Ok then, so Emi is gone already, on her way to Philippines, early flight to Amsterdam, to catch the direct one to Manila, 21hours in total. I'm so exited for her, but then sad at the same time, I know it's only
 |
| Soo romantic:), New Year's Eve in NY. |
a month till I see her next but would still prefer to be there with her, especially during those first few days. Not sure if you know this, but Philippines can be quite rough especially for little blond white girl who goes there on business. But hopefully they will look after her, otherwise I will get really angry ;)
 |
| Streets of New Delhi |
Right, so as I'm not flying yet, I might also write some more stuff about the past. I obviously wont
 |
| More streets of New Delhi |
be blogging about what exactly has happened over last year, (wish I had such a good memory) you can expect something more like a brief summary. So it's gonna be more about pictures which brings us the memories, unforgotten memories most of the times. So for this who doesn't recall it I've started my trip january last year in Inida. But it was a big culture shock for me and I didn't last long out there. It was roughly around 2 weeks before I've moved to Nepal.
There is couple of things which comes back to me when I recall this time, dirt and poverty, but amazing culture so different to ours at the same time. But it wasn't for me back then, i did really struggle with the noise, pollution, and what was most annoying tourist scam. So I've made my way to Nepal, not the easiest have to say, as I was using only trains and busses to get to Kathmandu. They say that roughly around 10 tourist per year die in road accidents in Nepal, which I truly believe. I've been there, done that as they say, 27 days in Nepal, 81hours of bus traveling, one accident, thankfully nothing serious. But still well worth it, as discovering Nepal was amazing. There is plenty of rural places, almost forgotten, where there is no chance you will be missed on the street. The maoists are still a problem in Western part of Nepal, which stops a lot of tourist from going that far west.
 |
| Chisapani, a small village in western Nepal, where white cyclist seeking help still bring a lot of attention. |
Even I was going anywhere out there until I've met Glen, who asked if I fancy going there if him. Tell you one thing, well recommended, we had to drive whole day in very uncomfortable bus, but the experience you get, it's like the one of master card advert, priceless ;)
 |
| Those kids were getting crazy being able to see the cameras. |
 |
| Few months after I took this pic I've realised that this kid had her trousers down, kind of wrong that was, but seriously I've realised till someone else told me ;) |
 |
| Some happy kids in Kathmandu |
 |
| Everest beer with Hugh, just few days before we started our trek to BC! |
 |
| On the way to Everest Base Camp. |
 |
| Just a few pigeons ... |
 |
| ...And here is why there was so many birds, source of food;) |
 |
| On the way to Bardia National Park in Nepal, around 20ish hours trip:) |
 |
And another market in Karhmandu
|
 |
| Believe me or not, but he was a full size Sherpa :) |
 |
| Happy Holi#1 |
 |
| Happy Holi #2 |
But good times quickly comes to an end I had to head back to India to catch my flight to Malaysia. So full prepared for the worst I actually got positively surprised, except one case or maybe two scams, West Bengal was ok. I even managed to celebrate Holi while in Calcutta, which was a very cool experience(maybe not the fact I had to wash myself for good few hours), but the fact I'm off to SE Asia was now deep in my head and I was really looking forward visiting all those new places like KL in Malaysia, Cambodia or Thailand where I was going to stay longer to do the Muay Thai Camp. I'll only upload few pictures from this part of my trip, to give you a brief idea of what I was up there. Just want to remind everyone that it's only a warm up, a quick summary of last year before I fly to Philippines and start writing new stuff, so don't expect too much text just yet;) And yeah, if you haven't been in SE Asia yet, you better start saving your money.
 |
| Ex Kung Fu fighter I've met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. |
It's just couple of things I have to mention, probably the most valuable part of this travel were people I've met. Not only the ones I've travel with, but also the ones I've met on my way. Like the door bouncer in a massage club in Cambodia, who was deaf and dumb and obviously couldn't understand any english but we still had a long, let's call it, chat. Another one on the train, flight or maybe bus, they all are, would call them, single serving friends, but they always brings something else, teaches you something new, opens this whole new perspective. Or sometimes you meet someone you already know, like in Cambodia I've met my old teacher from back in UK who now lives in Japan for a one night out. It's a crazy small world we live in you would say, when you got on the train in India packed up with local people and few backpackers, and than once you finally find your bed (all are numbered, otherwise you sit outside the carriage next to the toilets, trust me had to do it once and never again) there wont be anyone else then another Pole sitting right next to you. There is another number of similar situations but you all now what I'm talking about so maybe next time, when we hook up for a pint;)
 |
| Those memories I'm talking about. |
 |
| Official Facebook picture of Suwit Gym :D |
 |
| James second before he nearly killed the other fella. |
 |
| please, calm me down ;) |
 |
| And that's me showing off ;) |
 |
| Ram Muay or maybe just meditation. |
 |
| So it was Max' turn first... and he faild, |
 |
| ... the other guy didn't.... |
 |
| ....but thankfully the round was over. |
That's enough pictures for know, I'll get some more tomorrow, because let's be honest there is still plenty more to come, and I might even write few more words too. Right then, off I go, another short night as I'm flying at 6am, so I better say bye!
