Geo: 6.0167, 80.25A nice old man told me when to get off the bus from the train station, and directed me down towards hotels for Unawatuna beach, I get checked into a nice place which is clean, en-suite and even has wifi. My first impression of the beach is just stunning this really is a paradise island, I enjoy being on the beach and having a wander round at a nice relaxed pace, I've missed the sea yet I was only landlocked for seven months.I jumped a bus out to explore and got off a few miles down the road thinking I would walk back along the beach, after a while though I took to sunbathing only to have my camera stolen from inside my bag, I really wasn't happy and although I think I know ... read more

Geo: 28.3949, 84.124I love Nepal, what does it stand for?Never Eending Peace And Lovewell maybe, but I would think that's more of a tourist view of "Da Du'. I love the the buddha's, the stupas, pagodas, prayer flags which are seen everywhere, and the aroma of marigolds. I love the way shops are 'blessed' with their opening rituals with flowers and incense to bring a good days trading perhaps although this is also done in homes to bring peace and happiness.Where I'm staying is out lying the main tourist area is Kathmandu, I love waking up to the chorus of pressure cookers hissing, the rice is on! I love many of the Nepali/English sayings for example 'Same, same, but different' cracks me up every time, "Why like this?', 'What to do, in Kathmandu'' or 'La, la, ... read more

Geo: 27.7029, 85.3182I feel I've really come to know Kathmandu, I first came here in January and I have been back and forth ever since, extending my visa and generally making it up as I go along. I'm either off out trekking or rafting and back, or away visiting Braktapur, Thimi, Lamahi, Pokhara and back, even India for a month and back. Every time I return it feels like coming home, probably because I have made friends here who have supported me over the last few months.I can manage my way through all the lanes from the Immigration office, right over to the other side of the city at Swayanbhunath (Monkey Temple) or up through Lazimpat, out to the Ring Road, down past Gongabu, into Mheipi, Durbar Square, Freak Street, Boudhanath and know the different shopping ... read more

Geo: 28.3949, 84.124From Mahendranagar the border town in Nepal I caught a local bus to Bardia National Park, the bus is packed, and we're all squashed in so it's pretty uncomfortable. I'm just glad to be away from Banbasa though so I really don't mind, on the way in I got another one month visa for Nepal, I need to be out of India for two months before I can apply for another entry visa, so after Nepal I'll need to make some decisions, although they are all based on me getting to Beijing for August, hopefully to meet friends to start cycling with (will keep you posted when I know myself).When I get off the bus at Bardia I'm completely bombarded with people wanting me to go to their hotels, I actually lose the rag ... read more

Geo: 32.5656, 77.0019Keylong isn't exactly open for tourists yet, in fact it turns out that I'm the first one they have seen in six months as all the roads into this area are closed, the whole place becomes shut off from the rest of India for a full six months every year. I speak to the owners of one of the guest houses and he opens up for me providing a lovely room at a very reasonable price. Once I've my bearings I walk down to the Commissioner's office and ask about getting the local's helicopter back out of here in a few days. I fill out the required paperwork and although they're a bit undecided they eventually agree and I have a tourist fee of 7000Rs to pay, I must admit I gave myself a ... read more