Blogs from India, Asia - page 2116

The public bus from Mandi to Dharmsala stopped everywhere so it ended up taking about 8 hours and then the extra 1/2 hour up to McCleod Ganj - so I was quite tired on arrival. I still checked out about 4 guest houses in the rain before picking a room with a deck overlooking a valley. My neighbors were two Austrian girls who spent a lot of time with a couple of Australians. McCleod Ganj was a great place - many people were there to study Vipassana, Reiki, Buddhism or Tibetan. The Dalai Lama was there and shook the hand of one of the Austrian girls before getting wind of my arrival and going in to hiding (meditation). I spent quite a bit of time with Lilach - from Tel Aviv, and also met a stunner ... read more

As Saptagiri Express nears the seven sacred hills, pilgrims stretch to look at the parade of temples fleeting by the windows. They prepare themselves for the altitude of piety as the train halts at Tirupati. Though we decided on this trip only last night, Ganesh has been planning it since his father was diagnosed with cancer. The road from the railway station's entrance leads to a temple, with many to follow until the journey ends at the famed Venkateshwara temple on Tirumala 3,200 feet above sea level. Flower vendors and Hanuman lookalikes heckle visitors. Offerings for the god wait for customers on either side of the road. Those who return from the shrine with tonsured heads grab the wigs. Tirupati town and its denizens owe its existence to the sacred occupant on Tirumala. From bus stands ... read more

We stopped for a night in Kelong which was just a pretty small bus stop with some restaurants and guest rooms. Pretty muddy! We didn't end up stopping a sleeping in a tent though!... read more

The two day bus from Srinigar to Leh stopped here for a night - 10pm to 5am. The bus ride is increadible. I am sitting on the back seat of the bus, but don't really mind the big bounces since the views of out the windows are so amazing. Ataf is riding next to me - an Isreali who was staying in the same boat as the English girls and we are switching so we alternate for the window seat. I heard in Leh that Kargil was shelled a few nights after we stayed there and someone died - so this journey isn't the safest in the world. I don't think it was downtown that was shelled but the army tents, but I have no idea how close they are.... read more

When I landed in Delhi my main pack was following me, and would have just landed in Bangkok from LAX. This meant that I had to stick around for a while to wait for it to catch up with me. Thai airlines had been great about it and agreed to give me $75 for the trouble. It worked out great in my 19 hours in Bangkok since I never had to worry about a large pack. I had arranged a pick up from the airport and they took me to my guesthouse in Paraganj, where I got a great room with no windows and a fan. This seemed to work out great since there was no noise from outside, and the heat didn't get to come in either, although it was pretty hot! A good deal ... read more