Author: Ben

For the last two weeks or so, I had been thinking that I wanted to see the film GANDHI by Richard Attenborough again. Coincidence or not, two or three nights ago I was at my parents and what film was on telly that night? GANDHI. But even more funny was what Ben asked me yesterday when he phoned me from Heathrow airport: “Do you know what film I saw on the plane back from India?” For me there was no doubt, it had to be GANDHI… and it was.

There are two things that fascinate me from the film. India; its people, its culture, its history and of course Gandhi himself; his way of thinking based on non-violient resistance and his persistance. I find him really inspiring. If you want to know more about Gandhi, apart from the film which is superb, I would recommend his autobiography called “The story of my experiments with truth”.

Anyway, I’ll be picking Ben up from Madrid airport in a couple of hours, I’m sure he will have more books & films to recommend to put his India podcast in perspective.

Take care,

— Marina.

I have completed the 2006 Enduro India Rally! 2,000 km around rural Southern India in 2 weeks (11 days riding), on a classic Royal Enfield motorbike – and, despite the most appalling (sorry, interesting) local driving techniques on the planet, I am still in one piece! It has been an amazing adventure, the hardest thing I have ever done, and one of the most rewarding. Thanks again to all those that supported me, you’ll be hearing all about it when I get back and have time to edit the podcast (I’m back in Spain on Saturday 4th)

What I can say is that India is the most amazing country I have ever had the pleasure to visit, with the most radiantly friendly people I have ever encountered. If you have ever thought of doing anything like this, then all I can say is just do it! No more excuses – make a commitment to take that trip, to live in that country for a while, to start that business, to take on whatever challenge you have been procrastinating about for years… believe me, as cliched as it might sound, there is a lot to be said for living your dreams…

The best day yet today, down stunning mountain roads from Kodai, across the plains then up through spectacular tea plantations that carpeted endless rolling hills – without doubt the most movingly beautiful road I have ever seen.

Two days riding left, then one days rest before heading back to the UK. I feel like I could ride acroos India for months, and hope that very soon I will… Still, this has been an introduction beyond all expectations. I highly recommend it! Hasta pronto!

We are up in the Western Ghats, near an old colonial hill station called Ooty, staying in the appropriately named Jungle Hut, for a day’s rest. The rooms are spread beneath towering bamboos and tall trees with bright purple blossom, all laid out beneth a rocky-green mountainous backdrop that rises 2000 feet behind.

Deer wander in and out of the forest, monkeys scamper across open ground and at night the dogs bark into the night at the perimeter – they can smell the prowling big cats in the bush, leopards and tigers that reportedly emmerge occasionally to take a sheep, goat or even one of the dogs.

So, in short, this is paradise! The riders are recuperating well, still just one hospitalised for heatstroke, another with a broken ankle, a man with a few cracked ribs… This is the only holiday I have been on where there is a prize awarded every morning (the ‘skid mark trophy’) for the best accident from the previous day’s ride! And what’s more, every day there are several serious contenders! Still, if you could see the rules of the road out here (makes driving in Madrid look like child’s play!), and taking into account the state of the highways, this is no big surprise… They say that you shouldn’t ride faster than your angel can fly, and I think that perhaps not enough of our group are taking that to heart!

More soon, thanks for your comments on the last post,Ben

Amazing, a hotel with an internet connection! I am alive and well, though many of the 100 bikers that started the trip are not! There have been a few accidents and many are down with stomach problems and fever… But India… wow, what a country – we ride all day through vilages that are almost medeival in terms of living conditions, yet everyone greets us with radient smiles and enthusiastic waves. The landscape smells of jasmine, sandalwood and rose, and the locals are the most honest, helpful and kind I have found anywhwere in the world.

We have done 1000 k’s so far, through tea plantations, jungle, tiger country, lost beachs and arid plains and I have been left breathless by everything I have seen. So all is well, I’ve taken many photos (the Indians are SO happy to have their picture taken!) and recorded some audio. It’s impossible to sum up the experience in a single blog post, so look out for pics and a podcast when I get back… Saludos a todos! Ben