2011 January ----- We then flew to Denpasar, Bali, while Len & Michaela decided to brave the 20 hour bus ride. We spent the afternoon on the beach watching the surfers gracefully riding the 2 meter waves. Because of the massive waves and resulting undertow, it was nearly impossible to go into the water to... Continue Reading →
Indonesia – Yogyakarta
2011 January ----- After some weather delays in Edmonton then again in Vancouver we got to Hong Kong 40+ minutes late for our 1.5 hour lay over/ transfer. Hong Kong was great in having reps waiting at the gate with people's names and destinations on placards, waiting to whisk us to our transfer flights. We... Continue Reading →
India – Kolkata
2010 September ----- When we got to Kolkata I guarded the bags while the kids went to find a hotel. One thing that was noticeably different in Kolkata was the lack of cows in the street. Apparently, the city has removed the cows - maybe to a pasture??:) The other thing was that the rickshaws... Continue Reading →
India – Siliguri
2010 September ----- It had been raining the entire time we were in Pelling. The washed out road situation did not improve. In fact, the roads were the worst any of us had ever experienced not only in India, but anywhere. My sore arm and elbow really took a beating. By the time we got... Continue Reading →
India – Pelling
2010 September ----- Google Maps explain why the 120 km journeys took 5-6 hours. It will make you dizzy. We decided to head to Pelling. Although all weather reports from internet, travellers, and locals indicated that the forecast was for more rain, we thought we'd take our chances of going further into the Himalayas in... Continue Reading →
India – Amritsar
2010 August ----- I arrived in Delhi and just getting off the airplane the heat hit me. When I walked outside the airport BAM! The hot air just hits like walking into a blast oven. The wind was no relief. Instant sweat..... I had a jumper plane to catch to Amritsar, where Len & Michaela... Continue Reading →
India – Gangtok
2010 September ----- Sikkim is an area that was its own country up until the mid 70’s, and then they were kind of bribed to become part of India. They were given loads of money for infrastructure (real sidewalks!) and have maintained an almost national park status. Littering is much discouraged and heavily fined. Treks... Continue Reading →
India – Darjeeling
2010 September ----- Darjeeling is 2200 meters above sea level and is a cool 22C. We had to get our fleeces out, as we had just left Bodhgaya with 42C. It rained most of the time we were there, and had to make sure we brought our umbrellas everywhere we went. It could be sunny... Continue Reading →
India – Bodhgaya
2010 September ----- This is where the Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree and became enlightened. Mahabodhi Mahavihara is a world heritage site and a Buddhist pilgrimage site. A sapling of the original tree sits in the exact spot. The entire town is built around various temples from various Buddhist countries. If you don’t like... Continue Reading →
India – My “I Hate India Day”
2010 September 8 ----- I knew it was coming. Apparently everyone gets them from time to time. It usually is a culmination of days and events, not just a single day. Today was that ‘last straw’ day. I tried to be non-judgmental in my description of Varanasi – this is really a “I Hate Varanasi... Continue Reading →