Enjoy China! Stumbled on your blog, no idea who you are. I recently spent a month in China, it's a great country with incredibly friendly people. If you end up in Xi'an, hit up the muslim quarter for some excellent beef kebabs at unbelievably cheap prices.
Don't miss the great wall while in Beijing, skip Badaling and go to Simatai, 3 hour drive but well worth it. FYI, The Forbidden City is undergoing massive amounts of restoration/reconstruction for the upcoming olympics, so much of it is shut off to the public and covered in massive tarps. Great cheap food at the night markets near Oriental Plaza a few km's from Tianemen.
Enjoy China, other than the pollution it is a great place!
Hi Hi nandi, how are you? hope you and ian are enjouying your trip. I want to see all the pics when you are back in london. hopefully you will be back this year!! I am really enjoying reading the journals that ian had written.
Anyway i just wanted to wish you a happy Raksha Bandhan, which was a few days ago.
take care, have fun and see you soon.
dips.
hi Ian and other guy. Wow! your blog is cool. The writing has a sort a succint panache and wry humour reminiscent of some author whose name I cant remeber. The photos too are amazing. They are very well composed. Ever thought of getting them published? Think about it.
Dave
great to hear from you all Ni hao from China!
I was speaking to the monk in English - he was a teacher at the monastery so he knew some. Hope that answers your question Gomez ;o)
Also, Pats, I'm pleased to say that Indie is overcoming his massage addiction. His cold turkey treatment is proving effective, though I'm worried he may relapse in Beijing!
Indie and I entered China a couple days ago, and it's been a real adventure so far. Look out for a blog update in the next couple days (dodgy Chinese internet accessibility permitting...)
I'm very pleased to read comments from friends and family. It's great to know what other people think of the blog.
Keep the comments coming.
beautiful people of Laos Hi Ian and friend
I just happen to stumble on to your blog. I am a Laotian from Vientian ( Vieng jun ) is how the Laos would say it.:) I wish everyone would get the chance to visit Laos, the people the are incredible, they are friendly, and ready to drop everyting to help the next person in need. and most importantly, as a whole, Laos people appreciate everyone.
enjoy the rest of your trip. looking forward toyour next stories. keep the pictures coming. take care
souphonexay DANNY panya
You love Laos... ... and I love you!!! I’m very glad to know that you’re having a great time in Asia. It seems Indie it’s an interesting character to be travelling with. You’re blog is AMAZING and my friends agree with me. Keep updating us with your adventures y no olvides lo que te dije...
Ian, I am very happy for you, as it seems you are enjoying while in South east Asia. Here in China we also have the song about the mouse (laoshu ai da mi = mouse loves big rice) but I am not sure about the origin. Disfruta tu viaje y hasta pronto,
Alex
hey... there's nothing wrong with massageaholics! i used to have 2 a day when i was islandhopping. just relax, dude, and submit to the rapture :) and indie should hold forth on the difference in international massage techniques.
You are some man! Ian my friend...I too have enjoyed reading your blog! Although Kerry does at times read it, I am slowly becoming engrossed!
Simply out of interest, what language did the monk at the bottom speak?
Also, I bet you the food is INCREDIBLE!
Gracias por la pasta antes!
ciao hermano
(:
a city of a thousand smells? sounds a bit like zaragoza to me! were any of them rotten cabbage?
got a new laptop now, so i'm loading all my music back on. i've already found a few gems hidden on some free unlistened to compilations.
it's unlikely that you'll have heard the new Kasabian song over there, but I have, and I am pleased to report it's absolutely brilliant. it's very kasabiany, but a lot more catchy than some of their stuff.
keep tearing up asia!
South East Asia Hi Indie and Ian
I am so pleased your travel diary which is really beautiful and exciting together with all the photographs that you have published. I can tell you that the time your are having now will be really memorable so make the most of your time to see and learn as much as you can as after this a time like this may never come plus the part you are in has lot of history, culture and beauty.
Wish you all the very best in your travels. Do take care about your health and what and where you eat, sleep and stay.
Bye from your Dad
Darling! Guapito, u sould become a travel writer..ur clips are amazing! I would definitely buy ur bokk ;)
I hope ur having a fantastic time, the photos look brilliant! Slide show when u get back!!
Take care of yourself...we miss u!
Love and hugs
Nix
xxx
Nice one That's awesome. My friend alboy just got back from his round the world trap, and he said that in Japan groups of school girls kept walking past and mouthing "david beckham" at him.
Not much happening back in Escocia. I've now been to more weddings in the past week than in my life up until now, but on the plus side I'm becming a very adept waiter/barman
Day off today so we're having a BBQ for the World Cup final at Alans (Alan that was at Coldplay). Can't wait.
FORZA ITALIA!
2 friends,
2 continents,
7 countries,
15,000 miles,
3 months...
Along with one of my best mates - Londoner Indie Shah - I plan to travel from London to Beijing and back, via Saigon and Moscow. We'll be experiencing several countries, including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Russia.
Here's where you will read about our trip, see our photos, contribute your thoughts and share the adventures.
Join us!... full info
RB
non-member comment
Enjoy China!
Stumbled on your blog, no idea who you are. I recently spent a month in China, it's a great country with incredibly friendly people. If you end up in Xi'an, hit up the muslim quarter for some excellent beef kebabs at unbelievably cheap prices. Don't miss the great wall while in Beijing, skip Badaling and go to Simatai, 3 hour drive but well worth it. FYI, The Forbidden City is undergoing massive amounts of restoration/reconstruction for the upcoming olympics, so much of it is shut off to the public and covered in massive tarps. Great cheap food at the night markets near Oriental Plaza a few km's from Tianemen. Enjoy China, other than the pollution it is a great place!