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

The Pacific

I stopped in Dubai before heading to the pacific!Dubai is very different to the rest of the Gulf. You can't show public affection and need to be aware of local laws, but on the other hand there is loads of nightlife, great restaurants and good shopping. That aside, not much to do there.

It's mix of Vegas style beach resorts, Manhattan skyscrapers (ie banks and hotels) and a lot of desert. All is man-made making it feel quite artificial. Dubai, attracts many foreigners who come to work at great salaries tax free .
You can walk into a really posh night club that's very selective or next-door to a hotel-bar filled with prostitutes.





I found Trilogy -(one of top clubs ) very pretentious, expensive but full of beautiful people! I had to bribe the bouncer just to get in, as you need reservations or to be a couple. A great view from the roof top terrace but I was not impressed I had to pay someone off to get in.

Trinidad and Tobago

Skip the Capitol of Trinidad, the industrial island of the pair! I heard they have nice beaches somewhere on the Island but its cheaper to fly to Tobago (which is more tropical and touristy) than to grab a very expensive taxi's to the other side of Trinidad. The locals are quite diverse unlike the rest of the Caribbean. A few Chinese and the bulk coming from India and Africa . One of the locals were telling me over the last decade the government has been pushing racial divides.



Half the people I came across seemed very friendly and ready to converse but the rest were not too happy to see me. They don't seem to like Europeans?

Hong Kong was brief but still a nice stop filled with its countless skyscrapers and diverse shops and markets.







Australia

Sydney turned out to be Great New year, I arrived with no accommodation which was tough as everything was booked out, but was able to drop my things off at a mates from the UK ,while I looked for a place.



They had tickets to a booked out Party on Bondai beach, so I started out alone after we went to see the fireworks along the Sydney Harbour. I later met two Germans on the beach and then some locals who invited us to their house party and where we danced and drank till Sunrise.

Adelaide was quiet and small aside from some great wine and a good Tepanyaki not much to do. Melbourne was tough on my liver as was Perth as I had many mates to catch up with.



Perth was exceptionally good as my mate Gerard which I worked with in Greece in 2002 let me borrow his truck so I could get some surf in. I only made it 100k North but the terrain is practically isolated and left untouched. Perth has a good reputation for its good wines and attractive women. I actually stayed in a cute little village just out of Perth called free mantle. I also went to the untouched Island of Rottnest which has some of the nicest beaches in the west.



Saw and tasted my first kangaroo and did some searching for Koalas.

Australia has been very bad for my liver as they drink a lot. There are lots of similarities with the US , in the sense that all is very spread out making transport complex and cars necessary, as well as loads of rules and restrictions.

You can't cross the street at the wrong time or place, no drinking on the beach, ID's to get in all bars/pubs etc.....



The Ozzie's are laid back, and friendly and very active. surfing,Kayaking, mountain biking, cricket......... i could go on for ever. They are big on the outdoors and sports in general.

Brisbane is not the best City and Surfers Paraduse on the gold coast I did not like at all. Very commercial with a few strips of large skyscrapers and hotels filled with of Japanese tourists, a few drunk locals and backpackers. Its one of the most famous holiday resorts in OZ?

I preferred Byron's bay by far. a cute little town with only 2-3 streets a few cafes and restaurants. Its also touristy but as a nicer feel and beaches are more scenic especially if you head south. They also have quite a bit of fiesta.




NZ






Auckland had a few more hills than Oz's city's. The sky tower is great for city views and bungee jumping as its about the same height as the Eiffel tower.

From New Zealand

New Zealand is smaller than Oz with a far more relaxed feel and is very Green. Some of the scenery is spectacular.

From New Zealand

See the movie Lord of the rings as most of it was filmed here. I did a few touristy things like the infamous caves of Waitamo where you can see hundreds of glow worms lighting our path, Rotorura the city known for it's Maori culture, sulphur stink , mud pools and geysers.

As funny as it was to experience the haka dance in a fabricated Maori Village, it was too touristy.

From New Zealand

Mt Maunganui a surfer town at the bottom of a tiny volcano was good fun. A very relaxed place.

From New Zealand

In the south Island I went to Queenstown the party and sport adventure capitol .

From New Zealand

I went to Wanaka as well a quiet version of Queenstown to relax after too much parting and doing a 134m Bungi jump.


The tallest in NZ and the 3/4th highest in the world. Was absolutely amazing. You can see it below by clicking on this link.

From New Zealand

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=025EOuua2IE


Not far from Queensland is Milford sound, one of the most Beautiful place you will see. Amazing views of Mountains meeting lakes etc....

From New Zealand

From New Zealand

After a quick stop in Christchurch via mount cook, stopped over in Singapore and am off the Belgium and Turkey in the next 2 weeks.

From New Zealand

Back to the Hot countries

The last few months have been hard. Exotic fruit juices and acai, Brazilian beaches, cebiche in Peru and some spice and Marachi´s in Mexico. Followed by Spain, Germany and Praga. Now I am in the Middle East.

Aside from a lot of hard work and catching up with freinds, I have been a going out a lot (especially when I was in Rio and Cuzco- two great cites). It's funny being in the Peruvian Andes drinking coca tea (tea with unproccessed cocaine leaves) and getting paid for it.



It was really good being back in South America. This time I experienced it staying in upscale hotels and eating in expensive restaurants. It has been great to see it from the other side but is just as fun to travel on a budget.

I didn´t post too many photos or go into detail as there are loads of pics and writings in Mundodimarco from the last trip to South America.


In Fortaleza, I saw a huge wave of Italians... seems they come for sexual tourism. So the next time you see Italians raving about Fortaleza....

Recife and Fortaleza are both big cities full of high rise buildings on the beach ....but the nice beaches are at least 2-300 km away.

Peru and Mexico (aside from Cuzco), I was in the capitols where I spent a few quick days catching up with mates . Spain was a party! I had loads of freinds to see in every city aside from Tenerife (Canary islands).



Tenerife is usually the type of place I avoid but a few days while working is not too bad. A big volcanic rock, with black sandy beaches, filled with loads of old German package tourists and your occasional Finnish.



The locals have an almost cuban sounding accent. That aside got some sun, ate many grilled sardines and not too much else to tell.

In Germany and Praga, I also caught up with some mates, drank much too much beer and had a good laugh in a Czech Karoke bar.



Berlin is strange but a very unique city and Praga is still one of the most beautiful cites in Europe, too bad its infested with hordes of tourists .

Egypt

Like in most Muslim countries - you see men in bars drinking tea, coffee and smoking shisha... and wonder where the women hide? I did however meet a local who dances Salsa of all things, who took us out to dancing boat on the Nile. It was good to see that there is some nightlife in Cairo for a select few.

My clients were very hospitable and freindly, yet the taxi drivers took full advantage of me! I tried to get around going on a tour to see the pyrmids by having a taxi driver take me there and back.



He ended up dropping me off right to a guide, so after refusing essence, paintings and all the extras I did the tourist thing (which I hate to do) and jumped on my camel, took a few fotos, touched the pryrmids and that was that.

I imagined the Pyrmids a bit larger and further out from Cairo, but it was still cool to touch a part of history - one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world.



Cairo I found dirty and dusty, filled with decaying buildings and so much noise (from traffic). But there are some amazing ancient churches and mosques and it does have a lot of charm and energy (or rather chaos). For fans of history there are many fascinating things to see and experience in Cairo.

Travel can be tough however, just surviving the tube is a mission- (too many impatient people) everyone pushes you in like sardines. It can be a bit agressive ! Driving is another expereince ppffff, the police are only there to prevent riots and major problems (the locals where telling me) ... so on the road almost anything goes.



Alexandria had fewer tourists, greek architexture, seemed older (the buildings at least) and is along the beach. In fact, before the the revolution (the 50s )there were more Greeks than Egyptians living in the city.

Jordan was much slower paced and very calm compared to Egypt. The people seem more reserved but also more tolerant and open to different cultures and religions than in other Arab countries. Amman is modern, cleaner and relaxed, but not too much to see there . Unless you can venture off to the Dead see or Petra (and other ruins). It also seems as there is a larger middle class. I stayed in the Merdien as it was bombed last year as I thought the chances of it happening again (at the same Hotel) were unlikely.



Kuwait is extremely boring. Little to do and little to see. Did see a American battle ship outside my hotel who is along the sea and on the Iraqi/Kuwait border they abducted some people yesterday. To begin Alcohol and nightlife do not exist at all! Kuwait and other Gulf countries like Saudi, Oman and UAE all have more foreigners (expats) than locals living there . Many are from India, philpines and some other Arab countires. These second class citizens do all the work, many are exploited. Infact, you have a sponsor and can remain in the country only whilst working. If you lose your job you have a few weeks before you are shipped out if the country. So many of these foriegn workers take horrible treatment by the locals (who take full advantage)in order to remain. Not very humanitarian at all.There is one positive if you have a good job and are an Expat- no taxes.



The locals are very lazy, usually born into managment positions and believe they are exceptionally superior. They are all given homes, financial loans, money for each child, paid education and so on..... They are wealthy and don't bother to much about the rest. The local traditional dress is still sheets (silk in the gulf) and sandels, although turbans are red giving it a bit more colour than in Oman.

As I could not get into Saudi this time.....I layed over for few days in Bahrain, which is a tiny. Taxi drivers took the piss, but alcohol can be purchased which is nice. It seems as there are 15 big hotels and the central market (Souk) and all shops, restaurants and carpet stores are here only to service the people staying in those hotels. Nothing else of interest that I could see.

The locals in Bahrain told me how lucky I was not to have made it to Saudi... The Saudis crossover on weekends in a Mad Rush of drinking and sexual tourism. These rich crazy people are agressive and tend to have many accidents and loads of problems in Bahrain. The Saudi Bar.

Next on the list Dubai and then Trinidad and Honduras in December.