March 2008 Archives
Tired, but a great trip - although I wouldn't rate it as highly as the Hindu Kush Adventure or Iran trips - Bhutan doesn't quite have the same edge. Plus there was a lot of driving in India at the end, and the Tolly Gunge Club didn't really provide the 'high note' finale. It felt altogether too worldly and self important after a fortnight up in the mountains and high pastures.
Days 4 and 5 were the highlights for me, featuring the Paro festival and the hike up to the Tiger's Nest. We were there during the country's first democratic elections, which was fascinating, and I returned with a commemorative calendar, prepared in advance of the Fifth King's coronation (due to happen this year - no one knows when!) and lots of woven baskets. Oh, and a taste for cheese and chilli dishes, plus a developing daily G+T habit.....!
Returning home to BJH via the 'new' St Pancras International has added somewhat to the out of body experience resulting from our 90 minute nap prior to driving across Kolkata to check in (early) for our 4.45am flight, which kept ahead of the dawn all the way back west to London Heathrow. I was a bit of disgruntled 'customer' even before we got to the airport. Still, the glamour of St Pancras and a mezze lunch Au Pain Quotidien with Phil, Paul and Jahraj sorted me out!
Work tomorrow. I'm taking my Kings of Bhutan commemorative calendar in for moral support.
(06 July 2008: photos fully Flickred: Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon)
... my track record of unwittingly foreshadowing unrest and/or international incidents on my travels seems to be continuing unblemished...... and I thought Bhutan was meant to be a peaceful place!
March 2008 - Bhutan: "2008 January and February - A string of bomb blasts hits the country ahead of elections set for March 24. The attacks are blamed on groups fighting for the rights of ethnic Nepalis exiled in 1991." (BBC Country Profile - Timeline: Bhutan) 'Maoists killed' by Bhutan police (BBC news)
April/May 2007 - Iran: "2007 March - Diplomatic stand-off with Britain after Iran detains 15 British sailors and marines patrolling the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab waterway separating Iran and Iraq. 2007 April - President Ahmadinejad says Iran can produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale." (BBC Country Profile - Timeline: Iran)
October 2006 - Pakistan: "Raid on an Islamic seminary in the tribal area of Bajaur bordering Afghanistan kills up to 80 people, sparking anti-government protests. The army says the madrassa was a training camp for militants." (BBC Country Profile - Timeline: Pakistan)
January/February 2005 - Nepal: "King Gyanendra dismisses Prime Minister Deuba and his government, declares a state of emergency and assumes direct power, citing the need to defeat Maoist rebels." (BBC Country Profile - Timeline: Nepal)
Maybe I should add flak jacket to my birthday list......
OK OK, so it's a week premature, but for me part of the enjoyment of a trip is in the preparation, the anticipation and the packing! The rucksack is down from the top of the wardrobe and the things to take are piling up on the spare bed.... so I thought I'd share my preparation and packing list:
Documents
itinerary
insurance Policy
tickets
passport
(+ photocopies to passport identity page, Indian visa page and tickets)
India visa: multi entry tourist visa - in advance [done - thanks Hazel!]
Bhutan visa: 2 passport size photos and $20 cash (visa issued at the border)
Health etc
International Certificate of Vaccination
Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A [tick]
Personal first aid kit:
plasters
bandage
cotton gauzes
surgical tape
antiseptic cream
Ibruprofen
antihistamine cream
Immodium / rehydration sachets
mosquito repellent
vitamin B tablets
Money
cash: mixture of pounds sterling and US dollars
traveller's cheques
debit card
Exchange rates: www.oanda.com
At today's (tourist, cash) rate 100 Nu (Bhutan Ngultrum) = £1.24
1 Bhutan Ngultrum = 1 Indian Rupee
FXCheatSheet for Travelers
Bags
rucksack
daypack
money belt
plastic carrier bags
travel kitty wallet
Books
guidebook
novel - flight out
novel - flight back
novel - spare (x2?)
Clothes etc
3 pairs of trousers
2 light cotton shirts
2 T-shirts
1 long sleeved T-shirt
1 long sleeved cotton top
1 light woollen jumper
1 hooded cardigan
underwear (16 days)
socks
pyjamas
swimming costume
sun hat
sunglasses
sunscreen & lipsalve & aftersun/moisturiser
1 warm jacket
waterproof jacket
umbrella
1 pair of trekking boots
1 pair flip flops
silk sheet sleeping bag
towel
toothbrush & toothpaste
shampoo & conditioner & intensive conditioner
shower gel
nailbrush
flannel
hair brush and comb
hair bands and hair clip
antiseptic handwash
small packs of tissues and wet wipes
handkerchief
loo roll
washing up gloves
washing powder
universal sink plug
Swiss Army knife
sewing kit
torch
watch with alarm
ear plugs
whisky/gin
sweets
other treats
photos of home
notebook and pen(s)
moo cards
camera, cables, battery recharger unit
plug adapter
spare battery
additional memory
Just back from a great weekend in Bristol, staying with Cam and Dave. The leisurely train ride from Paddington to Bristol provides just the right amount of time for reading The Guardian. Once in the west, we took the bus up to Clifton and mooched around before settling on a small cafe for lunch. Not the best value for money meal I've ever had, mainly due to the small size of the portions. Delicious, I just expected more!
Still, refuelled we headed downhill skirting the edge of Brandon Hill and into Hotwells and over to Southville via the chocolate path and the cast iron pedestrian bridge over the River Avon.
Installed chez Cam and Dave, we caught up on their news and relaxed with David Attenborough's reptiles aka Life in Cold Blood.
The evening was nice and sociable, starting with dinner with for nine cooked by Cam - delicious lasagnes, meat and veggie, followed by a magnificent tiramisu - followed by comedy courtesy of The Comedy Box at the Hen and Chickens.
Sunday started with sausage sandwiches (yum!) to get us fired up for a country walk starting and finishing at the gorgeous Marshfield organised by a friend of Cam's. It was a lovely walk, plenty of time to chat and no rain, despite the forecast! And then a huge lunch at the Catherine Wheel pub in Marshfield - a gorgeous Georgian hostelry. I can see why it's so popular.
Back to Bristol for a breather, then the train back to London - packed to the gunnels due to engineering works, so thank heavens for booked seats.