coppermill

We decide to take a tour to the famous Dharavi Slum area of Mumbai, after speaking with a number of people who had visited them they all said it was very interesting and well worth it. So our tour started by us meeting at the Church Gate railway station at 9am where we were to be met by our guide. After paying the guide 12rp each the guide bought our train ticket, this was to be a short ride on the very wide Mumbai local train. These trains have doors but they are constantly open, they have a huge number of handles hanging from the roof of the train for people to hold on to and all the bars or what look more like cages are shiny silver. Even though we were travelling after the rush ... read more

We had pre-booked Sar, a Tuk Tuk driver to take us to S21, Russian market and the Killing Fields. He turned up on time at our guest house (10am). First stop S21 (Tuol Sleng Prison), we spent about an hour walking around which is quite enough time in such a shocking place. The first building Block A is where the Vietnam photographers found the fourteen Cambodians, one in each room, each had been tortured and beaten to death, their poor bodies just left where they died. The photographs that were taken are just unbelievable, at first you wonder if the photos are just made up to shock you. But it soon becomes clear that they are actual photos and real tortured people. The fourteen people have grave tombs outside in the court yard as a symbol ... read more

Today, Tuesday 22nd February, well what a day and so close we could have been right in the middle of the Earth Quake. The day started at 9:15 the bus to take us to the airport was late, and our flight was due to take off at 10:35, finally the bus arrived and ferried us to the airport. we had checked in and just before going through security Bryan realised that his beautiful Digital SLR camera was missing. :-( so after a call to the Jail Hostel he found the camera was on the bus and that they would be back at the airport in 15 minutes, it was 10:00..... we did discuss what to do if the bus didnt arrive on time. the camera cost more than the flights so financially it would be better ... read more

Now on the Canadian 1 train to Vancouver, stopping over at Jasper. Sitting in our big seats getting ready for 3 nights on the train, it's 10pm at night and we are in Toronto Union Station. We're excited but tired at the same time. Three night trying to sleep on the train and only 9 stops and then we are off. Quite a daunting trip, but is said to be one of the best railway journeys of all times. Well it's now 3:30am, train still going along. Would not say it is going to be the best night sleep, or in fact best three nights sleep I'm going to have in my life. So glad I have brought my own pillow. With no WiFi on-board it means it's going to be a long trip, which ... read more

Leaving many message on Facebook, letting all our friends know we were spending the night in jail, was very funny, some even caught the bait and we're thinking of bailing us out! Have a read of this and you will see why we booked it....! "Plan a unique and memorable trip to the best Ottawa Hostel that'll not only include its sights, attractions, and activities but your overnight sentence in jail as well! The HI-Ottawa Jail Hostel is the only hostel in North America located in a former prison that operated for over 100 years. During your stay in this Victorian-era architectural relic, you'll sleep in former jail cells, the prison hospital, or maybe even the governor's quarters! Visit the Carleton County Gaol Heritage Centre located on the hostel's un-renovated 8th floor to see and learn ... read more