Kim and TD + 28 months + wanderlust + inappropriate language = a dream fulfilled
The China blitzkrieg is almost over so we decided to take it chill, unpack our bags and stay put for our last week. With its huge array of activities, developed tourist industry and amazing scenery, we chose Yangshuo – and we couldn’t have picked a better spot. An immensely popular … Continue Reading →
Try to arrange local transport to Dragon’s Backbone rice terraces. Hostel confirms that the bus is not a tour. Get picked up at 8:30am by a large tour bus with 30 Chinese tourists, all wielding expensive cameras. Listen to a description of the tour by your guide, “Nick”, as he … Continue Reading →
Home to unique minority groups, beautiful landscapes and an expertly marketed tourism industry, Yunnan Provence is on almost everyone’s Southern China itinerary. We first spent about a week between Lijiang and Dali, two beautifully “preserved” ancient cities. Note: Preservation in China often means knocking down the old stuff and rebuilding … Continue Reading →
If you’re thinking about visiting famous tourist sites in China, remember to bring lots of cash and patience. It seems as though every place of interest, no matter how mundane, will charge you a hefty entrance fee. Sometimes you have to pay additional money in order to access a temple, … Continue Reading →
You can’t help seeing all the news stories about China with its booming economy, increasing modernization and how it will probably be the next decade’s superpower. Still, it didn’t hit home until we arrived in Chengdu – this ain’t no podunk town. Besides the slick new airport, the city boasts … Continue Reading →
For those of you wondering why there are no updates to our photos page, please direct your concerns to the complaint department, c/o, The People’s Republic of China. In their great wisdom to secure national unity and order, they have seen it fit to protect their population from the subversive … Continue Reading →
Nepal ended up on our itinerary because of our explicit desire to trek in the Annapurna range. Even before we arrived, it was clear this was not the ideal time for trekking. The monsoon season from June-Sept brings rain almost everyday and obscures the mountains under an impenetrable layer of … Continue Reading →
Once our Chinese visas came through, we headed for Pokhara, the gateway to the Himalayas and required stop for any self respecting backpacker in Nepal. Although Lakeside is similar to Kathmandu’s Thamel district, you can quickly see why people come here in droves. First of all, it is way more … Continue Reading →
Print out the visa application from the Chinese Consulate’s site and attach a passport photo. Be aware that you can submit applications on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Kathmandu. Drop-off time is 9:30-11:30am. After a night of heavy drinking, don’t lag in the morning and arrive at the consulate at … Continue Reading →
“Tiger balm, sir? You want Tiger balm?” holler the Nepalese touts who pace the streets of Kathmandu, pushing this Chinese medical ointment as if it were crack. Other guys offer trekking tours, hotels or rickshaws for a hefty commission – at night, hash and weed is their focus. Kathmandu has … Continue Reading →