Pakistan, India & Borneo!

Pakistan has to be one of the more unusual places to visit. Not many tourists or infrastructure for that matter.

In many ways it is like India but Muslim. That is what set the divide, Muslim Indians crossed to one side and Indian Hindus to the other dividing one country into 2.

From Middle East

Lahore is an old city, rich in culture and history unlike Islamabad which was a designed and planned as capitol.

I did not see too much aside from the main sites, but did enjoy going the tense Pak-India border in Kashmir- to see the changing of the guards as it's very emotional place.

From Middle East

Both sides compete by yelling out each others national anthems, each side trying be louder and more nationalistic than the other .

Flags waving, song wars and many body motions....


India

I got a good perspective of Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore and Bombay as I was lucky enough to have Friends of Friends (locals) to show me around and take me out. I ended up having a really good time with them.

From India

In fact, since I was working and (when I was off) it was to hot to do anything during the day, I really saw India by night.

From India

To be more specific, most of India's popular nightlife and bars tend to be in the major hotels. So aside from staying in 5 star hotels, I spent most of my time in India's Big hotels, in the very posh trendy bars and restaurants which only a handful of wealthy Indians frequent.

From India

This represents a minority of Indians as most people can not afford to go out to these places. A drink costs more than what many people make in a day. It almost seems as if they try to separate the classes by having such pricey bars/clubs?


India unlike most western countries have 70% of its people living in villages rather than in the big cities. Next year, I would like to see some of them. The desert of Rajastan, the mystical and historical cites of Kaharaju and Varanasi ..... I found the Indians very friendly and hospitable.

From India

You do get a lot of people trying to sell you, and asking for money which is tiring and at times can be aggressive, but you have to understand there massive poverty. Watch out for the tuc tuc drivers.... they are fun but will always try to take you to a carpet shop or some store on the way. Sell, sell, sell!

From India

Just as Italians continuously shake there hands while talking so do Indians shake or Bob their heads while speaking. Initially, you think they are saying no, or I don't understand when they are actually agreeing or affirming what you are saying. Funny to observe:)

I stared in Delhi the diplomatic capitol. To my surprise, I was greeted by the suffocating essence of pollution and 43 degree heat rather than the expected multitude of strong diverse smells and spices. Delhi itself is very spread out thereby wasting a lot of time in transit. The city structure is very strange and different to all the other cites I have seen in India.

From India

I experienced Delhi's expat circle- a combination of red cross workers and volunteers saving the world, fashion models and western businesmen. The Park hotel has a good pool party on the Sunday if you are ever in town. Delhi and Bombay had a few expats, the rest of India, I did not see too many.

From India

Calcutta also was unbearably hot at 45', but with occasional rains and a lot of Humidity. The city centre is much smaller making it easier to get around to Delhi even though it has a massive population of 13 million. This effects the nightlife as you can bar/club hop. Drunk driving is a problem here, as there are very litle rules on the road and Indians that go out drink a lot.

From India

I had a local Friend in Calcutta who showed me the Indian upper circle, A small group of India's elite who go to the same small number of posh bars, clubs and restaurants. For such a massive city this group is tiny and everyone seems to know each other. There didn't seem to be many foreigners in Calcutta . I got to see meet many locals here and try some famous Bengali dishes.


Bangalore the hub of IT and very quiet Muslim city of Hyderabad as well as Chennai in the South east. All IT cities, the nightlife is minimal and all bars close at 1130am.

From India

The green city of Bangalore, was about 10' cooler than everywhere else is famous for having the nicest weather in India. This alone made a joy. It also has a lot of young people late 20's/early 30s and is very green full of botanical gardens and parks. Since many people migrate hear to do business, many earn more and the city has a bigger middle class than in most cities across India. Taika is the place if you here for a Sunday brunch, amazing food, nice decor and live music which sometimes turns into a party.

From India

Bollywood, or Bombay aside for it's movie's is known to hae the largets slums in Asia. However, the centre still seems cleaner and better organised than other parts of India.

From India

This is the only India city where I have seen tax's use their meters.Goa depending on when you visit can be great. May unfortunatly is the end of season, so there are few people, its too hot and much of it is closed down. But June- August would be much worst as there is monsoon.

From India

I did still enjoy it after meeting some great people. There are also some beautiful beaches who are very relaxed, which I needed especially after being in Big hot noisy polluted cities the last few weeks.

From India

Its great place to rent a shack on the beach, rent a scotter for 3£ and drink bannana shakes and cocunuts all day long in between walks, swimming and doing nothing.

From India

From India

Phillipines and East Malaysia

From Asia Pacific islands

The capital Manilla has good nightlife. Full of bars and restuarants hosting some amazing live bands. Many cross deresser, be careful! Aside from bit of shopping and funny taxi's there is not much else.

From Asia Pacific islands

There are 700 islands in the Philipines, so many beaches to choose from and a lot of good diving spots.

May/June is Korea season making up the bulk of tourists. You always get a few business men coming from Japan or your Americans(the larger( fat) and older types) coming for sexual tourism (prostitution) as the locals are very attractive and its a rather poor country.

I was practically the only westerner on the beach of Pt Galera,( white beach) an island resort that 10 years ago was place to go and be seen.

From Asia Pacific islands

I found the locals very friendly and always smiling. It also seems organised/clean so you don't feel the poverty as much as in other places. You do feel the influence of American culuture but at the same time its very Spainish. Many of the foods, words and ambiance is from Spanish colonization, which I liked!

E Malaysia

Kuching in Sarawak was quiet and uneventful but Kota Kinabulu on the NE tip of Borneo island was more interesting. If you like treks through the Jungle , wildlife and flora and Fuana- This is the place to go.

It also has great diving, beaches, turtles, Isands resorts and the tallest mountain in SE Asia. Some of the oldest rainforests in the world are here, famous for its orang u tans, wild orchids orchids and the largest flowers in the world ( Raffelsia).


I have to say I spent a lot of time laying around the pool.....

From Asia Pacific islands