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Andrew's Travels
Andrew's Travels

Andrew's Travels

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  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Chitwan National Park – Sauraha

    October 28, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 27 °C

    Chitwan National Park is situated in a huge lowland area in central south Nepal and covers an area of 932 sq km. It was originally a hunting reserve in the 19th century inhabited by the local indigenous Tharu population, but an extensive malaria eradication program using DDT in 1954 meant that many other people could move into the area and the subsequent loss of natural habitat caused a reduction in the diversity and quantity of species. King Mahendra stopped this by making the area a royal reserve which eventually became a national park in 1973 and some 22,000 people were relocated outside of the park. With the Maoist insurgency from 1996-2006, however, the army was unable to protect against poaching and further reduction in species number and diversity followed. Now the army is back – and very much in evidence – and species number and diversity has increased; by 2017 there were in excess of 600 one-horned Indian rhino, characterised by their large plates, and approx 140 Royal Bengal tigers.

    After lunch, it was an ox cart tour through Sauhara to Bhagmara to visit a local Tharu village to see their communal living style and houses; these are built with reed and have a mixture of mud and cow dung smoothed over the surface. They speak a different language to Nepali.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Bandipur – walk to Siddha Gufa Cave

    October 27, 2019 in Nepal ☀️ 24 °C

    This 90 minute walk down from the town offered some good views of wildlife. The cave itself is the largest in Nepal at 50m high and 437m deep. There was a lot of clambering around and use of ropes rewarding us with views of Ganesh’s face and other structures.Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler
    1

    Bandipur

    October 27, 2019 in Nepal ☀️ 24 °C

    Bandipur (1030m) is situated on a mountain saddle on the Mahabharat range and established as a funnel point of trade on the old India to Tibet trade route; it consists largely of a main street lined by 2-3 storey 18th century buildings on each side – these with a steep descent both sides. Trade fell into decline in the 1970s due to the Prithwi Highway bypassing it. It has now turned to tourism, taking advantage of its beautiful buildings and location.

    A short walk and steep ascent away is the Thani Mai Viewpoint, which offers excellent views of the town and the Himalaya, especially at dawn and dusk.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler
    2

    Annapurna region - walks around Astam

    October 25, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 18 °C

    After breakfast we went on a two hour guided walk down the slope and up into the woods, seeing people going about their day. Back at the eco-lodge we watched kites and eagles circling on the thermals.

    After lunch we went on another interesting guided walk, this time around the village. We visited a “distillery" where the local moonshine is produced (raksi comes from millet) and a Japanese project with some old style Nepali houses in the gardens.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler
    1

    Annapurna region - dawn and dusk

    October 25, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 18 °C

    We were up in good time for dawn at 6:15am and watched the sun rise from a viewing platform behind the eco-lodge. The first glimpses of the sun against Annapurna II was at about 6:25am and then they all started to get brighter – marvellous to witness.

    Back at the lodge I helped to milk a cow before enjoying breakfast! Later in the day we watched the sun go down.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler
    2
    2

    Annapurna region

    October 24, 2019 in Nepal ☀️ 18 °C

    From Pokhara, we were driven by jeep to Dhampus where we set off on a 3-hour trek along the ridge at the start of the Mardi Himal trail. The weather was perfect and we had amazing views of the Annapurna range comprising from the west (left):
    • Annapurna II / Hiuchuli
    • Machhapuchare (the pyramid shaped peak)
    • Lamjung Himal

    The walk itself took us through several small villages and we even stopped at a tiny primary school; the views seemed to get better as went further! Our destination was the self sufficient eco-lodge at Astam; great views and great walks are assured.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Old Pokhara

    October 23, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 19 °C

    We took a local minibus from the Devi's Falls to the north of Pokhara where the old part of town is located to see “what Pokhara was like before traffic, chaos and tourist restaurants besieged the erstwhile village” (Lonely Planet). We walked up Terpasati street, then north, seeing the old style Newari houses with decorative brickwork and ornately carved wooden windows and the Bhinsen Temple before finishing at the 17th century Bindhya Basini temple.Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler
    1

    Pokhara - Phewa Tul area

    October 23, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 21 °C

    Pokhara was founded on the trade route linking India and China and is situated in a valley surrounded by hills with the Annapurna Massif forming a spectacular backdrop and next to the second largest lake in Nepal – the Phewa Tul.

    Today was a free day, so Helen and I hired a doonga (a manned rowing boat) across the lake to the Varandi Mandir – a Hindu temple on a small island – before crossing further to the trail head for the long ascent to the World Peace Pagoda, which was built by Japanese Buddhist monks. We then walked down the other side to the Gupteshwor Magadav Cave (with its large venerated stalagmite) and the Devi's Falls opposite.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Nuwakot

    October 21, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 26 °C

    Situated on the north western end of the Kathmandu Valley, Nuwakot was a key trading hub and look out fort area on the ancient trans-Himalaya trade to Tibet and beyond and was Nepal’s capital until 1768. Although only 90km from Kathmandu, the journey took 7 hours with breaks due to the traffic and the condition of the roads in some places. Nuwakot has excellent walking trails and is regarded as “one of the best travel secrets of Nepal”. We stayed at the lovely Famous Farm lodge.

    We went on a splendid 4 hour guided walk in the hills, seeing terraced fields and small local villages communities, as well as tiny temples and shrines. Back at Nuwakot, we visited the Durvar Square and saw the 18th century seven-storey palace; both again in a state of repair.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Kathmandu - Hanuman Dhoka

    October 19, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 28 °C

    Originally founded in the 4th century, but expanded greatly by King Pratap Mala in the 17th, the sprawling palace complex was unfortunately badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake (the 1934 earthquake was also very bad!). A red cloaked Hanuman monkey god statue marks the entrance which leads to the Nasal Chowk courtyard; on the left is the Audience Chamber with the five-roofed Panch Mukhi Hanuman temple next to it. The white 19th century palace wing holding the Trubhuvan Museum is damaged and closed, as is the nine-storey Basantapur Tower in the south eastern corner. The Lohan Chowk and Mul Chowk courtyards can be visited, but the Mohankali and Sundari Chowks are closed.

    We had our Dragoman group meeting on the evening of Saturday 19th October; there are 12 in the group, not including Alex and Julie, our Dragoman crew (not to forget Rashida, our truck).    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Kathmandu - Durbar Square

    October 19, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 28 °C

    This area is the heart of the Kathmandu old town, comprising three loosely linked squares with numerous temples; many were damaged in the 2015 earthquake. We visited the Kumari Bahal (home of the local girl selected to be the town's living goddess) and saw many other monuments, including King Pratap's column and the Kal Bhairav (Shiva in his destructive manifestation). Durvar Square also houses the old Royal Palace, an inner complex with several courtyards – the Hanuman Dhoka.Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsNepalTraveler

    Kathmandu - Thamel

    October 19, 2019 in Nepal ⛅ 26 °C

    We had a good journey to Kathmandu from Stansted via Dubai. Getting a visa at the airport takes time and there us no greater pleasure on leaving the airport in a new country than seeing your name held up on a card by your hotel transfer! The stress of the days travel was dispersed by some excellent Ghurka beer on the rooftop bar of the Hotel Tibet.

    After an excellent breakfast we walked via the beautifully restored Rana-era Garden of Dreams to the (now) main tourist and backpacker area of Thamel. Here we took the Lonely Planet walking tour to Durbar Square; we took in the popular Tibetan pilgrimage site of the Kathesimbhu Stupa and the shrine to the toothache God at Bangemudha Square on our way to the six-spiked junction that is the market place of Asan Tole.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; Cambridge CityTraveler

    Urban Ramble, part 4

    August 13, 2019 in England ☀️ 19 °C

    After a detour to Byron's Pool, where Lord Byron regularly took a swim, we went through Granchester Village noting the statue of Rupert Brooke in the garden of The Old Vicarage where he used to live (the house is now owned by Jeffrey and Mary Archer) and proceeding to Granchester Church.

    Doubling back to the Orchard Tea Rooms for a peep, the walk takes you along the bank of the River Cam, through Granchester Meadows (part of the broad green flood plain also encompassing Lammas Land, the Backs, Jesus Green, Midsummer Common and Stourbridge Common) and back into Cambridge itself - punts can be hired at Scudamore's Boat Hire down river to Granchester and back.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; Cambridge CityTraveler

    Urban Ramble, part 3

    August 13, 2019 in England ☀️ 17 °C

    We went next to Mill Road Cemetery where it is hard to believe you are close to the centre of Cambridge. Walking down Mill Road and along Parker's Piece brings you to the Catholic Church (Church of Our Lady and the English Martyrs); here you can divert to the War Memorial.

    Heading back to the church and left down Lensfield Road takes you to Hobson's Conduit, named after Thomas Hobson who financed the conveying of fresh water into Cambridge in 1610 (he is better known for the expression "Hobson's choice"). We passed by the Botanic Gardens on this occasion and then walked through the Empty Common Allotments and its community garden.

    We then proceeded through the tiny Clare Woods and along side the Guided Busway with views of Addenbrooke's Hospital before entering Trumpington and heading to the beautiful village of Granchester.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; Cambridge CityTraveler

    Urban Ramble, part 2

    August 13, 2019 in England ☀️ 17 °C

    The Round Church, one of the oldest buildings in Cambridge, is one of four medieval round churches still in use in England. A short diversion across Magdalene Bridge brings you to the Museum of Cambidge which is housed in what was until 1934 the White Horse Inn; in the yard is a sign for the old Canbridge based Dales Brewery, which ceased brewing in 1958.

    Doubling back and cutting through the delightful Portugal Place, we saw the sculpture representing a DNA helix outside the house where Francis Crick lived in the 1950s.

    Walking over Jesus Green and Midsummer Common, with views across the Cam, and diverting further upriver brings you to the Museum of Technology and its characteristic chimney; the shaft is 175 feet tall and was used as part of the original pumping station steam engine house.    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsCambridgeshire; Cambridge CityTraveler

    Urban Ramble, part 1

    August 13, 2019 in England ☀️ 17 °C

    I received an excellent Christmas present from Sarah - a book called Urban Rambles which documents walks covering both a city and it's local countryside - and have finally got round to using it! We have lived in the Cambridge area for over 30 years and this walk showed us quirky things we have not seen before and provided information we did not know.

    Starting in Cambridge City centre, we walked down to the River Cam and the Backs taking in the classic views of the Mathematical Bridge (connecting two parts of Queens College) and Kings College Chapel. There is an aluminium statue of DNA in Clare College, where James Watson was a graduate student. Crossing back via the Garrett Hostel Bridge, we saw Trinity Hall's modern Jerwood Library, saw the magnificent Trinity Great Court and the original Trinity College gates before turning up along Trinity Street    Read more

  • Andrew's TravelsChina and the Silk RoadTraveler

    Summary

    October 15, 2018 in Turkey ⛅ 19 °C

    In 2018, from late June to mid-October, my friend Anthony and I travelled around China and from there the across through Central Asia to Istanbul. Check out the website blog:

    https://atdtravel.wordpress.com/

    You may need to copy this and paste into your browser. The blog comprises the following entries:

    About the trip
    Intrepid Travel - China Highlights
    China Highlights 1 - Shanghai
    China Highlights 2 - Xian
    China Highlights 3 - Great Wall, Jinshanling
    China Highlights 4 - Beijing
    Dragoman Travel - The Silk Route between Istanbul and Beijing
    1 The route
    2 North of Beijing - Hebei Province
    3 Heading South to Xian 1 – Shanxi province, Datong to Wutai Shan
    4 Heading South to Xian 2 – Shanxi province, Pingyao to Qikou
    5 Heading South to Xian 3 – Shaanxi province, Yan’an to Hua Shan
    The Silk Road – Some background
    The Silk Road 1 (start) – Xian
    The Silk Road 2 – Gansu province; across to Lanzhou
    The Silk Road 3 – Gansu Province; Hexi Corridor
    The Silk Road 4 – Xinjiang Province; Central area
    The Silk Road 5 – Xinjiang Province; Southwest to Kashgar
    The Silk Road 6 – Kyrgyzstan; North to Bishkek
    Kyrgyzstan; a diversion around Issyk-Kul lake and then across to the Kyrgyz Fergana valley to resume the Silk Road
    The Silk Road 7 – Uzbekistan; Fergana Valley to Samarkand via Tashkent
    The Silk Road 8 – Uzbekistan; Khiva via Bukhara and Lake Aydarkul
    The Silk Road 9 – Turkmenistan; Konye-Urgench to the Caspian Sea via Ashgabat
    The Silk Road 10 – Azerbaijan; Baku to the Georgian border via Sheki
    The Silk Road 11 – Georgia; Kakheti province
    The Silk Road 12 – Georgia; from Tbilisi north to the mountains and back
    The Silk Road 13 – Georgia; into and through West Georgia to the Black Sea
    The Silk Road 14 – Turkey; from the Black Sea to Cappadocia
    The Silk Road 15 (finish) – Istanbul    Read more

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