cazngaz

The trip around Southern India was to be our final journey after 7 months travelling. Time has flown by as we have had such a great time. We had to get to Chennai from Kolkata for the start of the trip and although the flight was OK we actually turned up at the wrong hotel as things changed last minute - this put the grumpy old git Gary in a bad mood straight away and this was only enhanced by the porter who only pointed to where our rooms were and expected a tip. Not a hope in hell as we were actually carrying our bags and could find the rooms very easily. When we finally met up with our new travellers we were hot and bothered , but it was great that we had a ... read more

The whole group seemed to be please to get away from the smog and hectic environment that is Delhi. Our route was an 19hr overnight train to Jaisalmer. This was not to be the heavy drinking scenario associated with our previous train trips in Vietnam. These were sober, quiet events with people going to bed at around 2100 hrs and only waking up when the Charwallers are screaming through the windows at around 0500hrs. To our surprise the train was not delayed and we got Jaisalmer around lunchtime. We were really impressed with our accommodation which was actually inside the massive fort associated with the town and our room was the best for the views (according to the Lonely Planet Guide). There is nothing quite like sitting on a roof top restaurant with a glass of ... read more

Well we have made it out of the heat and humidity of Indo China, via Singapore, to find that Kathmandu was just as hot but nowhere near as humid. After the initial shock of arriving at the aiport with no sign of our anticipated hotel shuttle. It was just grin and bear it time with a local taxi. We were taken to our car / shed on wheels, which had recently passed its road worthiness test (the horn must work), and we were off dicing with death to our hotel just outside Kathmandu. Our hotel had been chosen from the "Tinternet" and we thought it would nice and relaxing. It was that, but it was miles from anywhere and less than ideal. That aside we were only going to be here for two nights before we ... read more

The journey to Luang Prabang was long (7 hours with a brief stop for food and comfort - Gary having particular success using the squat toilet without mishap - a proud moment!)) and windy, but had some of the most spectacular scenery of the trip so far. Arriving early evening we had enough time to wash up and wander through the night market before dinner. Luang Prabang has one of the nicest and hassle free markets we have been to in Asia. Lots of stalls full of scarves, bags, jewellry and embroidered linen. We unfortunately did not make the most of it and stocking up on Christmas presents, that will have to wait until India - and WE WILL REGRET IT! Luang Prabang is the former capital of Laos and as such has lots of temples ... read more

The vast majority of the group (12) were moving on from Vietnam to Laos with just 4 going elsewhere or going home, so that meant 4 new members. Two from Oz and two from Germany. As the male members of the original group was largely made up of English football fans we had already discussed at what point do we bring up the 5-1 drubbing of the German side in Munich from 2001. To Gary's amazement the subject of football was brought up, by the German couple immediately after the initial pleasantaries, with the statement that England had won 5-1. Gary went off on one by laughing and stating that he was surprised that they even mentioned it. They looked equally amazed as they were not talking about England's win over Germany, but the win over ... read more