Kathmandu - 24th April 2011

It's now our first night here in Nepal, and Lucy, Jess and I have had an incredible first day. Nepal is unlike any other place I have ever been.
We arrived last night at about 10:30 PM, and took a rusty red car that smelt of gasoline to our hostel. The ride there took us down several bumpy back roads until we pulled up in front of a barred up, pitch dark enterance to 'The Holyland Guest House'. Apparently our home away from home according to Kushti, the man behind the front desk.
We were shown to our dorm room by candle light (the power cuts out after 9:00 PM). Because there wern't any other dorms available we were wisked into a dorm with two other backpackers. The first a mute, and the other baring a remarkable resemblance to Jesus.

We woke up this morning pretty early and set out for a full day of exploring Kathmandu. A busy city that smells of petrol and incredibly rich spice. We are staying in an area of Kathmandu called Thamel which is nice because it's slightly a part from busy parts of the city. We are surrounded by little stalls selling handmade goodies and fresh Nepali food. Speaking of which it's dinner time now and the smell of the stall food is wafting into the internet cafe.

Tomorrow we begin our orphanage volunteer work and so I probably won't be able to update my blog until a week from now (about the 2nd of May). Missing everyone already, and wish I was able to share this incredible trip with you all too. Looking forward to Pippa's arrival!

Love, K xoxoxoxoxo

Asia Trip Monthly Itineraries

Click on a month to view the itinerary.

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

One Week to Departure

As the date of departure nears, I have come to realize that there is a lot I have to get done before we leave. Most of which actually have nothing to do with the trip. I will use this blog to keep in contact with everyone instead of trying to compose several e-mails a day and wasting precious time on the computer.

I have also realized that I continuously refer to my trip with Jess, Lucy and Pippa as our 'gap year trip'. The plan is: three weeks in Nepal, cross the border by land into India, one month in India, two and a half weeks in Vietnam, two weeks in Cambodia, two weeks in Laos and tree weeks in Thailand. However, I have been fortunate enough to have already visited some incredible countries since having finished school:

London:

Swansea:

Koh Samui/ Koh Phangan:

America (Boston):

Canada (Kelowna, Kaslo, Kootenay National Park, Nelson, Peterborough):

Beijing:

Paris:

back to South Wales:

and back to London:

And so ladies and gentlemen, the countdown begins! 7 days until departure.

K