 Adventure Wrap Up
Here are some more final pics of my trip. It's been a good one, and I
recommend doing it if you have the time. Try to go soon because the place is
getting more homogenized by the hour. I do not, however recommend going to
Nepal via Biman Airlines. Bangladesh was an interesting diversion, but I
don't think I would go there for a pleasure vacation. Bats flying around
inside the airport and cockroaches the size of my fist were some of the
wildlife that I did not intend to encounter, but the people were very
accomodating.
I've met some great people on the trip, some of which I've managed to keep in
touch with. That's the best part of travelling alone, the people you meet.
That and the fact that you keep your own agenda is nice.
Anyway, I've already started hatching plans for my next journey, and it may
involve the Trans Siberian railway to Mongolia. Either that or the Poconos,
I'm not sure.
Click on each small pic for a full size shot:
Coming Back: 4/25
Last few hours of the trip. My plane leaves at 10:00 tonight, and I
think I should be home sometime Thursday or Friday. My bum foot has incapaciated me for
the last two days, but I'm glad it didn't happen at the start of the trip. That would have
really sucked.
Final thoughts. The Nepalese hate the people from India,
and veice versa. The Thais seem to be having problems with the Burmese, and Canadians do
not like the Americans, but who cares what Canadians think anyway. There were riots in
every country I was in, but I don't think that I was the cause.
Nepal was great, and I would have loved to have spent more time there, but two days in
Dakha took care of that. That was even pretty interesting when I think back. It was the
only time I walked down a street and work stopped. They were very curious about us, and
although we didn't want to be there, it was still pretty cool. Good trip.
Back From The Beach And Heading Home: 4/24
Finishing up my trip. Spending the rest of my time here in Bangkok. I think I may have
broken my toe but I'm not sure. I'm waiting to get home before I get it checked out. It's
not that I don't trust the doctors here, I just don't think they honor my health plan. I'm
going to kill some time tomorrow at the floating market and buying trinkets. Then it's 20
some odd hours flying back. It's been a hell of a trip. Needed more time in Nepal. Oh
well, maybe next time.
Last Day At Kathmandu: 4/20
My last day in Kathmandu. Went to the sacred monkey temple today, one of those "you
have to go there" things. I'm meeting some people tonight, but I can't stay out late,
as my flight leaves at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. I booked a flight on Royal Nepal Airlines, this
way I get to see Dhaka from a more agreeable perspective, about 35,000 feet over it.
Kathmandu was a decent experience, and very cheap, however as in most Asian countries, you
get nickel and dimed to death. It's going to cost me about $15 bucks just to leave. They
call it a tourist tax, and I'm against it.
Anyway, I think I've earned a trip to the beach, Pattaya beach. Anybody who was ever in
the Navy knows where that is.
Return From The Mountains: 4/19
Just made it back from my trek in the Himalayas. Six days
and over 75 miles later I'm back in civilization. I went to an altitude of over 12,000
feet and remarkably, I felt no ill effects, save for my knees. The walk down was a bitch.
Riddle me this. How many Sherpa porters does it take to carry two overloaded backpacks,
cooking equipment, and tents up to two miles high? One. These guys were amazing. Here I
was with $200 hiking boots, water bottles, and just a day backpack, doggin it, and here
comes a Sherpa porter carrying all this stuff wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and $ 1.98 flip
flops, singing. They would invariable beat us to camp and when we got there they would be
hanging out smoking butts. After dinner, which at times consisted of fresh chicken (our
guide would pay a local farmer for his chickens, then the cook would grab it by the neck.
An hour later, it's in a nice broth. Nice) and dessert, the guides would play the drums
and dance, then get up the next day and do it again.
I spent an extra day in Pokhara, a little city where most of the treks to the Annapurna
mountains originate. the sixties are alive and well there. I went canoeing on the lake
there and relaxed.
I'm back in Kathmandu and I'm probably going to Paddy Foley's Irish Pub tonight. I'll be
back in Bangkok on Saturday, then it's off to Pattaya Beach for two days before I return
home.
Kathmandu, Heading For The Mountains: 4/12
I booked a trip today for the Annaupurna
mountain range. Seven days in the wilderness, Sherpa guides and everything. It's all
inclusive, from food and water to a sleeping bag. The guy who booked my trip asked me if I
had any hiking experience. I told him that I had to take a breather walking up the stairs
to his office. Some haggling and $250 later, I made the deal for the trip.
Kathmandu is a tightly packed city nestled in a valley. It reminds me a lot of New
Orleans, with terraced hotels and compact streets. The weather is a lot more agreable as
well. Dhaka was over 110 degrees with 100% humidity. Did I mention that. It was the only
time I ever broke into a sweat while showering. Here it gets cool at night and you need no
air conditioning. Anyway, I'm off. I can't seem to find a place to download pictures, but
when I get back to Bangkok I'll send them over.
K-K-K-K-K-K-Kathmandu, 4/11
After two days in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I finally made it to Kathmandu. Biman Airlines, the
Bangladesh government airline, royally screwed us. There wasn't much to do in Dhaka, what
with the general strike and the rioting and all, but I made the most of it. They canceled
our flight yesterday, so I joined a small contigent of very unhappy customers. We made our
case and demanded restitution. I settled for a better room, a deck of cards, and some
beer. The others were put into another hotel.
I wanted to take out my hostilities on the locals but couldn't. That and the fact that
there was a Taliban Cleric Conference going on right around me didn't make it a good idea,
but those muslim holy men sure know how to party.
I'll be in Kathmandu for a day before I decide on what my next course of action will be. I
hope to find a place that can download pictures. Later.
Stay Over in Dhaka, 4/10
"Well, I made it to Dhaka. Baman Airlines screwed us again. We should bein
Kathmandu tomorrow. They cancelled our flight today for no apparent
reason. Me, two German guys and a Dutch Couple went to the Airport to find
out why. They had no answers. We were all demanding better accomodations
for their foul up. I acquiesced when they offered me a better room, a
deck of cards, and some beer. I left the others at the airport. May as
well make the most of the situation. The people of Dhaka are very
pleasant. They don't see the likes of Americans too often in this part of
town.
I just foundout that there is a Taliban cleric convention in town, 10,000
strong. These guys really know how to party."
*Prisoners of Flight 062, 4/9
"I should be in Kathmandu right now, or at the very least, Dhaka, however
the flight never got off the ground. we were put up in a luxury hotel in Bangkok for the
night and we're going to try it again tonight. If not, I have to plan another course of
action to get there.
The thing that sucks is the fact that they took out passports at the airport, so we're
resticted on where we can go. So it's poolside for me. Met some decent folk and we're
dealing with the four star restaurant and being waited on hand and foot as best we can.
Rumor has it that there may be a general strike in Dhaka. Wouldn't that be fun? I'll walk
to Kathmandu if I have to.
Later."
*First message from Jim in Thailand, 4/6
"23 hours later I'm back in Bangkok. Things have changed. It seems that the
government has cracked down on misbehavior, so everything closes at 2:00 a.m. Not fair.
People don't really start misbehaving till three at least. I booked my trip to Kathmandu
today, the trouble is, I have to go via Dhakar, Bangladesh. The Jolly Bangalies will be
putting me up for the night so it should be interesting. Still trying to find a place to
download pictures. Later."
Jim did get to send this new photo from downtown Bangkok, 4/6
(click to view full size)
*Message from Jim before departure(4/3):
Well, I'm off again. This time to Nepal and the Himalayan Mountains. Why?
I don't really know. I'll be starting off in Bangkok and then on to
Kathmandu, because Bob Seeger said it was a cool place to go. From Kathmandu I'll be going
on a three to seven day trek to the foothills of Mount Everest.
I'll be armed with a digital camera for real this time and downloading
pictures for you, the greatest slackers in the world. My first update should
be on Friday, Bangkok time. I think that means Thursday here, but I may be
wrong. Anyway, at least I'll be leaving here while the Phillies are in first
place. Wish me luck.
Click Here to
ask Jim a question via email.
*What's this all about?
This page contains exclusive ISBW coverage of my college pal, James Lynch, on his
excursions abroad during his current trip. He'll be reporting in with digital photos as
his adventure continues, and maybe we can even schedule a live Q and A chat session with
the man himself. Who knows what will appear on these pages over the next few weeks, but it
should be alot of fun for all of us.
The adventure has begun, again.
|
