In the same way Cambodia was unknown to me aside from some pretty ignorant generalizations; my knowledge of ‘Nam consists of having watched a handful of Hollywood war films depicting the US/Vietnam war, largely from the American side. I did enjoy ‘Platoon’ and ‘Full Metal Jacket’ and ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘Hamburger Hill’ and ‘Thin Red […]
From the spiritual slog of Siemreap we planned to travel south, through Battambang and finally reach Phonm Pehn the capital. If Siemreap showed us the beautiful history of Cambodia, then the arty boutique Battambang is a beacon of the bright future ahead, while we then finally face up to the sad recent past in Phonm […]
Angkor What? Up to a few months before I had visited, whenever I thought of Cambodia I thought of only two things: a vaguely remembered grainy picture on the news of when ‘Pol Pot’ had died. An old man laid on a bed who I knew was Cambodian, and a dictator, but not much more; […]
The current part of journey is a Thai island paradise. Railay bay, Krabi; where there’s a hot yellow sun, azure blue seas and cool green pools white grey granite rocky outcrops topped with furry green hats rise up from white sand beaches which stretch along palm tree lined coasts dotted with lazy beach bar chang […]
Travelling is a great way to experience new cultures and learn about different ways of life up close and first hand. None more so than the busy hectic streets of the Indian capital – New Delhi. It is a real attack on the senses; new language, foods, flavours, smells and an ever present spirituality are […]
Feels like I’ve finally relaxed abit, six weeks into six month trip and am feeling quietly calmer. We’re doing lots of lovely things and I’ve clicked into a feeling of tourist sightseer serene – even in the madness of India. Most of the last two blogs we quite analytical so this is a more typical […]
After the contrasts of Kathmandu and then the remote cold catharsis of our Everest trek we spent a few days in the steamy Chitwan National Park and one day in Nepal’s second city Pokhara. In between were 8hour bus journeys on unmade winding sandy mountain roads in bright heat. With the poor roads and sanitation […]
It’s snowing proper for the first time on the trek and it feels like we’re really in the Himalayas. My fingers and toes are numb and legs sore after 8days walking. No clean clothes left, no showers, sleeping bag sweaty and hat hair and hard three day headache We walk for three hours and an […]
After three days (planned) acclimatisation, and for me, convalescence, in Namche Bazaar at 3440m, including a hot shower, lots of apple tarts from the Namche bakery, a walk up to the village of Khumjung and a visit to the Hilary school there; we begin three days of walking through the ‘boches’. These are some of […]
The flight to Lukla is a boneshaking tummy tipping and ear popping – the stewardess’ only job seems to be closing the door and handing out cotton wool for our ears – flight over orange foothills There are 8 passengers and we are full, 30mins of stomach wobbling propellor rattling bouncing over beautiful scenery and […]
