http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/looking-for-my-zihuatanejo/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from looking for my zihuatanejo en-us Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:41:50 +0000 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:41:50 +0000 Day 535 Wednesday 16th December The sharks of DelhiI have always strived to make my blog an honest and accurate account of my travel experiences. I must make a confession however readers that the last two months this has not always possible. Since I made the decision to return home in September I have at times omitted some of my thoughts and feelings as I did not wish to jeopardise the surprise http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/National-Capital-Territory/Delhi/blog-460837.html Day 533 Monday 14th December The Golden Temple and the Ministry of silly walks We have arrived in the Punjab the area which spans from Central Pakistan to NorthWestern India. The Indian state of Punjab is dominated by the Sikh population who form 70 of the statersquos population. In India as a whole Sikhs are only 2 of the population. Hindursquos form the majority with over 80 Musl http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Punjab/Amritsar/blog-460832.html Day 531 Saturday 12th December Attending an Indian wedding Mention Agra to 95 of people back home and they will probably return a blank look. Instead mention the Taj Mahal the cityrsquos most famous landmark and Indiarsquos iconic symbol and 95 will know exactly what you are talking about. We arrive in the city of the Taj Mahal two hours later than scheduled but the trainrsquos dela http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Uttar-Pradesh/Agra/blog-460739.html Day 529 Thursday 10th December The city of life....and dead bodies which float down the River GangesToday we could have had a lie in. Could being the operative word. With our guesthouse overlooking the River Ganges and the life of the city which is centred on the ghats a series of bathing steps or platforms that lead down to the river you wake when the city decides to wake which is early. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-459720.html Day 527 Tuesday 8th December Travelling on the roof of the bus to Buddharsquos birthplaceWe leave our relaxing surroundings in Sauraha and the friendly staff of the Chitwan Forest Resort behind and take a four and a half hour bus ride to Bharairawa to the west and just a few kilometres from the Indian border. India can wait until tomorrow we still have one more day on our visa so therefore http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-459714.html Day 524 Saturday 5th December Calm after chaosIrsquom not sad to be leaving Kathmandu behind this morning. It isnrsquot a city to relax in and Irsquove had enough of the constant noise and chaos that accompanies it. I get up early 530am to pack my bag only to find that there is another of Kathmandursquos frequent power cuts. I have to pack my bag by torch light and trust to luck that http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-459712.html Day 521 Wednesday 2nd December A very public cremationThe last time I was in Kathmandu I got food poisoning and something I ate last night gave me stomach cramps throughout the night. The food in Nepal is probably the most westernised cuisine Irsquove had anywhere on my trip outside Australia and New Zealand but I very much doubt the hygiene standards are of any well standard apart from th http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Kathmandu/Boudhanath/blog-457983.html Day 514 Wednesday 25th November Pampering myself in PokharaMy time in Pokhara doesnrsquot get off to the best off starts. After spending my last few days on the trek looking forward to relaxing in this lakeside town with a pleasant climate now Irsquom here Irsquom wishing I was in the relative peace and solitude on the Annapurna circuit.My main issue is with my accommodation. I selected http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Pokhara/blog-457516.html Day 504 Sunday 15th November Day 1 of the Annapurna Circuit Besisahar 780m to Bhulbhule 840mDistance 9kmTime Taken 2 hoursFor the duration of 2009 the thought of trekking around the Annapurna circuit has stopped me prolonging my stay too long in any one place. Irsquove been looking forward to this for a long time. The Annapurna circuit is rated as one of the worldrsquos great treks a http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Nepal/Annapurna/Annapurna-Circuit/blog-457502.html Day 499 Tuesday 10th November Solving the visa conundrumWe are dropped off by the pickup truck in the centre of Thamel the travellerrsquos ghetto in Kathmandu. First objective is to get a roof over our heads. Angie parts in the direction of the rafting agency with whom she has a meeting with. The rest of us walk through Thamel to Nicky and Emmarsquos guesthouse which they have prebooked. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-452628.html Day 490 Sunday 1 November Leaving Beijing in the biting coldThe cold in Beijing is biting as the three of us wait for a taxi to take us to Beijing West Station apparently the biggest train station in Asia. In terms of luggage we are three very unmatched travellers. Bruno looks like hersquos travelling for a few days not a few months I have an average sized backpack and Patricia is carrying http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-451118.html Day 489 Saturday 31st October A Tibetan temple in Beijing and the Birdrsquos nestI arrive back in the capital at approaching 9am after my 10 hour overnight train journey from Hohhot. Every train journey I have taken in China has been on my own and I have been the only foreigner in my carriage on each occasion with all eyes fixed on me. Next time Irsquom on the train in just 36 hours time i http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-449798.html Day 486 Wednesday 28th October I thought travelling was stress freeUnusually I am writing this as it is fresh in the memory the same evening sipping a beer and enjoying the sense of achievement. Let me explain.Winding the clock back half a day ago and I am woken by the guard on the train from Beijing half an hour before we arrive in Hohhot pronounced Huhehaote the capital of Inner Mongolia http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-449368.html Day 482 Saturday 24th October The Forbidden CityIrsquom not exactly full of beans this morning and it takes me a while to get going. I soon get a bit of urgency to my day when a chat with an Israeli girl over breakfast reveals that the Forbidden City where I had planned to visit today will take a full afternoon at least to walk around. It is 11am when I leave the hostel and walk the 750 metre http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-448837.html Day 480 Thursday 22nd October Finally getting out of the city for an ancient Chinese townI think one of the reasons that I havenrsquot enjoyed my second visit to China as much as my first apart from the weather not being as good is that Irsquove almost exclusively spent my time in cities. Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou Tunxi Chengdu Xian Luoyang.....nearly all huge cities of several milli http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-447369.html Day 477 Monday 19th October The bus breaks downI get up early to catch my 8am bus from Xian to Luoyang. There are plenty of buses that ply this route and they leave regularly so I didnrsquot need to get up so early but I wanted to so that when I arrive in Henan I still have time in the day to visit the Longmen Caves. It may seem rushed and I admit that I am travelling particularly quickly on http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-447113.html Day 475 Saturday 17th October Walking Xianrsquos city wallsXian creates a good impression as soon as I step out of the train station. A section of the imposing city walls built in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty are straight in front of me and for the first time since I left Huang Shan 10 days ago the sun is shining. What a difference the sun makes. I catch a bus from opposite the tr http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-445905.html Day 472 Wednesday 14th October The worldrsquos biggest BuddhaAfter yesterdayrsquos exertions on Emei Shan Irsquom in no hurry to get up early this morning and just take my time instead. After a relaxed breakfast I get on my way. The bus station is next door to the hostel so thankfully it isnrsquot a long walk. The buses to Leshan are hourly but Irsquove just missed one so I have an ho http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-445167.html Day 469 Sunday 11th October Over the border into SichuanWe arrive in Chongqing at 3am. I know because the ship sounds its horn collides into the dock with some force and there is a lot of shouting outside. I go back to sleep and wake up at 6am as we have to get off the boat at 630am. Riley is staying in Chongqing for a few days but I can find nothing of interest in my travel literature which http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-444664.html Day 465 Wednesday 7th October A journey with an uncertain endingI donrsquot know why I do it to myself but if Irsquom honest journeys like this are actually one of the fun things about backpacking in a strange way. What am I talking about Well a journey where you have a destination in mind but donrsquot know if you will be able to reach it and one where you have no accommodation prebook http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/blog-443998.html