Around The World: Year 2011

Start Date: April 30, 2011
End Date: October 1, 2012 (For now)

Last change: 9:00 AM February 24 2012 "Home" time: Updated photos & videos till November 1 and November 13-30.
This page will be "under construction" for a long time as I go through all the photos and videos... keep checking back!

April-May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011
September 2011 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011

April-May 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
1
April 30
SFO
HND
The world trip begins with a flight to Tokyo Haneda...
2
May 1
HND
SIN
... and continuing on to Singapore!
3
May 2
Singapore A day of jet lag removal and R&R in Singapore
4
May 3
Singapore Visit to Sentosa Island and Southernmost point in continental Asia
5
May 4
Singapore
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Train to Kuala Lumpur
KL Tower
6
May 5
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Penang, Malaysia
(not) Petronas Towers
A few "cooling off" things
Bus to a highway rest area
Another bus to Penang
7
May 6
Penang, Malaysia R & R
8
May 7
Penang, Malaysia
Butterworth, Malaysia
Overnight train
Overnight train (not) to Bangkok
9
May 8
Overnight train
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Got off at Nakhon Pathom, Thailand and (not) bus to Kanchanaburi
10
May 9
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand
Taweechai Elephant Camp
Bamboo raft trip
Erawan Falls
Krasae Caves
"Death Railway"
Bridge on the River Kwai
Van shuttle to Bangkok
11
May 10
Bangkok, Thailand Wat Traimit Witthayaram Wora Wiharn (Golden Buddha)
Couple of gem production shops
Wat Benchamabophit Dusitwanaram Ratchaworawiharn
Drum Tower
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)
12
May 11
Bangkok, Thailand
Rongkluea Market, Thailand
Poipet, Cambodia
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Multiple vehicles from Bangkok to Siem Reap
Angkor National Museum
Sunset at Angkor Wat
13
May 12
Siem Reap, Cambodia Sunrise at Angkor Wat
Angkor Thom
14
May 13
Siem Reap, Cambodia Angkor Wat
Ta Prohm Temple
15
May 14
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Kampong Cham, Cambodia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Bavet, Cambodia
Moc Bai, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
2 buses for 13 hours ride to Saigon
16
May 15
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tao Dan Park
Independence Palace (Reunification Palace)
Notre-Dame Cathedral (Nha tho Du'c Ba)
Ben Thanh Market
Saigon Center
23/9 Park
17
May 16
SGN
MNL
Flight from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Manila
18
May 17
Manila, Philippines
Baguio, Philippines
Sagada, Philippines
Two long bus rides from Manila to Sagada
19
May 18
Sagada, Philippines Ganduyan Museum
Eco-tour of hanging coffins and underground river
Sunset
20
May 19
Sagada, Philippines
Baguio, Philippines
Sunrise over Sagada
Bus to Baguio
21
May 20
Baguio, Philippines
Manila, Philippines
Mines View Park
Bus to Manila
22
May 21
MNL
ICN
VVO
Vladivostok, Russia
Flight from Manila to Seoul and continuing to Vladivostok
S-56 Submarine Museum
Walking around town
23
May 22
Vladivostok, Russia
Ussuriysk, Russia
Vladivostok
Night train departure to Irkutsk
On board train - roughly from Vladivostok (9289 km from Moscow) to Ussuriysk (9255 km)
24
May 23
Ussuriysk, Russia
Khabarovsk, Russia
Svobodny, Russia
On board train - roughly from Ussuriysk (9255 km from Moscow) to Svobodny (7807 km)
Drinks at Khabarovsk
25
May 24
Svobodny, Russia
Amazar, Russia
Mogocha, Russia
Karymskaya, Russia
On board train - roughly from Svabodny (7807 km from Moscow) to Karymskaya (6295 km)
World War 2 monument at Mogocha
Groceries at Mogocha
26
May 25
Karymskaya, Russia
Irkutsk, Russia
On board train - roughly from Karymskaya (6295 km from Moscow) to Irkutsk (5185 km)
Lake Baikal
Evening train arrival in Irkutsk
27
May 26
Irkutsk, Russia
Listvyanka, Russia
Irkutsk, Russia
Walk around Irkutsk main square
Last-minute private tour to Lake Baikal at Listvyanka
Museum of Wooden Architecture
28
May 27
Irkutsk, Russia River walk at sunset
29
May 28
Irkutsk, Russia
Train
Train to Moscow: From Irkutsk (5185 km from Moscow) to roughly Nizhneudinsk (4647 km)
30
May 29
Train On board train - roughly from Nizhneudinsk (4647 km from Moscow) to Omsk (2676 km)
Ob River crossing at Novosibirsk
31
May 30
Train On board train - roughly from Omsk (2676 km from Moscow) to Balezino (1154 km)
32
May 31
Train
Moscow, Russia
On board train - roughly from Balezino (1154 km from Moscow) to Moscow!
Volga River crossing at Nizhny Novgorod
Some park in front of some restaurant in Moscow

June 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
33
June 1
Moscow, Russia Vorob'evy Gory Park (eco walk)
Moscow River cruise
34
June 2
Moscow, Russia Pushkin Imena Museum
Church of the Ascension of Christ
Pedestrian Bridge over Moscow River
Sleep
35
June 3
Moscow, Russia Kremlin:
  • Armory
  • Cathedral Square
  • Kremlin Bell
  • Cannon
Red Square
Moscow River
Red Square
36
June 4
Moscow, Russia
Train
Novodevichy Convent
Red Square
St. Basil's Cathedral
Red Square
Overnight train from Moscow to St. Petersburg
37
June 5
Train
St. Petersburg, Russia
Morning train arrival in St. Petersburg
Birzhevoy Most
Birzhevaya Pl. ("Tongue" of Vasilevsky Island)
Dvortsovy Most
Admiralty Gardens
38
June 6
St. Petersburg, Russia Kazan Cathedral
Bankovsky Most
Chocolate Museum
Alexander Column
Alexander Arch
Moyka River
Church of Resurrection of Christ
Griboedova Canal
39
June 7
St. Petersburg, Russia Fontanka Canal
Anichkov Most
Ostrovskogo Pl. (Catherine The Great Gardens)
40
June 8
LED
HEL
Espoo, Finland
Helsinki, Finland
Espoo, Finland
Flight from St. Petersburg to Helsinki
Helsinki waterfront
41
June 9
Espoo, Finland
HEL
TLL
Tallinn, Estonia
Flight Helsinki to Tallinn
"Getting to know Tallinn" (2 missions accomplished)
42
June 10
Tallinn, Estonia Walk around Old Town
43
June 11
Tallinn, Estonia "Official" Sightseeing tour: (Cultural Center, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Mary's Cathedral/Dome Church, walk around Old Town)
Raekoja Torn
Wall and Towers walk
Olympic Casino
44
June 12
Tallinn, Estonia "Miscellaneous activities"
45
June 13
Tallinn, Estonia Old Town walk
Thomas The Train
46
June 14
Tallinn, Estonia Oleviste Kiriku
Old Town walk
47
June 15
Tallinn, Estonia
Riga, Latvia
Early morning bus to Riga
Old Town Riga guided walking tour
Dome Square
Livu Square
Ratslaukums Square
St Peter's Church
Freedom Monument
House Of Blackheads (exterior)
"Riga Black Magic Bar"
Powder Tower (exterior)
"The Three Brothers"
Old Town tram tour
Old Town self-walk
48
June 16
Riga, Latvia Dome Cathedral Organ Recital
Museum of History of Riga and Navigation
House Of Blackheads (interior)
Daugava River Views
49
June 17
Riga, Latvia Sleeping
Eating lunch
Walking in the rain and getting completely wet
Doing something impulsive and some would say crazy
Occasionally laughing at some other unrelated things
50
June 18
Riga, Latvia A day at the races
Riga's Art Noveau buildings
Powder Tower
A day at the races (again)
51
June 19
Riga, Latvia "Miscellaneous activities"
52
June 20
Riga, Latvia
Vilnius, Lithuania
Bus to Vilnius
A visit to the tourist information center
53
June 21
Vilnius, Lithuania Walk around Old Town:
Town Square
Pilies Street
Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas
Monument to Gediminas
Vilnius Cathedral
Upper Castle
Gediminas Tower
Presidential Palace (exterior)
54
June 22
Vilnius, Lithuania Guided walking tour of Old Town: (building exteriors only in all of the following except where noted)
  • Lithuanian and Baltic history lesson
  • Vilnius Cathedral
  • Vilnius Bell Tower
  • Monument to Gediminas
  • Location of old demolished "Lower Castle"
  • Unexpected "Hare Krishna" procession by... BUDDHISTS???
  • Pilies Street architecture lesson
  • Presidential Palace
  • Vilnius University courtyard and library
  • Presidential Palace courtyard
  • Sculpture of Street Light lighter
  • Amber Archaelogical Site and Amber Museum (interior)
  • Church of St. Anne and Bernardine Church
  • Literature Street and monument to Lithuanian authors
  • Jewish Quarter ("small" ghetto during WW2)
  • Town Square
  • The Gates of Dawn and Chapel of the Gates of Dawn (interior after the tour)
  • St. Theresa's Church (interior after the tour)
  • Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit (interior after the tour)
55
June 23
Vilnius, Lithuania "Miscellaneous administrative activities"
56
June 24
Vilnius, Lithuania Sleep
Watching the rain out the window
57
June 25
Vilnius, Lithuania
VNO
HEL
AMS
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Flight to Amsterdam (via Helsinki)
58
June 26
Amsterdam, Netherlands Roaming around the city
59
June 27
Amsterdam, Netherlands Roaming around the city
Canal cruise
More roaming around the city
60
June 28
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duisburg, Germany
Hamburg, Germany
Copenhagen, Denmark
Trains from Amsterdam to Duisburg to Hamburg to Copenhagen...
... including a 20-km crossing of Femer Baelt in the Baltic Sea, where the entire train got on the ship!
61
June 29
Copenhagen, Denmark "The Little Mermaid"
St. Alban's Anglican Church
Nyhavn Street
Stroget Street
Hop on-Hop off tour
ELEPHANTS!
Radhouse Square
Trinity Church
Canal Cruise
Amaliehaven
62
June 30
Osterbro, Denmark
Copenhagen, Denmark
Malmo, Sweden
Goteborg, Sweden
Trallhattan, Sweden
Oslo, Norway
Three trains, a bus, and finally a fourth train from Copenhagen's "Osterport" station to Oslo

July 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
63
July 1
Oslo, Norway Absolutely nothing!
64
July 2
Oslo, Norway
Lillestrom, Norway
OSL
Hell, Norway
Bus from Oslo to Lillestrom
Train from Lillestrom to Oslo airport
Rental car to Hell!
65
July 3
Hell, Norway
Lulea, Sweden
Driving across Norway and Sweden
66
July 4
Lulea, Sweden
Honningsvag, Norway
2nd Arctic Circle crossing by car, this time on my own
Drive up to the Northernmost town in Norway
67
July 5
Honningsvag, Norway
Nordkapp, Norway
Honningsvag, Norway
Drive to the northermost (not really) point of continental Europe
Arctic Ocean foot dip
68
July 6
Honningsvag, Norway
Tennevoll, Norway
Arctic Ocean ankle dip
Fjords, more fjords, and even more fjords
Drive and a ferry back down to Tennevoll (Soloy)
69
July 7
Tennevoll, Norway
Mosjoen, Norway
Even more fjords, more fjords, and fjords
Drive down to Mosjoen
70
July 8
Mosjoen, Norway
Hell, Norway
A much more relaxing drive down to Hell
71
July 9
Hell, Norway
Flam, Norway
Mountains, lakes, and rivers
Rondane National Park
A 24.5km long tunnel
72
July 10
Flam, Norway
Gudvangen, Norway
Naeroyfjord
Aurlandsfjord
Flam, Norway
Myrdal, Norway
Lunden, Norway
Flam, Norway
A cruise through Naeroyfjord (World Heritage Site) and Aurlandsfjord
Waterfalls!
Round-trip train ride to Myrdal with more waterfalls
Walk back from Lunden to Flam with another waterfall!
73
July 11
Flam, Norway
Kvandall, Norway
Samlafjord (Hardangerfjord)
Utne, Norway
Langfoss Falls, Norway
OSL
Drive through spectacular scenery of mountains, lakes, rivers, and hundreds of waterfalls!
Samlafjord (arm of Hardangerfjord) crossing by ferry
Langfoss Falls
Drive back to Oslo (airport)
74
July 12
OSL
Lillestrom, Norway
Oslo, Norway
Trallhattan, Sweden
Goteborg, Sweden
Copenhagen, Denmark
A train, a bus, a train, a bus, and a train from Oslo to Copenhagen
75
July 13
Copenhagen, Denmark Absolutely nothing!
76
July 14
Copenhagen, Denmark
Kolding, Denmark
Flensburg, Germany
Hamburg, Germany
3 trains (was supposed to be 2 but changed to 3 due to "technical difficulties") from Copenhagen to Hamburg
77
July 15
Hamburg, Germany
Duisburg, Germany
Amsterdam, Netherlands
2 more trains from Hamburg to Amsterdam
Dinner and a musem
78
July 16
Amsterdam, Netherlands Laundry, haircut, and sleep
79
July 17
Amsterdam, Netherlands
AMS
DUB
Flight to Dubai
80
July 18
DUB
MNL
Manila, Philippines
Connecting flight to Manila
81
July 19
Manila, Philippines "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2"
"Transformers Part 3"
(instead of "Hangover Part 2" and "Pirates of the Caribbean Part 4")
82
July 20
Manila, Philippines "Today I don't feel like doing anything (The Lazy Song)" by Bruno Mars
The 2nd-most beautiful sunset in the world from the 5th floor balcony of my hotel
83
July 21
Manila, Philippines The 2nd-most beautiful sunset in the world from sea level
84
July 22
Manila, Philippines A quest/trip across town to a Chili's restaurant -- for the first time in more than 3 months
85
July 23
Manila, Philippines A "vacation day"!
The 2nd-most beautiful sunset in the world from the 5th floor balcony of my hotel
86
July 24
Manila, Philippines A "nothing day"!
87
July 25
Manila, Philippines Sunrise over Manila Bay
Laundry and sleep
88
July 26
Manila, Philippines Nothing!!! (except packing...)
89
July 27
Manila, Philippines
MNL
MFM
Macau SAR, China
Flight from Manila to Macau
Roaming around Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel rooftop views of city
90
July 28
Macau SAR, China Sunrise over South China Sea
Exhibition at Macau Convention Center (Fisherman's Wharf)
91
July 29
Macau SAR, China Ensanada Square
Ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral
Museu de Macau
Venetian Casino
92
July 30
Macau SAR, China MGM Casino
Nighttime views
93
July 31
Macau SAR, China Macau Tower Skywalk
Ensanada Square
Dancing Fountains at Wynn Casino

August 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
94
August 1
Macau SAR, China
MFM
MNL
Manila, Philippines
Flight from Macau to Manila
The 2nd-most beautiful sunset in the world from 33000 feet
95
August 2
Manila, Philippines
Olongapo, Philippines
Subic, Philippines
Bus to Olongapo, followed by a taxi to Subic
A really huge taco which reminded me of Weird Al Yankovic's song "Taco Grande"
96
August 3
Subic, Philippines Being sick in Subic
97
August 4
Subic, Philippines
Olongapo, Philippines
Manila, Philippines
MNL
A jeepney, a bus, and a taxi back to Manila Bay for the 2nd-best sunset in the world from ground level
On to Manila airport
98
August 5
MNL
DXB
AMS
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Flight Manila-Dubai-Amsterdam
99
August 6
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Paris, France
Train from Amsterdam to Paris
An unsuccessful attempt to go to the balcony of Samaritaine shopping center
100
August 7
Paris, France Cathedrale Notre-Dame
La Sainte-Chapelle
Arc de Triomphe
Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Cafe George V
Mercedez Benz Gallery
101
August 8
Paris, France
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
TGV train from Paris to Luxembourg
A "sick leave" day
102
August 9
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Another "sick leave" day
103
August 10
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Constitution Square
Train tour of Old Town
Hop-on, hop-off bus tour without hopping on or off
104
August 11
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Walk around Old Town
Notre Dame Cathedral
Corniche: "The best balcony in Europe"
105
August 12
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Koblenz, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Trains from Luxembourg to Vienna (instead of Munich)
Ride along Mosel River from Trier to Koblenz
Ride along Rhine River from Koblenz to Mainz
Change of plans: Vienna instead of Munich
106
August 13
Vienna, Austria
Bratislava, Slovakia
Vienna, Austria
Train to Bratislava
Bratislava:
  • Hrad Castle
  • Katedrala Svateho Martina (attempt)
  • Walking around Old Town
  • City Museum
  • City Hall
  • Katedrala Svateho Martina (interior)
Train back to Vienna
Vienna:
  • Stephansplatz
  • Stephansdom
  • Mozard concert in Stephasdom
107
August 14
Vienna, Austria
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Early morning train to Ljubljana
108
August 15
Ljubljana, Slovenia A day of rest
109
August 16
Ljubljana, Slovenia Administrative duties (shopping, laundry, etc)
110
August 17
Ljubljana, Slovenia Boat trip in Ljubljanica River
Guided walking tour of old town
Church of St. Nicholas
Ljubljana Castle (Slovenian History Museum, Castle Tower, sunset)
111
August 18
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jesenice, Slovenia
Bled-Jezero, Slovenia
Bled, Slovenia
Bled-Jezero, Slovenia
Jesenice, Slovenia
Villach, Austria
2 trains from Ljubljana to Bled-Jezero
7km hike around Lake Bled
Bled Castle on its 1000 years anniversary (with history museum and chapel)
2 more trains from Bled-Jezero to Villach, Austria
Roaming around Villach's Old Town looking for water
Church of St. Jakob (Villach)
112
August 19
Villach, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Otztal, Austria
Bludenz, Austria
Zurich, Switzerland
Luzern, Switzerland
2 trains from Villach to Otzal
Bus from Otzal to Bludenz
2 more trains from Bludenz to Luzern
113
August 20
Luzern, Switzerland Walk around Luzern's Old Town
Climbed one of the towers of the 13th century city wall
Night-time walk around the waterfront
114
August 21
Luzern, Switzerland
Alpnachstad, Switzerland
Luzern, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
Visp, Switzerland
Bern, Switzerland
Luzern, Switzerland
An attempt to go to Mt. Pilatus, scrapped till the next day
A quick trip to Geneva instead
Roaming around Geneva's waterfront
Return trip via Visp and Bern back to Luzern.
115
August 22
Luzern, Switzerland Feeling too lazy to go to Mt. Pilatus, scrapped till a future trip
Luzern's waterfront at sunset for a dessert and a Moscato wine -- for old times sake.
116
August 23
Luzern, Switzerland
Basel, Switzerland
Mannheim, Germany
FRA
Three trains from Luzern to Frankfurt Airport
117
August 24
FRA
MAD
Barajas, Spain
A 2-hour delayed flight from Frankfurt to Madrid
118
August 25
Barajas, Spain A rest day
"The last sunset" of this part of the journey
119
August 26
Barajas, Spain
MAD
JFK
SFO
Home
Flights back home (Madrid-New York-San Francisco)
N/A
August 27-September 1
Home Getting some things taken care of at home
Making arrangements for the next leg of this journey...

September 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
N/A
September 2-5
California
Nevada
Utah
Arizona
First roadtrip upon returning home:
  • Bryce Canyon National Park!!! :)
  • Zion National Park
  • Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim)
N/A
September 6
Home Day spent getting anxious for next roadtrip
N/A
September 7-13
California
Arizona
Utah
Colorado
Wyoming
Nevada
The next roadtrip:
  • Monument Valley
  • Rocky Mountains National Park
N/A
September 14-22
Home Making arrangements for Nepal, Tibet, China and India
Cancelling plans, replanning, recancelling, replanning...
N/A
September 23-29
California
Nevada
Utah
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
One last roadtrip before heading out again:
  • Yellowstone National Park
N/A
September 30-October 1
Home Rest days
Preparation days

October 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
120
October 2
Home
San Mateo, California
Final packing!
Staying the night at a hotel near San Francisco international airport for early morning departure!!
121-122
October 3-4
SFO
ORD
DEL
(old) Delhi, India
Start of the next leg of this journey: flight to Chicago and onward to Delhi, India
123
October 5
Delhi, India A day of rest and attempted jetlag recovery
Connaught Place for dinner
124
October 6
Delhi, India
Hazrat Nizamuddin Train Station
Delhi city tour:
  • Jama Masjid
  • Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk
  • Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi memorial)
  • Rashtrapati Bhavan (outside the gates only)
  • India Gate
  • Humayun's Tomb
  • Qutb Minar and nearby monument ruins
Overnight train to Udaipur
125
October 7
Udaipur, India Early morning train arrival at Udaipur
Udaipur city tour:
  • City Palace
  • Boat ride on Lake Pichola (views of Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir)
  • Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of Maids of Honour)
  • Rajasthani textiles shop/camel bone painting demonstration
126
October 8
Udaipur, India
Mount Abu, India
Udaipur, India
Day trip to Mount Abu:
  • Dilwara Temples
  • A very green lake
  • Honeymoon Point/Sunset Point/Anadka Point
127
October 9
Udaipur, India
Jaipur, India
Drive to Jaipur, "The Pink City"
128
October 10
Jaipur, India Jaipur city tour:
  • Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds): roadside view
  • Amber Fort (elephant ride)
  • Jantar Mantar solar observatory
  • City Palace and museums
  • Chokhi Dhani Rajasthani village cultural site/dance show/puppet show/magic show/dinner
129
October 11
Jaipur, India
Fatehpur Sikri, India
Agra, India
Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
Emperor Akbar's Palace at Fatehpur Sikri
130
October 12
Agra, India Agra city tour:
  • Agra Fort
  • Viewpoint of Taj Mahal from across Yamuna River
  • Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
  • Taj Mahal (from late afternoon until after dark, under "full moon plus 1 day")
131
October 13
Agra, India
Delhi, India
End of North India tour: Drive back from Agra to Delhi
132
October 14
Delhi, India
DEL
BLR
Bangalore, India
Flight down to Bangalore
133
October 15
Bangalore, India Dad's 70th birthday celebration
134
October 16
Bangalore, India Hanging out with my cousins
135
October 17
Bangalore, India
BLR
DEL
KTM
Kathmandu, Nepal
Flight from Bangalore to Delhi and onward to Kathmandu!
Arranged a few things to do in Kathmandu :-)
136
October 18
Kathmandu, Nepal
Nagarkot, Nepal
Handed over passport and completed Chinese visa and Tibet Travel Permit applications
1.5 hours for the 35km drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot
R&R in Nagarkot
137
October 19
Nagarkot, Nepal
KTM
Mountain Flight
KTM
Nagarkot, Nepal
EARLY morning drive to Kathmandu airport for the mountain flight booked 2 days earlier!
Buddha Air mountain flight with views of following Himalayan peaks:
  • Lagtang Lirung (7234m/23734ft)
  • Shisha Pangma (Gosain Than) (8013m/26290ft)
  • Dorje-Lakpa (6966m/22854ft)
  • Phurbi-Ghyachu (6637m/21775ft)
  • Choba-Bhamre (5970m/19581ft)
  • Gauri-Shankar (7134m/23405ft)
  • Melungtse (7181m/23560ft)
  • Chugimago (6297m/20660ft)
  • Pigferago (6620m/21720ft)
  • Numbur (6957m/22825ft)
  • Karyolung (6511m/21362ft)
  • Cho-Oyu (8201m/26906ft)
  • Gyachung Kang (7652m/26089ft)
  • Pumori (7161m/23494ft)
  • Nuptse (7855m/25771ft)
  • Sagarmatha (Everest) (8848m/29028ft)
  • Lhotse (8516m/27940ft)
  • Ama-Dablam (6812m/22349ft)
  • Chamlang (7319m/24012ft)
  • Makalu (8463m/27766ft)
Drive back to Nagarkot
Strolling around Nagarkot village: Momos for lunch!
138
October 20
Nagarkot, Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
Sunrise over the Himalayas at Nagarkot
Drive to Kathmandu hotel
Dubar Square
Shopping for supplies for the big trip coming up...
139
October 21
Kathmandu, Nepal Nothing! Just resting for the big trip coming up...
140
October 22
Kathmandu, Nepal
Friendship Bridge, Nepal/Tibet
Zhangmu, Tibet
Nyalam, Tibet
Start of 8-day Kathmandu-Lhasa overland journey!
Bus ride from Kathmandu to the Tibettan border at the Friendship Bridge
Taxi ride from Friendship Bridge to Zhangmu for lunch at 6pm
Another taxi ride (with a 1 hour delay at a police checkpoint) from Zhangmu to Nyalam
Overnight at dormitory in Nyalam (12200 ft)
141
October 23
Nyalam, Tibet
Nyalamu Pass (3800m)
Lalung La Pass (5050m)
Lakpa La Pass (5248m)
Lhatse, Tibet
Crossing the mighty Himalayas
Views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu, Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Shishapangma from Tibetan side!
Overnight at dormitory in Lhatse (13100 ft)
142
October 24
Lhatse, Tibet
Shigatse, Tibet
3-hours drive from Lhatse to Shigatse
Did not go to Tashilunpu Monastery (Seat of Panchen Lama): feeling too sick
Overnight at a proper motel in Shigatse (12600 ft)
143
October 25
Shigatse, Tibet
Barley-processing building
Gyantse, Tibet
A HOT SHOWER!
2.5-hours drive from Shigatse to Gyantse
Stop at a barley processing building operated by a single person
Did not go to Phalkor Monastery and Khumbum Stupa
A quest for oxygen, the sustainer of life!
Overnight at a motel in Gyantse (13050 ft) -- in a HEATED ROOM!!!
144
October 26
Gyantse, Tibet
Nagarze, Tibet
Yamadroke Lake, Tibet
Lhasa, Tibet
ANOTHER HOT SHOWER: 2 DAYS IN A ROW!!!
Kamba-la Pass (4794m) and lake
Karo-la Pass (5010m) and glacier (5300m-5500m) with mountain (7000+ m) above
Horrible buffet lunch at Nagarze
Yamdrok Lake: longest lake in Tibet: 160km long (4790m)
Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Zangbo River) crossing
Overnight at hotel in Lhasa (11450 ft), which was a 600-years old building
145
October 27
Lhasa, Tibet Potala Palace
Lost and alone in a strange land where no one speaks my language
Spur-of-the-moment lunch place
Old Lhasa marketplace and town square
Jokhang Temple
Overnight in Lhasa again (11450 ft)
146
October 28
Lhasa, Tibet Drepung Monastery
Chatting with new friends
Overnight in Lhasa again (11450 ft)
147
October 29
Lhasa, Tibet
Lhasa Express Train #T28 (Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province)
Taxi to Lhasa train station
Police trouble outside Lhasa station
Boarding the world's highest railway
Tibetan scenery along the train route
148
October 30
Lhasa Express Train #T28 (Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi Provinces)
Ge'ermu station platform walk at 2:40am
Supplies at Xining station platform
More supplies at Lan Zhou station platform
Yellow River crossing at Lanzhou
Great scenery out the window throughout!
149
October 31
Lhasa Express Train #T28 (Shanxi, Hebei Provinces)
Beijing, China
7:56am arrival (10 minutes early) in Beijing
"Entry and Exit Bureau", near hotel
"Entry and Exit Bureau", main Beijing city office
The mixture of frustration, anger, and depression along with the joie de vivre!
Xidan shopping Center (Cafe 85)

November 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
150
November 1
Beijing, China Xidan shopping mall
Xidan shopping center (Cafe 85)
Meeting with next tour guide ("Stone")
151
November 2
Beijing, China Start of (supposed to be 17-)day China tour:
  • Beijing zoo panda visit
  • Pearl factory and shop
  • Summer Palace (gardens)
  • Tian'anmen Square (Zhengyang Gate, Monument to the People's Heros)
  • Forbidden City
Xidan shopping Center (Cafe 85)
152
November 3
Beijing, China Continuing Beijing tour:
  • Jade factory and shop
  • Great Wall of China (Juyongguan section/UNESCO world heritage site)
  • Traditional Chinese fondue lunch (with subject of Bryce Canyon National Park brought up)
  • Ming Tombs
  • Listening to a song
  • "Way Of Spirits" garden and lucky turtle
  • 2008 Olympic Park (Bird's Nest stadium, Water Cube exteriors)
  • Peking duck dinner (with shots of 105-proof Chinese "fire water"): ding ding how!
153
November 4
Beijing, China Meeting old friends from faraway lands at the Temple of Heaven
Ditching old friends from faraway lands at Origus Restaurant
154
November 5
Beijing, China
PEK
XIY
Xian, China
Early morning flight from Beijing to Xian
Shaanxi Provincial History Museum
Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
155
November 6
Xian, China Xian Old City South wall and gate
Xingqing Park
Lacquer furniture factory and shop
Terracotta Warriors Museum and Archaeological Site
156
November 7
Xian, China
XIY
KWL
Guilin, China
Flight to Guilin
Tea farm and shop
157
November 8
Guilin, China
Yongshua, China
Li River cruise from Guilin to Yongshua
Drive back to Guilin
A hunt for dinner in light drizzle
158
November 9
Guilin, China
KWL
HKG
Kowloon, Hong Kong
A short stroll in Guilin along the Li River
Flight to Hong Kong
159
November 10
Kowloon, Hong Kong A sick day of nothing after a continuous 3 weeks of being on the road...
160
November 11
Kowloon, Hong Kong Another sick day of nothing after a continuous 3 weeks of being on the road...
161
November 12
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Park
Cheung Kong Park
Mid-levels Escalator
Victoria Harbour at night
Hong Kong skyline laser symphony show
162
November 13
Kowloon, Hong Kong
HKG
CEB
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Flight from Hong Kong to Cebu
163
November 14
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Another do-nothing day
164
November 15
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
San Juan, Philippines
Santa Fe, Philippines (Bantayan Island)
A car and a boat ride to Bantayan Island
165
November 16
Santa Fe, Philippines (Bantayan Island)
San Juan, Philippines
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Sunrise at Bantayan island
A boat, a bus, and a taxi back to Cebu
166
November 17
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines A visit to the dentist's office (initial inspection)
167
November 18
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines A much longer visit in the dentist's chair
168
November 19
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Recovery and replanning day
169
November 20
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Alone
Move to a different hotel closer to the dental clinic, restaurants and shopping mall
Travel changes and confirmations
170
November 21
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Another dentist visit, but much better than the one on November 18
Gaisano Mall
Search for a better hotel starting the next day
Sunset
171
November 22
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Move to a different and BETTER hotel!
SM Mall, Philippine Airlines office
172
November 23
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Nothing...
173
November 24
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Nothing...
174
November 25
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines 3rd dentist visit
175
November 26
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Nothing...
176
November 27
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
SM Mall
Movie "Trespass" -- the first movie I've ever walked out of in a theater!
177
November 28
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines 4th dentist visit
178
November 29
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines 5th dentist visit
179
November 30
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
CEB
MNL
GUM
Flight from Cebu to Manila and overnight redeye to Guam, USA

December 2011:

Day # DATE PLACES HIGHLIGHTS
180
December 1
GUM
Tamuning, Guam, USA
Drive around southern half of Guam island
Tamuning, Guam, USA
Early morning arrival in Guam (without my bag)
Roadtrip around Southern Guam:
181
December 2
Tamuning, Guam, USA
Tumon, Guam, USA
Anderson AFB, Guam, USA
Tamuning, Guam, USA
Roadtrip to northern tip of Guam:
182
December 3
Tamuning, Guam, USA Enjoying the ocean view from my hotel grounds
Evening dinner and movie ("Footlose")
183
December 4
Tamuning, Guam, USA
GUM
MNL
CEB
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Early morning flight back from Guam to Manila and connecting to Cebu
Got my bag back!
184
December 5
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Last dental appointment!!!
185
December 6
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Nothing
186
December 7
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Nothing
187
December 8
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines Nothing
188
December 9
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
CEB
MPH
Catliclan, Philippines
Boracay Station 1, Philippines
Flight to Caticlan, then a van, boat, and jeep to Boracay Island!
Chillin' on the beach
189
December 10
Boracay Station 1, Philippines Sunrise on the beach
Chillin' on the beach
Sunset from a sailboat
190
December 11
Boracay Station 1, Philippines Chillin' on the beach
191
December 12
Boracay Station 1, Philippines Walking up and down the beach
192
December 13
Boracay Station 1, Philippines
Caticlan, Philippines
MPH
CEB
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
A jeep, boat, and car back to Caticlan airport
Flight back to Cebu
193
December 14
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
The first 20 minutes of the movie "Immortals" before walking out of the theater
194
December 15
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Move to a different hotel in Cebu City
IMAX Movie "Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol" (I did not walk out of this one)
195
December 16
Cebu, Philippines Nothing
196
December 17
Cebu, Philippines Roaming around Ayala Center
197
December 18
Cebu, Philippines Move to yet another hotel in Cebu!
198
December 19
Cebu, Philippines
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Preparations for upcoming trip to Australia: got a haircut and gave my laundry to be done!
199
December 20
Cebu, Philippines Preparations for upcoming trip to Australia: a few reservations
200
December 21
Cebu, Philippines Buffet dinner and roaming around the grounds at Radisson Hotel
201
December 22
Cebu, Philippines Preparations for upcoming trip to Australia: Sleep
202
December 23
Cebu, Philippines
CEB
MNL
MEL
Flight to Manila, then overnight flight to Melbourne, Australia
203
December 24
MEL
SYD
Casula, Australia
Continuing flight to Sydney
Rental car to Casula
204
December 25
Casula, Australia
Geelong, Australia
Drive from Casula to Geelong
205
December 26
Geelong, Australia Nothing! (instead of going for a drive along the Great Ocean Road)
206
December 27
Geelong, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Drive from Geelong to Melbourne
Australia vs. India Day 2 of Boxing Day cricket test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground
207
December 28
Melbourne, Australia Australia vs. India Day 3 of Boxing Day cricket test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Dinner at Lygon Street
208
December 29
Melbourne, Australia
Casula, Australia
Drive back from Melbourne to Casula (Sydney)
209
December 30
Casula, Australia
Parramatta, Australia
SYD
Parramatta, Australia
Checked in at different hotel in Parramatta
Returned rental car at Sydney airport
Bought a cellphone with local call/data plan
Movie "Tower Heist" back at Paramatta
210
December 31
Parramatta, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Parramatta, Australia
New Years Eve festivities in Sydney Harbour!
Initial stop at Milson's Point: Attempt #1 to secure my "spot"
Train to Circular Quey
Attempt #2 to secure my "spot" next to the Sydney Opera House
Ferry to Cremorne Point and back to Circular Quey
Finally securing my "spot" in the Royal Botanic Gardens south of the Sydney Opera House
9:00 PM "family" fireworks
Waiting for the 1-minute countdown at 11:59 PM... (continued in 2012)



Year 2012
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