The first few steps into a new country are usually the hardest. It simply takes time to get used to all the new things. In most severe cases this can lead to mental overload or culture shock, something which we experience in India. Malaysia is different however. We arrived at Kuala Lumpur (KL) airport from Chennai (Madras) and apart from some trouble with our baggage transfer all went fine. Luckily for us, Ilse is even less trustful then me when it comes to our baggage. Otherwise our baggage would probably still be making its endless rounds at Chennai domestic baggage retrievel. [View Full Entry]

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From Mcleod Ganj we went to Manali were we arrived at 4:30 in the morning. Obviously we traveled at night which gave us some concern beforehand. Even more so because there had been several accidents near Manali in the last couple of days. In the end we arrived in one piece, mostly because the good driving and the little traffic encountered on the road. I should know because I spend the whole 7 hour journey looking at the road, trying in vain to combat my travel sickness. Curiously this hadn’t bothered me when we came to Dharamshala. But then we traveled [View Full Entry]

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DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! Firstly, because we used to joke back home about us starting a survival series much like those on discovery channel. Yet we didn't count on making it past the first episode due to being iced by a falling tree or something. Secondly, because we are not that professional concerning survival, see us failing to make fire and forgetting valuable equipment on the top of a mountain later in this story. Thirdly, unless the himalaya’s are in your backyard, you can’t anyway. But first, It is known that we made Mcleod Ganj our base camp. From [View Full Entry]

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These 3 things have in common that we experienced each one in the last couple of days. In Shimla we took an easy time. Partly because we had to acclimatize to the slow pace and more laid back attitude, opposed to the chaos in Delhi. For activities, we conducted a few short hikes and indulged ourselves in the national cuisine. Often with unexpected results, some good, some bad. Sadly Ilse was often disappointed by Indian persistence to put gluten in her meals, which more than often resulted in me heroically taking on 2 dishes at once. Last Saturday we took a [View Full Entry]

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After 4 days in New Delhi of which one spend mostly in Agra we traveled on to Shimla. Looking forward towards the scenic trip on a toy train through the mountains, it ended as a bit of a hellish ride for myself. What caused it all was probably the meal we received on our train ride from Agra back to Delhi the day before. The result was that my stomach disagreed with everything I tried to put into it the day after. Couple this with a 5, 5 hour long economy train ride from Delhi to Kalka and you know I [View Full Entry]

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Unlike previous endaviors, everything went according to plan this time around. Monday we explored the fort area in mumbai which wasn't so different from the Colaba district where we were staying. This doesn't necessarily mean it was dull. Nothing seems to be dull in India. Just the same experience that bombards the senses. maybe we are finally getting used to it. In the evening we saw a bollywood movie and I must say, I liked it, the first hour that is. The first hour contains lots of music, dance, poor dialog and a hero who can do virtually everything. The 2nd [View Full Entry]

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Pune? Didn't happen. What did happen was a major body breakdown due to heat. Apparently walking for 5-6 hours a day in subtropical temperatures reaching 35 degrees isn't such a great way to start an adventure. More so, if your arriving from a relatively cold country such as the UK. I can still hear myself say it: "I never get sick", yeah right. What it comes down to is that 1 day after my first update I noticed a general lack of energy, coupled with a lack of appetite. This worsened the next day and stabilized the 2nd. Both these days [View Full Entry]

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These Words should be printed in bright yellow letters on all guides on India, especially guides on mumbai. But before getting into that, let me tell you something else. Were alive, very much alive. After spending 3 great days in London UK, chilling out, visiting museums, enjoying comedy, going out and generally having a great time. We jumped on a plain to Mumbai India. After an 8,5 hour flight and a 5,5 hour time difference, we arrived at Mumbai international airport. From here we took an 1 hour taxi ride to our hotel. This must have been the most trilling ride [View Full Entry]

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Prologue: In the beginning. There was an idea, voiced by a woman on a particular terrace at the “onze lieve vrouwe plein” Maastricht. Heard by a man whose initial reaction was a mix of opposing emotions. Fear was replaced by opportunity, opportunity replaced by worry, worry by possibilities. And although no decision was made at that instant, it was the start of a journey to lands at the far reaches of the world, and one step further. For after a week or 2 of careful deliberation the answer was “Yes”. Obviously the man in this story was me, the woman, Ilse [View Full Entry]

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Nederland 27 April 2008, voorbereidingen reis [View Full Entry]

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