Hello from Varkala on the beach in Southern India. When we first arrived in India, we had planned to go NORTH to Darjeeling but it was literally freezing there (30degreesF). So we used the "F" word - Flexible and went South. From November 23 to December 10, we traveled about 55 hours through 4 states, on 4 buses and 1 train from Kolkata to the Southern tip of India. (see map above) Kanyakumari is where three oceans meet at the most southern tip of India, Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. Out of our first eight hotels in India (Kolkata, Puri, Vizag, Pondicherry, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Kovalam, and Varkala), we have had six with ocean views. One favorite was the Park Hotel Ashram in Pondicherry (where Pi Patel from Life of Pi was from) it has lovely quotes and signs everywhere and was only $12usd for a fan room. Our room in Kovalam was also $12 and had a huge balcony with incredible sunset and ocean views.

George and I have been writing up a storm and are now both Huffington Post Bloggers! We look forward to sharing more of our articles with you. Our next newsletter will be in 2013 so HAPPY NEW YEAR! Look for our TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST that will begin January 2, 2013!

They say, "Time flies when you are having fun!" Tomorrow will be our third wedding anniversary. It seems like only yesterday we were dressing up at Casa Del Mar to walk down the aisle where we had our first date! (see photo below!) We feel fortunate to be able to spend this year together in Asia. Thank you to all for reading, commenting and joining us on our journey!  Lisa and George (Click here to sign up for this newsletter. )

Ps. Links to a few recent video posts: From Thailand: Fire Dancing on Koh Tao, Falling down and wiping out on Koh Phangan, and the incredible Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok--we were there for the RED CARPET grand opening of H&M!