When the sun woke us up, we reluctantly packed our bags, paid and got into a taxi to the bus station. We knew it wasn’t going to be a nice journey (six hours on a bus kinda hints at a bad time) but we didn’t realise just how horrific it would in fact be. We…
Madurai
The next morning the four of us piled into a tuk-tuk and farewelled Thanjavur at a nearby bus station, boarding a local bus bound for Madurai. Lonely Planet promised we would discover the “soul of the south” there. On the way I bought some eggplant pieces that had been deep fried in a spicy orange…
Thanjavur
With the new day came the sad realisation that our home in our little Garden of Eden had come to an end. Dan did some yoga, we had breakfast, packed and were soon picked up by a taxi to take us into Pondicherry. Unfortunately, we hadn’t negotiated the fare in advance and paid ₹500 for…
Auroville
We left the hostel at about 8am to get a bus to Auroville, a town about 150 kilometres south of Chennai. For the first time since our arrival, I felt one hundred per cent well. No jet-lag and no tummy troubles. And just as well, really, considering the travelling we had to do that day….
Chennai
Our flights from Sydney to Chennai were a truly budget experience. Air Asia seated Dan and I in different rows, dashing our plans to binge-watch Netflix together for the duration of the journey. We boarded at 9.30pm, well-fed and in good spirits. I’d been feeling apprehensive about the trip, but as it kicked off the…
Torrens River
Monday 9 October 2017 On Monday morning we rose early with Ruby and drove to a local supermarket for picnic supplies. We continued on to the ABC where Ruby works and went inside with her to check out the office of Behind the News and meet some of the staff of this iconic Australian children’s…
Vegans & botanic gardens
Sunday 8 October 2017 On Sunday morning we stumbled on a spring fair in a community centre located in Green Street, barely a block away from where Ruby and Rob were living. A cheerful gathering had convened there on a sunny morning to show off the shiny new facilities and the community garden. This consisted…
Barossa Valley
Saturday 7 October 2017 I rose early in Angel’s AirBnB and found some ground coffee in the fridge. By the time the caffeine was coursing through my veins, Ruby, Rob and Susie emerged from their beds. Our host kindly gave us all a lift into town where we searched for a suitable breakfast. The café…
Morialta Park to Tanunda
Friday 6 October 2017 Friday began with a few obligatory rounds of Bananagrams. We then set out in Ruby’s pink Toyota (Floyd) to Morialta Conservation Park, which is located about 10 km North of Adelaide. On the way into the park we passed a children’s adventure playground which had been designed by the children of…
Adelaide city
Thursday 5 October 2017 Rob rose and left for work in the early morning, leaving Susie, Ruby and I to contemplate the prospect of a cooler, overcast day with light showers. I resigned myself to the likelihood that this was going to be a day of shopping. Ruby held out the option that I could…
Henley Beach & Brompton
Wednesday 4 October 2017 The following morning I slept in until 8:30 a.m. Perhaps my immune system was working overtime. Irrespective, I was relieved to be free of any symptoms of a head cold. When Ruby and Susie finally emerged into the daylight we set out for a cafe nearby called The Pixie and the…
Wundercliffe 