Sun - December 12, 2004Sunday, December 12, 2004 (Flight from Bangkok to Sydney)Those darn anti-malaria tablets again. Weren't we
suppose to get visas for Australia? Yet another mini-van from hell and it was
only a matter of time before we broke down in the middle of nowhere. Did those
visas process already? Good-bye Asia - Australia, here we come!
Posted at 08:08 PM Read More Sat - December 11, 2004Saturday, December 11, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Our very last day in Asia is upon us and it's
time to reflect back. Meticulous record keeping. Sending home another parcel. So
much time in Thailand but so little of the country seen (above ground that is).
The Grand Palace and how not to offend. A selection of photos to reflect on
Asia.
Posted at 03:51 PM Read More Fri - December 10, 2004Friday, December 10, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Avoiding the circling predators is now second
nature to us. An honest tax driver, for a change, and the ride back to the Khao
San Road backpacker's ghetto. No rooms available? We laugh in the face of such
adversities. Another full-body work-over from a dainty little Thai woman with
oily hands. What was that you said? Looking for the information
superhighway.
Posted at 04:49 PM Read More Thu - December 9, 2004Thursday, December 9, 2004 (Train from Surat Thani to Bangkok - Thailand)How do you explain the difference between soft
and hard boiled eggs using nothing but sign language? What kind of a bus will it
be today? Tempting fate with the overnight journey back to Bangkok. So very
close to achieving our original goal of travelling. The hunters moving in for
the kill.
Posted at 12:14 PM Read More Wed - December 8, 2004Wednesday, December 8, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)History repeating itself. A list for of chores.
Replacement batteries for our dive computers. Sadly, running out of time here in
Thailand. We still need to get from Sydney to Melbourne somehow. And now,
finally, for some general lounging around.
Posted at 10:50 PM Read More Tue - December 7, 2004Mon - December 6, 2004Monday, December 6, 2004 (M/V Koragot – Surin Islands - Thailand)Good morning, wakey-wakey! As far as the eye
could see. A cold breakfast at sea. The most spectacular dive of the trip with
some truly ancient sea creatures.
Posted at 10:44 PM Read More Sun - December 5, 2004Sunday, December 5, 2004 (M/V Koragot – Surin Islands - Thailand)Wasting no time getting wet. That initial splash.
It takes something special to make it a special dive. How to stop an argument
before it starts. The wonderfully colourful peacock mantis shrimp. Get those
shrimp out of the way of my camera.
Posted at 10:40 PM Read More Sat - December 4, 2004Saturday, December 4, 2004 (M/V Koragot – Surin Islands - Thailand)Making friends with the hotel manager has its
rewards. Exploring the pleasures of the local beach. My daily technology fix. A
new mask and snorkel at the right price. My growing library of DVDs. Is this
boat going to topple over?
Posted at 10:34 PM Read More Fri - December 3, 2004Friday, December 3, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Brain surgery in a tumble dryer. Where are my
fins? Rudibranch heaven. Extended bottom time whilst concentrating on the macro
world.
Posted at 11:26 PM Read More Thu - December 2, 2004Thursday, December 2, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Ordering lunch for breakfast. The
other
wreck dive on the West coast of Thailand. No wonder everybody wants to dive
here. By by favourite snorkel and mask. Soccer sized porcupine fish and schools
of bat fish. What happens if this engine fails whilst at sea?
Posted at 11:21 PM Read More Wed - December 1, 2004Wednesday, December 1, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)The long journey takes its toll. Wreck diving
where few dare to go. The perils of diving. Another diving opportunity presents
itself. There is a very large steak somewhere here with my name on
it.
Posted at 11:15 PM Read More Tue - November 30, 2004Tuesday, November 30, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Trying to sleep whilst upright. Forced to
enjoy
the public bus. The longer the journey, the more pampering required but first we
have to con our way in. Confirming our Surin Islands live-aboard.
Posted at 11:08 PM Read More Mon - November 29, 2004Monday, November 29, 2004 (Train from Bangkok to Surat Thani - Thailand)A last minute change of plans sends us hurtling
across the continent. Good news on the budget front. What does that four-letter
word mean again? The ups and downs of travelling.
Posted at 11:04 PM Read More Sun - November 28, 2004Sunday, November 28, 2004 (Phnom Penh - Cambodia)The long lie in. What to do in Phnom Penh. A trip
to the killing fields in Cheung Ek and a visit to the Genocide Museum. Concerns
about our budget. Monks and the Internet.
Posted at 11:01 PM Read More Sat - November 27, 2004Saturday, November 27, 2004 (Phnom Penh - Cambodia)The bus to the bus to the bus, which finally took
us down through Cambodia to its capital. Glazed spiders anybody? Learning the
difference between a yellow and green banana - the hard way. May have to adjust
our plans - again! How much should a tuk-tuk cost? The illusive guesthouse that
didn't exist in the end. Our minimum requirements of a guesthouse. Lighting up a
kids face with magic.
Posted at 10:28 PM Read More Fri - November 26, 2004Friday, November 26, 2004 (Siem Reep - Cambodia)Slowing down the temple trekking. Making a young
girl very happy. A sad and dangerous legacy. Buying money. Saying good-bye to
another new friend. More festivities by the water. A new and very different type
of restaurant.
Posted at 09:57 PM Read More Thu - November 25, 2004Thursday, November 25, 2004 (Siem Reep - Cambodia)In search of overgrowth with another half day of
temple trekking photography. The boat races and how the Cambodians relax. Khmer
culture and an evening dinner.
Posted at 11:54 PM Read More Wed - November 24, 2004Wednesday, November 24, 2004 (Siem Reep - Cambodia)The softest beds in all of Asia. Our first full
day of temple trekking. Faces in the crumbling stones. Markets and coconuts.
Where vines meets stone. The familiar sight of the Angkor Wat towers. How to
make a spoon from a coconut.
Posted at 11:47 PM Read More Tue - November 23, 2004Tuesday, November 23, 2004 (Siem Reep - Cambodia)Picking up our passports and making our way to
the airport. Having lots of fun sorting out lots of headaches at the airport.
The many options for getting to Cambodia. Once again on the threshold of a new
beginning and our first impressions of Cambodia
Posted at 11:40 PM Read More Mon - November 22, 2004Monday, November 22, 2004 (Train from Surat Thani to Bangkok - Thailand)So long, for now at least, to Khao Lak. The
broken glass incident. A nasty surprise waiting for me when the Bangkok Air web
site finally started working again. Another 'fun' ride across country. Not much
happening in Phun Phin. The AOK for the laptop repair. The slow, night train
back to Bangkok.
Posted at 07:40 PM Read More Sun - November 21, 2004Sunday, November 21, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)Another hard day in paradise doing nothing at
all. Still looking for that illusive cheap flight to Cambodia. Sorting out how
to repair my defective CD/DVD drive on the laptop. Wrecking the wreck dive idea.
Not all travel agencies are born equal. Resting up before tackling the world's
largest schnitzel.
Posted at 07:20 PM Read More Sat - November 20, 2004Saturday, November 20, 2004 (Khao Lak - Thailand)The result of three intensive days of diving. The
bliss of doing nothing. More practical logistics to worry about already. Still
thinking about those wreck dives.
Posted at 05:39 PM Read More Fri - November 19, 2004Friday, November 19, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Koa Bon - Thailand)How not to sleep on a constantly rocking boat.
Too much air consumption but at least breakfast was good again. Off to the
middle of nowhere and our last dive of the live-aboard but will it be worth the
effort. A tip for the hard working Thai crew. Let the pampering begin. Falling
quickly into a deep sleep.
Posted at 05:37 PM Read More Thu - November 18, 2004Thursday, November 18, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Similan Islands - Thailand)A much needed change of the controls. Breathing
by medication. There's always something missing. Up close and personal with a
huge shark. Another fabulous breakfast and another excursion with the fins.
resting after the dive - but just how much was I affected by the sun? See what
happens when you drop a cigarette! Rounding off the day with a top-deck
BBQ.
Posted at 05:30 PM Read More Wed - November 17, 2004Wednesday, November 17, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Similan Islands - Thailand)An auspicious start to our new life on the ocean
waves. Sorting out the divers and a thorough a dive briefing. A major
catastrophe with our equipment. Stunning visibility beneath the surface of the
water. My favourite meal was a nice surprise. A quick snorkel around the bay.
Too many near death experiences. Chucking the food overboard without being
caught in the act.
Posted at 05:21 PM Read More Tue - November 16, 2004Tuesday, November 16, 2004 (Mariner-1 – Similan Islands - Thailand)Departing Koh Lanta for our first foray into the
world of live-aboard diving. Meeting familiar friends. A two-hour ferry to
Krabi. The wacky races across country. Not yet started and already planning the
next live-aboard in the busy dive shop. In need of booties. Looking for a way to
pamper ourselves after the live-aboard. Topping up on snacks and batteries.
Where did our backpacks go? A mini monsoon as we boarded the
Mariner-1.
Posted at 05:12 PM Read More Mon - November 15, 2004Monday, November 15, 2004 (Koh Lanta) Nothing to see here; move along. Not much else
to do here other than eat, walk or get bored. Reflecting on our Thailand budget
to date. We have crabs! Looking forward to more diving after tomorrow. Will this
be our last chance to see a whale shark?
Posted at 09:05 PM Read More Sun - November 14, 2004Sunday, November 14, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)That holiday feeling again. Moving about the
island is difficult so we
have
to relax. Just exactly what is an
America
breakfast anyway? I quick dip into the deep
blue so see what I could see before the heavens opened up. Getting closer to
that live-aboard. A relaxing and romantic stroll along the beach before a
massage and evening sampling of the local, fresh fish.
Posted at 11:07 PM Read More Sat - November 13, 2004Saturday, November 13, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)Our last day of diving out of Koh Lanta.
Auto-pilot kicks in the early in the morning. The ever expanding range of
tolerable foods. A few tiny rocks in the middle of the open ocean. Getting to
grips with the camera. What makes a good dive? Some real treats beneath the
water. All the best dive sites around the world await us.
Posted at 01:48 PM Read More Fri - November 12, 2004Friday, November 12, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)A day apart. Another driver from hell episode.
Learning more about underwater photography. Why is that idiot always
photographing that piece of slate? Too many fish to count but, once again, I
miss the main event. Budget busting Fiji. Watching to sun set after it did it's
best to burn me.
Posted at 09:32 PM Read More Thu - November 11, 2004Thursday, November 11, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)The early bird gets the
fish.
Breakfast on the boat. Everything taken care of for us - all we have to do is
relax and enjoy the diving. Stunning diving and snorkelling is what we came for
and found. Learning more and more about underwater photography. The whale shark
that got away. Watching ourselves at the end of the day. Back home to another
romantic sunset dinner and an early bed.
Posted at 10:17 PM Read More Wed - November 10, 2004Wednesday, November 10, 2004 (Koh Lanta - Thailand)A slow boat to the mainland but this time without
the turbulence. Boat - coach - bus - ferry - truck - resort. Sorting out our
diving package and settling into our resort with a romantic twilight dinner on
the beach.
Posted at 09:10 PM Read More Tue - November 9, 2004Tuesday, November 9, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)Diving makes you tired. What about that aborted
dive then? Ready to leave this paradise - but another awaits.
Posted at 08:49 PM Read More Mon - November 8, 2004Monday, November 8, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)Once again into the deep.
Viz
getting better but still not spectacular. Sandy's health certificate turns up
missing. Our next island oasis has now been determined. Showing off our photos.
Rounding off the evening with a nice Sunday roast.
Posted at 08:48 PM Read More Sun - November 7, 2004Sunday, November 7, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)The hard work of doing nothing. Once again, our
thought turn as they must to our onward journey. The West coast of Thailand
beckons. A/C on the quiet. A successful night dive followed by the cleaning. A
torn muscle.
Posted at 07:51 PM Read More Sat - November 6, 2004Saturday, November 6, 2004 (Koh Tao - Thailand)I can see clearly now - not! A diving disaster at
sea as we got lost from the rest of the group. Thinking about how to tackle the
rest of South East Asia. Heading West to find clearer waters. I'm snorkelling in
the rain. Failing components of the laptop.
Posted at 10:41 PM Read More Fri - November 5, 2004Friday, November 5, 2004 (Ko Tao - Thailand)It's a hard life, here in paradise. Pick-up truck
taxis. In search of sharks whilst snorkelling at Shark's Bay - and then the spa.
How to treat a grazed knee with nothing more than what is lying on the ground.
My first night dive with the new strobe is very much a success, despite the poor
visibility beneath the waves.
Posted at 10:39 PM Read More Thu - November 4, 2004Thursday, November 4, 2004 (Koa Tao - Thailand)Sensing paradise. Trying to study with falling
bombs around us. Testing the dive gear. A quick refresher course in SCUBA diving
before our first fun dive of this trip - after an Olympic sprint to the
shallows. Replacing some of that sapped energy.
Posted at 10:22 PM Read More Wed - November 3, 2004Wednesday, November 3, 2004 (Ko Tao - Thailand)Misjudging our arrival time losses me a few extra
valuable minutes of sleep on the train. Train to truck to boat to our picture
perfect island paradise like no other. Low cost relaxation and diving. It rains
but you have to see it to believe it. Dinner at a nearby pub and adding up the
pennies.
Posted at 10:29 PM Read More Tue - November 2, 2004Tuesday, November 2, 2004 (Train from Bangkok to Chumphon - Thailand)A good start to the day was
not a
sign of things to come. Being squeezed for every penny can get tiresome.
Thirteen passengers out of a maximum of ten in a minibus. The long boat to the
floating markets. What does one have to do to get a boat all to oneself? The
release valve is activated again. Those blood-sucking parasites! A huge fake
after all. Some well earned relaxation by the pool and the effort of rolling
over ever now and then. Our train to down South.
Posted at 10:25 PM Read More Mon - November 1, 2004Monday, November 1, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)An unexpected extra day in Bangkok is put to good
use tending necessary chores - parcels, medication, visas &
flights.
Posted at 12:11 AM Read More Sun - October 31, 2004Sunday, October 31, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Sleeping through the grogginess. Where is the
post office? SEA visas. The growing photo library in need of maintenance. Greasy
egg rolls for lunch. SCUBA safety and the doctor's certificate. An afternoon
swim on the roof and catching up on the low-down. Halloween celebrations.
Topping up our supply of camera juice. Lively supper as the atmosphere starts to
glow. The masseuse from hell.
Posted at 11:57 PM Read More Sat - October 30, 2004Saturday, October 30, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)Still relaxing well into the morning. A change of
currency. The long way to the weekend markets. Setting the birds free. A new
suit is just what we don't need. Topping up on drugs. A handful of the many
thousands. Some you win and some you loose.
Posted at 12:42 AM Read More Fri - October 29, 2004Friday, October 29, 2004 (Bangkok - Thailand)The double-decker to the airport. A little white
lie turns out to be quite fortuitous. Did we need visas after all? The famous
Kao San Road and our first glimpse of Thailand - but is it really Thailand? When
haggling goes bad. Surveying the lay of the land. Sorting out some diving
options. A nice, oily, back rub to top off the day.
Posted at 11:38 PM Read More Thu - October 28, 2004Thursday, October 28, 2004 (Kowloon – Hong Kong)More tedium in the train before reaching
Guangzhou. Starting to feel like we have left China already. Special
Administrative Zones. Modern infrastructure again. MacInternet. A last minute
change of plans takes us to the smallest guesthouse in Kowloon. A summary of our
budget in China.
Posted at 09:35 PM Read More Wed - October 27, 2004Wednesday, October 27, 2004 (Train from Kunming to Guangzhou)Making sure we stick to the new plan. The
modernisation of China. The last quick DVD bargain to be had. Watching China
slowly pass by through the window of our train.
Posted at 11:12 PM Read More Tue - October 26, 2004Tuesday, October 26, 2004 (Kunming - China)Good-bye to Chengdu but where is the taxi driver
taking us? Airport prepared for expansion. Don't they have tourists in Kunming?
Fun on the buses. Sometimes the language barrier can hide the fact that the
Chinese are friendly people. The romance of China starting to wear off a bit
now. The importance of a decent map. A radical change in our plans swiftly
executed. The ups and downs of a bizarre evening.
Posted at 11:00 PM Read More Mon - October 25, 2004Monday, October 25, 2004 (Chengdu - China)A late night makes an early morning that much
more difficult. Back to see the Pandas again was much more enjoyable without the
crowds. Another close encounter but this time without the hoards of screaming
tourists. Getting back to town the cheap way. Having fun getting lost and
finding some real DVD bargains. Another relaxing massage but we're not sure what
happened to my back. A poignant thought for the day.
Posted at 10:59 PM Read More Sun - October 24, 2004Sunday, October 24, 2004 (Chengdu - China)The bus to Leshan. The bus in Leshan. Where is
the biggest Buddha in the world? Dafu in all his glory. Meeting more Dutch
people (they are everywhere). Sitting on the dock of the bay. And now how to get
back home again. Eating cheap. A retirement plan. A new fruit. Comparing
photos.
Posted at 10:58 PM Read More Sat - October 23, 2004Saturday, October 23, 2004 (Chengdu - China)Panda fever has set in but the dull and drizzly
day threatens to put a dampener on things. Going week at the knees at our first
sighting. Actually holding one of only 1000 of these beasts left on the planet.
A new-born Giant Panda cub was the icing on the cake. Red Pandas just as cute
and cuddly as the Giant Pandas. Hooking up again.
Posted at 03:43 PM Read More Fri - October 22, 2004Friday, October 22, 2004 (Chengdu - China)Another comfortable train journey. Collected from
the train station by the friendly staff from the not so friendly hostel. Trouble
with the heating now that the weather had turned. Eel and chicken sharps for
lunch. Wandering the streets of Chengdu. Enough is enough - time to switch
accommodation.
Posted at 06:48 PM Read More Thu - October 21, 2004Thursday, October 21, 2004 (Train from Xi’an to Chengdu)Leaving behind some thoughts for successive
travelers. Going through the motions of catching another train. Making friends
with our new cabin mates. Reflecting on my changing writing style. Pondering
what to do with my journal entries at the end of the trip.
Posted at 08:41 PM Read More Wed - October 20, 2004Tue - October 19, 2004Tuesday, October 19, 2004 (Xi’an - China)Arriving in Xi'an on what turned out to be a
brand new train. India revisited. Making our own way to the hostel this time.
The ever present need to figure out where to go next, just as soon as we've
arrived anywhere new. Making our way straight to the terracotta soldiers -
eventually. Chinese fast food and a unique perspective on life in China through
the eyes of its student population.
Posted at 03:09 PM Read More Mon - October 18, 2004Monday, October 18, 2004 (Train from Beijing to Xi’an)Farewell to Datong and our trusty CITS office.
Bumping into familiar faces. Still no luck interacting with the other train
passengers. Arrived safely in Beijing but not on the page in the guidebook that
we thought. The tension thickens as we try to combat Sandy's reading withdrawal
symptoms. Who writes this hilarious stuff anyway. Live scorpions on sticks. I
could get used to travelling like this.
Posted at 09:55 PM Read More Sun - October 17, 2004Sunday, October 17, 2004 (Datong - Beijing)Slept blissfully through the first half of the
day. Our hotel also rents rooms by the hour. Trying to understand how the buses
work. The Nine Dragons Screen. Being stared at more and more. Looking for a
temple but finding a more interesting part of town. Found the temple after all
but confused one of the locals in the process. How and when to haggle.
Remembering the little details. Are we still on budget?
Posted at 10:21 PM Read More Sat - October 16, 2004Saturday, October 16, 2004 (Datong - China)What a difference a comfortable bed makes. All
this spitting makes me sick - literally. Setting off to see the sites but
clearing the city limits was the first hurdle. The amazing temple caves at
Yungang are a sight to behold. A two our trek across the countryside to the
hanging temples at Heng Shan - equally a sight to behold. Another relaxing but
very long meal and we can now relax for a couple of days.
Posted at 11:56 AM Read More Fri - October 15, 2004Friday, October 15, 2004 (Train to Datong - China)Longest stay in any one place. A mad rush to
catch the train. Railway impressions. Want to buy some socks? Pondering the
vast land that is China. Sorting our the tourists on arrival. Choosing our hotel
and haggling for the room rate. Rounding the evening off with a nice Chinese
meal.
Posted at 04:58 PM Read More Thu - October 14, 2004Thursday, October 14, 2004 (Beijing - China)Another attempt at the Great wall bit this time
as the locals do, in a rickety old claptrap of a bus. Orientation at the base of
the wall. Not a very effective tourist machine. Did I leave something on the
bus? Chair lift up, foot power down. Glorious views to surpass even those from
the other day. Much more wall to admire this time. A familiar lunch is not quite
as familiar as we thought. Did I leave something else on the bus also? More
communications fun but unable to locate our lost property. An evening at the
local police station in Beijing was not on the agenda this morning. Anecdotes
with the other travellers.
Posted at 02:47 PM Read More Wed - October 13, 2004Wednesday, October 13, 2004 (Beijing - China)Musing over the plan ahead and working the
logistics. Trying our own luck at the train station. A stroll around the Temple
of Heaven. Eating in Grandma's Kitchen and finishing up the day exchanging
anecdotes with other travellers.
Posted at 02:27 PM Read More Tue - October 12, 2004Tuesday, October 12, 2004 (Beijing - China)Has anyone seen a Great Wall anywhere? Which wall
shall we visit today and how shall we get there? Shunning the packaged tourist
scene, but did we? Simple problems make for big hurdles. What is this guy
talking about with all those vowel sounds? Too many diversions but finally made
it the the wall at the end of the day. Meeting a fellow European for
supper.
Posted at 11:13 AM Read More Mon - October 11, 2004Monday, October 11, 2004 (Beijing - China)Our day of rest but this doesn't automatically
mean it will be a good day. Do-it-yourself laundry in the do-it-yourself sink.
And the mist finally lifts. This whole Japan thing is just not working out
regardless how hard I try. Lending a helpful English speaking hand. In search of
the markets but found only frustration. The Beijing metro network in all its
glory.
Posted at 07:55 PM Read More Sun - October 10, 2004Sunday, October 10, 2004 (Beijing - China)Starting the day with breakfast instead of lunch.
Neither of us like big
tablet day. Taking on the Summer Palace but no
idea what ticket we just bought. Glorious site to behold - mist or no mist.
Serenity rules the day. The Arches of
Golden Yellow. Chinese
acrobatics.
Posted at 07:08 PM Read More Sat - October 9, 2004Saturday, October 9, 2004 (Beijing - China)An unexpected phone call turned out to be very
fortuitous. Checking out and back in again. Tiananmen Square under the watchful
eye of Chairmen Mao but getting there was half the fun. Is it a trus or a bram?
Fending off the hungry touts looking for green tourists to feed off. Not quite
as forbidden as in times past. One square Kilometre of all that is Chinese.
Japan is so close yet so far. The best meat this vegetarian restaurant had to
offer.
Posted at 05:44 PM Read More Fri - October 8, 2004Friday, October 8, 2004 (Flight from Shenzhen to Beijing)Making our way to the ferry. A new country, but
the same country. Disembarkation observations. Finding our way in a new world.
Running directly into the language barrier. Some local currency. That
mysterious, white mist. Something to show the taxi driver. Arms and legs, when
mouth not enough. Is it noise or is it language? Where is this taxi driver
taking us? What to do here in Beijing. Interacting with the locals. The
fall-back restaurant. Spitting - the national sport. Where to find
money.
Posted at 09:26 PM Read More Thu - October 7, 2004Thursday, October 7, 2004 (Hong Kong Island – Hong Kong)Feeling the after effects from the
relaxing
massages. An MTR top-up. Meandering around the museums. Tallying up our
expenditure. The restaurant search from hell.
Posted at 06:49 PM Read More Wed - October 6, 2004Wednesday, October 6, 2004 (Hong Kong Island – Hong Kong)Another foray into oriental cuisine proves to be
worth the risk. Checking out the local massage parlours. There's just something
about a large, muscle bound man working you over with his thumb. The library and
the hair-dresser. Another trip to the masseuse but this time for the full works.
Learning about China and the people of Hong Kong. Good, fast, filling food. In
search of a golden souvenir.
Posted at 08:45 PM Read More Tue - October 5, 2004Tuesday, October 5, 2004 (Hong Kong Island – Hong Kong)An early start or a late night but never both.
Still more efficiencies to be found in the Hong Kong public transportation
network. Trains that you can't hear or feel coming. Is it a train station or an
airport terminal? The coach ride from hell but will the motion sickness tablets
kick in fast enough. More local tourists that foreigners at the Po Lin
Monastery. You can be the biggest anything if you qualify it enough. Unending
stairway. What's barking on the menu? Inscents and prayers. Trying out the local
cuisine. The affluent people of this region. A well stocked supermarket. A good
day but tiring nevertheless. Soaking up the night time atmosphere with a few
surprises to boot.
Posted at 09:26 PM Read More Mon - October 4, 2004Monday, October 4, 2004 (Hong Kong Island – Hong Kong)The lingering effect from our colds do not excuse
us from our duty to attend to our necessary travel chores. No difference in
price between flying and taking the train to Beijing. Some time apart. The best
library in the world? Birds in the park. The famous Peak Tram ride with stunning
views of the city. Sunset falls and we dine in style as Hong Kong lights up
before us.
Posted at 08:02 PM Read More Sun - October 3, 2004Sunday, October 3, 2004 (Hong Kong Island – Hong Kong)Something not quite right with our internal body
clocks. Malaria fears passing. A familiar lunch in an unfamiliar place. A tram
ride to take in Hong Kong by day. What makes Hong Kong a different kind of
metropolis. Feng Shui rules down at Central. Untypical behaviour is typical in
Hong Kong on a Sunday afternoon. A subterranean wonder is surely the envy of the
world. Those deceptive supermarkets with their fish tanks. Ready for another
update at the biggest Internet Cafe we've seen. Our first taste of Chinese
cuisine but does it go down well? A trip to the local travel agent to prevent
making the same mistake again.
Posted at 09:54 PM Read More Sat - October 2, 2004Saturday, October 2, 2004 (Flight from Delhi to Hong Kong)Was it even worth going to bed? The taxi ride
from stress hell. Things always take more time when you are in a hurry.
Remembering the good stuff is what it's all about. Will we make the flight? Can
we afford Hong Kong? We will be arriving blind. Worried about Malaria. Back to
the first world again. The logistics start all over again. Suddenly, there are
shops again. High rise hostel. Find me a steak and quickly!
Posted at 06:00 PM Read More Fri - October 1, 2004Friday, October 1, 2004 (Delhi - India)Sending parcels home. Cinemas, Internet and
business cards. Trying desperately to arrange our next flight leg. Making final
payments and transportation arrangements.
Posted at 05:08 PM Read More Thu - September 30, 2004Thursday, September 30, 2004 (Delhi - India)Saving the best till last but the day had
auspicious beginnings. Another class of carriage for us to experience but how
finding our seats was still a challenge. In-flight services. Still getting
better at handling touts and rickshaw drivers. Our first cycle rickshaw. No cell
phones or tripods allowed?! The majestic Taj Mahal in all its timeless glory.
Squirrels and parrots. A quick trip to the Amber Fort was interrupted by the
promise of an earlier departure.
Posted at 03:31 PM Read More Wed - September 29, 2004Wednesday, September 29, 2004 (Delhi - India)India has worn us down and we are loosing our
desire for site seeing. Deprived of any indication of the time makes for a very
slow morning. Time to lighten our load. We can only take so much Indian food.
Will Japan make it into our schedule or not? Always more logistical problems to
work through. Staying in touch with home. Wait-listed for our flight out. A few
souvenirs to remember India by.
Posted at 10:05 PM Read More Tue - September 28, 2004Tuesday, September 28, 2004 (Delhi - India)Budget is one thing but even
we
have our standards. Time for another well deserved rest. Indian cuisine is
rapidly loosing its appeal. Learning how not to get ripped off. An American
restaurant in India is not quite an American restaurant. Can you please lie for
me sir? To squat or not to squat - more training clearly required.
Posted at 05:19 PM Read More Mon - September 27, 2004Monday, September 27, 2004 (Alwar - India)Getting up this early in the morning shouldn't e
allowed when you are on holiday. More of the same on the safari trail. A ride
into town after settling up. A nondescript town where few tourist dare to tread.
Just exactly how many things can go wrong at a train station anyway? Finally on
a train but not the one we had planned on. The centre of attention until
boarding the train bound to Delhi, and not Agra.
Posted at 05:15 PM Read More Sun - September 26, 2004Sunday, September 26, 2004 (Sariska Tiger Reserve - India)Enough of this resting rubbish. In search of a
Tiger. The end of India in our sights. A typical Indian taxi. Limited
accommodation options and we are left with the bottom of the barrel. How to book
a safari. Game for game until the light fades but where to eat? If all else
fails, spend your way out of trouble.
Posted at 05:11 PM Read More Sat - September 25, 2004Saturday, September 25, 2004 (Jaipur - India)Could travelling really be this easy? A radical
change to the morning routine. And now for some more tourist activities. More
royal monuments. The rickshaw can only go so far. The fort at the top of the
hill. Delhi belly finally strikes. trying to buy train tickets. Good old
American fast food.
Posted at 05:06 PM Read More Fri - September 24, 2004Friday, September 24, 2004 (Jaipur - India)Another trip on the overnight train but sleep was
not on everyone's mind. Being psychologically prepared for the onslaught. A
hotel that made us forget we were in India. Two night's sleep in just one night.
We've only just got here and are already planning to leave. Getting our bearings
at the tourist information office. The City Palace was nice but the Observatory
held our interest. Our first MacChicken burger. A moral dilemma. To hook up or
not to hook up.
Posted at 11:42 PM Read More Thu - September 23, 2004Thursday, September 23, 2004 (Train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur)A relaxing finish to a relaxing visit. Checking
out the last few things to see and do. Logistically looking ahead. The prime
minister's residence. An unexpected palace. Playing cards with the locals. A new
look on the Indian trains.
Posted at 09:28 PM Read More Wed - September 22, 2004Wednesday, September 22, 2004 (Jaisalmer - India)More relaxation on the agenda. getting to grips
with the rickshaw drivers. Not just camel safaris attract people to Jaisalmer.
The fort and the splendour of the Jain temples left us speechless. Of bats and
priests. Too hot to walk, talk or even move. Tending to chores back in the
hotel. Another train journey is on the cards. Preparing ourselves for the
rigours of Jaipur.
Posted at 10:09 PM Read More Tue - September 21, 2004Tuesday, September 21, 2004 (Jaisalmer - India)Our first experience with the 'romance' of the
Indian trains. Navigating the sleeping masses. This is definitely
not
what we expected. How to put a sheet into a bed you are already sleeping in.
Besieged upon arrival in Jaisalmer. Searching for the right man. Please let the
room have a functional air conditioner. Where is my towel!? Just one calamity
after another. Starting to appreciate Jaisalmer and our best meal
yet.
Posted at 10:15 PM Read More Mon - September 20, 2004Monday, September 20, 2004 (Jodhpur - India)Jodhpur not such a bad place after all but just
one night should be all that is necessary. An audio tour of the main attraction
is constantly interrupted with some interesting encounters with villagers.
Chilling out at the royal burial memorial. The seedy rickshaw driver. Exchanging
anecdotes with other travellers. Waiting to catch the train.
Posted at 10:11 PM Read More Sun - September 19, 2004Sunday, September 19, 2004 (Taxi from Udaipur to Jodhpur)An early departure from Udaipur. A taxi ride out
of the city. Some wonderful sights along the way include a mountain peak fort
and a fantastic Jain temple but where are my legs? Not a good first impression
of Jodhpur as we struggle to find our place. How many things can go wrong in
such a short space of time? The menu from hell.
Posted at 10:08 PM Read More Sat - September 18, 2004Saturday, September 18, 2004 (Udaipur - India)Our last day in Udaipur. Kids and cricket on a
slow day. Ganesh raises his head and trunk. How to make an Indian phone call
that doesn't cost the earth. Knowing who is and who isn't your friend. Could you
turn that sari down a bit please?
Posted at 11:43 PM Read More Fri - September 17, 2004Friday, September 17, 2004 (Udaipur - India)Another day on the tourist trail through Udaipur
starts with a specific traveller's routine. Domed monuments to the maharajas of
times gone. Strolling through a garden and becoming the attraction. A very nice
lunch but I doubt we will eat there again. Good art and great art and how to
tell the difference. The sites and sounds of Udaipur, James Bond
style.
Posted at 01:13 AM Read More Thu - September 16, 2004Thursday, September 16, 2004 (Udaipur - India)Have we only been here two days so far? Tourist
mode kicks in as we take in the sited of Udaipur. Of temples and palaces and
being waited on hand and foot. A trembling wallet and a mouthful of flames.
Heading for the monsoon whilst trying to avoid being eaten by tigers and
leopards and bumping into a Bollywood star in the making. The artful apprentice
and the elephant.
Posted at 12:21 AM Read More Wed - September 15, 2004Wednesday, September 15, 2004 (Mumbai & Udaipur - India)A continuation of the previous trip. A hearty
breakfast starts the day. Why are we not killing each other already? A peaceful
and restful flight into India but our body clocks need adjusting. Crossing the
threshold into a new country and the usual chores await us. Trouble with
ticketing. A frightening bus ride across the runway. Our first meal in India was
not a culinary success. A hellish taxi ride to rival even Cairo. Trusting our
guidebook. The serene view of Udaipur and a nap after breakfast. A rickshaw ride
through another world. Avoiding being eaten by tigers. Our first
real
Indian meal was very much a success. Why haggle over a dollar and the state of
the local tourist industry.
Posted at 04:28 PM Read More |
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Published On: Apr 25, 2005 11:56 AM |
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