Can you see the tiger yet?

When you head to one of the best tiger reserves in India it's going to go one of two ways. Utter jubilation at successfully spotting a tiger in the wild, or utter disappointment at missing out on this sadly decreasing opportunity. I didn't spot a tiger, but did see fresh prints of the mother, who was off hunting for food for herself and her cubs. Then after the morning safari I headed off to the fort, also in the tiger park, and was mystified as to why so many Indians were walking along the road when surely they could be mauled by a tiger!

Relaxing lassi break In Pushkar

Pushkar Lake is one of the holiest in India and consequently Hindu's should visit there once in their lives. I visited here over twenty years ago, on my first trip to India and it's changed a lot. Touristy stalls now line the street by the sacred lake and Israeli tourists have taken over the town. But magical rooftop restaurants offer views of the bathing pilgrims and shade from the searing sun. On offer too are magic lassi's to aid your relaxing afternoons watching the world go by.

I'm a playboy

The more you travel the more you realise that it's not just about the things you see, it's about the people that you meet. Got chatting to the attendant on the ac carriages of the train, he travels from Jaisilmeer across Rajasthan day in, day out. What a crazy life, little time for family and friends yet you're surrounded by people all the time. These little insights into people's lives are fascinating and are always the highlights of my travels. No wonder when I asked if he was married he replied that he was a playboy!

Your card is declined due to suspicious activity

For years I've always used travellers cheques. Great for travellers, as if they go missing you are guaranteed replacements. I've previously only needed this once, when a bunch of cheques were stolen from my room when travelling through Java. So before I left I loaded cash onto my card at Heathrow, stating I was travelling to India - only to find that on using it in Delhi it was blocked! Thank goodness I had another credit card. Then came a painful game of ringing tag, as I had to arrange for master card to call my hotel to sort this out. Now I can get rupees at ATM - hurrah!!! So much for suspicious activity when I told them where I was going...

I've never been so excited to head to a kebab shop

In most towns and cities across India there are so many religious restrictions on food and alcohol. We've been veggie since leaving Delhi and tea total and absolutely loving it. The home cooked food at Kamlesh's was fabulous, but the time has come to search out a great nonveg option and trip advisor recommends a kebab shop in a dusty alley by the old Jodhpur cinema. So given the location, we head to the movies on a Saturday afternoon and sit in a beautiful old cinema devouring our masala crisps and ice cream. We then head out to have the most incredible kebab and are thoroughly cared for by the owner, who takes time to make sure that we order the most delicious things!

And the bride is welcomed into their house

Being so close to the wedding and getting to understand more about the traditions surrounding it has been so fascinating. Each bride leaves their family home to start a new life living with her husbands family. On the couples departure from the wedding, before embarking on the four hour trip back to Samdari Bhanu, the new bride, wails at leaving her family. This feels too personal to watch and so I sit back in the car. Little does she know how fortunate she is to be marrying in to such a fantastic family. We were then so privileged to be there at the family house the following day when they undertook the welcoming ceremony and the new extended family life begins as we depart - perfect timing!