Yep, this is it, madness has begun! India is incredible, I think the best description for this place is mesmerizing. It is not uncommon to find yourself, staring at the wide array of colours developed out of the rich culture, ramshakle but beautiful buildings built upon the banks of the holy hindu river of the ganga and the crowds of people in this, one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi.
It is so much to take in and is a true roller coaster of emotions. The burning ceremonies are seriously eye opening and there are temples around every turn. A guide took us round these sites explaining their significance and much of the rich history that accompanies them.
Despite becoming occasionally overwhelmed, it is not all doom and gloom as you may have suspected from Johns blog. Who has found the best place in Varanasi so far to be a silk shop where he found refuge, ah the adventures :)
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Two Weeks till touch down!!!
We are in Varanasi at the moment where they burn dead bodies 100m away from where i am living by the river Ganges... mad place, however an experience to take and learn of other cultures for gladly a short time..hehe is good. Seen many smelly cows (Holy cows with apprently 1Billion and 25 gods inside of them according to the Hindu religon) roaming the tiney streets of the old town. Only two weeks till the tree warriors return. We are all excited, however we will push on through the huge population of India (14.7% of the world to be precise) to Locknow, Agra where the Taj Mahal is and then on to the mighty Dehli.
Thankyou and goodnight
well here it is we have just spent a month in indo, we have basically surfed everyday for a month around different parts of the island.
In our first week we spent a few days in a place called Bingin just north of uluwatu to sample the perfect southern waves, we didn't last very long here as it is very quiet and with Nic not coping very well with the shallow reefs we decided to pack up and head back to kuta with another couple. The lively evening life and easy beach break for Nic suited us perfectly and we found ourselves an amazingly cheap and clean place and settled for the next week.
Because we were further north this meant that spots like canggu and toogoods were easy to get to and uluwatu was only 40 mins back, we had a lot of fun trying out different spots depending 0n tide and wind. later on in the week we managed to get away from the beach for a day and went north as far as tegallalang and the beautiful rice paddies down the hillside.
In our 3rd week we visited the islands of nusa lembongan and nusa ceningan. Just south west of Bali these islands were what I imagined Bali to be like; covered in mangrove Forrest's and with no cars and narrow and unfinished roads it was very remote, there were perfect, uncrowded barrelling waves and kids who insisted on giving you high fives.These were definitely some of my favourite times.
We arrived back in kuta with a few days spare, surfed some more and sold our boards.
That brings me to where we are now in Singapore enjoying the sites and a bit of normality before flying to phuket tomorrow.
peace out my beauties and remember stop look listen
In our first week we spent a few days in a place called Bingin just north of uluwatu to sample the perfect southern waves, we didn't last very long here as it is very quiet and with Nic not coping very well with the shallow reefs we decided to pack up and head back to kuta with another couple. The lively evening life and easy beach break for Nic suited us perfectly and we found ourselves an amazingly cheap and clean place and settled for the next week.
Because we were further north this meant that spots like canggu and toogoods were easy to get to and uluwatu was only 40 mins back, we had a lot of fun trying out different spots depending 0n tide and wind. later on in the week we managed to get away from the beach for a day and went north as far as tegallalang and the beautiful rice paddies down the hillside.
In our 3rd week we visited the islands of nusa lembongan and nusa ceningan. Just south west of Bali these islands were what I imagined Bali to be like; covered in mangrove Forrest's and with no cars and narrow and unfinished roads it was very remote, there were perfect, uncrowded barrelling waves and kids who insisted on giving you high fives.These were definitely some of my favourite times.
We arrived back in kuta with a few days spare, surfed some more and sold our boards.
That brings me to where we are now in Singapore enjoying the sites and a bit of normality before flying to phuket tomorrow.
peace out my beauties and remember stop look listen
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Safari.......Yeah SURE!
We find ourselves 4km from the border of India. Just near the town of Sinauli on the main route between the two countries, through which trucks and busses clatter past, on their journeys to unknown destinations. In 2 days time we well be in India, madness that will be!
The past few days we have spent in the Royal Chitwan national park, home to a huge range of Jungle wildlife. Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffallo, Deer and wild boars to name but a few of thew amazing animals we did NOT see. It was, despite this factor a really good time. A tranquil canoe trip in a boat that consisted of no more than a hollow tree trunk allowed us to skirt around the national park, seeing many bird species and a croc. After being deposited on the banks we trekked through the jungles seeing much evidence of thewildlife and a good many monkeys and wierd insects. Before luch we found ourselves confronted with a scene ofwild play. Elephants were rolling about in the river loving the bath time! Each one of us got involved, the elephants sprayed us and we rode them in the river before playing a game of bukaroo with us, which, inevitably always ended with us having a swim, classic.
The bus journey to the border was some adventure too, totally rammed, at one point, one nepali guy was throwing up out the window, two were sleeping either side of me their lolling heads resting on my shoulders and a crowd filled the aisle. Brilliant! We laugh so we dont cry :)
The past few days we have spent in the Royal Chitwan national park, home to a huge range of Jungle wildlife. Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants, Buffallo, Deer and wild boars to name but a few of thew amazing animals we did NOT see. It was, despite this factor a really good time. A tranquil canoe trip in a boat that consisted of no more than a hollow tree trunk allowed us to skirt around the national park, seeing many bird species and a croc. After being deposited on the banks we trekked through the jungles seeing much evidence of thewildlife and a good many monkeys and wierd insects. Before luch we found ourselves confronted with a scene ofwild play. Elephants were rolling about in the river loving the bath time! Each one of us got involved, the elephants sprayed us and we rode them in the river before playing a game of bukaroo with us, which, inevitably always ended with us having a swim, classic.
The bus journey to the border was some adventure too, totally rammed, at one point, one nepali guy was throwing up out the window, two were sleeping either side of me their lolling heads resting on my shoulders and a crowd filled the aisle. Brilliant! We laugh so we dont cry :)
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Standing on the shoulders of Giants
Hello to all of you!
Well, pictures say a thousand words. When you look at the spectacular pictures courtesy of our man JC you will see there is absolutely no way I could ever describe just how outrageously beautiful this part of the world is!
It has been 18 days of solid trekking, days of many varying degrees of difficulty. We began trough the low areas of the foothills, rice fields stacked up upon the sides of the steep valleys, the bright colours contrasting with the deep greens of tropical forest. As we worked our way up, the massive Manasulu ranges could be seen, often glinting incredibly in the morning sun as the snow and ice caught the sun.
Annapurnas had just been welcomed onto the scene as we told the tale last time. The outrageous nature of these views was not going to be a singular event. As the river confluenced, we took the left hand fork heading west and steadily climbing up above the 3000m mark, (altitude sickness zone) Fairly soon we had a "rest day" in which we climbed another 500m to acclimatise and then returned to a lowly 3500m in the village of Manang. The apple pie here and other bakery goods was exceptional, we spent 48hrs eating constantly!
A few days later we found ourselves at Phedi on the brink of heading over the Thorung Pass, morning temperatures of -8 but with views that made the whole thing worth it. The day before we crossed i climbed onto a small free standing peak above 5000m ( only another500 from where we were staying) and took in the most amazing spectacle. 360 dgrees, massive peaks, annapurnas to the right, Chulus in front and Thurong peaks behind. One day I have to come back here and climb these beasts.
Poor old John had a wretched time with Nepali sickness and this point, this was continued into the day of the pass and resulted in him feeling somewhat weak on the 1000m ascent in the thin air. It was a really hard climb and one sick member of the group had to get a horse to take her to the top. Slowly step by step, one by one each of us reached the 5400m top. The sky was so blue and the snow so white, a contrast that was overwhelming and almost blinding without sun glasses. Altitude sickness was a real factor throughout the day. All of us got done by the lack of oxygen, JC and Jonny going up, me going down.
After that day was over, it was amazing, after 8hrs of walking starting at 5am we were tired as you like. Beer and good food was so welcome and our tired legs just grateful to stop from the 1600m descent. Great day!
The west side of the route involved much longer days walking. The scenery had been transformed into a desert like wasteland. Dust reigned supreme and the buildings consisted mainly of mud and wood. Some days we had to walk primarily on road and and just get distance under our belts. We descended pretty fast and as we did so the vegetation reaapeared on the vally slopes. Dhauligirri and Nilgirri ranges walled us in on either side and the so called black river was our route as far Tatopani where we plunged our selves into the hot springs after a heavy days trekking.
The following day was hideous from my perspective, i was ill from i do not know what and energy was an unobtainable item. The lads worked their way steadily up the 16000m climb to Ghorepani, which i think was really gorgeous in views and rich in vegetation. The next morning we hit Poon hill for the sunrise and what a sight, 3 seperate Himalayan ranges, each with a peak in the top ten of the world order, yea please to that.
Down hill all the way then and now here it is, we have done the 210km circuit, crazy ascent and descent and now here in Pokhara we chill and relax. Party night tonight, Guides, porters boys and girls of the trip, bring on some nepali dancing. Next stop India.
(jonny concurs with all of this) (prabably john does too) Laters, C
Well, pictures say a thousand words. When you look at the spectacular pictures courtesy of our man JC you will see there is absolutely no way I could ever describe just how outrageously beautiful this part of the world is!
It has been 18 days of solid trekking, days of many varying degrees of difficulty. We began trough the low areas of the foothills, rice fields stacked up upon the sides of the steep valleys, the bright colours contrasting with the deep greens of tropical forest. As we worked our way up, the massive Manasulu ranges could be seen, often glinting incredibly in the morning sun as the snow and ice caught the sun.
Annapurnas had just been welcomed onto the scene as we told the tale last time. The outrageous nature of these views was not going to be a singular event. As the river confluenced, we took the left hand fork heading west and steadily climbing up above the 3000m mark, (altitude sickness zone) Fairly soon we had a "rest day" in which we climbed another 500m to acclimatise and then returned to a lowly 3500m in the village of Manang. The apple pie here and other bakery goods was exceptional, we spent 48hrs eating constantly!
A few days later we found ourselves at Phedi on the brink of heading over the Thorung Pass, morning temperatures of -8 but with views that made the whole thing worth it. The day before we crossed i climbed onto a small free standing peak above 5000m ( only another500 from where we were staying) and took in the most amazing spectacle. 360 dgrees, massive peaks, annapurnas to the right, Chulus in front and Thurong peaks behind. One day I have to come back here and climb these beasts.
Poor old John had a wretched time with Nepali sickness and this point, this was continued into the day of the pass and resulted in him feeling somewhat weak on the 1000m ascent in the thin air. It was a really hard climb and one sick member of the group had to get a horse to take her to the top. Slowly step by step, one by one each of us reached the 5400m top. The sky was so blue and the snow so white, a contrast that was overwhelming and almost blinding without sun glasses. Altitude sickness was a real factor throughout the day. All of us got done by the lack of oxygen, JC and Jonny going up, me going down.
After that day was over, it was amazing, after 8hrs of walking starting at 5am we were tired as you like. Beer and good food was so welcome and our tired legs just grateful to stop from the 1600m descent. Great day!
The west side of the route involved much longer days walking. The scenery had been transformed into a desert like wasteland. Dust reigned supreme and the buildings consisted mainly of mud and wood. Some days we had to walk primarily on road and and just get distance under our belts. We descended pretty fast and as we did so the vegetation reaapeared on the vally slopes. Dhauligirri and Nilgirri ranges walled us in on either side and the so called black river was our route as far Tatopani where we plunged our selves into the hot springs after a heavy days trekking.
The following day was hideous from my perspective, i was ill from i do not know what and energy was an unobtainable item. The lads worked their way steadily up the 16000m climb to Ghorepani, which i think was really gorgeous in views and rich in vegetation. The next morning we hit Poon hill for the sunrise and what a sight, 3 seperate Himalayan ranges, each with a peak in the top ten of the world order, yea please to that.
Down hill all the way then and now here it is, we have done the 210km circuit, crazy ascent and descent and now here in Pokhara we chill and relax. Party night tonight, Guides, porters boys and girls of the trip, bring on some nepali dancing. Next stop India.
(jonny concurs with all of this) (prabably john does too) Laters, C
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