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Published: June 17th 2006
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Namaste,
McLeod Ganj:
The Himalayas have been just amazing. McLeod Ganj with all its Tibetan influence was a fascinating place. The many monks exemplify the kind nature of the Tibetan people. I gave English lessons to some refugees, and hearing their stories of fleeing across the mountains to Nepal and into India were incredible. 'Tunga' told me of how he fled with a group of 29, including one baby. On one occasion they had to walk within 30 feet of a Chinese military post in a mountain pass in the early hours of the morning, and how they feared if the baby awoke and cried that they would all be caught. One of the group started with a small cold that developed into pneumonia and he died en-route.
There are many cultural shows and heritage workshops in the village. The cooler climate makes summer the peak tourist season up here, and there were many travelers enjoying the hikes and some who had settled here to study Buddhism under the Dalai Lama. I met many young European ladies who had spent 6 months volunteering in City slums! Brave women indeed. They seemed matured and ‘opened’ by their experiences. The slums
Cool Monks,
Dalai Lama's Temple I have seen in Mumbai and Delhi were real eye-openers. The absolute poverty, the stench, the rats, the most basic shacks/homes, the butt-naked kids, the filth… I take my hat off to those women.
A Canadian chap I met on the train from Delhi was there to participate in a 10 day Vipassana mediation course, where no one speaks from Day 1 to 10! It was his third time to take part (the other 2 were held in Canada). I met a northern Irishman (in his 40’s) who has been trekking his way around India for months. He walked from Goa to Rajasthan! He had also participated in a Vipassana. Supposed to be an incredibly emotional, mind blowing, uplifting and empowering experience. Maybe next time.
Manali:
This town is further into the mountains, with some exceptional mountain passes north of the town. Some of the world’s highest roads lead from the village. The overnight bus was quite the trip. Eight of us were packed into the drivers cab, and this was the deluxe bus…Welcome to India! I made sure to book a sleeper cabin for the 16 hour overnight bus journey back to Delhi.
There are no
Last minute study
Reading in the corner roller coasters in India… they don’t need them…they have Himalayan roads attached to the sides of the mountains which more than gets the adrenaline flowing. At least with a roller coaster there are safety features. This journey makes the ‘Ring of Kerry’ seem like a merry-go-round.
On a hike up to 14,000 ft, we got to go snowboarding & skiing. Each time we snowboarded down to 13,000 ft we had to turn around and hike back up again….in the thin air…Phewww. I thought my packet of crisps would explode with the light air pressure😉
Silk Trade:
I bought some Indian silk rugs and quilt covers, which were a fraction of the price back home. I felt an affinity with my paternal ancestors who were Dutch silk merchants, importing and trading in silk on Dublin’s quays in the 1600’s.
Wildlife:
Yak’s are the most strange looking creatures. I thought all such furry mammals died out at the end of the last ice age (looks like the great Irish elk).They live high in the mountains and provide milk and wool to Himalayan communities.
I have seen huge birds of prey the size of gliding turkeys! And only a
few meters above my head. Awesome moment.
Health & Safety:
(Nothing to report)
India:
This place offers a travel experience like nowhere else on earth. If you are not up to backpacking, I suggest you come on an organised tour, where you get picked up at the airport and chaperoned from your hotel to each visitor attraction. It was interesting to note that the same architect of ‘New’Delhi (Luyten) also designed my last place of work, the Ambassadors residence in Killiney.
Mumbai (Bombay)
I am currently in Mumbai. Huge city with 16 Million people, but many live in what is Asia’s largest slum. I met my friend’s (Eugenie’s) friend, who works here at the Canadian consulate. Its great having a network of old friends and colleagues around the world! Thanks Annie & Sanjeev, I thoroughly appreciate your friendship and assistance here in India. Tonight I take an overnight train to Goa and then Kerala in the south. I hope to spend the weekend in Sri Lanka, where I fly out to Dubai on Sunday night, and on to Nairobi from there, Monday morning. This is the last leg of my tour around the world, but in
many ways the real adventure / challenge is about to begin, with my stay in Africa. I can highly recommend the experience. Round the World (RTW) tickets are surprisingly good value (from $1500+), depending on the number of stops / maximum mileage. There are two main tickets; ‘One World’ and ‘Star Alliance’. Check them out! I have stayed in all sorts of accommodation from the best in luxury hotels to fairly simple $5 / night guest houses and hostel dorms. The cheaper accommodation often proved a great place to link up with other travellers.
Happiness, Joy & Laughter,
-Adrian.
Gandhi Quotes:
‘An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind’
‘When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator’
‘Birth and death are not two different states, but they are different aspects of the same state’
‘Imitation is the sincerest flattery’
‘Courage has never been known to be a matter of muscle; it is a matter of the heart. The toughest muscle has been known to tremble before an imaginary fear’
‘Everyone who wills can hear
the inner voice’
‘Glory lies in the attempt to reach ones goal and not in reaching it.’
‘Non-violence requires a double faith, faith in God and also faith in man’
‘Healthy discontent is the prelude to progress’
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Clyde
non-member comment
Ace(r)
Travelling briefly with Adrian was Ace! hehe. I'm the Canadian chap who had the privalege of experiencing McCleod ganj with said Irish gentleman who takes some amazing photographs...I think it's that infectious smile of his! Cheers :)