I’m sitting in my hotel room watching Empire Strikes Back on cable - these little Western treats become necessary after enough time on the road. Just ordered a tailored suit, spare slacks and 2 shirts for a total of GBP60. ‘Twas a lotta fun getting measured up. Furlong Faddling kept the shop gals entertained. When having his inside leg measured, Stace wobbles around like C3PO. I’ve ordered a dandy sandy summer suit. Cav’s gone Reservoir Dogs, Stace a nondescript dark blue for which I cannot think of any witticisms. We all selected dark red lining - same same but differ [View Full Entry]

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Rubbed the Dramamine doziness out of my eyes, checked into hotel & grabbed the prescribed museli, fruit & yogurt for brekkie. After an extended faddle arranging the bus and flight to Hue and Hanoi respectively, laundry and checking email. We went for wander in Hoi An. The brochure cliché would read “a charming shady maze of ancient houses and temples” - it’s a great place to chill for a few days. A peaceful Chinese assembly hall, fragrant incense drifting slowly through sunbeams, babbling fountains (we just escaped before a huge tour group infestation Nikoned through). Tr [View Full Entry]

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So, first we bought a bus ticket, then we asked for a train ticket but it was sold out, so we confirmed the bus with an agency who suddenly promised the more comfortable train. But then they couldn't. But maybe a plane. But no. They thought about the train again while I had a swim, but when I returned we were back on the bus, leaving in half an hour. So I nipped off for some take away pizzas but chef dropped one in the pizza oven (which must be a euphamism for something), and the 15 minute deadline was missed. [View Full Entry]

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Bamboo Village Beach Resort, Mui Ne. Strip of white sand, warm ocean, sunbed, Harper Lee. Chilled all morning. This place is so dozey, we decided to take a chance and rent mopeds for a sunset visit to the Red Dunes. Cav's motor-steed took exception to his concurrent accelerating and turning and buckarooed him to the tarmac, begating a seven year old's grazed knee. After Mrs Furlong jetted out to apply some Savlon, Cav rode pinion whilst the 2 big brothers mastered the moped arts. Actually, the contraptions are quite lethal and frighteningly responsive. Still, we survived the 12km phut-phut [View Full Entry]

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No, the title of today's entry doesn't designate the fruitful procreation of our dedicated band of bachelors, in fact Stace bemoaned the lack of sex in a colorful lunchtime rant. What can one expect when sharing a room with 2 other chaps? We're too old to tie a hanky to the door handle. No, the title alludes to our insertion into the narrow confines of the Cu Chi tunnels today, a boggling experience illustrative of Charlie's diminuitive stature and guerilla prowess. The tour was narrated by the colorful veteran "Mr Bean" and his unique perspective on service with the South Vietnamese [View Full Entry]

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Today we met Mary, a lovely lady from Bournemouth, who's spending three months in Pokhara as a volunteer. Mary was previously in Pokhara three years ago for her first stint as a volunteer, training youngsters to become secretaries and, in addition, providing social and health care to the children, all of whom having suffered greatly at the hands of others. Back then, Nepal became something of a no-go area (with the government declaring itself bankrupt yesterday, India turning off the 'tap' supplying oil to Nepal because of unpaid bills and the Maoist threat bubbling away just beneath the su [View Full Entry]

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And Who Knows Which is Which and Who is Who We head off at 8am for a three-hour walk to Naya Pul where our chariot awaits to carry us across the finish line in Pokhara. Today we are well rested and, with oat porridge in our bellies, we set off at a sterling pace (at least by our standards). It’s not long before we notice that "The Missile" is hot on our tails. We up the tempo, determined to complete one day before Tina does. Babu is bemused by this. I look over my shoulder from time-to-time to check for [View Full Entry]

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Why Do Cow’s Chew So Slowly? Alarm call at 4am! A brisk trek up to Poon Hill to watch the mountains at sunrise. It’s c-c-cold! We descend for breakfast before rejoining the trail through sunny forest glades followed by a 4,000 step descent to Tikhedhunga. Found lodgings in Hile. It’s raining again! Babu informs us that the monsoon season is due to start tomorrow. I think it’s started already. I’m sat opposite a stable where a cow is sheltering from the rain. Probably the same cow that was eating the contents of the vegetable patch a little earlier. [View Full Entry]

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Four Seasons in One Day! We awake to face the prospect of a seven-hour, 1,800 metre ascent today. Nice! The first hour is relentless and steep and it's hot to boot. I don't rate our chances of completing the day if we face more of the same for the next six hours! Fortunately, I find 'the zone' and we reach our stop for lunch on schedule after 3.5 hours. The vegetable momo (a popular snack of steamed dumplings akin to plump ravioli) are the best we've tasted so far. Still no apple pie though. This is supposed to be the [View Full Entry]

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My body's hit the wall today. A hard bed has provided little relief from the aching muscles in my legs and shoulders. After a hearty breakfast (try muesli with hot milk folks) we set off. My head was in the clouds but on we must go. Much of the day's route has been along the banks of the Gandaki river and has felt rather like walking through a quarry, our footing uncertain on the gravel as we unnervingly pass the locals hammering away at the rocks above us. We make good speed and stop for lunch: pumpkin soup, chapati and [View Full Entry]

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