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Published: October 28th 2010
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Pokhara
On Fewa Lake Great Ghandi's Loincloth! Its time for an update...
So on the 20th of August i bid a sad farewell to Uli my travel companion, as she goes back home to Indonesia. I reckoned on about 10 days left in Nepal and wasn't keen to spend all that time in Kathmandu. So i get on a bus and head back to Pokhara where its more laid-back.
I spend just over a week in Pokhara, staying at the Placid Valley Lodge, which i highly recommend if your ever in that neck of the woods. Most of the time i was relaxing but i did take to the skies with a spot of paragliding, soaring like a majestic eagle before almost chucking my guts up riding the thermals. Also I scrambled through a bat-cave, which to exit you must squeeze though a tiny gap in the roof. They call this being reborn in Nepal, except this time you have to do all the hard work. Then there was the Buddhist Monastery where i was able to sit in on some chanting - most relaxing. I had hired a scooter to zip about, just had to be careful of the people, cows, buffalo's,
You Plonker!
Del Boys latest venture goats, dogs, chickens, crater-like potholes, cyclists and all the other vehicles that use the roads.
Before leaving Pokhara i visited Namaste Childrens Home -a fantastic bunch of kids, and tried to help em with their homework. I doth my cap to the staff and volunteers there - keep up the good work!
I head back to Kathmandu (i probably spent a fifth of my time in Nepal on a bus!) and go on a temple binge. Visiting the Durbar (palace) squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktupur. When i check in for my flight to Delhi a few days later in early September, i am told that you cant pick up an Indian visa on Arrival. Probably should have looked into it prior to getting the ticket and heading to the airport!...you live and learn.
So i spend an unexpected further week in Kathmandu (had to extend Nepali visa) whilst waiting for the Indian visa to process. A right kuffufle.
Anyway a week later (11.09.10) and im back at Kathmandu airport, a place where logic and order has taken a holiday itself. After being frisked to within an inch of my life, im on the plane to Delhi. It
Fish Tail
Can just about see the mountain from behind the clouds. Pokhara. was a clear day and there were fantastic views of the mighty Himalayas from the plane. Its only a short flight and upon arriving at Delhi one of the first things i noticed was the humidity and that there were much more men than women about. I spend a week in the capital, seeing the sights and what not. Apparently Delhi is a place you should only spend 3 days. Tell a local you spent a whole week there and your obviously crazy.
Next i catch an overnight train to Varanasi - one of the worlds oldest, continually inhabited Cities, on the banks of the holy Ganges. If you are a Hindu, to die in Varanasi offers Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The sick and old come here from across the country (if they are able) to spend whats left of their earthly existence, kinda like Bournemouth. No trip to Varanasi is complete without a boat ride along the Ganga. So ...i took a boat ride along the Ganga. Had to get up reeally early too. The burning ghats were fascinating hives of activity and to my surprise a local brought me right up next
to the pyres. I spend a week in Varanasi taking the time to learn a bit of Djembe, which im told only Japanese tourists do, anyone else opting for the tabla.
Next i head to Agra to see that building. The Taj Mahal. Tick that box. It was very nice though a bit smaller than i was expecting and i didn't realise just how close to the town it is. Its practically in the thick of it. I only spent a couple of days in Agra before catching a 6am train (with a raging hangover) to Jaipur in Rajasthan.
I had intended to spend more time exploring Rajasthan but at this stage i just felt really burnt out, probably from travel fatigue. Trying to do too much in a short space of time.
There was only one thing that could save me now...Goa. Known as the most relaxing place in the world (or at least it should be), where the beer flows like wine and artists/musicians instinctively flock like the salmon of Capastrano. Its green and fresh, coconut palms and beaches. Great food and great people. And ive been having a blast here ever since arriving (via
Paragliding
a fellow glider a 26hr train ride from Delhi) on the 7/10/10. Im staying in the south of the former Portuguese colony in a place called Varca, a friend kindly letting me stay at his abode - Thank you! Ive been lent a scooter which is great for exploring one of India's smaller states. The roads are better and less crazy than the other parts of the country ive been to.
India has been a good experience (especially Goa!), though ive only scratched the surface, someone told me you need at least 5 years to do her justice. But from what ive seen its not nearly as bad as people make out. In Nepal they would nearly always warn me to 'watch out' when i go to India, which seems funny now.
The next place i will grace with my presence will be 'Nam, where i will be joined by the bird. Heading there the beginning of November. So hopefully this latest blog gives you a rough idea of whats been happening the past couple of months. If you managed to read to the end - i salute you!
Take care you lot
Big R
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maz
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omg they are men