“Go with the flow”

There’s always plenty of advice available when you talk about going travelling. It’s usually the only time that people who’ve been travelling actually talk about it, as it seems that you get back from wherever you’ve been to, talk about your travels for a little while, and then shut up and keep it all to …

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How not to see the Dalai Lama, pt I

Arrive at temple where Dalai Lama has been giving his lessons. Large Tibetan security guard with kindly face who is still no doubt more than capable of kicking my arse from here to next week stands up. “Hello” “Hello. The Dalai Lama is giving his last day of teachings today, yes?” “Yes.” “Is he here …

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Pie in the sky

Don’t you hate it when you write an e-mail and the computer blanks out, or something else happens, and what was a particularly witty and clever message disappears into the ether, never to return, not even if you try hitting Control + Z, swearing at the computer, or crying a little bit?That happened to me …

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McLeod Ganj

Slow business Originally uploaded by Natmandu. After a near-solid three days of travel from Jaisalmer, I’m in McLeod Ganj, the home of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan government in exile, way up in Himachal Pradesh. For the first time since I came to India, it’s been raining, cold, and cloudy. It’s great, after the furnace …

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Jaisalmer – big desert, big humps

Me and my camel Originally uploaded by Natmandu. After the debacle that was my visit to the Taj Mahal, Jaisalmer, the honey-coloured city in the Thar Desert region on Western Rajasthan, has been a pleasure to spend time in. Some people will say, and have said, that Jaisalmer is touristy – and there’s a reason …

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Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal and me Originally uploaded by Natmandu. Well, the viewers’ vote came in, thanks to everyone that basically said “What?! It’s the Taj Mahal! You’ve got to go!”. I went. OK, it was very beautiful, and I’m glad I saw it, but the journey there possibly made for the worst day I’ve had in …

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