So many interesting things in the world
Far away from the isolated captive economies of the resorts you can find the real Fiji. What better way to spend your time than diving off a small island looking for marine life, followed by watching a competitive and high standard game of rugby. There was a coup here in December 2006 but as far as the traveler is concerned there is little evidence that it ever happened.
Well, I did not buy very much but the city of Singapore in the country of Singapore seems to be the place to do your shopping. That’s it really.
Wherever you go, there are always friendly locals that don’t mind having their photo taken. In this case orangutangs and proboscis monkeys which I believe can only be found in the wild in Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo). If you were to design a cartoon caricature monkey it would probably look something like the proboscis with a very large nose. I have swapped the humid rainforest and palm plantations for the civilisation of an air-conditioned shopping centre.
I am enduring the 45 degree heat and continue to eat exotic food – a saffron flavoured yoghurt drink! From Delhi my path in Rajasthan passed through Jaiphur and Pushkar. It really is low season here with few tourists, mainly due to the high temperatures. The maharajic view of old Jodphur is unusually blue…
Lhasa in Tibet is well known for the spectacular Potala palace but many of the monasteries nearby are far more active and interesting. Here we see the monks of the Sera monastery in a regular afternoon debate about the important things in life – I haven’t got a transcript.
Yaks are so useful around here they even use the butter to make candles!
I’ve been walking for seven hours today, up steep paths to the settlement of Namche Bazar, at a height of 3440m. The Internet appears to be everywhere, although a little steep at $15 US per hour, this may be my highest posting to this blog. Only 10 days of trekking left, past yaks, buffalo, porters, along steel bridges, amazing mountains, valleys and plenty of stops for black tea.
UPDATE: Panoramic view from Kalapathar (5550m)