Diwali Prep.

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A nice relaxed start to the day. A delicious home prepared breakfast with ginger tea to wash it down. We listened to the news back home before heading out for a spot of Diwali shopping.

First stop was the mall where we purchased food from a very fancy shop. They stocked lots of international items including marmite, Heinz baked beans and HP sauce. We crammed into the tiny lift to the next floor. Here we discovered the household items and the tills. One member of staff unloaded the trolley, a second used the till and a third packed it all away. Wow!


Back downstairs we loaded the car before heading to the market near the clock tower. We watched as our friends shopped for Diwali decorations and fireworks. It was so busy ...

All shops were beautifully lit with fairy lights and selling festive goodies like there's no tomorrow!


We had a short shopping rest in a Lassi shop and they were delicious. Served in a clay cup and topped with nuts.

We continued shopping and visited a jewellery shop. Our friend knew the owner and he very kindly gave us both a Diwali gift with a special silver coin on top.

Loaded up with bags of fireworks, jewellery and Diwali essentials (oil lamps, candals ...) we caught a rickshaw back to the car. It was pretty close by but we had a lot to carry between 5 of us!

We continued Diwali shopping and once totally exhausted, called the driver to pick us up. He delivered us home safely through the very packed streets.


It was now about 8 pm. We ate a magnificent meal and headed outside to let off some fireworks. The bangs are so loud! We also lit a fire in the outside chimney area and 'played' guitar with a spot of singing. We gave 'Gin Gan Gooley' a try but eventually opted for more sophisticated Hindu tunes and classics from the 60's.


Before bed we watched closely as Diwali deeps were lit outside the gate and a beautiful rangoli was produced outside the front door. Coloured powder was used around a pretty glass pattern and small tealights. It looked fabulous!


Tired now, bed calling.

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