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Published: August 22nd 2010
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Namaste, namaste, namaste! (hello nepal style) Whats the vibe you lot!?
Is it just me or is it time for a wee slice of whats been occurring since the last blog. Sit back, relax and listen to me drone on!!!! ha ha ha
So as i mentioned, i arrived in Istanbul on the 3rd of july and that's pretty much where i stayed for over a month. you cant rush these things. I met some great people and made some new friends as well as learning a lot about turkey and carpets.
The decision to send the bike (the hog) back to England wasn't an easy one. I desperately wanted to carry on pedalling! But the possible routes to China/India involved going through countries with issues. Be it visa or security, sometimes both. And i didn't feel prepared enough (yet!) to cross these countries, in terms of what i know about bikes and the equipment i was carrying. So me and the hog parted ways on the 26th of July. Was a sad day, i tell thee.
After some time in Istanbul i was being recognised by half the merchants in Sultanahmet, "hey bicycle man...how are you
cat dinner
Doing my bit for Istanbuls feline community today?" And i found myself acting as tour guide to new arrivals and hanging out with the kids selling corn on the street. Which was nice, but perhaps a sign it was time to move on.
After some difficulty i secured a flight (my apologies to hardcore travellers) to Kathmandu, with an 18 hr stop-off in Abu Dhabi. So i leave Istanbul on Thursday the 5th of August, to a sea of teary eyes, your welcome Turkey! In fact the hostel where i was staying plan on having a marble bust of yours truly at reception, to honour their longest resident. Just Kiddin.
I arrive in Abu Dhabi in the evening. Stepping outside was a bit like walking into the sun, except hotter. Fortunately i had a place to stay for the 18 hrs, at the legends abode. You know who you are, thanks again.
So it was on Friday the 6th of August (around 2pm) that i catch a flight from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu. The guy at check-in must have taken pity and put me in business class. Anyhow i arrive in Kathmandu about 8 in the evening (local time innit).
Whilst going to
sort out my visa i meet a lady from Indonesia named Uli. Fortunately she is more organised than myself and had already booked a room at a hostel (with a spare bed) and was kind enough to let me tag along. Also in this way we could share the cost. Which means your paying about (pounds) 2.50 a night.
We spent the last 2 weeks travelling together. In which time we visited a couple of Buddhist temples here in Kathmandu as well as a Hindu one, which does cremations.
We also went to (via bus ride from hell) Chitwan National Park. Saw 2 elephants "get it on" and some rhino's and a crocodile. But the best of all...wild chickens. Like normal chickens but wild, hey Ross! Didnt see any tigers, apparently the jungle is too dense at this time of year and they mostly stay away from people, unless of course they are really hungry.
Then we went trekking in Annapurna National Park for a few days which was brilliant but exhausting. Despite climbing to a decent height we were unable to see the Himalayas because of all the clouds and mist. Im told autumn is a better time for
Bazaar Quarter
crowded streets trekking, with clearer skies. Still there was some fantastic scenery and it felt like being in middle earth, except less Orcs and more dhal bat.
Nepal is incredible, more "raw and undiluted" than i had anticipated but that's part of its charm. I think their tourist board hit the nail on the head with the slogan "Once is not enough". Or just never leave. I might suggest it to em. In fact ive spotted a few characters who look like they arrived in the 1960's and have been here ever since. Heavy man!
If your still reading this, congratulations on not falling asleep. So now you know what ive been up to of late. I plan to stay here till the end of the month, beginning of September and hopefully get a flight to Delhi (the monsoon means a bus to India isnt recommended land slides and all that).
Thank you for all your comments, i enjoy reading em.
Take care everyone
Rory
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uli
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cheers man!
hiiiiiiiii rooorrrryyyyyy......!!!! ^_^ finally I read your blog, it's good, so I can follow your travel stories :) how you doin' so far in kathmandu? hopefully not cheated by your fans again haha.. I'd been home now n I miss travelling with you (crazy man with gently heart ;p) take care, man.. hope u got the best on your travel ;)