break to my bike

So far I have my gear and my bike. Ben, well, he has a helmet, a left hand medium and right hand extra large biking glove.

Ben is very happy with his new helmet.

We will be ready tomorrow… so here in India that might be next week.

- Doug

So as Doug so elegantly expressed our plans have not gone exactly as expected . I think it was  naive of us to think we could arrive in a country such as India and expect things to conform to our standards. I have learn t quickly  that the saying ‘ There is no such thing as a sure thing’  carries particular weight here, When people say yes here it has many layers of possible meaning, especially if accompanied with the head wobble.

But with all that said, I feel like I’m adjusting my expectations rather than expecting the country to change to suit me. It’s either that or have a very bad trip. So it looks like the Sun is on the horizon and soon our adventure will begin, but I’m not so foolish as  to give you an exact date. Learning already.

- Ben.

Just arrived in India (well not exactly true but for the sake of this post lets pretend I have just got here) and it hits you like a slap in the face. Not an original sentiment I’m sure but quite appropriate.  The smells, the sounds, the people. Just on first observation there seems to be so much confusion. Like everything is happening at once but without any specific reason, or cause. This is not to say I’m not enjoying it because far from it. I’m having a great time!

On my first inspection of the traffic system here, I have to say that Doug and I couldnt have picked a better place to learn how to ride a motorbike.  Everyone is very courteous and considerate on the roads. Its like the Germany of Asia.

My first lesson was only use the horn when necessary.

But the big thing here and I guess the attraction of many places is the people. The stare at you but its not with hostility but with a genuine curiosity, then as soon as you smile at them you are rewarded with a huge grin and head wobble that makes you feel so welcome. I have to say I’m loving the smile and head wobble, it seems like such an open innocent gesture. Its disarming.

So my first night was spent in Trichy after which I travelled by overnight train to Bangalore, which would have been fine except I’m already waging an internal war with my intestinal system, and when your only option is a train toilet you have only one choice but to fight the good fight and hope you win at 4am in the morning. That aside I arrived safely and have begun my mission in Bangalore to source the motorbikes for the trip.

More on that soon.

Well, I cant believe it, over a year of talking about it, thinking about planning, talking some more and then a week of getting stuff done at the last minute, its finally happening! I’m going to India.  I couldn’t have picked a better guy to do it with, you have Doug to thank for the website and setting it all up.

Don’t forget to let us know your reasons for getting out of bed!

I will be heading to India first, its my job to get the bikes sorted for the trip. Due to Western Australia’s unusual licensing laws and the fact I want to be covered by insurance in case I come off, I will be riding a Honda Karizma and Doug will have the pleasure of  riding an Enfield  Bullet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Enfield_Bullet

So its time to start saying goodbye to my friends and family in Perth and get ready for my next adventure.

I found this on another guys blog. I could not imagine a better clip to start this blog. Its about two dudes on a Enfield riding through India.
I’ll try to make upload a better version when I found that Charas movie.

Enjoy