Category Asia
Nepal Highlights
Our 16 days in spectacular Nepal came to an end and we made it out the country with lots of tales but no visa issues.
The Stupas Have Eyes
With one day left in Nepal, the choice between Swayambhunath and Bodhnath Stupa was influenced by Bodhnath’s size and surrounding monasteries. The massive Stupa, rich in symbolism and history, dates back to 600 AD. After exploring and enjoying local food, the group prepared to head to Thailand amidst visa concerns.
From Ayr With Love
After a filling breakfast, the group embarked on a journey to Patan via overcrowded mini vans. They navigated the bustling market, purchased tickets, and met Arun, a helpful guide from Ayr. Arun showcased Patan’s Durbar Square and its temples. Following their tour, they enjoyed authentic Malaysian cuisine before returning to Kathmandu.
This town is coming like a Ghost Town
Karen and John decide to break up their long bus journey to Kathmandu by visiting the cultural town of Bandipur. However, their trip involves unexpected challenges, including a shared taxi experience and being approached for money by a local girl. Despite setbacks, they enjoy exploring, dining, and ultimately return to Kathmandu.
Ain’t no mountain high enough….
Karen Hamilton recounts her challenging trek to Poonhill with John and their guide Gunas. Equipped for adventure but undertrained, they faced steep steps and cold weather. Despite struggles, they reached Poonhill for sunrise, reveling in breathtaking views. The descent back to Pokhara was daunting, yet they celebrated their achievement with a beer.
Gotta Catch Em All – Pokhara!!!
The journey to Pokhara began with an early flight on a small plane, landing amidst stunning Himalayan views. After exploring nearby attractions like the World Peace Pagoda and a Tibetan Refugee Settlement, the travelers encountered a mix of spirituality and challenges. They later booked a rafting and trekking expedition, anticipating further adventures.
Bhaktapur Future
The narrative details a journey to Bhaktapur, a UNESCO heritage site in Nepal, where the travelers enjoyed their stay at a charitable guesthouse supporting disabled children. They explored the town, faced detours during a bus trip for Himalayan views, and relished affordable local cuisine. Their experience highlighted Bhaktapur’s charm and hospitality.
Kathmandu among the pigeons
After five weeks in India, the travelers arrived in Kathmandu, facing a visa hiccup that required a 30-day extension. They explored the bustling Thamel area, enjoyed local cuisine, and overcame a misadventure with rabid dogs. Their journey included visits to temples and planning future travels, while navigating laundry and communication challenges.
The Dark Fort Rises!!
Crowd: Deshi basara! Deshi basara!Bruce Wayne: What does that mean?Prisoner: Rise. Catwoman, played by Anne Hathaway has just led Christian Bale’s Batman into a trap in the sewer system of Gotham City. A fight between him and the physically dominating antagonist Bane(played by Tom Hardy)ensues and it becomes pretty clear that Batman is out […]
India Highlights!
Some of our highlights of India. We spent 6 weeks on the sub-continent exploring every nook and cranny (and bowl of Dhali) You can read about each moment here.
Our Houseboat in the middle…
The backwaters of Kerala, particularly Allepey, offered a unique experience on a houseboat. Despite a disappointing stay at a beach hut, the boat excursion was remarkable. Exploring canals, indulging in delicious meals, and encountering Kerala Duck Farmers made the trip unforgettable. The encounter with thousands of ducks created a memorable experience in this serene setting.
The Elephants went in two by two…
Hurrah hurrah! We had arrived in Thekkady – a town that straddles the Periyar National Park. Today it encompasses over 925 square kilometres of forests, plains and wetlands and is the product of years of organic growth and conservation starting in the 1930s as a simple effort to stop the encroachment of tea plantations near […]
The Rocky Road to Thekkady
1.2.3.4.5 Early morning mist came flooding down the mountains as we tucked into our “Wonderful” Toast. I say Toast.. Slightly warmed bread is a better description. Today we would be heading south to the town of Kumily and the Periyar National Park, located in the Thekkady area. Our hope would be to discover some elephants […]
Fifty Shades of Tay
The next stop on the Kerala tour was to climb the hills of Munnar. Located 1,600 metres above sea level in the Western Ghats Mountain Range that splits Kerala from the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. Up here it’s all about Tea with numerous plantations surrounding the town and villages. Our day started on the […]
Beena and the Jets!!
Our next stop was Kochi (Fort Cochin) in Kerala. A few days earlier we had emailed a homestay we had found online called Beena’s. We later found out how lucky we were to get a room here as this place was a Traveller’s Choice Winner on TripAdvisor for the the last 3 years. It didn’t […]
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