Short Trips to India and Thailand

New Delhi (August 26)

On board the IndiGo from Kathmandu, Nepal, I sat beside a handsome Nepalese, Suklav. I learned that it was his first flight of his life as he was in a hurry to get to Embassy of Sweden for an interview. He applied for an scholarship program. My funny and embarrassing moment with him was when I ordered a coffee in flight only to find out that I can't pay it with Nepalese Rupee; they only accept Indian rupee. And Suklav paid it for me. I promised to pay him upon arrival; I need to withdraw from the nearest ATM. But he passed the immigration counter ahead of us, so I turned him over all my remaining Nepalese rupee. Anyway, he can still use them when he's back home.

A pose at the New Delhi airport

I was initially impressed by the access straight from airport to the city via metro rail. We don't have that kind of access yet in the Philippines; not even in Metro Manila. But when we alighted at Kashmere station, we lost our way in search of the Oberoi Apartment where our homestay host were waiting. We kept walking the circular road around the forest within the city center, until I finally gave up knowing we've lost. I approached a group of locals nearby and inquired by showing my Agoda's reservation voucher. They pointed at the forest and saying about long distance from where we are in Hindi.

Inside the room where we helped split the bed into two.
Our reservation stated twin bed but the aged hosts weren't able
to instruct their househelp to split it.

Kuya Louver and I decided to hail the next approaching pedicab that sit two people at the back of the driver. It is kind of an elevated tricycle in the Philippines. The driver knew exactly where Oberoi Apartment was and we were dropped right at the gate. I realized that the location was right a few steps away from the train station had we turned the other way.

We had a morning walk at the adjacent public park

With our hosts, Mr and Mrs Bammi

Agra (August 27)

Our main and only tour destination was Taj Mahal. It is in Agra which is 200+ kilometers away.

We were forewarned by our hosts that if we decide to go to Agra, we have to reserve our seats either in the train or bus. But we thought of taking the night bus. We tried to find the nearest bus station or pick up point but to no avail. We went our at midnight to find one but we were pointed by locals here and there. We feared we might be scammed if we push on. So the express train was our last option. And this was where we encountered a real life swindler. He tricked us and pocketed more than a thousand rupees. I felt it but I let is pass; we might get ourselves into trouble. Anyway, we got the right seats in express train.

Inside Taj Mahal

Majestic! A perfect manifestation of undying and pure 💝

Upon arrival at the Agra Train Station, we were approached by plenty of locals. And found a tuktuk driver that can speak good English. He himself warned us of many don'ts: don't talk to anyone that offers anything, don't take drinks that anyone offers, don't entertain anyone posing as tourguide, et cetera. So we paid for our entry tickets, refused from the guy who offered to guide us in the tour, and went straight to the west gate.

The grandiose, manicured, clean, and beautiful interiors of Taj Mahal
is the complete opposite of the outside 

Taj Mahal indeed represents the Incredible India. Despite the distance from New Delhi, we invested money and time to reach this Wonder of the World. Scam is rampant and it’s everywhere.

I personally don't like touring around India. You need to be looking over your shoulder. It felt that sinister lurks everywhere. And everywhere is dirty, dingy, dusty... My tips to avoid scam in transport is to book in advance (online or thru an agency) your express train ticket, even the seat in a tourist bus. Sorry to say this but avoid hospitality (something to eat or drink), refuse tourguiding offers, and as much as possible, don’t talk to anyone.

The Red Fort of Agra is another beautiful destination within Incredible India.

Bangkok (August 28-30)

Straight from India, our next drop was in Bangkok on board the SpiceJet. We arrived late at night of August 28th. We took the metro rail from Airport to Silom and searched for Good'uck Hostel. It was not hard to find it and it's not that far from the nearest metro station on foot. Kuya Louver and I have two full days for the classic tour in Thailand's capital.

I am witnessing how the floating market tour has become less and less attractive. Most peddlers are no longer boating. Most of the route are canals without life, not even shops. The tour nowadays can be characterized as just floating or boating, no longer some “chaotic” floating market.

At Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Been here in Bangkok several times already. To enjoy it still, and not leave Kuya Louver on his own, I tried tourist adventures I never tried before. The Classic Bangkok Tour we availed of from Klook includes the elephant ride at Elephant Village, boat ride at Damnoen Floating Market, and train ride (just a photoop) at Meklong Railway Market.

At the Elephant Farm within Chang Puak Camp

Busy public market and active train trips can be observed in Mae Klong Station

A public market crowding a railway close a train station. Vendors open and close their shops, fold and unfold their tarp covers, pull in and out their displays when train comes and goes. Strange but cute; chaotic but attractive!

This was my first time to take HOHO (hop on- hop off) bus tour. But because it was raining that day, Kuya Louver and I only reached these spots: The Golden Temple and Chinatown; Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha; Grand Palace and Emerald Temple; and, the Mahakan Fort along the Riverside. The rest, we only viewed from the bus, while listening to the English voice over.

At Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan

The collection of Golden Buddhas in Wat Pho

At Wat Pho

At Phra Sumen Fort

The NepalABOYS

August is my usual time of the year to roam around. With 2 holidays, 21st (fixed date to celebrate Ninoy Aquino's martyrdom) and 26th (tentative for the last Monday of the month to celebrate the United Nations), which normally crosses one to two weekends, made August my favorite month to travel for a longer period of time than other months.

So this year 2019, I planned to reach South Asia's northern part: India and Nepal. This time I traveled with new company, Kuya Louver -- a friend from my home province, Surigao del Norte. We spent decades together in the youth ministry, in the Catholic Diocese of Surigao, since my school years.

Destination #1: Kathmandu (August 21-23)

Kuya Louver and I headed to Nepal that night of August 20th via AirAsia flying from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and caught the connecting flight with Malindo Air from KL to Kathmandu in the morning of August 21st.

At the airport's arrival area

It was quite easy to obtain Visa on Arrival. We each paid $30 and off we went... Our reservations at The Alpine Hotel was in Thamel tourist area. On arrival day, we acquainted ourselves with Thamel area and visited the Garden of Dreams.

We dropped by the Tredevi Temple on our way to the Garden of Dreams

Nepal is simple and laidback but friendly and religious. Here every tourist attraction is basically untouched, unspoiled, unhurried, except for the damages due to 2015 major earthquake.

One of the interior sections of Swayambhu Temple

In one early morning, we strolled all the way through the Swayambhunath Stupa, the temple on the hill. We joined the Buddhist crowd in their morning rituals. Some came in groups, singing; others have instruments, drums and bugles.

At Swayambhu Temple

Then the rest of the day was on packaged tour. A young man, named Yudin, was sent as our tourguide taking with him a private sedan.

At Patan Durbar Square

Nepal is Time-turner. Its history revealed that there were 3 kingdoms within the Kathmandu Valley until the time it was united and later the monarchy died. One and the youngest of them is in Patan. The Patan Durbar Square is a must visit complex of palace and temples in unique structural designs made of stones and woods with intricate details and carvings. Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Durbar Squares are equally majestic although most are in ruins as the aftermath of the major earthquake in 2015.

At Baktapur Durbar Square

Within the complex of the oldest palace in Kathmandu Valley, called the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, there is this famous “Peacock Window” which an artist of old have perfectly carved. This has become the model for all peacock windows from then on.

At Kathmandu Durbar Square

Despite the destructions caused by the 2015 major earthquake, the heritage site of Kathmandu Durbar Square is still impressive. Much restoration works are happening now in preparation for the country’s big tourism year in 2020. The ancient arts and architecture are visibly one of a kind.

Our 3rd day was supposedly the Mount Everest Flight but was cancelled due to thick haze. 3 days in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is historic for Kuya Louver and me. We prepared for a cool weather but it had sunny days so humid with rains in the afternoon.

Destination #2: Pokhara (August 23-25)

We travelled that afternoon to Pokhara on board the public utility van with Yudin, tourguide turned local friend. During the full day tour, we instantly had a click. Since it was a public holiday that day in the country, Yudin went home to his parents. Their residence is midway through Pokhara, so Yudin insisted to drop by and say hello to his parents.

A day in Pokhara, Nepal was a unique adventure for Kuya Louver and myself. Our usual morning stroll happened along the Phewa Lake’s bank.

Source of water, source of life! Nowadays, bars and restaurants surround most touristy lakes which breath life during nighttime... and Pokhara’s is no exception.

At the Phewa Lake

Then our day tour led us to climb up the World Peace Pagoda, climb down the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave under the city proper, enjoy the mists of Davi’s Falls, cross the Vayam Suspension Footbridge, look down the gorge where the white, icy water falls, learn about Goorkah’s gallantry at the museum, and take a paddled twin boat to an island temple at Phewa Lake.

The beauty of Pokhara Valley can be viewed from up the hills. To be at the World Peace Pagoda is one that gives a vantage view of the city below. It is a Buddhist-style pagoda; a monument for peace.

At the World Peace Pagoda

Don’t be fooled by this majestic structure, which look like one of the sets of Alladin’s movie.... It is actually a decorated entrance to a cave at the heart of Pokhara City.

At the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

Davi’s Falls

No swimming here! With its tragic history, and it’s propensity to harm curious people by its raging falls, the whole area is heavily fenced. The only wonder here is the appearance of rainbows for as long as there’s sunlight.

Vayam Suspension Footbridge

Pokhara Village is divided by gorges and the only connection is through suspension footbridges, which motorcycles, bicycles and 4-legged animals also cross. Crossing it firsthand is acrophobic.

A photo opportunity with the locals clad in flamboyant and beautiful costumes for women... A wonderful cultural immersion!

Goorkah Museum

One full day around this mountain city was a very long hot day!

August 25th was purely travel back to Kathmandu City. There are no overnight travel; all bus trips are under broad daylight.

Destination #3: Mt Everest (August 26)

The Epic Adventures was able to secure our slots for the Mountain Flight. This was the cancelled flight on August 23rd. And today, we were granted with clear sky.

At the domestic airport waiting for our flight with Shree Airlines

Not everyone can climb Mt Everest and come down alive. So it is wonderful to know that Nepal promotes the Mountain Flights as a tourism program. Even in a distance, Mt Everest is one and only beauty that shoots up the sky over and above all other peaks. You see not clouds but snow caps, the alps...

Flying over Himalayas Mountain Ranges and spotting Mt Everest from a distance

The fly came with certificate

Indeed, seeing Mt Everest and all other peaks of Himalayas Mountains is an experience of a lifetime. Another tick off my bucket list!!!

At the airport's departure area