Guest blogger entry

So as you know my brother is here and becasue he writes well and I had a extremely busy week at work, I am posting my brother's email (with a few minor editorial comments).


Hi All,
this will be just a quick email as I'm writing on a dodgy old computer(think our old computer before I put the extra RAM in) and I'm afraid I'll lose all the info before I get to send the email........ This is my first travel email for quite soma while so it's time to reaquaint yourseves with the diet of unfinished sentances, obscure analogies and spelling that appears in no (English) dictionary. Anyway the trip has gone very well so far allthough thanks to Helen's input the pace has been fairly hectic....arrived in Delhi, was barely over the jetlag when I was taken out for a look at the famous red fort and walk around the market in the Muslim quarter in old Delhi. The red fort is was impressive with mosques and palaces and stuff. One problem with Delhi is that it is fully of beggars and people trying to sell you stuff you don't want (allthough I managed to accumulate enough of the latter in Ireland without any pressure). The problem in Delhi is getting stuff you do want, beer would be easier to find beer in Chicago during prohibition, junk food and ready meals are easier to find in our (new) fridge at home. All in all the place is though going but not as bad as Helen makes out (that would not be possible). (Helen - hey the first day I thought India was OK too, he should wait and see)

Next day we flew to Nepal, had a look around the city, we saw temples full of monkeys (not sure how this would work in St. Agustines Helen - local church in Cork. no wildlife there). Continuing the tour (think American tourist in Europe pace but in a country with no infastructure) we went down to the jungle area in the south of the country for a 2 day safari. We were staying in a bueatiful lodge in the middle of the jungle, very atmospheric place, I felt like a British Explorer from the 19th centurary, all I was missing was the shotgun and hip flask. The views were spectacular but the wildlife took a little patience, we were hoping to see the elusive tiger, but we found him deserving of this adjective..... howevr we did see rhino's up close, crocadiles(the good ones ie hrbivores), deer (only in the distance, funny to think you try to avoid them in the Pheonix park Helen - large Park in Dublin where my brother lives) and pay good money to see them in Nepal.) All in all it was a brilliant experience. From there we left for Pokhara, (Mum I think I saw the atlas in the drawing room) and that's from where I write this email. Helen is flying back to Delhi on Friday morning and I'm going on a 6 day trek in the Annapuerna mountain range, will report back aftterwards.

Helen - The brother returns tonight. Seeems like he had a good time on the trek.