Hello reader it is a long time since I have written anything to you. I have been travelling over the last year across the Eurasian continent from Spain to China. On the route of the old Silk Road Pam travelled with me she was injured but still going strong. We took near 4 months to complete a shortened journey.
In Ocober 2013 I went in search of Rhinos in India calling my journey "in the shadows of the Himalayas" Truly an inspiring part of the world. Mighty mountains monasteries elephant and the great grasslands of the Brahmaputra River flood lands where tea is the industry. Here also live the it white Rhinoceros safe in the Kazaringa national Park. In Assam province.
The bloodiest battle of world war 11. The battle of Kohima and the siege of Imphal. This battle changed the war in the Pacific defeating the Japanese with losses of 56,000 soldiers. The Americans were here flying DC3 over 'the hump' supplying Chang Kai Chek nationalist forces against a million Japanese soldiers.
It was very surreal to be in Nagaland viewing remnants of those battles the sacrifices of these soldiers went unheralded. Indeed the dubbed the forgotten battle but one that swung the pendulum against the Japanese army. But that was 1944 and now it is 2013. I do not think the lives of the Indian has changed a lot. My advice to anyone contemplating this journey is to be sure to pick the right season. It rains a lot and the snows will stop vehicles above 12000 feet 4000 metres. Sept to Nov is best.
Some people ask why do this walking such long distances? My answer walking gives time to reflect an meet others with stories to tell.
Best summed up by the Poet Kahir
Pam and I started walking in Lisbon Portugal. Citt joined us in Villefranco de Xira. I am writing this brief in Satarem 95 kilometres from Lisbon. I have a serious back problem and may not make the distance. But yep I will give it my best shot.
The journey is one of pilgrimage walking the way of St James. The Portuguese way is not so popular only contributing 18% of pilgrims. The way Francais is the major route made famous in Estevez movie "the way" starring his father Martin Sheene.
To date we have walked through 70 kilometres of heavy industrial factories along the river Teijo. We have now passed into the market garden areas of Portugal. With neat rows of cabbage, tomato, corn and edible vegetables. The villages are deserted. Corporations have bought all the land and have mechanised with foreign labour. We have met Indians from the Punjab. Polkas and Ukrainian workers all the local residents have moved to cities it is sad but one day they will return I am sure. The walk is now taking us along the top of the huge dikes built for flood mitigation.
The weather has been hot. In fact it is so hot the palms are dying we are told it is changing rapidly. The weather looks to change in a day or so. Cit has the maps and predicts rain tomorrow and Wednesday. The city of Santarem is the seat of the last Kings now long gone. What I have seen is pretty good with lovely buildings churches and well laid out gardens. We are made welcome with random acts of kindness that are always surprising.
I will leave it here and promise to fill you in some more. Oh a normal day on the Camino.
6.45 alarm
7.30 start walking
9.30-10.00 coffee roll or pastry €2
12.30-13.30 lunch roll water or soft drink. €3
3.30 start looking for a bed
5.00 accommodation € 15
7.30-8.00 meal. € 10-12
Chocolate coffees and fruit we buy on the road.
$A1. = €.63.
Bon Camino.
In Ocober 2013 I went in search of Rhinos in India calling my journey "in the shadows of the Himalayas" Truly an inspiring part of the world. Mighty mountains monasteries elephant and the great grasslands of the Brahmaputra River flood lands where tea is the industry. Here also live the it white Rhinoceros safe in the Kazaringa national Park. In Assam province.
The bloodiest battle of world war 11. The battle of Kohima and the siege of Imphal. This battle changed the war in the Pacific defeating the Japanese with losses of 56,000 soldiers. The Americans were here flying DC3 over 'the hump' supplying Chang Kai Chek nationalist forces against a million Japanese soldiers.
It was very surreal to be in Nagaland viewing remnants of those battles the sacrifices of these soldiers went unheralded. Indeed the dubbed the forgotten battle but one that swung the pendulum against the Japanese army. But that was 1944 and now it is 2013. I do not think the lives of the Indian has changed a lot. My advice to anyone contemplating this journey is to be sure to pick the right season. It rains a lot and the snows will stop vehicles above 12000 feet 4000 metres. Sept to Nov is best.
Some people ask why do this walking such long distances? My answer walking gives time to reflect an meet others with stories to tell.
Best summed up by the Poet Kahir
Friend hope for the truth while you are alive
Jump into experience while you are alive
Think and think while you are alive
What is called Salvation, is time before death
If you don't break your ropes while you are alive
Do you think Ghosts will do it after.?
Pam and I started walking in Lisbon Portugal. Citt joined us in Villefranco de Xira. I am writing this brief in Satarem 95 kilometres from Lisbon. I have a serious back problem and may not make the distance. But yep I will give it my best shot.
The journey is one of pilgrimage walking the way of St James. The Portuguese way is not so popular only contributing 18% of pilgrims. The way Francais is the major route made famous in Estevez movie "the way" starring his father Martin Sheene.
To date we have walked through 70 kilometres of heavy industrial factories along the river Teijo. We have now passed into the market garden areas of Portugal. With neat rows of cabbage, tomato, corn and edible vegetables. The villages are deserted. Corporations have bought all the land and have mechanised with foreign labour. We have met Indians from the Punjab. Polkas and Ukrainian workers all the local residents have moved to cities it is sad but one day they will return I am sure. The walk is now taking us along the top of the huge dikes built for flood mitigation.
The weather has been hot. In fact it is so hot the palms are dying we are told it is changing rapidly. The weather looks to change in a day or so. Cit has the maps and predicts rain tomorrow and Wednesday. The city of Santarem is the seat of the last Kings now long gone. What I have seen is pretty good with lovely buildings churches and well laid out gardens. We are made welcome with random acts of kindness that are always surprising.
I will leave it here and promise to fill you in some more. Oh a normal day on the Camino.
6.45 alarm
7.30 start walking
9.30-10.00 coffee roll or pastry €2
12.30-13.30 lunch roll water or soft drink. €3
3.30 start looking for a bed
5.00 accommodation € 15
7.30-8.00 meal. € 10-12
Chocolate coffees and fruit we buy on the road.
$A1. = €.63.
Bon Camino.
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