Blogs from Nepal, Asia - page 416

Kathmandu is a fascinating city, and I absolutely love it, despite my difficulties in getting here. When I arrived at the Bangkok airport for my flight, I was told that the plane would be departing Bangkok 6 hours late because the incoming plane had not yet left Kathmandu due to mechanical problems. With nothing better to do, I spent time wandering around the Bangkok airport and sitting at the food court reading the free copies of Nation and the Bangkok Post, which are Thailand's English newspapers. To make a long story short, I arrived in Kathmandu about 7 hours late. The airport officials in Bangkok were good at keeping the passengers informed, but the Kathmandu ground staff had no clue what was going on. My poor friends had to make two trips to the airport and ... read more

First, I should apologise for the last blog and its length - it's interesting to see how a fifth of the readers dropped off before reading Part II; I don't blame them, especially when Part II had no photos. This time, I've deliberately made it refreshingly shorter. I feel much better now - stupidly, as soon as I got back I was already missing the clean air, tranquility, cooler (!) climate and views. I guess it's human nature that we always want what we don't have - or are simply fickle! One of the first things I had when I got back was a litre of fruit juice and a succulent, big steak! Simple pleasures. But these are often the best. I spent 2 more days in Kathmandu, which is a city now acting like nothing's ... read more

If you're reading this first by accident, please click 'previous blog' to read the first 5 days. Day 6: Acclimatisation Day My boots are covered in ice, so it was an utter delight putting my feet inside them this morning I can tell you, and I can't see out of my window for all the ice on the inside, but I don't care (much), as all around the sky is blue and the storm has gone. Woo! I plan a strenuous day walk to Chukhung 3.5hours away to see Island Peak (a relatively accessible 6000m peak), making the most of the good weather and views that are now dust and haze free. But it seems I can't win, as today's weather brings new struggles - the main one being evily high snow reflectance. I overheard a ... read more

Dubai sure was a great trip!!! Amazing the archetecture there and the amount of money that comes and goes through that country. On our second to last day, we took a very long walk along the beach park to watch the sunset and during our walk back we were just following the main roads. We had no idea where the bus stops where because of the road construction that is going on there and all of the bus stop signs had been removed (builing an underground tunnel system that should open in 2009)... Anway, we came across one of the nicest guys walking along the street. I stopped and asked him for directions, he was very helpful and informative about the area. So, if you are ever in Dubai, you can do us a favor... if ... read more

die situation wurde immer angespannter, der streik immer laenger und keiner wusste wie es weiter geht. klar war: NICHT MIT DEM BUS! es musste irgendwas passierten, denn die lebensmittel wurden immer knapper und gar nichts bewegte sich mehr im staate nepal. also haben wir uns spontan fahrraeder gekauft auf zu neuen ufern mit eigenem fortbewegungsmitteln. nach kompliziertem organisieren von flickzeug zu hohen streikpreisen ging es, mit blick zureuck auf die schneeweisen gipfel der himalayakette, frueh am morgen los. was eine super idee und ein einmaliges perfektes erlebnis! zwar ging es die erste zeit eher berg auf, aber klar war es geht auch wieder runter und sowieso liegt die grenze weiter unten. also schoben wir tapfer die serpentinen hoch. die strasse frei fuer uns. wie wahnsinnig ein land ohne jegliches verkehrmittel ist. nur die geraeusche der natur ... read more