It's hotting up....

Note: I'll try to post some new pictures soon.

Now in Hyderabad. Got here by flight from Varanasi to Delhi, Delhi to Hyderabad. My luggage came with me too! Fairly stress free.

Hyderabad is so different from the north. It's warmer of course (30+ deg) but also seems more clean, more relaxed and more prosperous. It's a centre for outsourcing (software) and that has brought with it prosperity. Strangely enough there are fewer internet cafe's which is bizarre. There are more Indians with money to spend here - both locals and tourists. I don't feel as though everyone is trying to rip me off. The rickshaw drivers still try to get a good fare but they are good humoured and don't try to take me where I don't want to go.

Chilled out this morning in a park and had a quick boat trip to a statue of Bhudda. Very pleasant. Since I arrived in Hyderabad yesterday, I've seen 5 westerners - a family of 3 and a young couple at my hotel (no damn hot water again). I do not feel conspicuous though!

Last night I arranged with one of the hotel porters to bring me an illicit beer to my room. It arrived 20 minutes later wrapped in a black polythene bag with much whispering. It's quite frowned upon here as Hyderabad is a generally a muslim city.

So tomorrow I catch the overnight train to Bangalore, arriving Christmas day. I then hop on another train to Mysore which is meant to be a very nice place. Beats Turkey and the Queens speech any day. A couple of days in Mysore and then on to Kerala by bus and train via a wildlife sanctuary.

Stomach is rumbling now so off to fill it with curry. Did I mention the food is fab??!! (only a few times I guess).

Feliz Navidad. Mucho Grando Cristmaso. Da Viyenkovitch. Mig Pilot.

Byeeee