Travel Blog Posts
November 18th 2099
Day 1 - Waking bright and early in Cochi we gathered our belongings and headed to the boat jetty to catch a ferry back to Ernakulam (the mainland). Departing the boat we took a rickshaw to the train station to board the train and embark on an 8-9 hour journey headed north to Mangalore. Once aboard and in our reserved seats/sleepers, we watched as 100's of people piled onto the train station after station which made for a very hot and uncomfortable journey. It was at this point we decided never to purchase over-priced reserved tickets for a day train due to the fact that the locals, having hold only general tickets, just sat wherever they liked including our seats (7 people squeezed onto 2 seats)! Finally as the train rolled into Mangalore around 10pm we ... read more
November 18th 2099
Arriving in Cochi city from Kottayam, we exited the bus and took a rickshaw to the boat jetty. Leaving the mainland (Ernakulam) behind, we boarded the boat (for just 5 rupees each) and made our way to Fort Cochin - a beautiful and relaxed sea town. Departing the boat we took yet another rickshaw to Princess Road (the main backpacker district), where we were greeted by a young gentleman and taken to his beautiful homestay (Fort Residency), equipped with a living room and kitchen free for cooking. Whilst staying in this funky homestay, decorated with Banksy images and other inspiring images, a cafe area was also in progress and soon to open ... a must-go if you visit Fort Cochin! After settling in and getting our bearings the next 2-3 days were spent wandering the beautiful ... read more
November 18th 2099
Checking out of Wilson Hotel, Kovalam, we took a rickshaw back to Leela Resort where we caught the local bus back to East Fort Bus stand, Trivandrum. To escape the burning heat, we then took a rickshaw across town to the KSRTC bus stand where we were to catch a 3hour bus rattling up north to Kollabalam. Stepping off the bus in Kollabalam we opted to take a rickshaw 12km to Varkala Beach (a lovely slither of sand set beneath a cliff-top lined with restaurants and guesthouses) where we were greeted and led to our accomodation-to-be. As per usual, having just arrived, we went out in search of food heading in the completely wrong direction, over barren headlands to a secluded beach where we found ourselves scrambling over huge boulders to avoid the incoming tide. Eventually ... read more
December 3rd 2011
Waking in Gokarna town at 6am we checked out and headed to the bus station. Once chris had scrambled onto the bus rooftop to securely fix our backpacks (much to the amusement of the locals), we boarded the bus and embarked upon a 9 hour journey to Hospet en route to Hampi. Departing the bus we took a rickshaw 12km to Hampi Bazaar where the rickshaw driver recommended Archana Guesthouse. Taking a look inside we decided to stay and so bargained hard over room prices, eventually agreeing on 200 rupees/night. With accomodation sorted we then headed out for dinner before heading back to bed ready to explore the next day. The only real way to describe Hampi is Siem Reap (Cambodia - Angkor Wat) meets Rome meets the flinstones - a playground for historical and ancient ... read more
November 5th 2011
Stepping off the bus at Leela Resort, Kovalam Town, we then took a rickshaw towards the beach (2 connecting beaches overlooked from the southern tip by a beautiful lighthouse). Meeting 'Big Boss' along the way, he followed us on his bike to escort us to his hotel - Wilson Hotel with brightly furnished buildings, amazing staff, and a nice relaxing swimming pool. The next five days were spent burning on the beach, lazing by the swimming pool, and enjoying nightly rum cocktails on the balcony looking out to the world. After 5 days we decided to pack up and catch a bus rattling north to Varkala.... read more
November 5th 2011
Arriving back in Kathmandu following the strenous trek, it was time to treat ourselves and indulge in a much-missed and much-needed burger!! Arriving back during Divali festival, the city had transformed into a maze of lights, flags and dancing. Knowing we were to be leaving the next day we spent the day relaxing and washing our filthy trekking clothes (and our filthy selves) and got a good night sleep in preparation for the mammoth journey that was to unfold! Day 1 - Waking in kathmandu at 7:30am we checked out, took a rickshaw to kathmandu bus station and from here embarked on a 10hr very bumpy journey on a local crowded bus to Sunali (the border crossing between Nepal and India). Stepping off the bus we took a cycle rickshaw, a slow and sleepy ride down ... read more
Everest trek part 2 - Namche bazaar to Base camp / Mt kalla pattar
Published: November 2nd 2011Asia » Nepal » Gorak Shep
November 2nd 2011
As we trekked deeper and deeper into the heart of the Himalayas, up above the snow line to a barren land of ice and snow where temperatures plummeted to minus 20, the views grew ever dramatic and breathing and trekking became ever more difficult due to the lack of oxygen in the air. Our itinerary was as follows: Day 12 - Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (6 hours - 350m descent 750m ascent) Day 13 - Acclimatization day at Tengboche Day 14 (Chris's Birthday) - Tengboche to Pheriche (6 hours - 70m descent 450m ascent) Day 15 - Acclimatization day at Pheriche Day 16 - Pheriche to Leboche (5.5 hours - 700m ascent) Day 17 - Leboche to Gorak Shep (2.5 hours - 250m ascent) including trek to Mount Everest Base Camp (4 hours - 5364m) Day ... read more
Treking to Mt Everest the hard way - Jiri to Namche bazaar
Published: November 2nd 2011Asia » Nepal » Jiri
November 2nd 2011
Waking at the crack of dawn we checked out of our Kathmandu hotel and set out on the adventure of a life time - Trekking deep into the heart of the Himalayas to the base of the highest mountain on earth - Mt Everest. We headed to Ratna park bus station for the early 7 hour bus journey to take us to the starting point of our trek - Jiri. So after purchasing the bus tickets we were unsurprised to find that our seats had been double booked meaning we would have to catch the next bus, but with our spirits high this didn't bother us. Once on board the cramped bus surrounded by people, bags and livestock we were on our way. The scenery was amazing the whole way as the bumpy ride passed through ... read more
November 2nd 2011
After checking out of our hotel in Darjeeling, we headed to Chowke Bazaar. Jumping into a shared sumo, we began the 3-4 hour descent back down to Siliguri. Here we wandered the streets in search of the local bus to take us to the border of India and Nepal. Clueless as to where the bus stand was we soon heard 'Nepal, Nepal' being shouted from a moving bus, so with the bus slowing we hopped aboard and took the 1 hour journey to the border. Upon arrival we signed in at the immigration office of India before heading to the other side of the bridge to acquire our visa at the Nepali immigration office. After purchasing bus tickets we grabbed some street food and jumped aboard the bus. The 17 hour bus journey as expected was ... read more
November 2nd 2011
Given we had enjoyed a few extra-strong Tuborg beers aboard the toy train, it's safe to say we emerged from the carriage in high spirits before setting out up hill in search of accommodation. Deciding the girls should wait with the bags, chris and andy went to find a place to stay, managing to snap up an amazing deal at Hotel Maya - 400 rupees down from 800 for a clean, spacious room, well furnished and with spectacular views across the valley. After checking in we headed down the hill in search of dinner, settling at a little eatery which served good food albeit a long wait. We all then retired to bed for t.v. viewing and sleep. With Kathmandu and a strenuous trek to Everest base camp next on the list, we decided it was ... read more
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