Monthly Archives: May 2010

Tea, anyone?

Posted on May 27, 2010 by jspencerphotography

Tonight I am in Darjeeling, having arrived today around 2:30 in a downpour followed by a hailstorm. The drive this time involved three different vehicles. First, from Yuksom, a cousin of Barap’s drove me to the Sikkim border in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Far Far Away, India, Round the World Journey | 3 Comments

The Road to Yuksom: A Religious Experience. Or, Four Wheeling in a MicroBus

Posted on May 26, 2010 by jspencerphotography

Today I left Gangtok, fair capital city of Sikkim. Cars are hard to come by for transport to Yuksom, in part because this is a starting point for many mountain expeditions. It’s climbing time here, so cars are all booked. … Continue reading →

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From Kalimpong to Gangtok

Posted on May 26, 2010 by jspencerphotography

My impressions of Kalimpong are mixed. The monasteries are special, and the location is great, but the main town is pretty dirty. In the main market there’s a lot of honking, diesel fumes, trash and sewage. The vegetable market had … Continue reading →

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Spectacular Sikkim

Posted on May 26, 2010 by jspencerphotography

Sikkim, India, is a pretty special place and you’d have to work at it not to feel welcome here. Gangtok is larger and cleaner than the last town, the food’s good, and the people have a lot of civic pride. … Continue reading →

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A Quiet day in Kalimpong, India

Posted on May 22, 2010 by jspencerphotography

I am trying to be more tolerant and able to accept the here and now. I did not even get upset this morning that there was a flea in my bed, and more of them near the toilet. I told … Continue reading →

Posted in Far Far Away, India, Round the World Journey | 2 Comments

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

Posted on May 22, 2010 by jspencerphotography

I was dog tired on reaching Bagdogra (ha ha), India. The farmers tilling the fields 10 feet from the tarmac stopped to watch the plane land. It was mostly rice paddies, from the look of it, and made for a … Continue reading →

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Incredible India…

Posted on May 22, 2010 by jspencerphotography

After almost 40 hours of travel, I have reached the Darjeeling area, specifically Kalimpong. It has been a long, strange trip. The road up to this Himalayan town was awesome, and I mean that as in “left me in awe”, … Continue reading →

Posted in Far Far Away, India, Round the World Journey | 3 Comments

Bye Bye Bali

Posted on May 22, 2010 by jspencerphotography

I saw one last sunset from Pura Tanah Lot, the temple they say was pushed into the sea by a meditating holy man’s will. It’s a pretty big tourist spot at sunset, as you can see from the pictures, so … Continue reading →

Posted in East Asia, Round the World Journey | 1 Comment

Shopping and Laundry Day

Posted on May 17, 2010 by jspencerphotography

I came back to the south of Bali yesterday by a long car ride from Amed arriving tired and dirty in Seminyak. This part of the island is quiet and upscale, with rental villas and security guards not far from … Continue reading →

Posted in East Asia, Round the World Journey | 3 Comments

Diving in Amed, Bali, Indonesia

Posted on May 16, 2010 by jspencerphotography

A lot of diving is advertised in Bali, but it turns out most of the operators drive sometimes hours to get to the wreck U. S. Liberty. It’s a lot closer if you’re staying in Amed. We drove about 15km … Continue reading →

Posted in East Asia, Round the World Journey | 2 Comments