Following on from Koh Phangan then.. (man this blog is getting a bit too

Full moon party

From there, we went to Koh Tao, where we stayed at Buddha View (thanks for the recommendation Sis). Me and Hannah "buddied up" to do our open water PADI scuba diving course (while Becks stormed ahead with her advanced). Had to study a bit and the early mornings were tiring, but managed a good barbie and beer every evening, chilling at Buddha Bar. Aweeeeesome! Really getting into barbequed fish! The people on our course with us became good pals and it was such a social, chilled and happy atmosphere there! Oh and there was a hell of a lot of fish to be seen in that ocean! Highlight for me so far me thinks.

My Scuba Group!

Rai Leh West Beach

Am actually in Cambodia writing this but shall update on that some other time! Thinking of you all back home in the run up till Christmas. Shall miss the snow and Christmas spirit! And it will certainly feel weird not being with you all for Christmas! xx

written by  H on December 18, 2007 from Ko Tao, Thailand
from the travel blog: H - Seeing the world...
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Our beach hut, Goa

Back in Mumbai we headed to the Gateway of India and went into the reeeeally posh hotel opposite it. In the Evening we went to see "Om Shanti Om", a big Bollywood blockbuster which was the number one film over Divali. Was hilariously cheesy and even though it was mainly Hindi, we totally got what was going on (with a little help from the random English they threw in) and we were singing the songs from it all evening/the next day when they came on the radio in our taxi to the airport!

Got to Bangkok on 17th Nov and spent just one night there at a Hippie-ish place just off and away from the bustling, tourist-infested, Ko San Road. Didn't get to see much of the attractions of Bangkok (despite trying/turning up too late for the Grand Palace) but plan to do more when we get back before heading to Cambodia! However, my first impressions of the city were all good! Its a really busy place and a nice change for us to be around so many backpackers! Also, I just cant get over how good and how cheap the food is! Street vendors RULE and I'm addicted to the pancakes, pat thai, masamam curry and even loving the seafood, mainly shrimp! (which is a big thing for a gal not fond of fish).

One of the many thai meals. Pad Thai, mmmmm

Overnight bus down to mainland near Ko Pha Ngan was interesting. The service with cake, coffee, blankets and hot towels was amazing but didnt get much sleep as stretching out was difficult.. Arrived on Ko Pha Ngan Island on 19th Nov and its so crazily pretty! Despite the rain on arrival! (needs to be kept that lovely green colour somehow i guess). Have met lots of people here already and dancing on the beach is loads of fun! They have buckets of alcohol here which are the big thing, so rum and coke shall be flowing aplenty on the full moon party on 24th!

Yesterday (21st Nov) we decided to hire Mopeds to explore more of the island. Met 4 Canadian guys doing the same thing at the moped place so we stuck together for the day in convoy! So funny that there was such a long line of us! I was pretty apprehensive and also pretty shite at controlling the thing to start with, but after a while i really enjoyed riding! Went to a waterfall and then on to Hat Yao on the NW of the island which was a lovely beach so did some swimming with the fishes. Snorkelling is yet to come though..

On the ride back from this place...something kinda mega happened! Becks skidded and fell off her moped! Promtly followed by Hannah copying her move to avoid running over her! I didnt see it happen but it was due to a dusty groud + a getting-confident/cocky-with-her-bike-becky. So we went to the nearest medical centre for the wounds to be cleaned and Becks had 10 stiches for the deep wound on her forearm!! All very crazy but lucky they weren't going any faster and they have nothing more than a lot of cuts and sexy bandages/dressings! Sure is a story for them to tell!

In other crazy news...just bumped into Jen, a friend from Uni! Knew she was travelling but had no idea she was in Thailand! Had a sureal time swapping storys!, and will no doubt be bumping into each other again, on this island and also in Oz!

Hope all you crazy people that actually read this far are doing well! Will try and send more personal e-mails next time i get to an internet place. Much love, H xx

written by  H on November 22, 2007 from Ko Phangan, Thailand
from the travel blog: H - Seeing the world...
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- Got a ride on the back of our guest house owner's (Ganesh's) motorbike
- Saw many a buuuutiful sunset over the river

Chitwan.. Yeeeah i'm gonna get good at sunset pics =)

Safari....on an elephant...

Our train to Delhi was 14hours, and my 1st overnight train (we splashed out on 3 tier A/C). Went very smoothly, just an hour delay and actually got some sleep! The other 2 people sharing our carriage were a wealthy Indian couple. The guy was extremely chatty, and told us he has the cure for HIV/AIDS/Cancer/everything else! It's called Transfer Factor. Spread the word! :-/ really impressed with the train, and love how they constantly come round with cheap chai, coffee, panne (water) and food!

Did more sight seeing in Delhi (Jama Masjid and the Red Fort), and the next day, after a month of avoiding it, and progressively getting more and more slack with what we ate...me and Hannah both got the dreaded Delhi Belly! We blame the street mo-mo we ate!

Flew to Mumbai and stayed at our worst accom yet (we each saw a rat while we were there). Mumbai is loads different to Delhi. 1st thoughts:

- so much more developed with more modern buildings, sky scrapers
- lots of black (and yellow) cabs
- contrast between rich and poor! saw pretty grim slums on drive to accom
- roads are much more developed and less manic
- less pestering people
- a LOT hotter/humid. was 33 degrees on landing at 5pm and stayed so hot all evening
- people actually have pet dogs as opposed to just strays everywhere

Watched some cricket at the uni field, went to Chowpatty beach for sunset, and saw a few fireworks for Divali celebrations. Then had to head to the impressive train station (Victoria Terminus).

Got to Goa by overnight train and headed straight to Palolem where the beach is absolutely stunning, lined by palm trees, and we're staying in a beech hut! The lower "sleeper class" train was lots cheaper than our last train and worked out just fine as were were in a carriage with other travellers (a really lovely chatty couple). Have been in the sea which is unbelievably warm and bought a frisbee for our time here =) Also, went to some bars last night for a few beers and had cocktails with Becks at Cafe del Mar (the main bar with all the travellers).

Palolem

I know it's crazy i'm inside doing this blog when its such a beautiful place out there, but I'm feeling a little crappy with my Delhi belly and the Sun is rather strong for my dehyrated self (I threw up my malaria tablet this morning along with the orange/rehydraton sachet i'd had for breakfast). Getting hungry again now so best get off (hungry helen=grouchy helen).

Hope this ain't been too waffly. Till next time my friends x H x

written by  H on November 11, 2007 from Mumbai, India
from the travel blog: H - Seeing the world...
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Next day we did the Buddhist temple thing. Went to Durbar Square by cycle rickshaw (poor guy with 3 of us crammed on!). It's a really interesting place and would have liked to stay longer, relaxing on the steps of the temples, and learn more about the buildings but we were keen to get to the Monkey Temple!

So I had heard that the wild monkeys up there did tricks like slide down bannisters and steal things from you, so after a while of just seeing them eat i decided to offer one a leaf...Not the best idea cos it yoinked it from my hand along with a big swish of its claws

Monkeeeeeeys

Kathmandu from Monkey temple

My seat (we had to sit back here without any cleaners whatsoever)

The next day we caught the bus from Pokhara to start our trek (this time we sat on the roof which was loads of fun, best air-con ever, maybe a little too cold though). Missed our planned stop of Phedi but this cut out a day of our trek as we started from Nayapul. All worked out just dandy really. In total we spent 7 days doing The Annapurna Sancturary Trek (4 up, 3 down). This was pretty fast pace as 7-10 is recommended. And also we got a lot of respect from people as we carried our own backpacks rather than hiring a porter! (they carry soooo much stuff on their heads, its unbelievable. Felt real bad for them as it much be such hard work). We also didn't have a guide so went a little out of the way a couple of times but mostly it was either obvious/there were locals around to ask.

Anyway, the trek was without a doubt the best thing i've ever done! So glad we did it, and although I felt knackered at times it was totally worth it was the beautiful rivers, waterfalls, wildlife and friendly locals/porters constantly saying Nameste (hello) along the way... plus, obviously, the stunning mountains which surround you at the top (Annapurna Sanctuary). Another once-in-a-lifetime thing we did was to sleep in the dining room at the top (as there was no spare rooms and we wanted to see the mountains at sunrise. Also we hadn't seen them all yet as it was cloudy when we got there). This room was maybe twice the size of a normal lounge and there were 34 Nepali porters/Indian tourists sleeping in it! We were crammed in, forced into the spooning position. Pretty pissed off at one point as an Indian tourist behind me tried to grope me, but i promptly told him to get off, which he did, then had a giggle in Hindi to his mates. Didn't sleep that night cos it was just really uncomfortable as could not stretch out or move position much at all, but it was definiately an interesting experience and makes you feel bad for the porters who have to do it all the time!

We made it!

The last evening on our trek we stayed at a place called Ghinu which had natural hot springs by the river! B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. I have not been in one before and there could be no better time to do it than after a trek which caused achy quads and buttocks =) From this,

Moi enjoying the luuurvly hot springs at Ghinu

The night before we went the Taj Mahal, we stayed at a place near Agra called Bharatpur because our taxi driver, Mhabar (who we had been with for the past few days as this saved time compared to busing it, and wasn't too expensive) had invited us to his home for dinner. We had discussed and very much liked the sound of a moonlight view of the Taj from a hostel in Agra, but after a bit of thought, and a toss of the coin which made us realise which we'd actually prefer...we ended up going to his house. Did not regret it because his family were so lovely and welcoming, treated us like royalty as they cooked authentic indian dal for us, we drank the niceset masala chai and they watched us eat (despite the fact that the mother and daughter were fasting). Afterwards we managed to get a demonstration of Hindi dancing (only after we danced for them lol). Was an amazing experience to get a glimpse of Mhabar's life (Becks got the photos).

Despite being a great guy though, Mhabar turned up 15 mins late to pick us up the next morning, so we saw the sunrise on our way to the Taj as opposed to at the Taj. Therefore, we missed the changing colour from red to orange etc which was a shame but it was still a lot less touristy when we got there. I dunno how to descride it cos i'm crap with words but it was stunning/beautiful and you've just got to be in awe of how it was built when you know the romantic story and see how the semi-precious stones are embedded in the marble (we went to a craft museum after it which showed us how it would have been made)

Took so many pics, i couldnt decide which to put up!!

=)

Typical shot of Taj

After a couple of peaceful hours there we were pretty hungry due to a severe lack of breakfast, and it began to get busy so we went to a place nearby where you sit on the floor to eat, and a monkey was constantly dropping mushy fruit on us from the trees above! Love it!

Cheeky monkey

Saw the Agra fort from the road but had to get back to Delhi so didn't bother going in, and the Red fort in Delhi is meant to be better which we planned to visit. Stopped at another tomb on the drive back, so overall it was a day of seeing amazing craftsmanship in the form of buildings and a long drive back to Delhi.

written by  H on October 30, 2007 from Agra, India
from the travel blog: H - Seeing the world...
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- The FOOD! Its's soooo good and eating out is amazingly cheap. Bananas are 3 for 1p
- The bright colours the women wear

Dali Haat Market

Things not so good:

- Being scammed! and ripped off cos they think we are rich and will pay what we pay in england here!
- How hard we have found it to book trains!
- Obviously, the poverty... it's heartbreaking having children come up to our taxi asking for money for food
- Accidentally eating whole chillis and feeling like there is fire in my mouth lol

Stuffs i find strange/funny:

- The traffic...they have no rules except that you can do what you want as long as you beep your horn!
- Being stared at everywhere you go

People staring (not posing for photo)

Have been to the Lotus Temple in Delhi a.k.a Syndey Opera House! And to Dali Haat, which is a big market did really good food! Also have been to a school set up by the CSW for Dalits (the poorest people), which explains the photos. They have done amazing things to set that up for them as the have great education now, wheras before they were not allowed into schools!

Lotus Temple, Delhi. a.k.a Sydney Opera House

Off to see the Taj Mahal tomorrow, leaving hostel at 5.30am to see it at Sunrise.
Till next time,
H xx

written by  H on October 17, 2007 from Delhi, India
from the travel blog: H - Seeing the world...
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