Nepal Thank god were here! Upon entering Nepal the mood visible lifted. Partly due to the horrendous bus journeys through India and partly due to India not being the best place we visited. I can’t quite put my finger on why but there is something about India that I really couldn’t quite take to, which was disappointing really. But Nepal…wow! Such a contrast in such a short space of time. The people here are friendlier, more accommodating and generally seemingly nicer people. And the scenery is breathtaking! Seriously, its strange how in such a short distance from the border the change in the atmosphere from India is remarkable. So, first stop is Chitwan National Park and the Hotel Park Side. We arrive late afternoon after a pleasant bus journey through the hills and mountains of Nepal ... read more

Pakistan An early leave is required and we were due to take the bus at 5am. At 4:56am I decide to Wake up and blind panic takes hold!! I rush to get my bits n bobs together and make it to the hotel lobby just in time (well, 5mins late to be precise). Good job I’d packed the night before!! Karachi We get through the airport without delay and fly onto Karachi. Apon arrival we are met by our guide Amjad, who greets us enthusiastically and welcomes us to his country. Despite the concerns from family and friends and from what we’ve read or heard in the media regarding terrorism and bombs etc etc Amjad immediately puts us at ease and tells us that the people of Pakistan are welcoming and very hospitable. Lets hope so, ... read more

Istanbul Istanbul. Well, what can I really say about this place that hasn’t already been said? On a personal note, I didn’t really like Istanbul though I can’t quite put a finger on why this is. Maybe it’s the constant harassment from all the shop keepers? At times they seemed somewhat threatening. That can get quite tiresome, even if you ignore them. Some get quite pushy too! Anyway, we were staying at the Orient Hostel. At first glance it seemed quite nice but the room, a 4 bed dorm, was too tiny for 4 people and the sockets just hanging from the wall made you somewhat wary. Especially when you have a large World plug adaptor hanging from it!! We did the usual touristy thing of visiting the impressive Blue mosque and other sites. Being an ... read more

Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes' Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. It also has the second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building. Most of these are great photo opportunities, obviously. My first impression though wasn’t really a positive one. In fact, it’s now becoming pretty standard that I at first think that I’m not going to like a city, but leave thinking entirely the opposite. Anyways, Budapest is, like many of the other European cities I’ve recently visited, very beautiful…..in parts. We stayed in the Marco Polo Hostel just a short walk away from the city centre, which was a great idea. Again, like many of ... read more

Prague….the 1st place that I was looking forward to going to having heard sooo much about the place from various stag do’s and Arran waxing lyrical about certain bars and girls. I was also looking forward to sampling the beer, food & architecture of such a beautiful city. So, at this point I will warn those of you with a delicate constitution that the next part of this story is laced with smut, humour, smut, a touch of history, smut, a bit of fun, smut and facts. Oh, and did I mention smut??!! Seriously, mum……close your ears!! You have been warned..... On the outskirts of the city centre we book into the Plus Prague Hostel in the province of Praha 7. The hostel itself is great, warm, friendly and with internet access, pool, beer, washing facilities, ... read more