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Published: December 8th 2005
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Romper room in Siam Reap
Romper Room in Siam Reap
After a very very short stint in New Delhi I made my way up to Rishikesh by overnight bus, I had no idea where to go or stay, not a big surprise quite a common theme with me but I just love idea of just winging it, so far so good. I ended up in Laxman Jhula and stayed right on the Ganges in the Sri Sant Sewa Ashram which was perfectly located, reasonably cheap and quite Shanthi, I was surrounded - music, puja, hundreds of India pilgrims, chanting, bells, incense, sadus....... My aim here was of course to shanthify, explore different types of yoga and just be....I also did a week of what we in the west we call rebirthing, verrrrrrry verrrrrrry interesting the yogi was a very eccentric India man not your typical yogi who had an amazing mind I really connected with him.
I met quite a few interesting individuals but Rishikesh is the sort of place that that you tend to keep to yourself, everyone is looking, seeking, finding something or another, loved the energy, loved the scenery and just loved Rishikesh of course I had my moments..my camera was stolen to start with (not having
Sapa
Vietnam - Sapa
much luck with cameras) and of course the bloody India men and monkeys one of the same really nah just kidding ... lucky I was shanthi Tania otherwise I can tell you a few may have received a back hand from me......... after a while it does get to you.
I was constantly harassed, grabbed, starred at, kissed (ok just on the arm but in a strange, strange way and after being dumbfounded by it all I did get away - a weird so called Sadu but I think he was a beggar) and asked to have sex (by a young boy on a bike) and this is in one of the most spiritual centres of India....along the ganges..
I made friends with a english guy Warren (but towards the end of my time there) so for the short time when we hung out together I really didn't get that harassed, I went swimming in the Ganga and did some trekking.... I probably wouldn't have done any of that on my own which is a disappointing thing to say as nothing generally stops me but for whatever reason I was strangely harrassed.
Monkey Magic - NOT
Siam Reap
Karen, Jo Me and Michelle
I even had a stand off with a local Alpha Monkey, he was less than a metre from me and was ready to pounce, kid you not it would not have been pretty, I definately would have ended up in a India hospital. Inspite of all this Rishikesh was one of my fav places to be I got a lot out of it.
Trippy India
After about 2 weeks I decided that I need some sun, sand and mama Shaz so I made my way to Goa via train and plane, coincidentially I met a really lovely South African man (Rob) who was on the exact same leg to Goa, so I had a travel companion all the way to Goa, its good to have someone that can watch your back and split costs with taxi's etc . the gods are still looking out for me. I stayed in Palolem for a few days almost swam with Dolphins they were near the shoreline but just a tad to far for me to get to and just enjoyed the beach life....
My remaining time in India was great very different to my shanthi time in Rishikseh, I was
Phu Quoc
Sunset at Mango Tree Resort
still shanthi mode of course but I did it in a more abusive way with the smoking of charis etc and eating like I have never seen food before (just a slight exaggeration) the food is amazing fresh fish and seafood for 2 dollars.
I finally ended up meeting with my mama Shaz and another friend Brad and we had a great time in Chapora a very different environment to Palolem, I caught about 4 different local buses which took 3 hours but oddly was easy and convenient (I literally got off one and the next one was ready and waiting to go - strangely organised for India).
Chapora was a strange mix crowd of hippies, cool Europeans (well they thought they were) tattooed dread locked pierced ferals (in a nice way) and old timers - basically free spirited individuals , nevertheless I loved the contrast . I ended up being sick for a couple of days with a blocked nose and a bit of Bombay belly not pleasant especially when the house toilet was located a far distance from my room but it had the best view in the house built right on the river.........real nice . Fortunately my recovery was quick even though I was smacked out for 2 days I think it had something to do with the so called non drowsy antihistamine that the local chemist gave me.
I stayed with mama Shaz and her local India family (they rent rooms) and their 5 dogs, Rocky was my favourite, a big bugger that always chased and scared anyone that walked past the house, their behaviour is so fascinating to observe they are so different to the domestic dogs in Australia as they are still somewhat feral and extremely territorial like a pack of wolves.....at times they just drove me mad, during the day they slept (when I was not around) but at night particularly on the witching hour (I kid you not) all the dogs in the neighbourhood including the house dogs howled and barked all the time and lucky for me in the morning I was also kindly awaken by thousands of squaking crows......just crazy... I am surprise I am still sane (and that is still questionable hehhehe).
My days (when I wasn't in a coma) was spent lazing on the beach, went to the Wed Anjuna Markets and mainly hanged out at cafes like Kumars and Sharewood, Sharewood is a must if you are in Chapora you can just spend hours and hours there, its a gorgeous cafe set in trees, all different in style and size, you sit up high in the branches, its owned by an eccentric french guy who would wear the same strange outfit every day apparently he owns 10 and his trippy swedish wife, the food is great the music is awesome and the atmosphere is about a 10 I just loved it.
India's definately tantilizes your sense with it vibrant colours, spicy flavours and smells (well not always good despite the madness they create I love the cows, dogs and monkeys roaming the streets.
Well my journey in Asia has come to the end and I am now off back to the western world for a short stint in Europe I will defiantely miss the mayhem of Asia and in some ways feel like I should have stayed longer but there is always a next time as of course there are still so many places to still to visit.
Whilst it is very difficult to name the best moments or fav places......here are just a few sum ups . I have also added a few photos that don't relate to this blog just a few random snap shots......
Cheapest meal 30 cents - Hanoi Vietnam
Cheapest accommodation - Cat Ba island $3 for 3 nights
Dodgy accomodation - Guest House Paharganj area Delhi
Most expensive/luxury accommodation - Phu Quoc Vietnam $10/night
unusual food - Jelly fish soup Vietnam - just delicious
Crazy moments - walking around the streets of Hanoi and dodging traffic - no one walks in that country
Hottest moment - Siam Reap Angkor Wat area.....whoa
Party moments - Full Moon party Thailand
Sunset - Phu Quoc - just beautiful
Sunrise - hmmm normally asleep - but saw one after the full moon party gig
trying moment - Visa stuff up between the border of Vietnam and Cambodia x 3
Scary moment - of course the stand off with Mr Monkey
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Kaz
non-member comment
Love the photos Tan happy travels in europe