Done

Done blogging.
Be well!

Pack your Bags

So....

I'm off on another adventure today...in a completely different environment, region of the earth than the previous 6 weeks of travel which focused on Asia...and this time, i'm bringing my best friends on earth--my entire family!

We are going to the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador in South America... My family has never been, but I had the fortunate opportunity to go 5 years ago with a dear cousin of mine...it was one of the most memorable places in the world for me...for my pictures from that fantastic voyage, click HERE.

I had learned about the Galapagos as a kid during science class at school...you know, the entire Charles Darwin, 'theory of evolution', 'origin of the species' discussion...and I was captivated...for around 14 years after that...I began to save up money, which culminated in my 2002 Birthday trip where I was swimming besides the giant turtles as a celebration to my birthday.

We will be staying on a boat for the entire length of the trip, and will be going to different islands everyday, hiking, swimming, relaxing, and enjoying nature... i'm sure it has changed in the 5 years since I went (and likely not for the better... more tourism, not as environmentally friendly, etc...)...

Since i'll be on a boat for that time, I will likley not have the opportunity to update the blog at all..since there is no internet.... i'll be sure to take tons of pictures, video, and take in as much as possible..

I'm happy to be going to my most favorite place on earth with my most favorite people..
Be well!

Reflection...

I am now home in the States for a bit, before I leave once again on another adventure in another continent...

It's a time for reflection..there are a lot of changes in my life right now.. a bit overwhelming at times.. coming home and coming back to the 'real world' is hard... i'd like to be lost in a cocoon once more..so much that I have seen in these past 5 weeks.. so much to write and think about...including saving my computer to save all the recent pictures I had taken before losing my camera...

Moving across country... having to unpack...repack my bedroom in my parents house due to remodeling...job starting in a few months...getting back into the swing of things in a place where I once lived...but have been 5 years removed... lots of changes...

Which led me to finding the above picture.. a diary (diroy) I wrote in during the first grade...if you read it.. it's quite prophetic...

Still jetlagged...and hating unpacking and getting my new room organized.. so much stuff to figure out..

--Krupali

Recap....

Thailand has been a great respite from my vacation elsewhere...sort of like 'back to normal civlization' for me, anyways.

The massages wonderful, the food incredible, the shopping fantastic... I just was overwhelmed with the amount of goodies they have here..

Tried and fell in love with mango sticky rice, ate millions of mangosteens, got massages everyday, and just sorta bummed and relaxed with some sight seeing in between...not much else...

Hanging out with friends...and trying to get my computer to work... it better work, it has all my pictures...

Still kinda sad about losing my camera...
Oh well...

Back to relaxing...

Thailand...

Yesterday I saw several temples, palaces, and things around Thailand...I love this country...

There is so much to do, see, eat, watch....

One thing is for sure, this place LOVES TO EAT!
You should see their malls, incredible. I am still going to the malls 3 days later... still amazed at everything I see.

I am going to miss Thailand when I leave...but I'm coming back...for sure...

Thailand--Awesome.

Yellow T-Shirts

Thailand is FULL of people wearing yellow t-shirts in honor of their king.

It's pretty funny and crazy. I mean, they really like their leader? Damn. I wish we did.

I wonder what color of t-shirt we'd choose in honor of George W?

Ohh... I'd like to say...but then i'd really be in trouble.

Okay, enough political talk.

Let's get back to traveling :)

The Bad, The Good, The Weird.

The Bad: Lost my camera.. left it in a rickshaw on my way back from visiting the Grand Palace and being denied entry secondary to wearing a sleeveless top (who the hell wouldn't in 98 degree weather at 9am in the morning?), even though I had a shawl to cover myself.

The Good: Tried to get my mind off of losing my camera, by going shopping in the Bangkok malls for 14 hours straight and watched the new Harry Potter movie (just finished book 5, and bought #6 in the mall!).

The Weird: You have to stand up to 'Hail to the King of Thailand' for like 2 minutes during their national anthem right before the movie. Makes me want to require saying the pledge of allegiance at every single event in the states.

Thai Massages

Had my first Thai massage yesterday...wow. It felt like a pounding into muscles, but it was great...and the Thai puppet show last night was amazing.

During the day, I ran around Chatuchak Weekend market with over 15,000 stalls selling things from dogs to bamboo baskets..it was in one word: CRAZY.

It's hot as heck here...and the humidity makes it even more uncomfortable...but in one word, Bangkok is: AMAZING.

I love it...today a few temples and the Grand Palace await...tomorrow I wander outside the city...then cooking classes... haha.

Good times.

Mangosteens

It's Sunday morning, and i'm headed to the market to buy the BEST FRUIT ON EARTH:

THE MANGOSTEEN.

I kid you not when I say that is ALL i'm eating for breakfast, lunch, dinner for the days i'm here.. I swear, it's a piece of heaven...the fruit is amazing...

WHOHOOOO!

Mangosteens ROCK!

In Thailand

Just arrived into Thailand...flight got in a bit late... and just am settling into my most gorgeous hotel...It's superb...raindrop shower, and normal shower....fresh sweet Thai fruit (their pineapple tastes like pure sugar)...and it's a modern/botique place located in the heart of shopping...

What made my evening wasn't the hotel...it's a person who I met tonight..a friend of a friend named Sandy.

My dear friend Roy is Thai...and when I told him I was going to Thailand, he told me to email his friend Sandy who is also a Cancer Doctor in Bangkok...We sent a few emails and then....

She was here at the hotel to welcome me....how sweet is that? She has massages planned, told me where to go tomorrow morning while she is working (the Sunday Market awaits me...taught me the public transport system!), and a Thai puppet show tomorrow night with dinner... she has all my days planned....and I thought i'd be meandering and wandering without a clue (as I normally tend to do while traveling). She told me she's been waiting for me to come for weeks and is truly excited to show me her city!

I'm sooo thrilled to have met a new friend...it's going to be a fabulous few days...very, very happy...and really happy to have Sandy show me around..we are quite similar in nature... she has outside interests from medicine (she paints and is going to show me her gallery!), and believes that the white coat doesn't define a person...(it never does, does it?)...

Tomorrow... wish me luck....getting to the market via Skybus and Subway...
WHOOOOOO!

People

Tigers Nest

There are some things that you see while you travel, or during life, that make such an impression on you…whether it be mentally, spiritually, physically… so many ways to make an impact—some good, and some not as uplifting—everything has a yin and yang, right?

Some amazing sights I’ve been lucky to see while traveling include Machu Pichu (which is breathtaking especially seeing it during sunrise), Mount Everest (which is just jaw dropping), Galapagos Islands (incredible adventure)…and now I can say, Tigers Nest in Bhutan.

I just came back from visiting this most holy Buddhist site in Bhutan, and it was, in one simple word: Stunning.

We started at 8:15 am from the base of the mountain…I did not use a mule to climb up…as one tour guide said, ‘it’s a spiritual place, try to walk and not use a mule’…so I took it to heart, and climbed, hoping that I could do it—as I’m not a hiker/trekker.

And climbing we did.

We were sweating bullets…our shirts were soaked at the half-way point. It was fortunately a cloudy day, so no hot sun beating down our backs, but it was steep, and muddy climb (monsoon season is on, so every night there is a bit of rain). We cheered each other on, as I found some Germans who I had met in Nepal who were with me today here in Bhutan (travelers have crossed my path so many times, it has been awesome that I’ve seen people and over and over again….)

When the clouds parted while we were at the half-way viewpoint, we saw the stunning site….and all of us sat down, in silence to take it in. We watched the clouds coming and going, hiding this precious site, and tried to take it all in. After a 20 minute rest, we continued…. Upwards…and onwards…

It was a journey…a fantastic one at that…and then we entered the Dzong…and it was such a powerful spiritual attraction…words would not be worthy to describe it.

We left our bags outside, as no cameras, or any sort of purse is allowed in, and our guide explained everything to us…we saw the cave where *(&&& meditated, and then saw the ‘Nest’ where the Tiger meditated…I could not believe I was here.

I had heard of Tigers Nest only a few months ago, while watching the Discovery Channel, and a show in which they were sending a couple around the world to visit some of the sites to visit the ‘1000 places to go before you die’ book (which I own). The particular episode I watched was on Bhutan, and I watched with mesmerized eyes. The couple hiked to this Dzong, and the beauty of it was enrapturing.

And now, I have seen it too.
I feel so fortunate and lucky to have seen it.

As we exited, it began to rain…so we slowly climbed up some stairs to get to a second view point and made it to the first viewpoint which held a cafeteria which fed us some lunch….we waited a bit to see if the rain would die down, and then we left…hoping that the trek down would not be too slippery.

While walking down, I could not believe how much we had climbed up…walking down was much simpler..and I felt lighter…

Bhutan and Tigers Nest is one of the sites on this planet to behold. If you get a chance to go, take it, grab it, and just go for it.

And trek it…simply remember, that if I can climb it, you can too. Promise.

Thimpu

Saw Thimpu today..went to an archery competition, textile museum, arts school, monastery, traditional hospital...

Also found out it's a steep 3 hour trek up to Tigers Nest.
Damn.

Beautiful Bhutan

Bedazzling Bhutan

So, there IS internet in Bhutan...it came late.. in 1999...and there is BLOGGING allowed here (unlike China...), there is TV with CNN, and Indian TV stations, and it is fabulous.

The airport is quite small, and the architechture is Bhutaneese. They are only allowed to build buildings up to 5 stories tall, nothing can be built higher. The airport is located in Paro, around 60 km from Thimpu, the capital of the country. Small town, which we walked around in and had a fabulous lunch.

Chili peppers are their version of a vegetable, NOT a spice. I had chili with yak cheese, mushroom with cheese, red rice, and some veggie noodles. It was filling and fantastic. It was quite pleasant weather as well. The men wear traditional Dho's...and the women traditional dress. It is quite traditional, and fantastic to see it.

We then drove some of the worst roads (well the worst are in Arusha, Tanzania) which they are trying to improve by making it a 2 lane highway from the 1 way road on a mountain that it is. Most of the road workers are Indian. Bhutan has close ties to India, and the Bhutaneese dollar is equivalent to 1 Indian rupee (which makes my life much simpler).

I'm in a small hotel, nice, simple, and located in the heart of Thimpu. Life is quiet. Foreigners get stared at.... it's kind of funny. Today just resting, reading, and wandering--although the meandering is kind of muddled by the rain.

Tomorrow is sightseeing all around Thimpu....it's going to be fantastic.

Oh, and Bhutan filled it's maximum tourist visa numbers last year at 17,000. This year they may increase to 20,000--but it's still kept at close guard. They want to keep bagpackers away, and the 'weasly' sorts--per the tour guide, hence they keep it pricey, and keep the rugrats away.

It's 240 USD per day, which includes hotel, tour, and food. It's cheaper if you're in a group of 3 or more.

The year 2008 is the year for tourism. So Miss Annette, you're going to have a blast. The roads will be improved, and Bhutan will be coronating it's new king, along with celebrating 100 years of monarchy. Life is simple here. Family first, other things later.

Will try and upload some pictures. Be well!
-Krupali

Potola Palace

The best Yankee Tourist shot in front of Potola Palace.

Laugh your heads off.

Silly me.

Chitwan

My time in the jungle...sans electricity...that for me is NOT a vacation... mosquitos galore..and I don't take anti-malaria precautions, with the exception of wearing bug repellant (which I hate to do)... Humid..hot...and pretty uncomfortable 2 days...the elephant was my savior...and so were Harry Potter 1 and 2. Just bought 4 and 5 since I finished 3 last night. In Kathmandu right now, and leaving for Bhutan tomorrow, where there is NO internet...so blogging will restart in a few more days.

Travel Wear

I fly on flights (longer than 8 hours or more) wearing my favorite thing of all time:

SCRUBS.

Yes...I fly wearing a t-shirt and scrubs..nothing more comfy to sleep in...and when you wash scrubs, it dries QUICKLY..another awesome thing about scrubs.

I have tons of scrubs...used to want to be a surgeon or radiologist.. until I figured out I liked my sleep, and preferred patient contact and fell asleep in the dark :).

Scrubs rule.
If you see someone at the airport in scrubs...it's likley me!

By The Kilo

Just got my clothes back from being washed..it's funny..they weigh them by the kilo and charge per the weight instead of the number of pieces... finally got some washing done..i've been handwashing things regularly since i'm constantly on the move and not in a place for more than 2 days (if that) at a time...

Fresh clothes...for the few more days ahead.
Luxury!

Weather in Bhutan

Put a smile on my face.

Cold over intolerable heat any day, especially sans air conditioning.

:)

Bhutan--Real World 'Shangri La'

Bhutan is also known as "Shangri-La"

Pricey to get to, priey while there (the government taxes 200 USD per day while you are there), hence I will only be going for a few days.

It has no internet. It has been sheilded from the 'real world' for many years, if not centuries. The time to go is now, before tourism explodes and real hotels appear. Guesthouses with normal facilities are available now. I'm quite excited, and nervous at the same time.

Who knows what i'll see.

Food wise, they love their spice..and chili...from a guide book:

Most of the good restaurants are in the hotels and cuisine is mainly vegetarian. Dartsi (cow's milk cheese) and Ema dartsi (red chillies cooked in melted cheese) are some of the favourite cuisine items in Thimphu. Remember that red chilly is going to be the most important ingredient in any dish in Thimphu and if you don't like chilly ask the staff to decrease the amount to an acceptable amount.

Well i'm vegetarian, and love my spicy food, and LOVE cheese...so this shall be kinda a fun gustatory experience.

Also from another travel guide:

Have you ever dreamt of being to Shangri La? If yes! then this is your chance to visit a place which may not have any relations with the above, but has all the qualities at the same time. Capital to the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, Thimphu is perhaps the smallest capital in the world. Thimphu is a gallery of traditional Bhutanese art, architecture, culture, and tradition and above all still so ethnic and pure. For most part of its history, Bhutan has tried consciously to save its culture from the blunt influences of the western world. It is not that modernity has not reached this region, but they are being introduced in a phased and balanced manner that is unheard of at any place in the world. All these make Thimphu and other parts of the country a unique destination.

I'll be visiting both the cities of Paro and Thimpu (the capital). I fly into Paro, and then drive to Thimpu for the first 2 days. We'll see theMemorial Chorten, National Library, Tashichho Dzong, Simtokha Dzong, Handicrafts Emporium. In Paro i'll be going to the infamous Tigers Nest.

More information about Tigers Nest. I'll be blogging at the end of the week on my last days back in Nepal, before I head off to Thailand to relax, get massages, sit on a beach, and sip drinks for a few days recovering from living out of a bagpack for the past few weeks.

Then back home...unpacking from my move across country...see friends and family..then off on a family adventure in South America for some more fun memories.

Traveling is awesome..yes, it can be taxing at times... when you're not at a resort 24/7 and dealing with languages and customs that are unfamiliar...but it's also quite rewarding because of the 'human' experience with people you otherwise would never come across...and that is priceless part of wandering.

Dinner Date

Tomorrow night in Kathmandu I have a dinner date...

:)

With Peter and Angela from England..we met in the Chitwan forest..any experience sans electricity bonds you for life...we also met up again in Pokhara, and will be in Kathmandu. Peter is exceptional.. he spent 6 months teaching English in a remote part of Nepal 4 years ago and is back for a visit with Angela.

It's fabulous.
Looking forward to a fun dinner tomorrow night in Thamel...my favorite haunt in Kathmandu...it's nice to have a favorite stomping ground in foreign countries..it's even nicer to have familiar faces to come across!

Tibetan Refugee Camp

Pokhara has several Tibetan refugee camps..I visited one today, interviewed an elderly lady who trekked for 2 years in 1960 when she was 13 years old to come here for refuge from the Chinese.

We chatted...and then...we danced.

It was heartwarming...

Also saw the Seti Gorge, the Mahendra Caves, and a few other sites and temples...but her face and thoughts were the highlight.

--Krupali

Harry Potter

Picked up #3 'Prisioner of Askaban....already 50 pages into it... hopefully on my flight back from Thailand will have #7 in my hand and complete it before my feet land on American soil. My new goal. Yes, I have silly goals..

But do you know how NICE IT IS, to do pleasure reading, and not be stuck studying in a library all damn day and night long? Those were my days during residency (blech).... so glad its' OVER :).

Pokhara...

I'm in Pokhara... a lakeside village in Nepal..it's raining right now..and hence it's cooler..

Electricity..

Just ran into a few other wandering travelers... one is going to Harvard B School in the fall.. ironically I met a future classmate of his, while horseback riding in Tibet a few days back...the world is pretty damn small.

That is the amazing thing about traveling..you come across all types of people... young, old, aimless, and those that have some sort of idea about their life....

It's pretty awesome....

In a few days i'll be in Bhutan, sans internet....per the travelers I met today who went a few weeks ago.... ahh life sans the web... what did I ever do before the internet?

Yeah. Scary Thought.
:)

Chitwan Forest

I've been in a Forest/Jungle, sans electrcity, A/C, fan for 2 days.

It was harsh.

I hated it.
Really hated it.
I can't wait to yell at my travel agent when I get back to Kathmandu for wasting 2 days of my life.

Well I guess not all went to waste...
Rode elephants..

Climbed up on top by holding it's ears, and putting my right foot on its trunk...it then lifted me up, and I sat and rode on its back and went to the river with it so it could cool off...

But there were NO ANIMALS but a few deer and such....i've been on safari in Africa, and this was peanuts compared to it.

The lodge was horrendous..I think everyone was complaining...but you couldn't leave..it was too internal... went via land rover, canoe, and land rover once again... yeah.. I was in for a shock.

Thankfully back to civilization in Pokhara...which has a real hotel...and now i'm catching up on email...

Oh and Chitwan wasn't a complete loss...I finished #1 and #2 of Harry Potter...now off to a second hand book shop to find me #3 and 4.

Leroy... I'm behind y'all....
:)

Forget Lhasa, Vegas, Welcome to Casino RAD

You will not believe this.

Tonight I was going to watch pirated DVD's on my laptop, I got awesome pizza from Fire & Ice and had a diet Coke at my side.

Instead...I got up..and wandered around the hotel.
Nepal has legal gambling....so I meandered to Casino Rad located in my hotel.

I walk in... look lost...and this elderly gentleman shows me around.. I ask him about history, general facts, and he offers me a drink.

He happens to be the General Manager of the place.

I tell him I want to get my video camera to interview him... I come back, people stop me from entering with a videocamera...but I enter anyways after seeing him. I video tape him..with comparisons to Las Vegas (this is on a much much smaller scale...a few slot machines, black jack tables, and roulette)....and aftewards he gives me 2000 rupees to play on the house along with a diet coke and cashew nuts....

He takes me to roulette, I play for a bit..then move onto blackjack where 2 gentleman who work with the American Embassy in Bangkok join me to play....have a brilliant time, great conversation, learn where to go while in Bangkok at the end of my journey, and win 100 US dollars.

Not a bad way to end the day.
Blackjack, roulette, being treated awesomely by the GM of the casino and a fantastic interview.

Good times.

Tibetan Fries

Outside from my hotel... a woman was making fries.. cutting them up using a pseudo knife like thing... dumping into a pot of water... the frying it up..

The smell was too good to give up...

I dove right in.
Cost: 1 Yuan (15 US cents).
She sprinkled salt, pepper, and mixed in this spicy chili sauce that made my mouth turn to fire...

It was fantastic.
It was lunch and a snack for 2 days.

The day I came back from horseriding I was exhausted, and all I craved were her fries... alas, she was closed for the night.

I went to bed eating a granola bar instead.
Damn..those fries were fantastic.

My street food from Tibet ;)

Scenes from Tibet...

Monk School

Tibetan Chili Fries--the BEST!

Prayer Wheels around the Johkhang Monastery

Horseback Riding in the Valley..

Lots on My Mind..

I have a ton of posts that I’ve been collecting over the last few days..it may take some time to get through it…call it verbal barrage… I just call it random flow of thought. Enjoy!

Online?

Yeah, I’ve been on the internet a bit.. due to rains from the monsoon, it makes it harder to trek around..and also, it’s nice keeping in touch with friends.

I am traveling alone…and sometimes chatting online with friends, keeps me in a happy state of mind.

I enjoy traveling alone, but this is at the longest stretch, for over 5 weeks…and that is quite a challenge..

I’m not complaining.
Being out of my ‘comfort zone’ I’ve met some fantastic people.

For example, at a Lhasa restaurant (awesome food, great veggie momos) called Snowland (packed every night), I entered, it was full. So I waited and 2 men came in and waited for a table behind me.

One 4 person table opened, I told them I was a party of 3, and they joined me.
Gosh we had stories to share…travelers are a different breed…exchanging different experiences, places to visit, and just funny tidbits.

These 2 gentlemen were from France…they told me stories galore, and kept the night young. They have sold me on a future destination of Namibia.

Dancing Away...

Danced with 4 monks in Tibet… and had an amazing time.. one monk was 80 years old, and was paralyzed on half his body….but he twirled and laughed with me.. the joy he showed was second to none…. This was at the Ganden Monastery…

As I was leaving, my tourguide got us both Red Bulls to drink (as we were losing steam)—which by the way are less carbonated then the American version…outside 2 Chinese monks were sitting…

I grabbed one of their hands and twirled…then twirled with the other one…they could not stop laughing…nor could I.

The most amazing part?Later that night after dinner, as I was walking to my favorite café, guess who I run into….but the same 2 MONKS!!!
We danced again.
Can we say….awesome?Seriously.
How the heck they found me again in Bangkhor Market (which is a maze of streets comparable to Venice, Italy), I will never know… 30 KM away from the Monastery in which we first danced.

The friends that I was with when I danced with them the second time around were stunned.
Flabbergasted actually.

I’ve been trudging around a videocamera capturing all of these fantastic times..when I get home, hopefully will upload some of them…

Lighthearted…
-Krupali

P-A-S-S-E-D!

So, for those who have been following me, through my perils of studying these past few months and the cramming that went into 15 hour library session to take my clinical boards....

I called my parents the first night in Lhasa...
And... my dad picked up...
Gave the phone to my mom...

Who said, 'Beta, Congratulations!'
Me: MOM!!! Did I pass?
Both: YOU PASSED!

I think I ended up crying in the middle of some random hole in the wall shop, wanting to jump for joy....unable to share it with anyone at that moment...but felt such a load lifted off of my shoulders.

It was another academic hurdle to run over...

To those who sent me well wishes whether it be via email, phone call, thoughts, or the like... a huge thank you. It's not a one person battle, but a composite of people and their help, thoughts, and prayers.

Whew.
One more exam to go.
June 2008
Orals... in lovely Kentucky.
:)
Bring it ON!

Adventure Travel...

I love doing things..from hangliding, to parasailing and horseback riding..

I am going to have an elephant ride in Chitwan, and am trying to figure out hangliding and river rafting in Pokhara, Nepal.

I can't wait.
Nothing like a little adrenaline.
That and a superb roller coaster..and i'm good for a bit.

Pictures Uploaded!

In Tibet, the first night I ran into Rachel…one of my kindred spirits of life. Full of life, adventure, raised in Beijing, finishing college in San Diego… and a world traveler, thanks to her wonderful folks who were also in Lhasa at the same time.

She showed me the greatest restaurants, the best coffee shop (with free WIFI—aka heaven right now, and hence all the pictures are up to speed uploaded), things to do, got me Chinese sleeping pills (she speaks Chinese), and just giggled to our hearts content.

I’ve been fortunate to come across amazing humans just when I needed them the most… she came at the right time…made Lhasa easier for me….

Thanks Rachel!

No Blogging in China..

Sorry I’ve been MIA for awhile. I was in Tibet, China (China overtook it in 1959), and there is NO BLOGGING allowed. If I wanted to login, you’d get some crazy Chinese characters blocking you. This happened to any BBC.com story, and some cnn.com news stories. It was utterly shocking to me.

Gotta love this country which bans ANY site which contains blogspot, wordpress, typepad, or any sort of blog formant.

I wanted to gag myself.

I even had the help of a high school kid visiting Lhasa who had a proxy to bypass this communistic system of containing free thought and opinion.

By the time he got me logged onto my blog, it was blocked again.
2 minutes flat.
Big brother was watching us from the moment we stepped on the wonderful world that is Tibet.

It’s sad, frightening, and caused me pain.

Monasteria

I’ve seen so many monasteries in the past few days… I suffered from what my friend Jason termed ‘Monasteria’ J.

I had to take a break, and crammed my sightseeing into the first and last day in Tibet. Sunday I took a day for myself…and went…horseback riding in a valley located 1 hour north of Lhasa.

It was fabulous for this self-proclaimed ‘city slicker’ who loves her creature comforts…to be free with a horse, and ride for 6 hours..stopping for lunch and another rest break was exactly what I needed. I thought…laughed… galloped..and saw the most amazing scenery. It was exactly what I needed.

I started off with this feisty new horse, that almost bucked me off. Changed horses immediately to this gentle being called Tonto…rode it to lunch…switched horses at that juncture to a beautiful beast that I named Chocolate…she was the slowest of the bunch who just wanted to graze in the beautiful pasture…I was miles behind the others and a village girl had to help me…since I was the last person to know the tiniest bit about horses (and speaking Tibetan ;)). We finally made it to the rest stop, where I changed to Princess, who was yearning to get back to basecamp to feed her baby.

Loved it…recommend it to anyone visiting Tibet…no better way to be with nature, see random rivers, and smell the fresh air.

Interestingly enough, there was a small monastery at the base of where we started…it was one of 2 monasteries in Tibet with a picture of the Dalai Lama…and of course, I saw it, and took pictures…my camera has been acting up a bit (it lets off SMOKE when the flash goes off.. no joke)…so the lighting is horrid…but it was amazing to see nonetheless.

Today I’m back in Kathmandu (real news, diet coke, and not feeling like big brother is watching me…and of course BLOGGING). Tomorrow I leave for Chitwan Forest, don’t know if internet will be available, but pictures are uploaded so ENJOY!

CCTV 9

This is the ONLY English station in China.

It is horrific.

Let’s just say, reading The Onion would have been more newsworthy.
What they feed you is utter propaganda of how China is peachy keen, and all is well, and we should all hold hands in their so-called Shangri-La.

Pathetic.

I know I’m being quite harsh, and opinionated…but those are my thoughts.
I could NOT BELIEVE that this country got the Olympics.
Beijing is a nightmare…polluted…congested….the Olympic committee even warned athletes to limit their time outdoors in that city due to possibly damaging ones lungs.

Fabulous.
When I got back to Nepal today, the first thing I did (besides shower, and finally wash my hair!), was watch CNN, and Indian news…damn… so refreshing to finally know what is going on in the world.

Highest Place on Earth..

Altitude…

You arrive in Lhasa, and alititude sickness or the feeling of lethargy, inability to sleep, headaches, and vomiting start for the first 2 days..

I fortunately just was sleepless for most of my 4 days, but survived the last day due to fatigue caused by horseback riding in the gorgeous Decchan Tibetan Valley for 6 hours on horses named Tonto, Chocolate, and Princess….it was fabulous.

Since I flew, the change of oxygen in the air was drastic, rather than if I had driven in from Nepal.

I had weird health forms to fill out during customs, and ridiculous temperature checks.

Gotta love China (love my sarcasm?)

Free Tibet

Thoughts of Tibet…

Let’s start off with the wondaerful:

Beautiful people..
Amazing landscape…
Fantastic monasteries..
Welcoming and gracious hosts….

The ugly:Chinese military at every place…
Chinese intrusion into their fantastic culture..
Banned blogging, reading BBC, and other news sites..
Having only one English channel FULL of propaganda…if I hear of one more story about the Beijing Olympics I will VOMIT…

The Bottom Line:Visit Lhasa and the surroundings before the Chinese RUIN all of it (they have already started), the railroad from Beijing was completed this year bringing over 1000 people into Lhasa daily…frustrating to say the least. It’s so ironic, even at the Potola Palace (which I’ll write about—the palace of the Dalai Lamas), every great Tibetan feature was counterbalanced with something Chinese.

China—get over yourself. You know, I had applied to take a vacation and attend the Beijing Olympics next summer… cancelled that plan…my money will NOT GO INTO FUNDING your crazy set of political policy.

Free Tibet.
Please.

Sights

Prayer Flags
Boudinath Stupa
Lights of Prayer
Sadhus
Goddess Kumari's Home

More Introspection

Cremation...
Singing Bowls..
Boudinath Stupa
Prayer Wheels
Me

More..

Nepal
Flight to Everest
Buddha Air
Buddha Airlines
Gorgeous PEAKS!

Mount EVEREST!

Breathtaking




I was left speecheless by the sight of the Himalayan range and Everest above...it was a surreal, serene moment for me.

Flickr Photos

I caved in, and got expensive internet to upload my photos to flickr.

Dammit. Facebook is upgrading so you guys check flickr.

Most photos are private. Few are public.

Enjoy!

Click HERE

Ash to Ash...Dust to Dust

Today was somewhat solemn.

Why? We went to the famous Lord Shiva (Hindu) Temple Pashupatinath, where only Hindus are allowed inside...however this amazing temple lies next to a river where cremations are done...when Hindus die, all are cremated and the ashes are immersed into the holy river which runs next to the cremation sites.. there were around 9-10 sites, and I saw 3-4 bodies being cremated live.

I've never seen anything like it.
People were wailing...
Others were watching.

I had to sit down..
Stunned.
Saddened.
Praying.
Thinking.
Hoping for strength for their loved ones.
Wishing for comfort and solace.

Ashes to ashes....dust to dust.
I had to get up after awhile...
I was too saddened.

Why I Danced With A Monk.

Why was my goal to dance with a Monk (Buddhist)?

Because.
Why not.

It wasn't a ritual.
I went up to a monk, and asked for his hand, and twirled him around, and then he twirled me around.

Where?
At Boudhanath, the HOLIEST BUDDHIST PLACE IN NEPAL!

Why?
Why not.
It made him laugh.
It made me smile even harder.

It's simple twirling which I absolutely love to do.
I make my parents twirl all the time and it makes them chuckle.
It makes my patients chuckle too...

There is no significance to it..
Just silliness... and light heartedness..

Simple.

Monks don't usually dance.
This was spectacular.

The guide i'm with is somewhat stunned by my approach to everyone...first having coffee with the Lama, to dancing with the 90 year old cute Nepali man...to dancing with a monk....he says i've done incredible things which have never happened before.

Never say never.
I may go dance with a monk in Tibet next.
Bets on?
:)

Dancing with Monks

I DID IT.

Danced with a monk...2-3 times over.

Danced with 90 year old Nepali man...all caught on camera and video.

My goal is complete. Now onto other goals.
:)

Whohoooo!

Masala Chai?

I love masala chai (Indian tea with milk/spices), so I ordered a pot this morning during breakfast. It was delicious with fresh cardamom pods. I had 2 cups full. The waiter came to me, and said:

'How do you know masala chai? You from India?'

Me: 'Yes, i'm Indian, do I not look Indian?'
Him: 'You look like you're from Dubai'.

A lot of people who see me never know where i'm from. It's nice in a way--I blend in with everything and anything.

But sometimes it's weird not to be recognized by your own 'people' per se. Oh well.

Comes with the territory.
Next occupation (as I used to joke with my med school friends): SPY!

Om Mani Padme Hum

This is the chant you say while turning the prayer wheels around the Buddhist temples.. it's quite a nice chant.. one I learned yesterday.

I have the mneumonic MPH (masters in public health) for Mani Pandme Hum.

I'm a nerd.
Queen of mneumonics since medical school.

I thought of you all while doing my rounds yesterday, and will do it again today.

Quite peaceful.

Top of the Morning to You

As I leech internet off by sneaking into the Qatar Airlines crew lounge at this hotel. Gotta love how I leech it--otherwise this hotel charges an arm and a leg, and I like my appendages, thank you very much.

Headed to the gym...then breakfast, and then another tour of places around the city.

Reading: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenence (I know i'm missing pieces of the title)...but good book so far..

Slept sorta well... watching TV... lots of Indian movies are on here.. (I sold my tv 2 months ago, so hence am catching up)...

It's raining this morning... lightly...but I prefer cool weather to hot hot hot humidity.
Tomorrow is Lhasa, where i'll have a full day to acclimate, otherwise will face altitude sickness... let's cross our fingers that it doesn't happen.

Look forward to seeing yaks, not going to drink the yak tea, or eat the butter.
And definitely look forward to China and restricted internet access where you cannot google the Dalai Lama, or view any news pieces, or heck anything political. Good times.

I guess my 'Free Tibet' t-shirt won't be allowed there.
Unless I want to be:
a. deported
b. jailed
c. cause a crazy ruckus.

Darn it... well at least I can think it, no?

Saw some Maoists here in Nepal yesterday...
Interesting times.

My political knowledge of the world is nill, and i'm truly learning on the fly.
I didn't purge through guidebooks of the places I am visiting..maybe not a good thing...but i've usually traveled on the fly...and learn as I go, and try to take it in... without any taint from someone.

Okay, off to the gym.
Let me run off some steam.
Full speed ahead.

Mt. Everest and Coffee Time with a Lama.

Today....this morning...I left for my mountain flight to Mt. Everest on Buddha Airlines...don't worry...I took tons of photos and video for it.. I just forgot my jumpdrive to upload it onto a computer here (DUH!).

Let's just say it was amazing...incredible..it left the 20 on the plane breathless for a few minutes..the mountain is majestic.....gorgeous...it IS a slice of heaven...if there is a heaven on earth.

I ran up to the pilot to get a better glimse of the peak...

Today was the first day in 10 days that the planes went up (secondary to poor visibility earlier)...hence I am very lucky..fortunate.

The first time in 10 days.
Whew.

Afterwards, grabbed breakfast at my hotel, and then the tour guide took me around Kathmandu...today we went to the Monkey Temple over looking the Kathmandu Valley...and while there we met with the Lama (leader) of the Monestary named Lama Tender...the tour guide with who I was with, told me I could talk to him...and talk to him I did. He even invited us into his room and gave us coffee.

I had coffee with the Lama of the Swayambunath Temple. The tour guide was amazed. In his 10 years going to the temple, it was his first encounter with the Lama, let alone sit in his room and drink coffee and chat.

I asked him what made him be so happy.

His response: Faith in God.

Simple response.

Next we went to the Goddess Kumari's House and roamed around Durbar Square. I even got Henna (mehndi) on my hands... in 4 minutes flat. I'm typing this while it is drying ;). Good times.

Back in Thamel, where i'll hang out for a few hours before getting back to the hotel to rest, and catch up on sleep. It's been early mornings for me, and whenever I go to a new location, I always have trouble sleeping. Hopefully tonight it will kick in. If not...there is always Benadryl.

Tomorrow is another day in Kathmandu. Seeing more temples, and other sites.

Be Well!

Thamel

Am walking around Thamel... it's very similar to india.. the sounds, sights, shops... it's much cooler in temerature since it's monsoon season, and it had rained this morning..

Got my eyebrows threaded... they have a Nepaleese Rupee currency... and a weird visa.. if you stay less than 3 days, it's free, otherwise it's 30 US Dollars. I am staying free, since in a few days I leave for Tibet.

While wandering I ecncountered a Canadian gal who had just been in Tibet.. where she said it was quite cold... arghh. Have a jacket and will be layered I guess? Who knows.. take it as it comes.

I can't wait to dance with a monk.
That is my goal.
My friend promi9ses me 100 dollars, and another friend promises me a dinner at any place I want.

Fun times.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Reached Kathmandu 2 hours ago...

Settled in the great hotel..and now am in Thamel at my Travel Agents place, who has kindly let me use his internet, and given me black tea.

So, tomorrow, added something spectacular to the itinerary (weather permitting...cross fingers)

A mountain flight... to see MOUNT EVEREST!

Whohooo... random addition.

Last minute.. told to me by the guy sitting next to me on my Delhi--Kathmandu flight.
See, talking to the person next to you on the plane can do wonders.

:)

Monsoon season here, so it's all weather permitting.. the flight is at 6:30am...
Top of the morning...to see the MOUNTAIN.
Can't wait.

Leaving Delhi

Staying at the Westside Inn.. a place where you pay for the TV or hot water not to work. Brilliant. Simply awesome. Note my sarcasm.

Leaving for the International Airport to catch a flight to Kathmandu... hopefully better hotels there.. this one in Dehli I picked at 11pm when I arrived in...so I can't really complain..clean bed at least...

Tomorrow, the Chinese Embassy..may they grant me a visa to Tibet, so I can also visit Lhasa, Vegas... my sweet nickname for it...

Lhasa, Vegas, baby Vegas.
Be well!

Puttaparthi, India

Puttaparthi is located 3 hours via taxi from Bangalore, India. It's a place where I visit often... it's where I am right now, and today is a holy day called Guru Purnima...the day of the Guru (teacher). It's a place where Satya Sai Baba lives. I've been coming here since I was 3 years old, and try to make a trip once or twice a year. (If you do the math, i've been to India dozens of times, and I love it...it's my second home). This place is a spiritual cleansing of sorts--makes me realize that life isn't about the rat race per se, but something more. This year, I attended a world youth conference for 3 days prior to the festival which was great. Yes, it's been hot...yes, i've been 'complaining'...but it's been good. I wake up every morning around 3:30, and go make prayer rounds and attend bhajans (devotional singing), etc... it takes up the whole day.... I had to come to say thank you.... thank you to god for helping me get through residency. It was a rough road... and I learned a ton from it... both the good and the bad... but I made it.

I leave tomorrow via taxi with a friend (who I last saw at my medical school graduation!!!), and we head to the Bangalore airport, where she catches a flight back home to NYC, and I catch a flight to Delhi. Then the next morning I leave for Kathmandu, and hopefully resolve my China Visa issues for me to get to Lhasa, Tibet.

Whew.
Just ate dinner, and now am going to pack up.
Be well!

Dentist...

As I called my brother last night, my filling in my tooth fell out... great times! Fortunately my brother knows the home number to my dentist back in California, so I called him..

Told him, i'm wandering the globe, and what should I do? Dentists are not a dime a dozen in the small cities i'm going to, and I don't really want to get treated here.

He told me, not to worry, to keep the tooth clean and to eat on the other side of my mouth.
Brilliant.
My appointment with him will be the morning that I get back.

Good times.
Gotta love traveling and the random things that come your way.

(and gotta love the fantasticness of being on the phone with the brother who knew the home phone number... things work out...see?)

Coments

I read all coments, however can't write back as i'm limited to 15 minutes of internet access on occasion :).

Changed my flight.. now will be staying in NEW DELHI overnight.. random stop due to flight issues..

Fun times..

When you travel, especially in random 3rd world countries, flexibility is key.
I've packed way too much..and haven't had time to film much..

Hopefully this too shall change.

Yes, I saw my family (sans brother who I'll be seeing when I get back)... all are well..and I am a smiling idiot since i'm so happy to be out of the south and back in my homestate of California. California is California...and there is no place like it!!!

Okay, back to Indian weather.
Drinking lots...
Sending good thoughts all of your ways... hope all doctors appts, and things are going well!!!

XOXO--Krupali

Visa Issues

Am in India, just was contacted by my Nepaleese travel agent that China has changed it's visa regulations and now am in A TOTAL BIND..

Send good thoughts..
Have to get to Kathmandu a day earlier...

Try changing a flight in India..
Yeah.
Good luck.
May the force be with me.
That and a lot of water to keep hydrated.

It's hot..
Hot..
You don't know what a cold glass of water is here.. it's like a treasured commodity..
Drink water for me.
Please.

Hi From India..

Where it is HOT HOT HOT!!
I am in the south.. and literally sweating buckets daily..

I'm attending a youth conference in Puttaparthi, India with 8000 people from all over the world. People are fainting like flies.. trying to keep up the hydration. I haven't had the chance to take pictures/upload them as of yet....

Hope you are all doing well.. will be here for a few more days.. then off to Kathmandu!

In Bangkok--Transit

The 17 Hour flight was surivived. Slept 13 hours of it, thanks to 50mg of Bendadryl, and luckily the flight wasn't full!

Arrived in Bangkok at 9am, and by 10am, was on a Taxi to see the temples in the city....came back around 3pm, and bought a 10 dollar shower at the airport... kinda using their internet for free so keeping this short!

Ate 1 kilo of mangosteens, my most favorite fruit ever...they don't have them in America... and the canned ones DO NOT count.

Be well... Bangalore,India flight in 2 hours.
:)

My Itinerary

I leave tonight on my trek (or part one of my journey). Part two is later on this summer to South America. This leg of my journey includes: India, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Bhutan has always fascinated me... do you know, instead of the GNP/GDP, they have a Gross National Happiness factor and are known as the happiest nation in the world? Yes, I too was flabbergasted, and want a piece of this happy factor. Tibet and Nepal have always captured my mind as well...and Thailand, is you know... Thailand! (actually in all honesty, I am flying via Thai Airlines, and hence told my agent, keep me in Thailand for 4 days, since right now, for the first time in MY LIFE, i'm not on a time crunch...and also, it's a free layover.. might as well see more of the world as I can, right?). I am planning to take cooking classes there and learn how to make the delicious curries. I'm going to India to go attend a world youth conference and see a lot of old friends and to say 'Thank you' to God for helping me get through residency. This part of my journey is pretty introspective to say the least... a lot of soul searching and deep thoughts...

I fly from LAX to Bangkok on a 17 hour flight. Yes, seventeen hours! I just hope, I can sleep, watch plenty of movies and catch up on PLEASURE reading...

I will be in Bangkok on a 15 hour layover before my flight to Bangalore, India. I plan to roam around Bangkok and see some of the sights, get a massage, and eat a good meal before going back to the airport.

I'll be arriving into India 9:30pm July 24, and will stay in a hotel near the airport and leave for my final destination at 4am, to arrive their by 8am in the morning. Will then stay for a week, and leave for Kathmandu on August 1st. My itinerary after August 1st, is the following (so you may follow along!)

Aug 01 Arrival, Hotel Vaishali Transfer, Sight seeing at Kathmandu Durbar square and Living Goddess Kumari's house
Aug 02 Sight seeing in Pashupatinath, Bouddhanath, Swoyambhunath, and Patan Durbar Square;
Aug 03 Airport transfer and fly to Lhasa (3650 m), hotel Dhood Gu (or similar) transfer, and rest whole day for acclimatization.
Aug 04/5 Sight seeing at Potala palace, Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, the Norbulinka Palace, Jokhang temple Barkhor Market, etc.
Aug 06 Drive to Ganden Monastery for sight seeing and back
Aug 07 Airport transfer and fly to Kathmandu;
Aug 08 Drive to Chitwan, Hotel Rhino Lodge transfer, Lunch upon arrival; Village Tour and Sunset view from beach Rapti river; Dinner
Aug 09 Jungle walk after early morning Tea/Coffee. After breakfast: Canoeing and Trip to Elephant breeding center; After lunch, Elephant ride Evening: Cultural program and Dinner around the camp firing.
Aug 10 Bird Watching (or extra elephant ride at extra cost) after early morning tea/coffee.8.00 AM: Breakfast 9.00 AM: drive to Pokhara, Hotel Fewa Prince transfer, Leisure walk along Fewa lake and boating
Aug 11 Sight seeing at Vindyavashini Temple, Sheti Gorge, Mahendra cave, Davi's fall, etc., and stay
Aug 12 Drive to Kurintar, cable car ride to Mankamana Temple and back, Kathmandu and stay
Aug 13 Airport transfer and fly to Paro and then drive to Thimpu and stay
Aug 14 Full day sight seeing at Memorial Chorten, National Library, Tashichho Dzong, Simtokha Dzong, Handicrafts Emporium, etc.
Aug 15 Drive to Paro, hotel transfer, and sight seeing at Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, National Museum at The Ta Dzong
Aug 16 Drive to Sartsham Chorten, pony ride to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) and back Aug 17 Airport transfer and fly to Kathmandu and stay in Hotel Vaishali
Aug 18 Airport transfer and departure to Thailand
Aug 18-22nd Thailand, cooking classes, tours....

There is a lot to see, a lot to talk about, and a lot to discuss--unforutunately, i've been without internet at home in California for the past 2 days, hence the limited updates.

I will try and log in and write as much as I can during my travels, but will write on my laptop and update when I find online resources....

Last night I bought a sweet High Definition 60 GB Hard Drive Video Camera (JVC), and am also going to be reporting my travels for Sony Asia Television, based out of London. We'll see how my reporting skills go... or more than likely, me laughing, and enjoying the moments.

I hope that you all are doing well. I'm just so happy to be back home on the West Coast after 5 years of living in the south. I haven't stopped smiling... I feel like a grinning idiot.

Will write with updates soon!!!!!
-Krupali