Next Step India

I might keep this going in India I might not. I will be adding photos and a little editorial/history on the places I have been upon my return. If you read this thanks, but it was really for the kids and for my family's benefit as they tend to worry.

Follow up:
Lets just say she hated India, (what girl wouldn't be chuffed with a man who says, "come over and join me for a week in India"), every single part of it, twas like Idiot Abroad on SKY, moan moan moan. Or was it just the company? The plot thickens......

Summary

When you remove the rose tinted glasses, the love everybody holiday attitude it's less than average. The food isn't something Egon Ronay would recommend, in fact its pretty bad. The street kids own nothing but the shirt on their back and the most magnificent smile. Hygiene don't exist. Everybody wants your money, you soon learn to see beneath the street hawkers friendliness. Thamel is copy central, nothing is real, nothing is priced to sell, nothing is tranquil, nothing is sacred. The hotels are filthy overpriced money traps. Would I wish my kids to see here, hell yes. I loved the madness of it all, all be it for only the first three days. The religious side of the country is refreshing, people live it every day although its not domineering, unlike the lip service on a Sunday back home.
Regards the climbing, weather was a major factor in not getting to summit Imja Tse but also and its hard to admit, I was a bit out of my depth! This is a tough place to come and climb successfully, even for seasoned stalwarts, after all its the playground for the best in the world. I believe with the camaraderie of a full expedition team I could achieve most and anyway being out of my depth actually drives me.
Did I find myself, well no. I did learn a lot about myself though be it things I have known but neglected for some time. My whole life is about me, I am a selfish person, my focus though has changed, be it intermittently or be it for good, only time will tell. I missed my family unit terribly. I realise that I am a driven individual who aspires beyond his means (some may say Im a dreamer). Its a long time to spend on your own, I don't like being on my own. I seen things I never want to see again, I seen things that I would love to see again but probably never will.
I fulfilled my dream to come to Everest, I seen my favourite mountains, the biggest and the best in the world. I walked through the Rhododendron Forests above Namche Bazaar that I have read about since I was a boy. I embraced the culture and was humbled by its simplicity. The rural sects of Nepal are fantastic, the mix of cultures fascinating. The brief touching of nature in the jungle was an added bonus. In my life there is no room for concessions, I never look back and regret (only not joining the army but hey). When I get an idea into my head, be it negative or positive I am driven without compromise by some force or another. I may yet discover I have made the wrong decisions but I have loved the adventure so far. I regard all this as stepping away from the mundane life of home, others say it's running away. Its not as simple as that but there is some truth in the thought........

                            

     Big thanks to Jeremy for the fantastic photos, I will post my own soon.....

Visa Baby!

Embassy at early o'clock, was nervous as hell felt like a job interview. Back at 5pm to collect visa and passport. Found a KFC, only one in Nepal, best meal I have had since arriving on these shores. Was here for a total of 9 nights, about 8 to many. Bags packed, bought a pair of skinny jeans (i know) and feel like the night before Christmas.....

Krapmandu

Had two beers last night and wake dog rough??? Elephant Safari thing at 8am and I arrived there after a half hours jeep ride to realise it wasnt my cup of tea. Reminded me a bit of Donkeys on Brighton beach so I swerved it. It was just un-natural to see such a beautiful animal used like that, it was so staged. Car back to Kathmandu great, 5 hours of it. Arrived back in KTM and standing on balcony having a fag when I spot 4 kids no older than 7 or so with a goat, they tied its two front legs and one of them held its head while the other kid slit its throat! It wasnt that bad really, bit humbling to see kids that age have to kill their own food. Met with Suman (owner of jungle resort) for a light lunch and he showed up with some celeb from Nepaleese telly, mad to see peeps stopping and asking for autographs, he flies to Dublin next week to do a stand up show, something to do with Nepal New Year. So meeting with Ros day after tomorrow, I have to go back to the Indian Embassy twice tomorrow to finalise visa. Fingers crossed......

Paradise Is Not Lost

Fell into a real lazy mode and didnt fancy anything today only to lounge around the hotel, work on the tan and pick up some tit tat for the kids. Walked along riverside for a few hours and sat and watched my last sunset over paradise. Cultural evening in the hotel at eight bells, not up to much really. Thats it......

WTF Am I Doing Here.....

  
10am and I am on foot, looking for Tigers in 12 foot high grass in the jungle of a place that's pronounced Shit One (Chitwan)! Now to me there's only two ways I am going to find this tiger; 1, step on its tail or 2, said tiger decides to find me, either option I don't like..... I have a guide at the front and one behind, armed with sticks only. Its the one time in my life where I am actually wishing I have wasted my money here. Day starts off nice and early with a river canoe trip, looking for Crocs but as its a bit overcast not many are bathing. Back to the gaff for a light breakfast and then changed into swim wear to go and bathe the hotels elephant, now I have ridden a few elephants in my life boom boom, but nothing quite like this. Spent a good hour messing in the river, must say it is one of the best things I have ever done. 5 hour jeep safari in the late afternoon, spotted loads of Rhino, Monkeys, Elephants, Deer, Crocs, Wild Boar and stuff but not the elusive Tiger. Jungle floor is alive with creepy crawlies, you can actually hear them dropping from the canopy above all around you. One regret is not having a decent camera as its hard on a thing you picked up in Tescos to get the true picture of the place. Bumped into a Dutch guy I met in Everest so sat chatting to him for an hour mid afternoon. Great dinner and into the local town with the lads from the hotel, had a few pints! I know I know, kinda feel bad about it, kinda don't. This doesn't mean I will be found in 6 months in some Opium Farm in the mountains.... It was only a pint!

Crazy Frog

Ok so the kid for my 5 hour saga shows up at hotel on time, but is about 15!!!! Well i never, it obviously was his first day behind a steering wheel. After an hours driving I was actually shouting at him, got out of the car at one point and gave him a tirade of abuse refusing to get back in if he drives. Trying to sum up the roads is hard, but when a bus drives past with 12 goats tied to the roof and kids hanging out of the windows you can imagine the scene, saw 4 people on a motorbike, a mother her two kids, smallest about a year max and the man driving had a chicken on his shoulder!  So this driver honestly couldnt use the gears (stalled about 50 times before getting out of the city), he couldnt steer, brake or have any concept in the theory of driving lines. Got to the resort finally, he is supposed to stay the 4 days also and drive back, told him to fuck off and refused to pay. The city of Chitwans a real pit, we are about half an hour outside in a beautiful jungle resort, it is so nice, elephants walking down the street n stuff. People cant do enough for you although the 36 degree heat is toast. Went on a great walk today to Elephant Sanctuary and seen 2 wild rhinos in the bush en route, sat for an hour or so on the lakeside watching them drink and the sun set. Resort is busy, hotel quiet although another 17 rooms fill tomorrow. Is number one on Trip Adviser and it shows.

Im a Celebrity....

So blog folks I is heading down to this Safari Resort tomorrow for 4 days. www.junglesafarilodge.com Bumped into the dude that owns the gaff and by chance he lived in Dundrum for 11 years! Bonus, special price for The Mickster and an extra night thrown in for gratis. Went to Roadhouse Cafe for dinner last night believing it would be a safe bet,not quite. Didnt leave the room today, was banging away at tabs all morning thinking they was Imodium, googled the name on the packet and they were antihistimines, at least I wont get hay fever! I dont do buses as I turn green after 10 mins so have a car booked for the 100 mile journey in the morning, 5 hours it should take. Have packed my bag to suit the Altitude Climb and not sub tropics of the south, so will be winging it with a pair of flip flops 2 tees and a pair of shorts. Found out today that my bank only authorises 100 euro a day withdrawl, so if you receive a reverse charges call its moi. Met that mate from Singapore for dinner,we descended from Base Camp together and he was a little slower missing my flight, he just got back today! Stuck for 4 days in Lukla. Typed this blog earlier and the computer crashed,so this is my second time around, its well shorter and not half as good. Night folks.....