HOT PINK SPICE SAGA by Peta Mathias and Julie Le Clerc

So many reasons to give this 5 stars! Everything Peta Mathias writes is totally fab to read - her enthusiasm, her sheer joy, her perseverance in sometimes trying circumstances all come shining through. The photographs by fellow author Julie Le Clerc of food, scenery and local people are beautiful and complement Peta's  often-over-the-top prose. The recipes, and I did try some, are easy, delicious and look pretty much what the picture shows. It is a travel book as well as a food book, they two working seamlessly together - lots and lots to love.

Having lived in India for a year, plus just finished a nearly 4 week trip through much of the north of the country, I have been to a number of places this book travels through. It both brings back memories and adds to the new memories made over the recent trip. She has a wonderful chapter on Darjeeling, which was the impetus for one of the others in our group insisting that we go to Darjeeling and stay at Glenburn Tea Estate. Everything about this part of India I adored, and it was by far my favourite place. Glenburn is a place of tranquility, wonderful hospitality, plus tea, tea and more tea. Peta captures it perfectly.

If you want to be further inspired to go to India, or think it may not be the place for you to go to, read this delicious travel/cook book/memoir, and just get out there and do it. It is country that will confront you in many ways, but if you go with an open mind, you will be rewarded. And eat the local food - it is the best. This book will sure help in that regard.