Holla...
I know it's been a while but I've done lots of traveling, lots of hours on the train or bus, lots of kilometers... As described in one of the previous posts, I've got from McLeod to Amritsar. From Amritsar to Chandigarh. Then from Chandigarh to.... Goa! Where I'm currently at, united with Darius and his crew. And I must admit I was very happy to see them. Quite pleased to see a familiar face. For the first time in 2 months I didn't meet any travelers from Amritsar to South Goa (which took me 5 days) and... after having met so many people in McLeod, I was feeling a bit uneasy. Even though I could have easily made some (more) phone calls to compensate the loneliness, I didn't... Because 1. some of you might have been worried 2. these emotions are part of the game. I knew in advance I would encounter them at some point on this trip. And in a way it's even remarkable I didn't have a similar feeling before. But guess what... whilst traveling from north Goa, Arambol to South Goa, Palolem (to meet up with Daz), I bumped into an other lonely traveler. So if I wouldn't have had Daz, I would have found other company. This is how it goes... No need to worry about it.
Anyway, Palolem is great. It's a lot nicer than Arambol, a little beach village where I went to first. The beach very typically tropical: it is clean, there's white sand all around, palm trees lined up next to the long, narrow band of sand... And it's still off-season so there aren't too many people around. I arrived yesterday and after having dumped my backpack in the hotel, we immediately jumped on some Honda scooters to drive around the coastal road. It was so cool. The vista's, the sun, the wind through my hair. I must have at least swallowed a dozen of flies because I couldn't stop smiling (until it got dark and we couldn't see with or sunglasses on - then we got flies in our eyes in stead of in our mouths). And I realized I'm ticking away quite a lot of normal holiday cliches: first time I've rented a scooter - first time I've seen naturally grown palm tree on a beach, first time I've seen rice terraces... Great fun!!
For now you'll have to do with a new picasa album from McLeod to Chandigarh. The (hopefully amazing) Goan pictures are yet to be taken, have yet to come in the next album. Until the next... Take care.
http://picasaweb.google.com/sarademeyer/IndiaSeptemberMcLeodGanjAmritsarChandigarh#
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mc Leod - Himachal Pradesh - India (2)
Hi you all
Just a quick update to inform you that I'm still alive and kicking. I've been so busy here, unbelievable... This is actually a pretty small place. So whenever you meet somebody, have a chat with that person, and say goodbye again,... the chance is very big that you meet the same person again the day after. Especially when you're doing some activities. Like me, was doing yoga and a massage course so... Every day you meet new people and you run into the ones you met before... And this resulted in having lots of tea's, food, coffees, cakes,... Lots of hanging out in little restaurants and coffee lounges. Very cozy and enjoyable. I could easily imagine myself spending quite some more time here. But the curiosity to explore more is greater than the desire to hang around and get more involved in this friendly Tibetan community. I can always come back...
Anyway, would like to share some experiences with you all. Due to Lilly I have stayed in an 80INR (1,25 euro) - Woo Hooo... It's a tiny, jail cell type room, with only two small windows onto the hall way. But it's clean and this kind of obliges me to spend as much as time possible outside. And I'm happy to share that everything is a lot cheaper here then it was up north. I'm so pleased with that because I have been spending more than expected. An other good thing... It's been great..
As you know, I wanted to do some more yoga and I had heard many great things about a Ashtanga teacher called Vijay. But I also knew there was a Iyengar Yoga studio here. And so because I am familiar with the Iyengar style, I went to the studio last Monday to inquire for information. Result, I fell in love with the place. It is a very beautiful studio, surrounded by nature, in a more quiet place of this area. The only two downsides I could think of: it was 40 minute walk from where I was staying + it was quite expensive. The teacher was charging us 2500INR (+/- 40 euro) for a 5 day course, 3 hours a day. Because I liked the place, and I thought it was the last time I was going to take yoga classes in India (for now), I decided to go for it anyway. I was totally excited about it. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the first class that much, nor the second one... I'm not saying it was a bad teacher but it wasn't my style. I didn't enjoy the classes, nor did I enjoy the walk up to the yoga hall. I was finding it hard and after the second day I was really not looking forward to the others. My curiosity for the Ashtanga classes with Vijay totally revived. Plus, Vijay studio was a 100 meters from my guesthouse. So I went over to check prices, 250INR for a 2 hour class. I thought about the money, the money I was about to loose by skipping the Iyengar classes. But I decided: if money was the only motivation for going, it was not the right one. I therefore ditched the Iyengar classes and went to Vijays ones. And guess what, not just the class, also the teacher was AMAZING. I've never ever seen such a fit, flexible, strong 50 year old man. He's very skinny but SO muscular and strong. And I've massively enjoyed the ashtanga class. I think I might even go and check the ashtanga classes out in Brussels (I say BXL because that's were I'll be moving when I'll be back in Belgium). Vijay told me that his teacher is living in BXL so this might just turn out great.
Enough about yoga, I've also mentioned that I was enrolled in a Tibetan Massage course. Which I have finished today. A bit dodgy though, it was a 10 hour course but I received a 30 hour certificate (mentioning lots of things that were not taught). Funny... But I enjoyed it. Even though I think my body is not reacting to well to the oil that was used. My body is covered in a type of rash, very itchy, not very attractive. I actually don't know what's causing the rash (it could be from sweating, it could be from the oil, it could be many things). Anyway, this event resulted in going to the 'Dalai Lama's Tibetan Hospital' today. It's nothing too bad but it is annoying me and I've heard good things about the hospital. Plus, much more keen to go to a Tibetan hospital than to a regular Indian one. I've seen both now, and my feeling was right... The Tibetan one is much cleaner and much more organised. So yeah, I'm chewing on some Tibetan pills after every meal. And I hope they'll be effective.
What else has happened? I tried to take a ride on the Kangra Toy train. The Lonely Planet was praising it for it's beautiful track through the foothills of the Himalayas. I've spend about 2 hours to get to Kangra. 1,5 hours of waiting for the train to arrive to... Spend 5 minutes on the train until it broke down. Guess they call it 'Toytrain' for a reason. So I ended up having to sit an other 3 hours at a bus to get back to McLeod. But again, a nice experience because I was the only Westerner there and... I've met a nice Indian guy who escorted me from the train to the bus and... he overloaded me with local knowledge and friendliness. If only his macho friend wasn't there (sweet talking), then I might have just spend some more time with him. Guess it wasn't meant to be.
Ok, time for bed. I'm still trying to decide if I should leave tomorrow or the day after. There are some more things that I'd like to see before going but... I realise that time is moving fast. I'll see if I feel like moving tomorrow. Bye bye...
Just a quick update to inform you that I'm still alive and kicking. I've been so busy here, unbelievable... This is actually a pretty small place. So whenever you meet somebody, have a chat with that person, and say goodbye again,... the chance is very big that you meet the same person again the day after. Especially when you're doing some activities. Like me, was doing yoga and a massage course so... Every day you meet new people and you run into the ones you met before... And this resulted in having lots of tea's, food, coffees, cakes,... Lots of hanging out in little restaurants and coffee lounges. Very cozy and enjoyable. I could easily imagine myself spending quite some more time here. But the curiosity to explore more is greater than the desire to hang around and get more involved in this friendly Tibetan community. I can always come back...
Anyway, would like to share some experiences with you all. Due to Lilly I have stayed in an 80INR (1,25 euro) - Woo Hooo... It's a tiny, jail cell type room, with only two small windows onto the hall way. But it's clean and this kind of obliges me to spend as much as time possible outside. And I'm happy to share that everything is a lot cheaper here then it was up north. I'm so pleased with that because I have been spending more than expected. An other good thing... It's been great..
As you know, I wanted to do some more yoga and I had heard many great things about a Ashtanga teacher called Vijay. But I also knew there was a Iyengar Yoga studio here. And so because I am familiar with the Iyengar style, I went to the studio last Monday to inquire for information. Result, I fell in love with the place. It is a very beautiful studio, surrounded by nature, in a more quiet place of this area. The only two downsides I could think of: it was 40 minute walk from where I was staying + it was quite expensive. The teacher was charging us 2500INR (+/- 40 euro) for a 5 day course, 3 hours a day. Because I liked the place, and I thought it was the last time I was going to take yoga classes in India (for now), I decided to go for it anyway. I was totally excited about it. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the first class that much, nor the second one... I'm not saying it was a bad teacher but it wasn't my style. I didn't enjoy the classes, nor did I enjoy the walk up to the yoga hall. I was finding it hard and after the second day I was really not looking forward to the others. My curiosity for the Ashtanga classes with Vijay totally revived. Plus, Vijay studio was a 100 meters from my guesthouse. So I went over to check prices, 250INR for a 2 hour class. I thought about the money, the money I was about to loose by skipping the Iyengar classes. But I decided: if money was the only motivation for going, it was not the right one. I therefore ditched the Iyengar classes and went to Vijays ones. And guess what, not just the class, also the teacher was AMAZING. I've never ever seen such a fit, flexible, strong 50 year old man. He's very skinny but SO muscular and strong. And I've massively enjoyed the ashtanga class. I think I might even go and check the ashtanga classes out in Brussels (I say BXL because that's were I'll be moving when I'll be back in Belgium). Vijay told me that his teacher is living in BXL so this might just turn out great.
Enough about yoga, I've also mentioned that I was enrolled in a Tibetan Massage course. Which I have finished today. A bit dodgy though, it was a 10 hour course but I received a 30 hour certificate (mentioning lots of things that were not taught). Funny... But I enjoyed it. Even though I think my body is not reacting to well to the oil that was used. My body is covered in a type of rash, very itchy, not very attractive. I actually don't know what's causing the rash (it could be from sweating, it could be from the oil, it could be many things). Anyway, this event resulted in going to the 'Dalai Lama's Tibetan Hospital' today. It's nothing too bad but it is annoying me and I've heard good things about the hospital. Plus, much more keen to go to a Tibetan hospital than to a regular Indian one. I've seen both now, and my feeling was right... The Tibetan one is much cleaner and much more organised. So yeah, I'm chewing on some Tibetan pills after every meal. And I hope they'll be effective.
What else has happened? I tried to take a ride on the Kangra Toy train. The Lonely Planet was praising it for it's beautiful track through the foothills of the Himalayas. I've spend about 2 hours to get to Kangra. 1,5 hours of waiting for the train to arrive to... Spend 5 minutes on the train until it broke down. Guess they call it 'Toytrain' for a reason. So I ended up having to sit an other 3 hours at a bus to get back to McLeod. But again, a nice experience because I was the only Westerner there and... I've met a nice Indian guy who escorted me from the train to the bus and... he overloaded me with local knowledge and friendliness. If only his macho friend wasn't there (sweet talking), then I might have just spend some more time with him. Guess it wasn't meant to be.
Ok, time for bed. I'm still trying to decide if I should leave tomorrow or the day after. There are some more things that I'd like to see before going but... I realise that time is moving fast. I'll see if I feel like moving tomorrow. Bye bye...
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Mc Leod - Himachal Pradesh - India
Hello
Hooray... Yet an other picture album! It's a big one this time. Enjoy you all...
http://picasaweb.google.com/sarademeyer/IndiaAugustPostYGPLeh
ps: I'm starting an other 5 day yoga course tomorrow at the Himalayan Yoga center. A 5 day Tibetan Massage course later today. And I've attended a Buddhist Teaching from a 90year old Lama this morning. There's so much to do here, it's crazy... But so much fun!
Hooray... Yet an other picture album! It's a big one this time. Enjoy you all...
http://picasaweb.google.com/sarademeyer/IndiaAugustPostYGPLeh
ps: I'm starting an other 5 day yoga course tomorrow at the Himalayan Yoga center. A 5 day Tibetan Massage course later today. And I've attended a Buddhist Teaching from a 90year old Lama this morning. There's so much to do here, it's crazy... But so much fun!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Manali - Himachal Pradesh - India (2)
Hi you all
I'm back in Manali for two day. Just so I can take a bus tomorrow night at 6pm to go to Dharamsala. And because I wrote a whole summary of the last couple of days to Keith yesterday, I'll just copy my lines of the chat on here (kind of lazy, I know... but it's easier for me to do it like this):
me: I'm back in Manali
me: Had a great time on my last day in Leh... Met some really nice people actually...
me: Oh, on Wednesday I decided to walk up to Changspa, a nice little area in Leh (and hadn't been there before), I sat down in a quiet nice restaurant and... Not even 10 minutes later a guy walks up asking of I wanted to play a game of chess... He was from US, a yoga - climber - photographer... (and no, I can't play chess. I lost... But I told him in advance, he didn't care)
me: We ended up talking a while... Nice conversation. Nothing special though... But he recommended me to walk to a stupa high up,. He told me it was a great place to go to watch the sunset?
me: Anyway, I did some more things before going to the sunset... Arrived there... Beautiful place and... after shooting some pics, I walked to the side of this massive edge to have a proper look at a panorama of Leh... I take a picture and the guy next to me starts talking to me.
me: Really sweet guy from Israel... He's really into photography too, convinces me that I should start taking pictures on the Manual mode, gave me some info... SWEET!
me: Also, met a girl from US on the bus here and she's also going to Dharamsala. So we're sharing a room for two nights to then go there by bus...
me: yes she's also traveling by herself... lots of people are here by themselves. It's crazy...
me: And I'm thinking of doing some more yoga there... Before I go more south to goa, to hopefully meet up with Daz...
So, I know now that there's nothing to be worried about. On the first 24hrs by myself I ended up meeting 3 different, interesting people. It's very promising...
That was my chat yesterday... And today was really chilled! We had plenty of clouds and rain... Lots of hanging around in the restaurant/lounge of the guesthouse I'm staying. It's lovely! And there are so many different travelers here. Some in pairs, some alone. It's great. Since we're all doing the same, it's just a really nice hanging out with travelers.
Just want to share the rough plan for the rest of my stay: 10 days of Dharamsala - Mcleod Ganj (only if I can do more yoga there, but I don't think that will be a problem); if possible a couple of days for Amritsar and Shimla; back to Delhi to take the train down to Goa to meet up with Daz (Keith's brother); then to Hampi for some rock climbing; maybe just a short dip into Kerala before I go to Mumbai to fly home.
Although I hope you understand that I'm not complaining. I'm very happy with what I got... I'd just like to do so much more before coming home!! This is how I feel for now, at least. It might change... But I hope it doesn't (because that would mean I'm not having such a great time). Catch you later...
I'm back in Manali for two day. Just so I can take a bus tomorrow night at 6pm to go to Dharamsala. And because I wrote a whole summary of the last couple of days to Keith yesterday, I'll just copy my lines of the chat on here (kind of lazy, I know... but it's easier for me to do it like this):
me: I'm back in Manali
me: Had a great time on my last day in Leh... Met some really nice people actually...
me: Oh, on Wednesday I decided to walk up to Changspa, a nice little area in Leh (and hadn't been there before), I sat down in a quiet nice restaurant and... Not even 10 minutes later a guy walks up asking of I wanted to play a game of chess... He was from US, a yoga - climber - photographer... (and no, I can't play chess. I lost... But I told him in advance, he didn't care)
me: We ended up talking a while... Nice conversation. Nothing special though... But he recommended me to walk to a stupa high up,. He told me it was a great place to go to watch the sunset?
me: Anyway, I did some more things before going to the sunset... Arrived there... Beautiful place and... after shooting some pics, I walked to the side of this massive edge to have a proper look at a panorama of Leh... I take a picture and the guy next to me starts talking to me.
me: Really sweet guy from Israel... He's really into photography too, convinces me that I should start taking pictures on the Manual mode, gave me some info... SWEET!
me: Also, met a girl from US on the bus here and she's also going to Dharamsala. So we're sharing a room for two nights to then go there by bus...
me: yes she's also traveling by herself... lots of people are here by themselves. It's crazy...
me: And I'm thinking of doing some more yoga there... Before I go more south to goa, to hopefully meet up with Daz...
So, I know now that there's nothing to be worried about. On the first 24hrs by myself I ended up meeting 3 different, interesting people. It's very promising...
That was my chat yesterday... And today was really chilled! We had plenty of clouds and rain... Lots of hanging around in the restaurant/lounge of the guesthouse I'm staying. It's lovely! And there are so many different travelers here. Some in pairs, some alone. It's great. Since we're all doing the same, it's just a really nice hanging out with travelers.
Just want to share the rough plan for the rest of my stay: 10 days of Dharamsala - Mcleod Ganj (only if I can do more yoga there, but I don't think that will be a problem); if possible a couple of days for Amritsar and Shimla; back to Delhi to take the train down to Goa to meet up with Daz (Keith's brother); then to Hampi for some rock climbing; maybe just a short dip into Kerala before I go to Mumbai to fly home.
Although I hope you understand that I'm not complaining. I'm very happy with what I got... I'd just like to do so much more before coming home!! This is how I feel for now, at least. It might change... But I hope it doesn't (because that would mean I'm not having such a great time). Catch you later...
Monday, September 1, 2008
Leh - Ladakh - India (2)
Julley - the word to know when being in Ladakh!
Ik ben zaterdag terug gekomen van mijn trek in de Indische Himalaya's en... Ik heb me super goed geamuseerd!! Het was echt fantastisch. Dit niet alleen door de ongelooflijke vista's, de leuke bende en het feit dat ik graag eigen grenzen verleg (wat zeker is gebeurd)... Ook de organisatie 'footprint travels' heeft hier een serieuze bijdrage geleverd. Onze gids en zijn team hebben ons ongelooflijk verwend. Een kort overzicht:
De eerste twee dagen - een groep van 6 - dezelfde groep waarmee ik naar Leh ben gereden. Vanaf dag 3 bleven alleen Kevin, Lucy, James en ik over. 7 paarden, kooktent, eettent, elk een eigen tent voor in te slapen... Elke ochtend kwamen ze ons wakker maken om 6.30am met thee. Daarna kwam er een emmer met warm water naar onze tent voor een katte wasje... Om 7am stond het ontbijt klaar en tegen 8ten begon onze trek. Er is geen enkele dag dat we na 14 uur op de volgende kampplaats zijn aangekomen dus... Absoluut geen al te zware trekdagen. In tegen deel... Het was een combinatie tussen een 5 tal uren trekken, lunchen (oh ja, het lunch pakket moesten we wel zelf dragen – dohhh) en... de rest van de dag met een boek in de hand op onze luie reet liggen in de meest adembenemende omgeving. Met de zon op onze smoel... Ja ja, geen regen... Af en toe een wolk (anders was het te warm)... En wel een stevige wind daar boven maar... In een slaapzak heb je daar weinig last van. Om 16u kwam er opnieuw thee met een kleine versnapering. Tegen 18u mochten we in de diner tent plaats nemen voor een heus 3 gangen menu (om een idee te geven, we hebben gegeten: frietjes, pizza, pasta, Indische curries, Tibetaanse Momo’s, Chinese Noodles met groenten... Niet te geloven). Ha ha, ik vind het super grappig. Nog nooit zo een luxueuze ervaring meegemaakt. En dat voor amper 24 euro’s per dag. Ook dit is India...
Ok, heb opnieuw lang genoeg voor deze computer gezeten. Ik blijf normaliter tot woensdag hier en zak daarna opnieuw af naar Manali. Wat er precies volgt moet ik nog uitpluizen maar ik hou jullie op de hoogte. Een ding weet ik zeker, nu sta ik er voor het eerst echt alleen voor. Spannend... Hi hi hi - Tot dan...
Ik ben zaterdag terug gekomen van mijn trek in de Indische Himalaya's en... Ik heb me super goed geamuseerd!! Het was echt fantastisch. Dit niet alleen door de ongelooflijke vista's, de leuke bende en het feit dat ik graag eigen grenzen verleg (wat zeker is gebeurd)... Ook de organisatie 'footprint travels' heeft hier een serieuze bijdrage geleverd. Onze gids en zijn team hebben ons ongelooflijk verwend. Een kort overzicht:
De eerste twee dagen - een groep van 6 - dezelfde groep waarmee ik naar Leh ben gereden. Vanaf dag 3 bleven alleen Kevin, Lucy, James en ik over. 7 paarden, kooktent, eettent, elk een eigen tent voor in te slapen... Elke ochtend kwamen ze ons wakker maken om 6.30am met thee. Daarna kwam er een emmer met warm water naar onze tent voor een katte wasje... Om 7am stond het ontbijt klaar en tegen 8ten begon onze trek. Er is geen enkele dag dat we na 14 uur op de volgende kampplaats zijn aangekomen dus... Absoluut geen al te zware trekdagen. In tegen deel... Het was een combinatie tussen een 5 tal uren trekken, lunchen (oh ja, het lunch pakket moesten we wel zelf dragen – dohhh) en... de rest van de dag met een boek in de hand op onze luie reet liggen in de meest adembenemende omgeving. Met de zon op onze smoel... Ja ja, geen regen... Af en toe een wolk (anders was het te warm)... En wel een stevige wind daar boven maar... In een slaapzak heb je daar weinig last van. Om 16u kwam er opnieuw thee met een kleine versnapering. Tegen 18u mochten we in de diner tent plaats nemen voor een heus 3 gangen menu (om een idee te geven, we hebben gegeten: frietjes, pizza, pasta, Indische curries, Tibetaanse Momo’s, Chinese Noodles met groenten... Niet te geloven). Ha ha, ik vind het super grappig. Nog nooit zo een luxueuze ervaring meegemaakt. En dat voor amper 24 euro’s per dag. Ook dit is India...
Ok, heb opnieuw lang genoeg voor deze computer gezeten. Ik blijf normaliter tot woensdag hier en zak daarna opnieuw af naar Manali. Wat er precies volgt moet ik nog uitpluizen maar ik hou jullie op de hoogte. Een ding weet ik zeker, nu sta ik er voor het eerst echt alleen voor. Spannend... Hi hi hi - Tot dan...
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