Delhi to Varanasi Bus Tour at Stonehenge E commerce Pvt Ltd Nice blog, I don’t think many of websites provide this type of information.People who are really interested in travelling to different places may take help from a detailed map. In my last Shimla and Manali trip I got help from a detailed Stonehenge e Commerce Private Limited to find out the more Popular Places that is really difficult to find out.
www.apjtours.com Great blog. All posts have something to learn. Your work is very good and i appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts.
You made me laugh! The cow-petting was funny....that's what you get for trying to be nice! Enjoyed your adventures with Billu, and also the part about the monkeys not messing with you, and your Brad-Angelina comparison. Also the guy with the white 'Mr Nelson' sign...lol.
Great shirt choice! Loving the apparel selection for this leg of the journey, you're really starting to blend in over there! Traveling by train has to be my most favourite ways to do it, and sounds like India did not disappoint. Good job on ruining everyone's trip with no power, I actually "lol'd" at that. I think it would have been better if you went into the Hotel Oberoi dropped a deuce and then left, haha! Although they make my feet itch continuously, I love the entries. Live it up dudes!
Varanasi great scam..hehe....so elaborate....those Indian guys....this is how they survive and they're very good at it....almost nothing nice is done without money attached....it's what happens in a country like India...both sophisticated and dreadfully poor....a great story for your grand kids...
I'm so pleased you went directly to Varanasi...it was my favourite city in India....luckily, it wasn't nearly as bad as you've described....in fact, it was still kind of magical...i remember a long ride in a rickshaw through the evening streets, past all the funny holy people, and little candles lighting up all the stalls....everything was peaceful and quiet....not like the cacophony that you describe...Varanasi was one of those places that was like a non-stop movie, you just never knew what you would see next, or what was around the next corner.....i'm sure you got a kick, as i did, over the myth of bathing in the "pure holy water" of the filthy Ganges...that's one of the great things about India...tradition and belief count far more than reality....the Ganges is a good example....tradition says the water is pure....so it is ... like sweepers.....they often don't sweep very well, but of course it's clean, there was a sweeper, wasn't there...and you could never rely on what people told you...they like to make you happy....so if you ask if there's a morning bus, for instance, they say "oh yes, sir, every morning'....when the guy doesnt have a clue...we learned to always get a second or third opinion...
hey, Kev, your blog is great...very vivid, good descriptions, and a fun read...such a cool thing you're doing...yay! good travel gods to both you and Lisa...
nostalgia isn't what it used to be Great stuff, guys.....brings back a lot of memories....i was in Nepal in 1976, just after they discovered the wheel...er, just after they finally allowed cars in the country...so there was hardly any traffic in Kathmandu...it was one of my dreams to visit Kathmandu, and there i was....such a thrill...i remember one evening wandering around the main square under a full moon, and vendors lighting up their little stalls amid the small temples and idols with magical fairy lights and candles...with incense drifting through the night air...unforgettable...it was also just after they closed down all the hash brownie shops, etc...where hippies got whatever they wanted, plus baked goods...oh the good old days....we took a 4-day bus trip from Kathmandu to Delhi...and passed through Pokhara, where we over nighted...it was basically nothing in those days...we slept in what was little more than a concrete bunker...but there were beds..hehe....never went to that great national park you visited, but do remember the jungle....who knew Nepal had a jungle..? your pictures of the Monkey Temple look just like mine (tho better...hehe)...those haunting eyes...you guys are great
Gotta love a good scam! Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets taken while traveling. I'd say it's all part of the experience. You're not doing it right if you don't get scammed at least once, but it's good you're learning. That's one of the more elaborate ones as well, clever! Love the haircut photo... Why didn't you take a Gange bath as well? Sounds pretty clean! Keep it up dudes! Love the stories. Hi Lisa!
What a great blog! You sure do write an interesting blog, Kev! I enjoyed so much the stories of being scammed (boo!), the temple monkeys, the haircut, and the Ghat massage (lol). You are certainly patient. The photo of your Ghat massage is hilarious.
All is well here....Uncle Don just came back from 3 days in Edmonton, visiting his brother.
Remember Kev, 1 Canadian dollar is more than 50 Rupees. And my relatives pay their servants about 40 dollars (Can) a month if that. The cost of living is very cheap. Thus, $1.50 (Can) for a hair cut and massage is tres excessive. Watch the subtle scams too, brother.
Twilight Zone Hello Kevin, your survived the first days! Congrats. Terrible scams, I know. When we travel India (in the South), my Dad and relatives do our talking to avoid such things. But terrible! Thanks for the blog. The photos are amazing. You are blessed.
Cheers, Ken Ipe (Charle Best)
Ah the infamous bus trips! I heard a lot about those bus trips. Even on our worst ones in Vietnam, travelers would say 'until you've been to Nepal, you've seen nothing'! Thanks for sharing, LOVE it!
Great first entry! Glad to see you're doing a blog! Love to hear the updates. It’s pretty amazing that you got to witness first hand a child develop a life long traumatisation to primates! Haha! Enjoy the rest of the journey!
Halfway thru your blog! I loved this - "and full on dread lock sporting, no shoe wearing, hippies" and the baby rhino incident was cool too. When I saw its pic, I thought it was dead at first!
Yo Kev and Lisa Wow, what a great chronicle - way to go Kev.
It all sounds so exotic - just what you're after.
Between the phone calls and the blog I can't help get the feeling that you're both a bit shocked at the poverty and squalor; I guess that's how much of the world lives.
Great pictures - Lisa with her cute fake smile, Kevin with the mandatory pursed lips.
Glad you made it through the Macac mauling ( excellent alliteration)
We're working hard on the house - finished the siding/ fascia and working on the entrance staircase, mom madly painting polyurethane on the 15 stairs after I spent 4 days at Monty milling them.
Golf today - weather is spectacular 25 degrees every day - the dog days have arrived.
Keep sending whatever you can - we read every word.
Love to Lisa and lots to you,
Dad
Awesome blog guys Sitting here in my PJ's, drinking coffee, reading your blog. its great you two and I love the photos, keep it coming. It looks like you are seeing and doing so many cool and very different things. I love the prayer flags in all the pics too. Take care of each other and keep writing for all of us here in Coquitlam. Peace, Leah
Tallies for all my friends! Haha, lovin the updates man! It was nice to hear your voice to! I am super glad you were able to meet up with T and that you guys had a great time! Also, way to represent Canada on the wall of tallies! Brand, Des and I may or may not have a few chalked up as well when we passed through. Too bad you didn't make it to Casa Rosa, probably the best food in Lagos. Good to hear your still representing hard, and having a blast. Keep it up my man, and we'll see you soon!
-J
Great to hear from you!! HI darling, we just starting to think we should be hearing from you!!Sounds as all is well and new adventures every day!! The beach in Lagos sounds idylic, reminds me on the one we went to!!!
Dad and I are heading to Whistler this morning for a few days, play golf at Pemberton and spend some time at the lake. So I just wanted to say hi, I'd better get my stuff in the car before your Dad starts panicking!!!
Love you so much and so glad to hear from you, I keep looking at the calendar and the days are slipping away....we can hardly wait to see you!! xooxoMOM
Hi there sweetheart!! Great to hear from you, sorry we missed your call yesterday, I was playing golf with Dad and Norm Neiken at Newlands in Langley. Good time had by all. We had a great trip to Lake Chelan for a couple days, two incredible golf courses!
We have to take Dad's car in to Richmond this morning so I don't have much time.....Just wanted to say hi, hopefully we'll be home if you call again today....
Plans are well underway for Prince George, and I just talked to Lisa about us all going to Othello Aug.29th for Uncle Bob's 50th birthday....so a few things for you to look forward to when you get home. I know you are missing everyone and running out of a bit of stream...but remember once you're home it will seem as if you've never been away. We sure love you and are missing you!!! Lots and lots of love, Mom
I miss you bromeo...ive met some awesome people at some shady hostels...you know how the saying goes....dont judge a book by its cover. its not the look of a hostel, its the people who fill the inside of the walls
Encierro los toros! Hi Kev;
Sounds to me as if you're getting the hang of Pamplona. It sounds like it was a struggle for you to get there too - just like it was for me many years
ago. I slept on a luggage rack on a train from Madrid - about a foot wide ( I was a mere 200 lbs. at that time)
I'm really glad you are having this experience at Pamplona. It's a very hot, dirty city during San Fermin, I know, but you are one who will
appreciate the tradition and culture that oozes out of the festival. It's one of the few local traditions which enjoys international attention and
visitors.
The teenaged boys, clearly coming to the festival of San Fermin to run for their town, is touching. The fact that San Fermin is a tradition that will never
die despite the annual injuries and deaths is amazing. It's ingrained, a festival of machismo that no one would dare criticize( at least in Navarre and northern Spain. It is an annual blow out and coming out party for young Spaniards to prove themselves and join the ranks of the adutlts.
In Vancouver, the annual fireworks festival is cancelled because a few greaseballs from Surrey have a few beers and have a fight.
In Pamplona, visitors and Spaniards are injured or killed each year and God help anyone who might suggest even modifying the event. One of the few modifications was made about ten years ago, when the city fathers narrowed the width of the running streets and instructed the cops to not allow anyone in the street to bail out between the rails.
I guess you found out that there are two groups of bulls each day, led by a couple of cows to keep them running. The cows are more frightened than the bulls,haven't been abused by humans as much and so, they run and the bulls follow. The forst group comes minutes after the cannon sounds
(usually at seven A.M. ) and the second group a few minutes later - but apparently you found this out. Isn't it amazing how the frenzy increase as the bulls get closer? Did you run with a rolled up newspaper?
A bit about the bullfights. The festival of San Fermin is famous for having the loudest, most unruly crowds in Spain. It's not a Yankee stadium either,
but more like Nat Bailey. For these reasons, the bullfighters at Pamplona are usually younger ones wanting to make a name for themselves or olser ones trying to hang on to the cspotlight depsite advancing years. Stan used to say the it wasn't the NBA , it was the WBA ( world bullfighting assn.)
If you get a chance to see a bullfight, try to pal up with a Spaniard or two - they love to share sangria or bocs (bocadillos - sandwiches) with
foreigners. Because the matadors aspire to be stars, they are sometimes a bit foolhardy and , with the loud, drunken crowd and with the bulls having run the streets in the morning, the bulls in Pamplona are unpredictable. You may see a few bulls "win" - that menas they are slaughtered in thebarn afterward rather than in the arena....With any luck though, you'll see an ear or two and maybe even a tail awarded for a good performance.
Anyway, enjoy it - as you well know ,it's an experience of a lifetime ,one which you may enjoy vicariously through a son or daughter of oyur own, as I am now. Lots has been written about the running of the bulls.
CHeers, Kev!
Where'd you sleep last night!?
Love Dad
Pamplona...way to go!! Sounds as if Pamplona is living up to its reputation!! They had it on the morning news today...showing the "Running of the Bulls" !! Looked for you but must have missed you!! I loved your description of the older people singing and dancing, such cool traditions that I think really make the Europeans special. Hard to imagine something like that happening here...although I guess Golden Spike Days may give them a run for their money!!
Took Lauren to the airport this morning so she is on her way to Frankfurt and then catches a flight to Isanbul. So I hope that all goes well for her, I'm sure it will. She was really pleased to get the names of the hostels from you and will try and book from Frankfurt.
I can just picture the squares in Pamplona and all the people, the adorable kids in their red and whites!! The Bull Fight was a really cool cultural experience from the stands...just being a part of the family celebrations, sharing bread and wine was something I'll never forget. Long hot days and lots of drinking...be careful my boy!!! Love you so much, Mom
what the newspapers say Jorge Sainz
Pamplona, Spain Associated Press Last updated on Monday, Jul. 06, 2009 07:20PM EDT
Daredevils sprinting with one-ton fighting bulls swallow an exhilarating cocktail of adrenalin and fear. Now, a new brand of jitters has set in at one of the world's great fiestas as businesses ponder the partypooping impact of economic woe.
Don't bother asking the tens of thousands of revellers who kicked off Pamplona's running of the bulls Monday with a traditional rocket-firing ceremony outside town hall. They're too busy drinking beer or wine or cleaning off the flour, eggs or ketchup they hurled at each other to get the eight-day San Fermin festival off to a merry and messy start.
“People throwing sangria everywhere. It is just unbelievable,” said Ricky Birmingham, a 20-year-old from Australia.
Adds 20-year-old Theo Franzen of Sweden: “It is nice, but kind of scary.”
AFP/Getty Images
Participants wearing traditional red bandanas celebrate on July 6, 2009, during the 'Chupinazo' in Pamplona. The party isn't over during this year's running of the bulls, but it's been toned down by the global recession.
No, it is mainly merchants who are feeling the pinch of the world's economic downturn. Rates on hotel rooms are down because of slacker demand, big-spending American and other foreign visitors are harder to find, and bars that usually make a killing off hordes of thirsty patrons from around the globe expect to serve up less booze.
The leaner times are visible elsewhere, too. The Pamplona city hall has cut its budget for the festival by more than 10 per cent, to 2.5-million ($3.5-million U.S.). And two Spanish TV networks that had been bickering over rights to broadcast the morning bull runs have agreed to do it jointly to save on costs.
A sobering new reality has set in here in Pamplona as the nation struggles with recession and a 17.4 per cent unemployment rate. The party is far from over, but it might be watered down this time.
“We thought San Fermin would always fill up,” said local entrepreneur Mikel Ollo. “We created a fictitious bubble, and that bubble has burst.”
Mr. Ollo runs a company called Incoming Navarra, which organizes VIP packages for San Fermin visitors, arranging posh accommodations, front-row views of the runs from balconies overlooking the route, a personalized tour guide to explain what they are seeing, breakfast while they watch and myriad other forms of pampering.
The price depends on what the client wants to do but last year, for instance, one customer dished out 4,000 euros a day, Mr. Ollo said. In general the service costs about 700 ($980) to 1,000 ($1,400) a day. It was particularly popular among people from the U.S., Russia and France.
“They are clients with lots of buying power. In the last few years, fewer have come but the ones that do spend more,” he said.
Now, however, with demand slumping, the company has devised a scaled-down package with a hotel room and a separate balcony along the route, for 155 a day.
“Obviously, it is not the same level of attention as in the VIP package, but it is a very good deal,” Mr. Ollo said.
The hotel occupancy rate in general is expected to be about 90 per cent, similar to last year, but for the first time in years rooms are going for as little as 90 euros a night, especially on the city outskirts, said Nacho Calvo of the Navarra Restaurant and Hotel Association.
“Rates have come down a lot and the weakness of the dollar against the euro is taking its toll on tourism,” he said.
Pamplona has around 4,000 hotel rooms, about a third of which fill up with foreigners flocking to get a taste of the festival that inspired Ernest Hemingway's novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Many are New Zealanders, French, Australian or American.
At Casino Eslava, a famed bar near a hostel where Hemingway often stayed during visits to San Fermin, co-owner Ricardo Ubanell said things have been slow since last year and he expects his cash register to take another hit.
“Our expectations are lower because of the crisis, no doubt about it,” he said.
Nonetheless, he has hired nine extra waiters to handle the influx of partiers and ordered just as much alcohol as previous years, although other outlets are scaling back in anticipation of leaner spending.
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No, it is mainly merchants who are feeling the pinch of the world's economic downturn. Rates on hotel rooms are down because of slacker demand, big-spending American and other foreign visitors are harder to find, and bars that usually make a killing off hordes of thirsty patrons from around the globe expect to serve up less booze.
The leaner times are visible elsewhere, too. The Pamplona city hall has cut its budget for the festival by more than 10 per cent, to 2.5-million ($3.5-million U.S.). And two Spanish TV networks that had been bickering over rights to broadcast the morning bull runs have agreed to do it jointly to save on costs.
A sobering new reality has set in here in Pamplona as the nation struggles with recession and a 17.4 per cent unemployment rate. The party is far from over, but it might be watered down this time.
“We thought San Fermin would always fill up,” said local entrepreneur Mikel Ollo. “We created a fictitious bubble, and that bubble has burst.”
Mr. Ollo runs a company called Incoming Navarra, which organizes VIP packages for San Fermin visitors, arranging posh accommodations, front-row views of the runs from balconies overlooking the route, a personalized tour guide to explain what they are seeing, breakfast while they watch and myriad other forms of pampering.
The price depends on what the client wants to do but last year, for instance, one customer dished out 4,000 euros a day, Mr. Ollo said. In general the service costs about 700 ($980) to 1,000 ($1,400) a day. It was particularly popular among people from the U.S., Russia and France.
“They are clients with lots of buying power. In the last few years, fewer have come but the ones that do spend more,” he said.
Now, however, with demand slumping, the company has devised a scaled-down package with a hotel room and a separate balcony along the route, for 155 a day.
“Obviously, it is not the same level of attention as in the VIP package, but it is a very good deal,” Mr. Ollo said.
The hotel occupancy rate in general is expected to be about 90 per cent, similar to last year, but for the first time in years rooms are going for as little as 90 euros a night, especially on the city outskirts, said Nacho Calvo of the Navarra Restaurant and Hotel Association.
“Rates have come down a lot and the weakness of the dollar against the euro is taking its toll on tourism,” he said.
Pamplona has around 4,000 hotel rooms, about a third of which fill up with foreigners flocking to get a taste of the festival that inspired Ernest Hemingway's novel “The Sun Also Rises.” Many are New Zealanders, French, Australian or American.
At Casino Eslava, a famed bar near a hostel where Hemingway often stayed during visits to San Fermin, co-owner Ricardo Ubanell said things have been slow since last year and he expects his cash register to take another hit.
“Our expectations are lower because of the crisis, no doubt about it,” he said.
Nonetheless, he has hired nine extra waiters to handle the influx of partiers and ordered just as much alcohol as previous years, although other outlets are scaling back in anticipation of leaner spending.
Wow! So, this entire blog is making me pretty jealous and I wish I was there living it up with you guys! Crazy to hear about the running with the bulls, thats insane! Not sure if you got the link I posted on your wall, but I'm glad you didn't share the fate of that unlucky dude. Anyways, lovin the entries... I think I'll bring up a bottle of Red Wine to Sun Peaks this weeked in your honor! By the sounds of it, I won't be surprised if you come back and your mouth is perminently stained red. Love ya man!
-J
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Delhi to Varanasi Bus Tour at Stonehenge E commerce Pvt Ltd
Nice blog, I don’t think many of websites provide this type of information.People who are really interested in travelling to different places may take help from a detailed map. In my last Shimla and Manali trip I got help from a detailed Stonehenge e Commerce Private Limited to find out the more Popular Places that is really difficult to find out.