Sorry guys the order is slightly skewed... I was in Hampi before Goa!

Now in B'kok though

Love S.Dot

Yeah, you guessed it! It's 4pm & I fell asleep and missed my train stop. So I'm forced to get the bus from Bellary, a well know steel production town, to Hospet. Gindal - SW steel Ltd. in Bellary produces 10000 tonnes of cement per day, 480M Watts and over 4M tonnes per year of steel, over 3000 staff on 700 acres.

Another moment of Indian kindness lead me from Hospet bus station via an ATM to a negotiated rickshaw driver. My welcome party, at about 11pm, to Hampi are Mathias and Pierre. Two very good looking French men usher me to Shanti guesthouse in Hampi bazaar. Followed by my first ever Marsala tea with the company of my new French friends. At bedtime, we all go our separate ways.

Temples...Hampi is famous for it, i would know cos i spent an entire day being amazed by them while being chauffeur driven in my rickshaw... However for me, it would be the out-of-this-world rock formations that my captured my attention. Their size defied my understanding and shapes defied my thinking.
The way they appeared to have been strategically placed to laugh in the face of gravity.

The famous sayings opposites attract, comes alive in Hampi.

One side an amazing lake
Both sides the lushest green rice fields
One side famous the Mango Tree restaurant
Both sides camera unworthy sunsets.

Both sides enjoyed with the pleasure of Liko, Pierre, Mathias, Katia, Henry, Dirk, Steven, John, Belle, Vicky, Mel, Neal and more

It’s all mixed up - Arambol, Anjuna, 3 nights, 5 nights. How did I get it so wrong? The plan was to spend 3 days in each Goaian hot spot. The restriction was the flight for Phase 2 of Sam – Round-The-World. Arambol for 3 nights was the actuality. The journey to the ATM started on my 3rd Indian bus ride, to Siolim, and completed with my first motorbike ride as an Enfield passenger. The rider was, open hearted, Newcastle born, Brighton based, John Paul Marshall. Our discussions started with the obligatory 'What you doing in India?' conversation and progressed into life. His minute of fame was to be captured by Brunno. An Australian born, Cambodian based film maker documenting a journey through India on Enfield bikes. He's part of a couple, ‘affectionally’ known, only to me as Frank Cloud. His other/better half, (delete as required!), Sky, an Australian born Bristol based actress. Our evening together was concluded with a breathtaking sunset and with the Mumbai Police Chief on his boy's holiday drinking Whiskey with phony versions of Keira Knightley, the bassist from, the band, White Stripes, its manager and sleeping boy.

Answers to who sleeping boy is on a ecard to S.Dot@roundtheworld.com

Check on for sunset pics http://photos.yahoo.com/samcjunior/

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to, its as if he never left, the Round The World Blog show. I'll be your host this evening. I go by a couple of names, a couple to my face. Some call me Sam Carew, some call me Seven, times they call me Jammy Sammy , but tonight I'm The Golden Child - You gotta love that! I wanna thank everyone for logging on, you be anywhere in Cyber space tonight, but you're here with me. - I appreciate that...

Lets Roll!A guy I met was approached to be an extra in some Indian music video so I went along for the ride. The agent arrived and he required just white extras. About to leave, despondent. I am spotted by a agent, Sangetta from 'On Screen' casting. She's looking for some guys to star in an Indian commercial at a local stadium. Naturally I jump at the chance. About to be whisked off to Indian fame and a fortune of 8000 Ruppes. My co stars and I are squashed into this limo(ish) like vehicle. Adam, a New yorker, with a heart, that just arrived in Mumbai. Frank, an accomplished Blues musician who taught French at my college, the renowned John Ruskin College. Finally, Mansella, from Holland, a musical prodigy at the tender age of 26, travelling around India with a thirst for more musical knowledge. As usual, a long days filming the stars were whisked back to our hotel in a ricksaw then train and taxi about to dine out...

Answers on a post card to Sam-Z where the intro came from!!

Day 6

Mithin brought my train ticket up at 7.35am, he was ready to head back to his little village, so I sent him packing with a glowing report and a lil something for his new grandson that he hasn't seen because he was ferrying me around. Spent the rest of the morning lazing around, did approximately 24 pressups. I havent got that many cloths and the last thing I want to do is start bursting outta the ones I've got! Had a long shower, turns out the water runs hot after 20 mins! Nuts!

Then off to the Internet cafe to grab details of the Mumbai office. Gotta try and blaga free meal and internet access after India treats me to a 3rd class with A/C 20 hour journey.

The time on the ticket said 14.05pm, the time on the watch said 15.30pm as we pulled outta Jaipur. As I travelled on the world's largest railway to Mumbai, in a bunk of 6, I am blessed with 2 English speaking guys. One, an older gentleman, that looks like Gandhi, the other a youngster, who just graduated and started a job ib the diamond trade! Naturally, I took his details, I may need to get some jewellery made up for The One.

Day 5

The capital of Rajasthan, is the hub of all trading done thoughtout this state. Its known particularly for its numerous types of tie dying and embroidery, including zardozi, designs created with silver and gold threading. As India is credited as the home of tie-dying and showing this art form to the Western world, the capital of Rajasthan is known for its efforts in helping the development

To be visited in more detail on Part 2 of Sam Carew - Round The World

Day 6

Mithin brought my train ticket up at 7.35am, he was ready to head back to his little village, so I sent him packing with a glowing report and a lil something for his new grandson that he hasn't seen because he was ferrying me around. Spent the rest of the morning lazing around, did approximately 24 pressups. I havent got that many cloths and the last thing I want to do is start bursting outta the ones I've got! Had a long shower, turns out the water runs hot after 20 mins! Nuts!

Then off to the Internet cafe to grab details of the Mumbai office. Gotta try and blaga free meal and internet access after India treats me to a 3rd class with A/C 20 hour journey.

The time on the ticket said 14.05pm, the time on the watch said 15.30pm as we pulled outta Jaipur. As I travelled on the world's largest railway to Mumbai, in a bunk of 6, I am blessed with 2 English speaking guys. One, an older gentleman, that looks like Gandhi, the other a youngster, who just graduated and started a job ib the diamond trade! Naturally, I took his details, I may need to get some jewellery made up for the one.

Sam and his mate...



Look at the reflection in my famous glasses!



Qutb Minar tower


Qutb Minar complex

Another early start at 7pm took me past rice fields, numerous little villages, the buffalo market and into Rajasthan on the 232 km journey from Agra to Jaipur. Glover and I witness thousands of people toiling the land, making bricks and traveling via car, motor bikes and obviously, camel to and fro Agra. The journey was set against backdrop of naturally painted green vegetation and monsoon waiting dry lands, all slave to the bright colours Pepsi blue Shiba pants yellow adverts, oranges and great pinks of the female attire....

Eventually after about 6 hours driving, we arrive at our only port of call for today's visits - the monkey temple, 'Galta' or the 'temple of the Sun God'. We're greeted with - yes you're quick - hundreds of monkeys and the most gentile people I have encountered so far. No one hounding for money no hawkers, just smiles and monkey Lovely

Mithin and I are becoming a good team, some have likened us to a famous pair travellers, Shrek and Donkey. In this case, you probably didn't guess but I'm more like donkey, but he's no grouch. He took me to a local joint where I spent 110 rupees on an authentic Butter Chicken dish. A far cry from where I started, paying 690 Rupees for lunch. Life is getting better.

Tommorow, more Jaipur and Thursday a twenty hour trip to Mumbai!

Day Two/Three

My visit to the Taj Mahal was preceded by an all day tour of Delhi, from the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Lahore Gate in Old Delhi through Central Delhi, past India gate, even as far out as the Qutb Minar complex in Greater Delhi. On our way back to Paharganj, we swung by New Delhi to see the Bahá'í House of Worship, that's the Lotus Temple to you. One of Delhi's latest architectural masterpieces which doubles up as a temple for all faiths.

A Sammy power nap gave me the strength and desire for conversation, under the guise of food hunting I found myself wondering the Lonely Planet's recommended cafes and restaurants. I ended up dancing to the familar tune of the XP start up theme at a local Internet Cafe.

Early start for Mithin, Glover and I as were embark on a three hour plus drive @ 6am tp Agar. The first stop was Akbars Mausoleum. A series of spectacular sandstone and marble tombs built to commemorate Mughals emperor of days one by. 14km away lies the most notable pieces of world architecture - Yes it is a beautiful as they say.

Built on a raised marble platform allows the backdrop to be pure sky. It is an exercise in perfect symmetry, the white marble masterpiece glistens in the Indian sunshine. Designed by a Persian architect, the identical faces feature quotations from the Koran and scroll work made from semiprecious stones from as far wide as Italy and Iran.
As many structures in India, it too is set in some breathtaking gardens, probably due to enormous Islamic influence in their architecture.

After lunch at another guides, brother's place, I check into yet another hotel eagerly continiuing the wait for some unpaid conversation...



...Found it as brave Sam and Glover went for ice cream at Maya's. His name were Steve from T'Bolton. He told me about his 3 month tour through India with his wife/girlfriend, gave me somehelp tips, then proceeded to order chicken and chips... promptly left them to it.

Day One

Like every self respecting traveller than isn't Sam Carew, I woke up early(ish) combed and conditioned my hair and spent the first half of my day scouring the streets of Delhi looking for somewhere to get my hair cane rowed (and buy moisturiser!) Being the only guy with an Afro in Delhi, I had no joy with getting my hair done. Not all doom and gloom and messy hair, I'm the proud new owner of some Vaseline Intensive Care moisturiser! So glad I didn't pack my blue suede shoes because that's all my Merrels did today - Walk I booked a solo 4 day trip around the Golden Triangle, yep you guessed it, Delhi - Agar - Jaipur.

One thing I'll say so far is that the children are amazingly friendly, waving and thrusting out their hands for a hand shake and a barrel of questions between the smiles. I stumbled across some precession with turned out be a wedding ritual, on my way back from a Chicken Tikka Masala. It was preceded by more of the very friendly happy children eager to get their picture taken. It was a pleasure to hear them shout as the flash went off then continue on their way leading the precession, dancing and smiling without a Game Boy in sight.

Now resting back in my upgraded room sporting the very latest in travelling Couture of pants and money belt, listening to the sound of The JCB Song, I ponder on how such a place so similar to Lagos has been a huge player in the computer and call center industries.
Ironically the tracks changes to 'Get It Together' by India Irie. Its similarities extend to the food, the culture, the street hawkers and general hustle and bustle of the place. Maybe that's it, they've 'Got It Together'
Song of the day: 'Get It Together' by India Irie