Indian Visa Granted

It took three different trips over 5 days to the embassy but the Indians will allow us to enter their country! I hope this isn't foreshadowing any problems getting Chinese, Mongolian or Russian visas. Fingers crossed.

Talk to you all in 18 days or so.

C and P

ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT! Talk to you all in 18 days...or more.

Colin and I are off on an 18 day trek around the stunning Annapurna Mountain Range.
I doubt there will be any internet in the mountain villages so this will be it for a while.
Kathmandu has been great. The air has been dirty and the streets are chaotic but the city has a charm. The people here are very friendly and the Nepalese living in the mountains are supposed to be some of the nicest people in the world. We can't wait.
We've added a few photos to our photo website. Check them out.
Keep in touch, even though we can't.
Wish us luck and no altitude sickness!

Kathmandu

We've arrived unscathed into Kathmandu, Nepal. This city is so much different than everywhere we have been so far. There are people EVERYWHERE. It is so densely populated and it seems everyone is out in the streets non-stop. The taxis, motorcycles and minibuses honk their horns 24/7. I guess it is a good glimpse of what is to come for the next several months. India will probably blow this place away, in terms of chaos.

We went on an Everest Fly-by flight and it was stunning. Saturday we leave for our big 18 day trek through the Annapurna Circuit. Wish us luck!! I'll be stocking up on tiger balm from the street vendors before we head out!!

Miss you all, keep in touch,

P & C

Leaving SA and into Swaziland and Mozambique

Hey all, Colin and I finally got some good internet time in. Surprisingly, we found the good internet in Swaziland. Right now we are staying in the lovely Ezulwini Valley for a few days. We've seen some traditional dancing and plan to purchase some of the lovely crafts but really we are using a lot of time now to get ready for the big move to Nepal/India. We only have 1.5 weeks in Africa left and it is getting sad. We've had a great time.
BUT, we still have those 1.5 weeks left to have a great time. A few more nights in Swaziland and then on to the Mozambique beaches, then 4x4ing into Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon...then fly to Kathmandu!! LOOK OUT!

Keep in touch all and we've posted a ton of new pictures. Basically, we haven't put any albums up from Africa and now there are a whole bunch. ENJOY!!! We've enjoyed going back through them all.

Bunny Chow = Best South African Invention EVER!!!

What is Bunny Chow? It is a delightful dish made by taking half a loaf of white bread and scooping out the insides to make a deep bowl/cup. Then you fill in the hole with your favourite curry filling, then you put the bread insides back on top and if you like, you can have more curry poured on top of the bready/curry-y concoction. Then you eat it with your hands.

This was available in Cape Town but we waited until Durban to get some at the place they originated: Patel's Vegetarian Refreshment Stand. Around town they are commonly referred to as 'bunnies' and seem to be available at EVERY fast food/kebap stand.

Check it out!!

They were available in S, M, L and half loaf. Since we assumed it was usually served as a half loaf, based on descriptions of what it was, Colin ordered 'half loaf'. All of the locals in the place stop and looked up at us at the same time. A friendly Indian couple behind us then told us they each ordered smalls. At this point, Colin and I decided to share the half loaf. We were sooooo full!!!

Wonderful Lesotho

We ventured into the lovely Lesotho last week. For a country completely surrounded by South Africa, it couldn't be more unique. We expected it to be quick similar to SA but the customs, appearance and personalities of the people were so different. Also, the landscape was amazing. We drove into the Drakensburg Mountains from the Lesotho side on some pretty hairy roads. We chose to take the '4x4 only' roads across the country and weren't quite sure if we were going to make it.

We spent some time pony trekking in the west and then drove through the mountains in the east. Our pony trekking guide was supposed to tell us about life in the hills and the Lesotho culture but he spent most of his time asking us how to become a Canadian citizen and if we could get him work there.


Our last night in Lesotho was spent at the top of the legendary Sani Pass. The guesthouse at the top has the self-proclaimed highest pub in Africa. It was sure nice having a pint or two after the crazy roads in this country. For example, it took us 7 hours to get to this pub and we only drove 200kms!!!


Check out our traditional Lesotho Hats!

SURFING SUPERSTARS!!!

Hi all, check it out! Colin and I are professional surfers now. No more mining for us. I know the photo only shows us posing with the boards but you'll have to take our word for it that we were AWESOME!!

We were in the lovely Chintsa West on the wild coast for our surfing lessons. It was beautiful there. In reality, Colin and I were happy if we even got slightly standing up on the board. By the end I was so tired, I just used my surf board as a boogie board and enjoyed riding the waves in on my belly.

Cape Town & The Wine Route!!!

Colin & I have been off the overland truck for a week now and we've continued having a blast.

After spending 5 days in Cape Town, we are freshly re-energized. Cape Town is an amazing place. The downtown is trendy and fun with all the usually big city stuff and the waterfront is picturesque and perfect. When walking around the city, you would never know there are crime problems. However, upon closer inspection, you notice the private security firms on every block, the security in every store, the gates which must be opened just to go into a clothing shop and the police on every other corner. To have this much security, they must have some problems. Rumour has it that they are trying to clean up their act before the world cup next year. The new stadium looks fantastic.
Colin and I made it out to a rugby game on Saturday also. We saw Western Province kick the Quingras butts. It was pouring rain and a lot of fun. I still don't understand all the rules but I was cheering loudly in the crowd.
Next we were off to wine country. In 1.5 days, Colin and I acquired 25 bottles of wine and we sampled 4x that many. It was soooo beautiful. We loved it and recommend Stellenbosch and the surrounding towns to everyone.

Now we are spending a night in Wilderness in the Wilderness. We've rented a 4x4 truck with a rooftop tent. Photos to come!
Alright, keep in touch all!! Miss you,
P