A smooth border crossing from India and we entered Nepal!  An instant change in scenery; more greenery, less rubbish and fewer people was a welcome relief from the chaos of India.  Our first night was spent bushcamping in a beautiful forest location albeit in the rain most of the night with several of the group getting up to re-peg tents and put fly sheets on! 

The following day we arrived at Chitwan National Park which gave everyone an opportunity to explore their first Nepalese National Park, either elephant riding, elephant washing or jungle trekking.  A great time was had by all.  So good in fact that 4 of the group chose to spend additional time volunteering  in Chitwan. 

Onto Pokhara, the hub of all things ‘active’  This is the place to start most trekking options in Nepal,  kayaking and rafting to name but a few.  Then onto Kathmandu for the start of the 2 week break and a final farewell to the truck.  

Unfortunately the Chinese have decided to close the Nepal/Tibet border to British and other nationalities due to a recent visit by the Dalai Lama, so we have no choice but to fly to Beijing to continue the journey.   This is the nature of overlanding, but also part of the adventure.  So China here we come!! 

3 nights in Delhi was chaotic yet fascinating and a great opportunity to explore the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and several of the group took a 2 hour walk with former street kids from the Saalam Baalak trust which gave an illuminating insight into the darker aspects of city life. 

Continuing on to Jaipur the ‘Pink City’, we visited  the huge observatory, Amber Fort and of course more shopping!

Agra was our next stop for a dawn visit the stunning Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan as a striking tribute to his wife. 

Then onto Varanasi, the sacred Hindu city on the river Ganges and at dawn a boat ride past the Ghats where Hindus ritually wash in the sacred river. 

A smooth border crossing from India and we are now in Nepal!  Until the next time ....

So Far...



We crossed the border from Pakistan into India at Amritsar, where we watched the border closing ceremony between the two countries.  With many high kicks and fast marching, it could have been taken directly from a Monty Python sketch.  Pure theatre, and very entertaining!   Then onto Mrs Bandari’s Guest House for our first beers since Turkey – a nice way to celebrate our safe passage through Pakistan and to welcome back the 7 members of our group who flew across Pakistan into India. 

 After two days in Amritsar exploring the stunning Golden Temple, shopping malls and the campsite swimming pool, we headed up to Macleod Ganj, the home of the exiled Dalai Lama where we enjoyed a cooler mountain climate before moving onto India’s exciting capital where we are currently exploring Delhi Old and New.

Until the next time! ...

Our final stop in Iran is spent exploring the ancient ruins of Persepolis and then on the the city of Yazd where we said a temporary farewell to 7 of our group who flew across to India whilst the rest of us travelled into Pakistan.  We all loved Iran and the Iranians and all are agreed this is definitely a country to re-visit.  But onwards we go  …..

Due to the current political climate our journey through Pakistan was under police escort.  We left Iran and headed into the state of Balochistan on our way to Quetta.  The dry and dusty landscape was brought to life along the way with many colourful ‘jingle’ trucks and their drivers and passengers  wanting to say hello and have their photos taken with us.   After two nights rest and relaxation in Quetta, we moved south towards Sukkur and things are really starting to heat up – around 50 degrees to be precise! 

We arrived safely in Lahore last night, this time without our police escort and we are allowed free reign of this wonderfully vibrant city to explore the sights and sample the local cuisine.  Tomorrow sees the start of our Indian adventure, so until the next time …

Brush away your misconceptions – Iran is amazing!  The scenery varies between mountainous and arid to lush and green and the Iranians are some of the most welcoming people you would ever hope to meet and generous to a fault, inviting us to their homes for tea or food and a chat. 

 

 

 

   

After an easy border crossing into Iran, our first stop was Tabriz and time to explore the old bazaar and sample the local food before heading into the hills to Babek Fort whereby a hard uphill slog was rewarded by amazing views over the valley.

 

 

Onto the wonderfully lush mountain town of Masuleh, a holiday destination for the Iranians and a place for us to chill out and enjoy the countryside and the offerings of food and nick-knacks in the bazaar. 

 

This was followed by the next milestone birthday of the trip – Emily’s 21st!  Sadly no drinking as Iran is a dry country but we made the most of it and had a memorable evening - Happy Birthday Emily!

 

 

Moving onto the beautiful city of Esfahan with its wonderful blue tiled buildings and covered bazaar. We had plenty of time to explore the Grand Bazaar and purchase carpets amongst other items and discover some of the cities renowned tea-houses. 

Off to Yazd now...

Until the next time …

So far...

2012 Dawn Service at Anzac Bay, Gallipoli on 25 April

Following the early morning Anzac service we headed onto the beach resort of  Selcuk where we based ourselves for visits to the historic sights of Troy and Ephesus.   

On our way to Oludinez we visited the brilliant white terraces of Pamukkale for a soak in the calcium rich waters and a wander around  the ruins of Heirapolis. 

Oludinez itself provided the adrenalin junkies amongst us the opportunity to try their hand at paragliding and quad biking and the rest the opportunity to swim and sunbathe and enjoy th nightlife in town. 

Then onto Olympos, our last beach resort until Vietnam, for a more laid back ‘hippyish’ couple of days where we stayed in tree houses and which saw the first milestone  birthday of the trip;  David’s 70^th .  We celebrated in style with a ‘D’ themed fancy dress party and despite the lack of shopping opportunities to purchase props and costumes made some fantastic outfits!

We are now in beautiful Gorome in the heart of Cappadocia  and home to unusual rock formations and fairy chimneys, best viewed during an early morning hot air balloon ride. 

Tomorrow we head out towards Nemrut Dagi on our way through eastern turkey and onto Iran!

Until the next time!

So far...

Istanbul, the real Turkish Delight – so much to do!  We visit the all the main sights as well as a cruise on the Bosphorous and  the all-important shopping trip to the Grand Bazaar for the girls to buy their outfits for Iran.  After putting in for our Iranian visa we are now headed for Gallipoli to attend the Anzac Day memorial service that takes place at dawn tomorrow and those not attending, a night at the Boomerang Bar it is!

Until next time...