-
Ups and Downs at the Mount Abu Hill Station
December 1, 2008
Experiences are so varied and often unique to anything I’ve experienced before. For example, being on a holy mountain, meeting an ascetic smoking opium with his colleagues then giving a packet of pineapple biscuits to Jain pilgrims speed-walking up the 22km climb to Mount Abu (they actually overtook me cycling at one point). I was in awe of the exotic palm trees and tropical plants, watching the monkeys frolicking by the road side.
Tags: India
-
Gujarati Thali is a Metaphor for Indian Culture
November 30, 2008
I am in the Gujarat capital, Amdavad, spending a few days relaxing before continuing on to Mumbai. It’s a nice city to spend some time. I’ve been using Couchsurfing here and my hosts have really made the experience special. Of course, so has eating plenty of delicious Gujarati Thalis. Photo credit I’ve visited a friend at the architectural university. I strolled around the campus, attended his lecture and saw an exhibition of Krishna paintings.
Tags: ArchitectureAmdavadIndia
-
Dealing with Air Pollution and Cultural Habits Whilst Travelling in Pakistan and India
November 9, 2008
I have noticed since entering Pakistan and India the significant drop in air quality in general. In Pakistan if I blew my nose I would get similar coloured nasal mucus to if I had spent a day in Central London. The air pollution is quite visible in even small urbanised strips. This is unsurprising as there are plethora of old diesel engines, fires and rubbish burning and smoking chimneys (from brick furnaces for example).
-
You Should Go To India Just for the Golden Temple
November 7, 2008
I’m in India and I feel tired to be honest. It’s a good job that I have the opportunity to rest for a few days. Yesterday, riding to the Pakistan-India border I got delayed by load of super-rich looking Dutch classic car enthusiasts. After finally crossing I sat at a small kiosk and had a beer whilst waiting for the famous border ceremony to start. Hindi is buzzing around the humid atmosphere of this internet cafe.
-
Is Pakistan a Step Too Far for A European Tourist?
November 5, 2008
I'm in Lahore after gradually making my way up here from Quetta. The mountains down from Quetta to Sibi were beautiful but in Sibi I ran into my police escort. They proceeded to ruin the process for the next few days. This meant that I couldn't do what I wanted, I had to stay in cockroach infested cheap hotels, I wasn't allowed to stay with locals or follow the usual routine of camping.
-
Mesmerising Landscapes and Tragic History of Bam
October 22, 2008
I cycled from Kerman. I was scared. I’d heard nothing positive about the road after Kerman. Luckily as usual the negative hot air is hyped out of proportion. I met a great guy in Mahan who gave me a huge insight into the Iranian and Islamic way. He spoke good English and we chatted for about 4 hours.
-
Overwhelmed with Wonder in Armenia and Iran
October 17, 2008
Iran has at times been a challenge with regards to cycling alone. I have dealt with this mostly by recording myself talking on a voice recorder, singing, shouting, listening to the Mighty Boosh and occasionally weeping. However, along with feelings of lonliness which quickly evaporate I am presented with the content and playful feeling that the freedom of decisions and the imagination manifests. There is a wonderful sense of balance with the surroundings when alone on the road amongst the exotic and mysterious landscape of the stony, dry and dusty plains of the desert reaching up to bare, steep, rocky mountains, floating gently on beds of sand dunes and haze.
-
Path, direction and large floating triangles of rock
October 16, 2008
Just a quick one this. I’ve pedalled down into the south of Iran. The weather has been pretty hot during the middle of the day so I’m on the road by 6 to make the most of the cool clear mornings. I’ve visited the cities of Esfahan, Yazd and Kerman. Esfahan has a river (mostly dried up now) with some fantastic ancient bridges, the huge Imam square, mosques and Persian palace of Hasht Beseht.
-
Going From A Stationary to a Nomadic Lifestyle
September 29, 2008
Hi, I’m back in that bumpy, unforgiving place of discovery they call the road. This time I’ve only got myself and the wildlife for company. I’m in exotic ancient Persia, or Iran on modern maps. I traversed the mountainous land of Armenia in a thigh burning, vodka toting, but rewarding 6 days. The luxury of experience has offered me nuggets of wisdom when travelling by 2 wheeled steeds. Eat a huge amount, drink vast quantities, and use the flow.
-
Writing from Tehran, Iran
September 24, 2008
Written whilst in Tehran looking ahead to cycling through Iran in 2008. Facing Fears I’m travelling in my head. When I stop my mindset changes. I feel lethargic today. I think maybe I could do with being alone some more. It’s pleasant for some time, even satisfying. If I can get a grip of my fear I can enjoy it. The city is a place where I cannot be still but it is the opposite in the wider less populated places.
-
Will I Get My Bicycle Back From War-Torn Georgia?
August 22, 2008
Right now, I am sitting in the garden of my girlfriend’s house in France. I’ve just realised that one mosquito has bitten me on my neck, elbow and leg. I travelled back to England from Georgia by public transport, to visit my family and get a visa in London. It took 5 days and was a great experience. I’ve just received a new Extrawheel trailer which I look forward to using when hit the road again.
Tags: War2008Cycle touringGeorgiaAdventurepublic-transportvisaEnglandExtrawheel
-
Finding Real News These Days Is Not Easy But Its Important
August 19, 2008
This morning, I have been digging through the news about the conflict between Russia and Georgia. I am trying to find some articles, which are closer to what I consider to be the truth. Typing ‘real news’ into Google, I came across a news website which is member supported and does not accept advertising, government or corporate funding (http://therealnews.com). It seemed to me like a good start. I found the following pieces interesting: