New Name

"The Adventures of James Peel" is now available via its new address:

www.jamespeel.info

The Positive Side of the Credit Crunch

I went shopping today for various items of Travelling paraphernalia. I went to blacks in Norwich and was very pleased to discover they had a 20% off sale on everything in-store for one day only. I'm now fairly well prepared equipment wise which is more that can be said for my sidekick who is hoping a Tesco carrier bag, a box of PG tips and his collection of 35 guide books will suffice.

Smyles all round

After reading numerous books and travel websites during my long tedious night shifts. I took some advice and booked a hotel with Airport transfer included for our first weeks stay in Delhi.

After a little googling I stumbled across the Smyle Inn which describes its self as;

"The right place if you are looking for a very Neat & Budget accomodation in New Delhi 's Paharganj area which is 5 minute walk from New Delhi Railway Station." - Not the greatest use of the English Language.

Despite this rather enticing description, the real selling point was the picture of the reception area including the receptionist and his salmon shirt. All this class and sophistication for the grand total of 2223 Rupees, roughly £15 per head.

Milan

In preparation of the real adventure BJ and I jetset across Europe, with only 1 bag of hand luggage, for a few days in Milan, Italy.
Milan in a nutshell:

• Italians love a shiny shoe.
• There is no parking laws.
• Everybody is dressed a little too well.
• There is a beggar who can whittle animals/flowers out of vegetables. i.e. Carrots, potato, beetroot. (Pictured Right)
  
• Always use the underground especially if your footware cost less than £5.
• If you ever visit the Castello Sforzesco count how many stray cats you can spot in the Moat. I counted 47.
  

Flight Confirmation

Today we received confirmation of the flights we shall be boarding. This got me very excited.

The incomprehensible format in which Skippy sent them to me took a little while to untangle but the important bit translates to:

Heathrow to Delhi : 16/01/2009
Delhi to Singapore : 20/02/2009
Bangkok to Melbourne : 22/03/2009
Cairns to Brisbane (Transfer) to Auckland : 26/07/2009
Auckland to Sydney (Transfer) to Honk Kong : 28/08/2009
Beijing back to Heathrow : 20/09/2009

The Booking

Today the Adventure was finally set in stone after it was booked and paid for. 16th January 2009 is the date it will all begin. First Stop - New Delhi, India. I've plotted the route we expect to take on the Map above. If you click to enlarge it you will be able so see more clearly.

Blue lines represent flights and the red lines represent routes Rory and I shall have to navigate using public transport.