http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/TimsToePrints/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from TimsToePrints en-us Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:26:53 +0000 Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:26:53 +0000 My brain grappled with the apparent oxymoron ldquoSkiing in Indiardquo but as my source elaborated my eyes adjusted. A picture of paradise was sketched of vast untouched mountains descending into pristine valleys of conifers and snow leopards. It was the first time Irsquod heard of Gulmarg nestled in the flank of Mount Apherwat in Indian Administered Kashmir and the first time Irsquod http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Jammu-and-Kashmir/Srinagar/blog-400473.html A visit to Sweden wouldnrsquot be complete without at least seeing or perhaps eating a reindeer the subject of every childrsquos Christmas dream and the quintessential lsquoNorthernrsquo beast. There was no way I was going to take the easy way out having come this far I refused to visit theme parks petting zoos are worse still introduce myself awkwardly to an airtight plastic pack a http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Sweden/J-mtland/blog-344470.html When does the pursuit of a cheap backpacking holiday turn ridiculous The subtle transition from a smart cautious economical traveller to the self proclaimed lsquostingiest backpacker of all timersquo. Wearing the title with pride on your sleeve and advertising your pittance of a daily budget to any traveller in earshot. What do I know about this ridiculous selfindulgent behaviour I unwil http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Vietnam/Red-River-Delta/Cat-Ba-Island/blog-344160.html It was inevitable that the eightmonth journey from Australia to India had to come to an end. I said a sombre farewell to the tropics and with my newly purchased replica Helly Hansen jacket under my arm boarded the plane to Sweden. Waiting for me at the airport was my angel who felt more like a stranger for the first few minutes. Acclimatising to Lisa was easy acclimatising to 8 degrees was a lit http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Sweden/Stockholm-County/Stockholm/blog-343726.html Irsquod made the decision to end my big Asian adventure with a month in Sri Lanka for a number of reasons. First and foremost was to soak up paradise and get some waves after a long absence from the surf life and it was also a chance for Lisa to have some time to acclimatise to home after over a year and a half away from Sweden. It was everything I could have hoped for and more. I had some fanta http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Sri-Lanka/blog-343706.html A couple of years ago I discovered that my family has some strong connections with India. In fact Irsquod been given a faint hint some years earlier that India may be the reason for my somewhat dark and lsquoeasternrsquo appearance. Through some newly discovered relatives from my grandfatherrsquos side our family began to piece together some blanks and for the first time take an active int http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Tamil-Nadu/Chennai/blog-343693.html Rajasthan is for many the highlight of a trip to India whether this is for a specific perception of what entails exciting travel or a lack of comparable experiences it wasnrsquot for me. One canrsquot argue against the stunning history bizarre cities rich and colourful people and mustdo activities but with such appeal comes the inescapable use and abuse. It was the place in India where we http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Rajasthan/Jaipur/blog-343656.html lsquoDepressed lonely feel like yoursquore just another face in the crowd Come to India and be everyonersquos best friendrsquo Itrsquos true travelling in India can do wonders for your selfesteem people want to see you talk to you and be seen with you. When we ventured to Amritsar home to the sacred Golden Temple we became embroiled in a bizarre love triangle that only India co http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Punjab/Amritsar/blog-343432.html