I've spent the last 2 hours uploading photos, naming them, organising them into 'Sets' and I'm still only half way through!
I've set up a Flickr account and here's the link to my Photostream show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47916421@N00/show/
My Yahoo ID is:
bradley_w_2003
so that you can search for me on Flickr, if the above link doesn't work.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Monday, 28 April 2008
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Khao San
Khao San
It seems to be whatever you want it to be. A place to watch every
Premier League game live, a bunch of night clubs, a place to sleep, a
place to eat and a place to go shopping. A hub for Thailands
backpacking population. A start point for any Thai adventure and for
some unlucky soles, the duration and end of their adventure.
Clubbing every night and sleeping every day seems like great fun for a
while but for me, it's not enough. I want beaches, clear water with
white sands and bungalows along the beach. So that's exactly what
we've gone and got.
Six weeks of travelling the southern isles of Thailand. Full moon
parties on the beach and a half moon party in the jungle. That's how
it should be!
So i bound myself to keeping you up to date with my tales of Khao San
Road.
An average night out sees Dan and I in Gulliver's sports bar, which
until 10pm is infact a sports bar. Come 10pm it becomes and Electro/
Hardcore/RnB/Dance and Trance club. The pool tables are pushed aside
in favour of a podium and the place fills with Europeans and Americans
and hundreds of Thai girls. Quite the transformation.
At 2am, now extremely drunk on Smirnoff and Amareto, we grab a tuk-tuk
and head for some random night club. 7am usually sees us stumble back
into our room for a day of recovery.
Some very strange things have occurred during these nights out
including me purchasing a Thai policemans coat, a tailor made suit
fitting and just last night we were hosts, in our £3 a night room, to
2 German lads, a Thai lad and 2 American girls. Very surreal, but funny.
Bangkok is a great place. The Khao San Road is incredible and a must
see, but I'm tired of it already and I can't wait for our Southern
Thailand retreat. Paradise islands, beach parties and air conditioned
beach bungalows.
Tomorrow we have a 14 hour coach journey to Koh Samui.
Maybe I'll get to catch up on some sleep.
It seems to be whatever you want it to be. A place to watch every
Premier League game live, a bunch of night clubs, a place to sleep, a
place to eat and a place to go shopping. A hub for Thailands
backpacking population. A start point for any Thai adventure and for
some unlucky soles, the duration and end of their adventure.
Clubbing every night and sleeping every day seems like great fun for a
while but for me, it's not enough. I want beaches, clear water with
white sands and bungalows along the beach. So that's exactly what
we've gone and got.
Six weeks of travelling the southern isles of Thailand. Full moon
parties on the beach and a half moon party in the jungle. That's how
it should be!
So i bound myself to keeping you up to date with my tales of Khao San
Road.
An average night out sees Dan and I in Gulliver's sports bar, which
until 10pm is infact a sports bar. Come 10pm it becomes and Electro/
Hardcore/RnB/Dance and Trance club. The pool tables are pushed aside
in favour of a podium and the place fills with Europeans and Americans
and hundreds of Thai girls. Quite the transformation.
At 2am, now extremely drunk on Smirnoff and Amareto, we grab a tuk-tuk
and head for some random night club. 7am usually sees us stumble back
into our room for a day of recovery.
Some very strange things have occurred during these nights out
including me purchasing a Thai policemans coat, a tailor made suit
fitting and just last night we were hosts, in our £3 a night room, to
2 German lads, a Thai lad and 2 American girls. Very surreal, but funny.
Bangkok is a great place. The Khao San Road is incredible and a must
see, but I'm tired of it already and I can't wait for our Southern
Thailand retreat. Paradise islands, beach parties and air conditioned
beach bungalows.
Tomorrow we have a 14 hour coach journey to Koh Samui.
Maybe I'll get to catch up on some sleep.
Brad
Bangkok
Bangkok
McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Cinema, Bowling, Shopping Mall and Khao San Road!
Back to civillization, but with a terrible overtone to the first
day...the Blues lost 5-1 to the villa!
After running around Bangkok airport for half an hour trying to find a
shop, so that we could get the football score, and failing to do so,
we left the airport in a taxi for Bangkok city centre. 900Baht we paid
to jump the queue, which was a good mile long.
The heat is overwhelming here. It's humidity like I have never
experienced. Even being in the clouds can't compare to the damp air
here.
We found an English bar and the barman broke the football news to us.
Dan wasn't overly sympathetic...
At 11pm we ate McDonalds followed by another taxi, this time to the
Khao San Road. Backpackers heaven. Bars, clubs and £1.50 a night rooms.
I'll update you with more Khao San Road tales as they develop.
McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Cinema, Bowling, Shopping Mall and Khao San Road!
Back to civillization, but with a terrible overtone to the first
day...the Blues lost 5-1 to the villa!
After running around Bangkok airport for half an hour trying to find a
shop, so that we could get the football score, and failing to do so,
we left the airport in a taxi for Bangkok city centre. 900Baht we paid
to jump the queue, which was a good mile long.
The heat is overwhelming here. It's humidity like I have never
experienced. Even being in the clouds can't compare to the damp air
here.
We found an English bar and the barman broke the football news to us.
Dan wasn't overly sympathetic...
At 11pm we ate McDonalds followed by another taxi, this time to the
Khao San Road. Backpackers heaven. Bars, clubs and £1.50 a night rooms.
I'll update you with more Khao San Road tales as they develop.
Brad
Monday, 21 April 2008
The Morning After
The Morning After
Me: Shall we get him some water?
Dan: We're not his mom!
Me: He rode a motorbike...
Dan: Get the water!
Me: Shall we get him some water?
Dan: We're not his mom!
Me: He rode a motorbike...
Dan: Get the water!
Brad
Let The Fun Begin
Let The Fun Begin
13 days of walking. 70 kilometres trekked in 78 hours. 9 days uphill,
4 days down. 8 suspension bridges and 10,000 Yaks.
Apettite loss, headaches, fatigue, sunburn, sleepless nights at -12
degrees, 42% less oxygen and a week without a shower.
Worth it?
Without a doubt.
My Intrepid Encounters trek to Mount. Everest Base Camp was something
I'll never forget.
We trekked for an average of 7 hours a day, staying on guest houses
and tea houses along the way. Considering we were 3 days away from the
nearest road the variety of food was pretty good. Eggs, chips, pizza
and the odd local dish or too were all on offer. The higher we went
however, the more expensive things got. A 13Rs. bottle of water
(that's about 11p) ended up costing 350Rs. (that's about £2.90!).
The last day of ascention was the hardest. A 9 hour day to base camp
and then back to Gurak Shep was the most physically demanding day. It
was however totally worth it. We saw an Everest expedition descend and
I enjoyed an ice cold beer and cigar on the rocks overlooking the base
camp tents.
The descent was fast and easy. We took less than half the time to get
down than we took to get up to 5400m.
Our guides: Santosh, Jhanbo, Rham and their leader Durje were
incredible. After a days walking we were ready to collapse. These guys
turned into waiters once we entered a guest house, taking orders,
serving food and making sure everyone was in good health.
Our first step back into civilization was Namche! A night of showers,
pool and a few too many drinks marked the end of the hard work. An
easy day followed and then the final sprint to the end.
Lulkla awaited us. The airport. The closet we had been to sea level
for 12 days. A night of extremely heavy drinking resulted in 3 hours
sleep and me getting on an aeroplane, hungover, wearing a sleeping
bag. That's right! I boarded the plane IN a sleeping bag.
After landing I struggled back to the Katmandu Guest House for food
and sleep.
A few hours later, hangover now cured, it was time to celebrate the
achievement again. A night out in Khatmandu consisted of several
'dance bars', 2 casinos and one of our pals riding a random strangers
motorbike! A quite surreal; but unforgettable night.
The evening after we went to yet another casino and lady luck was on
my side. 3000Rs. became 12000Rs. Win!
Our flight to Thailand is this afternoon. A new adventure awaits.
13 days of walking. 70 kilometres trekked in 78 hours. 9 days uphill,
4 days down. 8 suspension bridges and 10,000 Yaks.
Apettite loss, headaches, fatigue, sunburn, sleepless nights at -12
degrees, 42% less oxygen and a week without a shower.
Worth it?
Without a doubt.
My Intrepid Encounters trek to Mount. Everest Base Camp was something
I'll never forget.
We trekked for an average of 7 hours a day, staying on guest houses
and tea houses along the way. Considering we were 3 days away from the
nearest road the variety of food was pretty good. Eggs, chips, pizza
and the odd local dish or too were all on offer. The higher we went
however, the more expensive things got. A 13Rs. bottle of water
(that's about 11p) ended up costing 350Rs. (that's about £2.90!).
The last day of ascention was the hardest. A 9 hour day to base camp
and then back to Gurak Shep was the most physically demanding day. It
was however totally worth it. We saw an Everest expedition descend and
I enjoyed an ice cold beer and cigar on the rocks overlooking the base
camp tents.
The descent was fast and easy. We took less than half the time to get
down than we took to get up to 5400m.
Our guides: Santosh, Jhanbo, Rham and their leader Durje were
incredible. After a days walking we were ready to collapse. These guys
turned into waiters once we entered a guest house, taking orders,
serving food and making sure everyone was in good health.
Our first step back into civilization was Namche! A night of showers,
pool and a few too many drinks marked the end of the hard work. An
easy day followed and then the final sprint to the end.
Lulkla awaited us. The airport. The closet we had been to sea level
for 12 days. A night of extremely heavy drinking resulted in 3 hours
sleep and me getting on an aeroplane, hungover, wearing a sleeping
bag. That's right! I boarded the plane IN a sleeping bag.
After landing I struggled back to the Katmandu Guest House for food
and sleep.
A few hours later, hangover now cured, it was time to celebrate the
achievement again. A night out in Khatmandu consisted of several
'dance bars', 2 casinos and one of our pals riding a random strangers
motorbike! A quite surreal; but unforgettable night.
The evening after we went to yet another casino and lady luck was on
my side. 3000Rs. became 12000Rs. Win!
Our flight to Thailand is this afternoon. A new adventure awaits.
Intrepid Brochure: 'What is it they say about only living once? And
boy is this living!'
Dan (whilst in the Indian casino): It's like taking Ghandi from a baby
Brad
Friday, 4 April 2008
The Monkeys and Temples
The Monkeys and Temples
Today was the most rewarding day so far. The day began with breakfast
at the khatmandu guest house. The food here is outstanding and
ridiculously cheap.
We had previously discussed the idea of paying a local taxi driver to
drive us around for the day to see what khatmandu has to offer. Best
idea ever.
The trip began with a visit to the 'Monkey Temple'. This place was
insane. 326 steps take you to the top of this amazing structure where
the various temples are located. Three local children accompanied me
throughout the visit, all no older than 13. One of them was born as a
monk, living in a monastery, and provided me with an insight into the
local beliefs. Even out here where his parents couldn't afford milk to
feed their new born child, this boy aspired to be a doctor and live
life as a monk.
He explained how the monkeys inhabit the temples land, as their
natural homes were destroyed as a result of the citys development.
After a good hour we departed and headed for Durbar Square. Another
area filled with religious sancturys. The area was home to the old
royal palace, constructed in the 17th century. It was also home to
'kumari', a ten year old child that is worshiped as living goddess. We
were allowed to enter the courtyard of her home, but foreigners may
not enter the home of this child. Remarkable.
After a day of intense cultural surroundings we headed back to our
hotel to backup our photos and to eat.
I'm now sitting in Shisha Terrace cafe and bar. The heavens have
opened and I doubt we'll be leaving in a hurry. I'm lying down on
cushions, in a bar, listening to the rain batter the sheet metal roof
and thunder cracking in the sky.
Tomorrow afternoon, Everest meeting.
Today was the most rewarding day so far. The day began with breakfast
at the khatmandu guest house. The food here is outstanding and
ridiculously cheap.
We had previously discussed the idea of paying a local taxi driver to
drive us around for the day to see what khatmandu has to offer. Best
idea ever.
The trip began with a visit to the 'Monkey Temple'. This place was
insane. 326 steps take you to the top of this amazing structure where
the various temples are located. Three local children accompanied me
throughout the visit, all no older than 13. One of them was born as a
monk, living in a monastery, and provided me with an insight into the
local beliefs. Even out here where his parents couldn't afford milk to
feed their new born child, this boy aspired to be a doctor and live
life as a monk.
He explained how the monkeys inhabit the temples land, as their
natural homes were destroyed as a result of the citys development.
After a good hour we departed and headed for Durbar Square. Another
area filled with religious sancturys. The area was home to the old
royal palace, constructed in the 17th century. It was also home to
'kumari', a ten year old child that is worshiped as living goddess. We
were allowed to enter the courtyard of her home, but foreigners may
not enter the home of this child. Remarkable.
After a day of intense cultural surroundings we headed back to our
hotel to backup our photos and to eat.
I'm now sitting in Shisha Terrace cafe and bar. The heavens have
opened and I doubt we'll be leaving in a hurry. I'm lying down on
cushions, in a bar, listening to the rain batter the sheet metal roof
and thunder cracking in the sky.
Tomorrow afternoon, Everest meeting.
Brad
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Chilling Out
Chilling Out
Day 2 in katmandhu and things are feeling more normal. We ventured out
of the security of the guest house to a new hotel and spent the day
seeing what this place is all about.
A day spent wondering the busy streets of the metropolitan area that
we are staying in resulted in us finding cadburys chocolate. Result!
We also found the hugest Carlsberg sign I have ever seem. Don't
worry,
there's a photo coming soon! Beer is served over here in 650ml
bottles, costing about £2.50. Not bad eh?
There's obviously a lot more to this city, but photographs will do a
significantly better job of explaining it than I ever could. I'll let
you know my Flikr account once I have it set up.
Off for a drink or two now.
Day 2 in katmandhu and things are feeling more normal. We ventured out
of the security of the guest house to a new hotel and spent the day
seeing what this place is all about.
A day spent wondering the busy streets of the metropolitan area that
we are staying in resulted in us finding cadburys chocolate. Result!
We also found the hugest Carlsberg sign I have ever seem. Don't
worry,there's a photo coming soon! Beer is served over here in 650ml
bottles, costing about £2.50. Not bad eh?
There's obviously a lot more to this city, but photographs will do a
significantly better job of explaining it than I ever could. I'll let
you know my Flikr account once I have it set up.
Off for a drink or two now.
Brad
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Culture Shock!
Culture Shock!
So, after a 7hour flight to Doha, a 4hour wait for the next flight and
then another 4 hours on a plane, we've made it!
Initially everything looked pretty normal. The airport was small, as I
had expected and there were a lot of european travellers in goretex
and trekking boots, all buying visas.
Then we walked out of the airport and into a mob of locals offering us
places to stay and asking us for UK pounds! We finally found a guy who
was just a taxi driver. 6USD for a 7km journey.
The taxi journey was the point where it all became very real. I'm not
sure what I expected of khatmandu, but this is a whole other world.
There seems to be no rules on the road, it's every man for himself;
car,lorry,motorbike or cycle! We saw livestock wondering the streets,
children digging through litter, monkeys running around, roads that
look like allyways and buildings that were only just standing.
We opted to stay in one of the more fancy hotels, the khatmandu guest
house.
So, after a 7hour flight to Doha, a 4hour wait for the next flight and
then another 4 hours on a plane, we've made it!
Initially everything looked pretty normal. The airport was small, as I
had expected and there were a lot of european travellers in goretex
and trekking boots, all buying visas.
Then we walked out of the airport and into a mob of locals offering us
places to stay and asking us for UK pounds! We finally found a guy who
was just a taxi driver. 6USD for a 7km journey.
The taxi journey was the point where it all became very real. I'm not
sure what I expected of khatmandu, but this is a whole other world.
There seems to be no rules on the road, it's every man for himself;
car,lorry,motorbike or cycle! We saw livestock wondering the streets,
children digging through litter, monkeys running around, roads that
look like allyways and buildings that were only just standing.
We opted to stay in one of the more fancy hotels, the khatmandu guest
house.
At 30 dollars a night for a double room this place has beds,
power and a hot shower.
It's different, its rather intimidating, but so far I love it.
4 days to go until Everest!
power and a hot shower.
It's different, its rather intimidating, but so far I love it.
4 days to go until Everest!
Brad
2 hours into the flight!
2 hours into the flight!
My bum Is numb, I'm tired but i've just been fed so it's all good.
I've played about 20 games of solitare and still haven't managed to
get it out once! Time for a sleep I think.
My bum Is numb, I'm tired but i've just been fed so it's all good.
I've played about 20 games of solitare and still haven't managed to
get it out once! Time for a sleep I think.
Brad
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