tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77895992943113762482024-03-13T07:36:31.484-07:00Neil's World Tour 2016Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-30249320658968707622016-12-18T16:29:00.002-08:002016-12-21T18:21:03.411-08:00Home sweet Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Final leg...Stavanger, Norway via Frankfurt back to Edmonton in 34 hours and my fall travels have come to a conclusion. 9 weeks, 6 countries, 18 flight segments, 40,000 kms of flying, all 4 seasons, 2 hemispheres.<br />
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It has been an amazing journey and the world to me is just a little bit smaller. Had some weather delays in Toronto and arrived to the comfort of home - in minus 27C, winter and a dead battery!<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-1546470476759408582016-12-14T01:05:00.000-08:002016-12-18T16:01:44.960-08:00Talgje, Norway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a few busy days, the lack of sleep caught up with me and I developed a chest cold. However, hanging around on the island of Talgje near Stavanger (Rogaland Kommune) was good for a rest. Hoping the antibiotics help as I am on a flight back home in one more day!<br />
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I took a walk down to the boat terminal at the end of the island. Talgje is connected by a tunnel (a toll applies each way!) and a boat to ferry islanders to and from Stavanger and neighbouring islands. Fognafjorden divides the islands from the mainland but there are a number of other fjords.<br />
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I stopped in at the Talgje church (built in 1150) which sits prominently on one of the highest points on the island. Local farmhouses are well taken care of and are now showing Christmas lights and candles in their windows, some like a menorah. Even in December the grass is green around the farms. While walking past one farm, 8 turkeys came running out 'burbling' a welcome. They don't gobble! There were a few sheep and dogs, crows, a heron and amazing views of the fjord.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-12003667632508830562016-12-12T02:04:00.001-08:002016-12-18T16:17:12.434-08:00Telemark, Norway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a 38 hour journey from New Delhi, India with 3 flight segments, I arrived in rainy Stavanger and was greeted by my friend Benjamin. It seemed crazy to leave warm +25C weather in India and enter +8C cool humid maritime climate after weeks in the heat! I actually like it, though. It will help me transition to winter back home!<br />
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We decided to pack up and head out to Telemark where the Gaski family cabin is located in a remote valley south central Norway. The road was impassable for the final 8kms so we hiked in.<br />
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We hiked in as the sun set (3:45pm here!) and made it to the cabin in the dark by headlamp. It was a cozy, rustic cabin on a hill at about 1000 meter elevation, with a stream nearby for running water, no electric power, no internet of course! a warm wood stove, candlelight, comfortable living area and a composting outhouse.<br />
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It is quite surreal to walk by headlamp in the wilderness with few people, birds, no animals other than some elusive reindeer. The quiet was only broken by the NW winds that blew the clouds away. Having to get up in the night, I was out in the wind and noticed Orion as well as many stars and a waxing full moon!<br />
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We headed out at 7am in the dark as we had a long drive to Kristiansand. The sun rose at 9:30am (we are that far north!) So, I got my wish...snow, cool temperatures and to reconnect with my Norwegian family and a night in a cozy cabin in the woods!<br />
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Heading off home in a few days, concluding 62 days, 6 countries and countless memories. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity for adventure!<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-19401484315818127662016-12-04T06:49:00.003-08:002016-12-04T06:51:01.494-08:00Rishikesh yoga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Life in the Ashram - vegetarian meals, playful yoga, we are treated to Vishvaji's amazing teaching and practice at 6am, fire puja before breakfast each day, 4pm yoga and early evenings to bed by 9 pm as you need to be up in 8 hours! There is time to do laundry, walk through the busy streets or sit in the sun on the terrace and write what I have learned in the classes.<br />
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One night there was a special 'naming ceremony' for the TTP students which I was invited to attend. Vishvaji started with chanting and then invited each one to receive their name and in return students offered a gift, lit a candle and everyone received a carrot sweet after. It was very special.<br />
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I have been out to walk the two bridges and taken a trip to Rishikesh proper, which was nothing special. I have found a few more shops near the Ashram that have quality goods. My purchases include 3 white marble eggs for the girls. Still do my coffee meditation every morning.<br />
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After 10 days of yoga and life in the Ashram has taken on a regular schedule. I have now connected with Akhanda yoga and it appeals to me, and is similar to my style of yoga. Gentle, playful, blissful and fearless.</div>
Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-55569496613442030732016-11-28T07:40:00.001-08:002016-11-29T22:00:24.544-08:00Rishikesh - Life in an Ashram<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After flying for an hour from New Delhi to Dehradun, a taxi picked me up and drove the 16 kms to Anand Prakash Ashram in Tapovan area. An hour later I was settled into my room and off to my first yoga class in the Ashram. Yogrishi Vishvketu is the guru here known also in Edmonton for his teacher training at Prana studio. He and the Ashram have a good reputation and I like the Akhanda yoga style.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ashram in Tapovan, Rishikesh</td></tr>
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There is a nice schedule here - a 5:00 am bell, meditation 5:20 to 6am then the first yoga class 6 - 7:45, fire puja at 8, breakfast at 8:30, lunch at 12:30pm, yoga class at 4pm and dinner at 6pm. Meals are all vegetarian, tasty and they use organic foods prepared safely. It is not as quiet here as I would like with construction, people, cars and motorbikes. I am sharing a room with a Mexican who gets up at 4:30am, has a shower and talks to himself, probably some mantra. My hips are aching from lots of yoga and sitting in Sukhasana (cross legged) for meditation, yoga and meals!<br />
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One of my favourite meditations is a coffee meditation! I walk quietly to the German Bakery near Laxman Jhula bridge for a latte - no stimulants at the Ashram - and walk quietly back, satisfied. Also, no meat, no alcohol, and silence from 9 pm until after breakfast. Students are in week 4 of their 300 hour Teacher Training as well as a few of us travellers dropping in. Mantras abound, it is relaxed and free time in between the scheduled items to wash clothes, clean the room, read or catch up on email.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-4066284361089618982016-11-25T05:52:00.001-08:002016-11-26T17:21:58.622-08:00Agra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We drove for about 5 hours from Jaipur to Agra today mostly on good roads which made my driver, Victor, go even faster. My life passed before me only a handful of times!! Cars, tractors, motorbikes and tuktuks often go into opposing traffic! We stopped about 40 kms from Agra and paid my 500 rupees to enter Fatehpur Sikri, a red sandstone Fort and palace on the way to Agra. A really good example of Mughal design. I can't believe the number of Muslims and mosques here in Rajasthan. I have heard calls to prayer for several days in Jaipur and today in Agra. Apparently the Mughal empires followed the Muslim faith. I get the feeling the Indians do not like them much. Must be some history of conflict or a caste issue.<br />
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I finished the day by visiting the Taj Mahal at sunset. It is closed on Fridays so we went to a park on the back side...it is just as impressive from there and saved me a 5 am start in the morning!<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-55508377340386861312016-11-24T00:37:00.004-08:002016-11-24T05:02:17.731-08:00Amber Fort and Jaigarh Fort<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As mentioned in the last post, we drove 11 kms out of Jaipur to see the Amber (Amer) Fort near the the town of Amer which was quite impressive. Many elephants were taking tourists up to the Fort which was quite a scene. A huge and well designed fortress with battlements, palace rooms and even Turkish baths.<br />
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About another half hour up past Amber is Jaigarh Fort. The views were great in spite of the heat haze. Finally we stopped to photo the Jal Mahal in the lake near Jaipur.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-38154993967955688942016-11-24T00:26:00.002-08:002016-11-24T00:26:36.327-08:00Jaipur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a few relaxing days walking around Pushkar, we drove to Jaipur, stopping at a McDonald's on the way! After eating traditional Cambodian, Thai and Indian curries, a taste of home was welcome! They even made a decent coffee. After checking into the Heritage Palace hotel, my driver dropped me off for the afternoon at the City Palace - Pink City, a disappointing series of empty rooms.<br />
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I made my way to nearby Jantar Mantar, some huge celestial instruments for astronomy. Apparently they have amazing accuracy! Then on to the Hawa Mahal, a palace cooled by winds flowing through numerous windows. Probably the best one in the city.<br />
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The next day we went out early to hike up to the Amber Fort in Amer, about 11 kms out of Jaipur. Once completing the hike up and touring, I hiked the rest of the way to Jaigarh Fort further up the hill. It is another fortress the has an inner palace, armoury and a great view back to Jaipur city. Area hills have protection walls running up and down them similar to the Great Wall of China!<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-11847898487238733832016-11-21T08:07:00.003-08:002016-11-21T18:13:01.399-08:00Pushkar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A 7 hour drive from Delhi brought me to Pushkar in eastern Rajasthan. It is on the edge of a desert and is hot during the day and cools to 16 at night. It is built around a small holy lake which is totally surrounded by temples and their bathing ghats. Pilgrims come from all over India to bathe in the holy waters especially the Brahma Temple, apparently the only one in the world. The lake is peaceful and all of the temples reflect the sun! There is an old, relaxed but busy feel to Pushkar. Some rules: no shoes, no leather, no meat, no eggs, no alcohol...oddly many shops sell leather goods and you can still buy beer quietly from certain hotels! I am happy, there is one good coffee shop - Sunset cafe.<br />
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There is a familiarity to Pushkar...like Kathmandu, the same goods for sale, the same little shops, same dirty streets, motorbikes, people, many cows, birds, pigs roaming everywhere, and touts at every temple entrance to try to rip you off. Perhaps due to the desert proximity, there are camels for hire, all for tourists of course. It is a small town and one day would be enough. Off to Jaipur shortly!<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-56010913865166708762016-11-20T05:07:00.000-08:002016-11-20T06:23:05.552-08:00Hello Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Covered a few kilometres over the past few days...we boarded the bus to Phnom Penh and caught our flight back to Bangkok. This was the finale for our fun group! All going separate ways with great memories of Cambodia....except the incredible humidity and heat. Even +30 C in Bangkok was a bit more bearable as it is a dry heat. I made my way to the Bangkok airport and caught a Thai Air flight to Delhi. Met up with my agent Rishi, who set me up with a hotel room, a car and driver.<br />
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Visited three of the top sights in Delhi - the Red Fort, a former residence of Mughal emperors completed in 1648; Humayun's Tomb, built in the 1560's and final resting place for the emperor Humayun; and the Lotus Temple, the Baha'i temple built of marble in the shape of a lotus flower.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-36426137436465049972016-11-16T01:50:00.000-08:002016-11-17T05:51:46.879-08:00Highlights of Cambodia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is hard to believe it has been almost two weeks touring Cambodia with the G Adventure group. We have seen so much and had some good exposure to what Cambodia is all about. Here are some highlights -<br />
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Sunrise at Angkor Wat in Siem Reap<br />
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Eating fish amok, a traditional fish dish cooked and served in a banana leaf in a private home<br />
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Rice fields everywhere<br />
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Water festival with fireworks, The Blue Pumpkin Bakery, and cycle tour in Phnom Penh<br />
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Cockroaches in some rooms, not many mosquitoes,<br />
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Boating on the Mekong river to see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins<br />
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Rare super moon - closest to earth in 80 years at Full Moon<br />
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The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, the prison, now genocide museum<br />
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Boat trip to Rabbit Island<br />
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Low lights... the continual heat +32C (+38C with the humidity, +24 overnight),<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-84784433589256032162016-11-12T23:58:00.001-08:002016-11-12T23:58:13.149-08:00The Killing Fields of Cambodia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is November 13 in Cambodia. We remember our First and Second World wars on November 11. It somehow seemed timely today to visit Cambodia's Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, the Genocide museum - the prison where countless prisoners were tortured under Pol Pot's Communist regime. The most poignant moment was meeting one of the 5 children who survived by hiding in the kitchen of the prison when liberated by Vietnamese soldiers... he was born in 1970 and with tears in his eyes described the loss of his Mom and family except for one brother in this prison of torture. Pol Pot killed 3 million between 1975 and 1979. It was a sad, emotional visit to one of the worst genocides in recent history.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-4425071486279120732016-11-07T23:53:00.000-08:002016-11-07T23:53:42.153-08:00Cambodia <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I joined a G Adventure tour and left Thailand a few days ago by minibus for Cambodia. Fortunately we had an air conditioned van as the heat outside just got hotter as we approached the border. The guide helped us through a very interesting process of leaving Thailand, walking across the border, through Cambodia immigration (having paid our $45 USD), took a 5 minute bus ride to join our new bus, waited for porters to bring our luggage and then be on our way again arriving in Battambang for our first night. We rode on a bamboo railway, saw how rice paper and rice noodles are made in the old way.<br />
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Yesterday we toured a local heritage home and were treated to a delicious Cambodian lunch of fish, rice, and veggies. Again it was hot when we arrived in Siem Reap. A nice hotel with limited wifi. Thank goodness for air con in the rooms!<br />
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This morning we got up at 4:30 am to catch the bus to see sunrise on the legendary Angkor Wat. We had a wee breakfast and the toured 3 different temple complexes in the stifling heat. It rained while we walked through which only increased the humidity. We are all drinking 3 - 4 bottles of water each day.</div>
Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-41576895651737767362016-11-04T03:00:00.001-07:002016-11-04T05:02:57.318-07:00Bangkok, Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two days ago I left Tokyo Haneda for a 7 hour flight to Bangkok via Singapore. Just made the Singapore connection and another 2 hour flight and making my way to the hotel in Bangkok on the Bangkok Airport express - all in a 14 hour day!<br />
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Bangkok is all about shopping malls and their Wats - impressive Buddhist temples. I visited 3 temples in one day taking the Metro, tuktuk's and BTS trains...Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), Wat Su That, a very peaceful, quiet place away from the crowds, and then took the boat across the Chao Phraya river to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Nearly all temples are under some repair or renovation so scaffolding everywhere. It is quite warm and humid +32C, far warmer than I like.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-7379046239398184242016-11-01T02:01:00.000-07:002016-11-01T02:01:46.897-07:00Japan Rail travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Some brief highlights of the past couple of days were riding the Shinkansen, seeing Osaka castle and the Daibutsu, the Big Buddha in Kamakura.<br />
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Edmonton LRT could learn a few things about minimal traffic disruption, efficient timing and co-ordination of systems. Here in Japan, as in Europe, China, etc the rail systems work like clock work.<br />
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JR rail pass is a great way to travel around. In the past few days I have taken the super fast Shinkansen (up to 200 kilometres per hour) to Nagano and Osaka. Many other trains to Asakusa, Tokyo, Kamakura and Zushi.<br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-84188274652563716972016-10-30T01:21:00.000-07:002016-10-30T01:44:09.291-07:00Tokyo, Japan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After driving 300 + kilometers, flying Christchurch to Auckland, Air New Zealand took me on an 11.5 hour flight to Shanghai, a 5 hour wait, then to Osaka and one more segment to Tokyo Haneda. I then had to find my way on the Japan rail to Shinagawa where I finally made it to my hotel. This accounted for about 48 hours of travel!<br />
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I had a good sleep and headed to Shinjuku to meet Dave, a long time friend of my son Andrew. We had a coffee and arranged our ticket to Nagano to see the famous monkeys that keep warm in mineral hot springs. Well, we got there just as the last bus left for the place :-( so we toured rural Nagano in the cold (+7C), bought some beer and food then took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Another long day. The most interesting thing was the Buddhist temple with a snow blower at the door! This is, of course, the Japanese Alps, and they get a lot of snow - hence the Winter Olympics in Nagano in the 1990's.<br />
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Today I took the trains to Asakusa to see the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple site in Tokyo history dating from 628, but the current version from 1692. From there I walked to the Asahi brewery - the picture shows their iconic "golden turd" but note the Sky tower - the tallest in Japan.<br />
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Another set of trains took me to Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace and the Nijobashi Bridge all from 18th and 19 century reconstruction. Apparently the royal family still occupy some residences within the Imperial grounds which feature amazing manicured trees and gardens.<br />
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Tomorrow I am off to Osaka for the day, taking the Shinkansen again. More to come.</div>
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-76476639128175809802016-10-25T13:57:00.001-07:002016-10-27T02:41:44.771-07:00Mt. Cook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sorry to those who did not see photos...I am trying again through Google drive...<br />
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The drive from Wanaka was through sheep and cattle country. There are signs indicating "This is the home of Icebreaker" (best quality Merino wool clothing) on some stations (farms). Looks like a lot of cycling opportunities here although roads are narrow and locals drive quite fast. This photo was taken as I drove away from Mt Cook this morning...amazing.<br />
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I arrived in Mt Cook 2 days ago in light rain. The clouds hung around the peaks while I hiked both days in the Tasman glacier and Hooker valleys. After dinner the clouds began to lift and New Zealand's highest peak, Aoraki, or Mt. Cook (3754 m) showed herself. What a treat!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Tonight I flew from Christchurch to Auckland and checked in for my overnight flight to Tokyo via Shanghai and Osaka. More from Japan...</span><br />
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-67017169982191502162016-10-21T22:23:00.000-07:002016-10-22T21:49:53.319-07:00NZ Westlands <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Arrived in Christchurch in pouring rain 2 days ago. Had dinner with my nephew Bob, his wife and lively 3 year old daughter! Walked the city Friday (which was badly damaged in the 2011 earthquake) and saw much more re-construction and a more normal business district than we saw in 2012.<br />
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Drove 400 Kms over Arthur's Pass to the west coast in brilliant sun, but as I approached Franz Josef (glacier town) some cloud appeared. Stopped at the Castle Rocks, a very unique limestone rock formation which could easily be a set for Lord of the Rings.<br />
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It is a bit strange not only driving on the left side of the road, but the sun is in the northern sky down here whereas at home it is south!! Really have to work to find my bearings.<br />
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Today hiked to both Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. It is Labor Day weekend here so plenty of other hikers. I seem to have avoided the traffic fortunately. I am quickly getting used to driving on the left and haven't used the wipers to signal TOURIST too often!!</div>
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Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-66683448053803940232016-10-21T21:44:00.000-07:002016-10-21T21:44:20.912-07:00Love business class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The first 3 flight segments from Edmonton to Auckland in business class really spoiled me! Good food, nice wine on linens, a bed pod where you can lie down to sleep. The 15 hour flight from Vancouver was delayed an hour but it made up some time en route to Sydney. Staying at the hostel in Auckland and caught up with a friend, Val, who I trekked with in Nepal many years ago. It is spring here and today the sun was shining an +19C. Had a sushi picnic lunch on one of the local beaches. Now feeling just a wee bit jet lagged. <span id="goog_1566909927"></span><span id="goog_1566909928"></span></div>
Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7789599294311376248.post-64428638188944852542016-10-07T12:49:00.004-07:002016-10-09T07:32:33.989-07:00Packing light!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well, it has been about 9 months of planning and I am almost packed! I decided travel to 6 countries in various seasons from spring in the Southern hemisphere to fall in Japan, still hot in late summer in Southeast Asia and winter in Norway would require a variety of layers and a bottle of liquid wash.<br />
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Although I could do 2 checked in bags, I decided to go as light as possible with a backpack carry-on and check in one bag with just the bare essentials. I'm taking a light pack of most of my medications, ball cap, raincoat, gloves, umbrella, bandana, toothbrush, electronics and camera in the carry-on and a few clothing layers, socks, underwear, shorts, spare shoes, toiletries, towel, sandals, hiking poles, (and oh yes, imodium) in the roller bag weighing 12 kg!<br />
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Got my Indian visa (which you have to arrange in the month before travel), international driver's license (for use in NZ), JR rail pass for Japan, an itinerary of about 18 + flights...a bit of cash and an ATM card.<br />
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Hope to find enough wifi to update this blog from time to time. And hope it will be interesting to those of you I send this to. Thanks for all the many well wishes... </div>
Neil Haggardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12811720084789296130noreply@blogger.com0