Ok, better late than never :)

Yeah yeah, it took too long for this post to arrive, but the truth is that we've been coming, going or sleeping since we arrived.

The trip itself was GROSS. Halifax to Montreal was uneventful aside from the fact that our video monitors weren't working, well half the plane at least... we did a lot of people watching in Montreal during our 4 and half layover, but it was fun hanging out with Ajay. Our flight to Frankfurt was a quick 7 hours across the Atlantic without much to comment on, other than we didn't sleep. We arrived in Frankfurt almost an hour early, thanks to some fabulous winds. The airport was pretty much dead at 6:30am and without very good signage, so we walked around a bit before figuring out where we needed to be for our next flight. Before that though I made the mistake of needing to pee... honest to God, not a word of a lie, it was like a metal outhouse that was just gross... but I was at the point of waddling and didn't think Ajay would appreciate me peeing my pants. And here is a little piece of info that everyone needs to know... we shared a hamburger and fries and had a coffee and tea respectively, with a cost of $25 USD - can you imagine!?!? ** WARNING -- do not eat in the Frankfurt airport, it's not tasty and they rob you blind** he next 9.5 hours would be THE longest of our lives... we plotted to kill our travel agent with increasing enthusiasm with every passing hour, and somewhere managed to get 2 hours sleep. Finally it was time to board our flight on Emirates. PHENOMINAL. The service was the best I have ever had in the air. The meals came with a beautifully printed menu, booze was free and unlimited, hot towels to refresh yourself, your choice of movies, games or music on your own monitor. It blew Air Canada out of the water. The 6 hours flew by, but we were increasingly cranky due to the loss of sleep. As soon as I stepped off the plain in Dubai all I could smell was oil... truly. It was midnight, and warm but not gross, but with a whiff of oil and almost a creamy feeling across your skin. The duty free in the airport was a zoo! People everywhere, and the cheapest booze I've seen ever. Two bottles of Skyy vodka for $20 US - you can bet that there will be some in our luggage on the way home :) The gold was beautiful, but not without it's cost.... everything is sold by the ounce, which is cool because you don't pay for the work that goes into making these very unique pieces. The flight to Chennai was jammed full with 450 people and I was very excited to be on our last leg. While in the air I saw, without any debate, the most splendid sunrise I've ever seen. It's hard to describe, but we were above the clouds which were black, and then the upper atmosphere was as well black, but what came in between was the complete spectrum of colours.... basically a rainbow (from the top, black to navy blue, medium blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, red, crimson and then black again at the bottom). As the sun rose, the colous began to stretch apart and blend further into one another, until there was the most incredible yellow orange and the sun started to break through the cloud line as it displayed it's majesty. I wish we would have video taped it, but the camera was out of reach and we were semi close to landing. It is a memory I hope to carry the rest of my days... it's beauty was simply awesome. Customs and Immigration in Chennai was a snap, and I walked out to be greeted by my new family inclusive with flowers. How thoughtful no? Lots of hugs and kisses all around and we were on our way. Walking out of the air conditioned airport into the "fresh" air was like being hit by a train... and it was only 9:30am. I drove home with Mummy Jaan, Ajay with Sid and Papa and my new sister-in-law Shalu in another car. The traffic situation is terrifying. There are lanes on the road but they're more of a guideline than anything. Everyone beeps constantly and there are motorbikes zipping in and out between the cars... and yes there were cows!! I don't know how we made it back to the house alive....

...more on my next post, which now I've had some rest will be much sooner.
xo from Ajay and Nanette