The Last Visits!

On Thursday, Tim and myself (Christina), headed out on the loop to visit Tango 5 down in Kerala, and Charlie 1 in Kotapadi.

We met Tango 5 on their rest day, and found them emerging from a river after a morning of rafting.



Donya, Kai and Alex's raft





Tango 5





Ashley, Manpreet and Devon





It was obvious straight away spirits were high, after just 5 days the group had already grown close, and they couldnt wait to tell us what they had been getting up to.

Tango 5 at the top of Amba

First off, the weather has been good to them! They have only seen a little 
bit of rain and had clear skies on the previous day when climbing Amba, one of the most peaceful peaks in the Western Ghats.

Back at Camp Manpreet and Ashley got started on making an amazing rice dinner. Impressive for trek dining! It was followed by banoffee pie made my Sarah, it was soon obvious why everyone was so high spirited! The group obviously all make the most of every opportunity.





Receiving post and stocking up from the shop!



  



Siva Writing notes to the other groups







Eleri's snacks







Devon Lauren and Sarah







Manpreet stocking up on shower gel!



They all told us their highlights so far, most featuring Devon and his amusing ways - he has certainly been keeping everyone entertained along the way!

The next day we stayed for a day of cycling with Tango 5. The group, happy to leave their rucksacks to one side for the day, once again had another good day of weather. Arriving at camp next to Banasura Dam, everyone set up tents and made dinner before an early night ready for a 13km trek the next day - when we left them to go visit Charlie 1.

 

Christina and Devon







Kai



Alex - slightly windswept!







Lauren on Lunch break



 

Ashley



Arriving at Kotapadi just before Lunch the group were all busy working. After a tour of their beautiful village, and introductions to all the local families who are looking after them, we were fed lunch by Luthermary, one of the Local 'Mums' who feeds the group. After a delicous carrot, rice and popadom meal, the rest of the group headed back out to work whilst Ben, Emma and Katia joined me to visit a nearby village called Karthadu.

Some of the children in Kotapadi

 

Luthermary and Sarah in Charlie 1





 

Emma and Elvis receiving post!



 

Raleigh worked in Karthadu back in 2009 building 15 sanitation units. We headed back to evaluate the project, we met the locals and were shown around their lovely village, located in the middle of the tea plantations. The children were delighted to see us, and sang songs that the previous group had taught them 2 years ago!

Ben, Katia and Emma with one of the Locals in Karthadu



Being shown around the village



Katia

 

Charlie 1 have been speeding along with the work, the house is looking fantastic ith its recently completed roof!

Fletch and John are heading out tomorrow morning to visit both Echo 3 and Echo 4, so will update with how they are getting on in a few days.

Here are a few messages from Tango 5 and Charlie 1!

Charlie 1

From Emma Williams

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all good! I am currently on community phase in Kotapadi – it is beautiful. The community are so friendly and welcoming and they cook us the most delicious food for lunch and dinner. I went to help cook chapattis (like pancakes), it took me a few goes but I finally got it…sort of =P

I am going on an overnight trip to Ooty on Tuesday, lots of shopping and apparently you can get an amazing brownie! I am currently helping to build four toilets and finish a house, lots of hard work – I think my new profession is a builder – haha.

Still loving India but can’t wait to see you all now. Not long to go, can’t believe how fast the time is going.

See you all on 4^th September J Love you, Emma xxxxxxxxxxxx

From Elvis Ku

Dearest,

I would come back Hong Kong on 4^th September, if you want to know about the details, you can contact Tracey as she helped me to change the flight with the agent.

2 more weeks only in India, I really miss you all and worry about Grandpa’s situation. If there was any emergency please contact fieldbase directly!

I am now working for the community project. Our main duties are building four more toilets and finalizing the housebuilding for the villagers. The meal here is awesome since the villagers cook the traditional Indian food (rice, curry and chappati) for us each day. I am gaining fat now…

For “big” sister, happy birthday (though it is a little bit late to say)! Miss you all! Take care! May God bless all of you!

Elvis.

From Sarah Whetter

Greetings all,

Having a blast in Kotapadi, a lovely little community on a hillside in Tamil Nadu – yet more toilet building and also finishing off a house. My new found skills are never-ending…!

Can’t believe only 10 more days to go on this crazy adventure, it’s hard to describe it all I must say.

Back to fieldbase on 31^st August for a week or so then probably heading to Delhi and a few cheeky trips around the north.

Take care and be good!?

Love, Sarah x

To: The KGP followers aka fans

From: Katia Philip

Yo / Vanakum! Last msg to all you nutcases in the UK. LOVING this project, the village and families are amazing and so warm. Working hard and the rain hasn’t been AS bad yet! My name here is Nalla and I’m slowly transforming into a good Tamil lady! Sooo excited to see you all SO soon! ARGH! Bare Indian Blessings and lovings. See y’all in 13 DAYS! Xxx

To: Ali

From: Katia Philip

Counting down the days until I see your chumpy fashe! Fancy a date on the 3^rd Sept? Let a gyal know! Love you loads, Katia xxx

Tango 5

From Manpreet

To Steph, Nicola, Katie, Ness, Karen, Sarah, Shetal, Pauline and Trisia

Heyyy guys miss you loads…thanks for the message guys made my dad; tell Nicole I’ll catch up with her when I get back. Been doing such amazing things out here on last phase now; just finishing off water rafting now; so fun. LOL gutting fish lol love it!!As for the postcard I probably be back before it arrives post is lame!! Also Steph I am back on the 3^rd so keep original plans as 11^th my first day back and Fanny I’ll be there J xxx

From Ashley Johns

Hello Everyone! Having loads of fun on trek! We’ve just had a rafting day and it was really fun and four days of walking before that. We climbed to the top of Amba mountain yesterday. Stunning view from the top with loads of leeches but they never got me! Hoping they will stay away. We got to our campsite last night and it was a flashback to that time at Costa – probably more insane! And then we moved to another one this morning which was loads better. We have our first biking day tomorrow and then my birthday will be a biking day too J so we’ll get to have a nice meal. Please may I have a haircut for my birthday? Oh and steak for my first meal!! See you all soon! Big kisses – especially to Stinky, Jamie, Parker, Mam and Dad. Xxx

From Lauren Hopkins

Cat! Hi lovely, thank you so, so, much for your lovely parcel – it’s the sweetest thing EVER and I’m going to share it all with the group tonight – they’ll LOVE it! Everyone has read your note – Siva was laughing A LOT! Hope home life is good – we miss you a lot infact I was just speaking with Manpreet, Devon and Donya tonight and we were all saying how lovely you are! You’ll be pleased to hear I’m staying on later! Anyways – keep in touch! Lots and lots of love Lauren xxxx

From Donya

To Soraya

Hey rayadean! How are you? I was so happy when I got your message! I hope Londontown is not too hectic, I’ve heard loads about the riots etc. Sounds CRAZY! Missing you but I’ll be back soon to catch up on the summer. Hope you’re not too bored without me or Anton lol. I’m sure you are working loads and stocking up your bank account so lucky you. I might be back by september 4th, if not september 17th so i will see you soon.

I’m currently trekking through jungles and up mountains so it’s great out here, having loads of fun but I can’t wait to see everyone back home. Take care of yourself! Love Donya xx

To Ishmael (from Donya)

Hey babe, thanks for your message! Trek is actually amazing, I think it’s definitely my best phase. I’ve seen groups of elephants, monkeys etc and the scenery is just so beautiful! However, there are SO many leeches which I HATE, I even cried on day 4 because so many were on me. It’s all worth it though I suppose because I’m really enjoying this phase and it’s only day 6 out of 19. I went rafting today too which was so fun. I’ve been thinking of you loads and loads and I can’t wait to see you! Not long left now! speak to you soon. Love you loads! Donya. xxx

Photographs by Christina Ambrose

and Lauren Hopkins