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Merja

Activities of Merja

Nov 16, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
14

Pokhara, Nepal: At least the rat should happy

99 + 1 Countries ― Pokhara, or Pokhara base camp, like the gore tex gang likes to call it, was a similar exprerience to the Indian town of Leh. I had massive expectations which were not met. I was hoping to see a Nepali town but instead I ended up in a tourist ghetto,... (More)
Posted on Nov 16th, 2009
Nov 12, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
10

A tricky trip from Rishikesh, India to Pokhara, Nepal

99 + 1 Countries ― Folks, the one road in Eastern Terai is fine. Other than that, travelling from Rishikesh India to Pokhara Nepal is hellish. Here's a short version of what happened during the 40 hour killer trip.1. I took a vikram (a shared ricksha) from High Bank,... (More)
Posted on Nov 12th, 2009
Nov 7, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
9

Ten best places to visit in India and why you should go there too

99 + 1 Countries ― After reading some enraged comments to my posts on India I think I should make it clear once and for all that I adore India.Dear India! I never meant to hurt your feelings. I never meant to offend your religious views. I fully understand that you are... (More)
Posted on Nov 7th, 2009
Nov 5, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
9

5 Karmic do's for Rishikesh

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. Arrive in the oh so New Age Rishikesh weary of all the hippies and yoga nutters, conviced that this would not be your place. Laying your eyes on the sacred Ganges have a total change of heart. Not knowing exactly why, you now want to join their... (More)
Posted on Nov 5th, 2009
Nov 1, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
9

10 do's for McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. Arrive in McLeod Ganj two hours early from Manali at 4 AM when everything is closed. Fight with touts who want to take you to the shabbiest guesthouses down some freaking long steps. Say no to the overpriced lousy rooms and walk the even longer... (More)
Posted on Nov 1st, 2009
Oct 26, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
11

A cheater's guide to surviving a ten day Vipassana course

99 + 1 Countries ― If you are seriously thinking of doing a ten day Vipassana meditation course you might not want to read this. In a Vipassana course you commit yourself to not communicating in any way for ten days.In exchange of all the nice things in life you get to... (More)
Posted on Oct 26th, 2009
Oct 24, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
9

13 tips to a perfect day in Manali for 4 euros - all inclusive!

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. Get up early in your Old Manali guesthouse (Laxmi is nice and cheap). Have breakfast at Shiva Garden cafe. 2. Walk up the hill to the Manu Rishi temple. It's not great but I it liked the little statues there for their text book lack of originality... (More)
Posted on Oct 24th, 2009
Oct 20, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
12

How to make the best momo soup in the world - recipe!

99 + 1 Countries ― I sneaked in to the kitchen of Tenzin Dickey Tibetan in Leh to see how they make their potato and cheese momo soup for which they ought to be world famous and millionaires. And this is how it's how it's done. Teenage son chops veggies. Mom makes... (More)
Posted on Oct 20th, 2009
Oct 16, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
7

Sent the Koh-i-Noor back to Punjab!

99 + 1 Countries ― As my infatuation with the turban wearing men keeps growing, I bought a book on Sikhism called the Sikhs by Khushwant Singh, a famous Sikh scholar.The following is a brief summary on the most curious passage involving Koh-i-Noor and the cruelty of... (More)
Sent the Koh-i-Noor back to Punjab!
Posted on Oct 16th, 2009
Oct 12, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
6

Another unforgettable journey in Kashmir

99 + 1 Countries ― In the summer of 2008, serious communal violence resulting in dozens of fatalities, followed by massive strikes, curfews and business shut downs , left Kashmir mostly paralyzed. With the buses out service, you, in a momentary lapse of reason, decide... (More)
Posted on Oct 12th, 2009
Oct 8, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
5

The alternative guide to Kashmir

99 + 1 Countries ― 1.Visit Pahalgam.Set on the banks of the Lidder river and sandwiched between snow capped mountains, the small town of Pahalgam is a must-see for all those visitng Kashmir. This used to be hot spot for domestic tourists, but after the advent of the... (More)
The alternative guide to Kashmir
Posted on Oct 8th, 2009
Oct 4, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
6

A portait photo special from Leh

99 + 1 Countries ― There's one thing that will strike you in the Ladakhi town of Leh. That's the looks of the people.As Leh apparently is the closest you can get to Tibet in India, people look more Tibetan or Chinese than Indian. In fact, they look nothing like the... (More)
A portait photo special from Leh
Posted on Oct 4th, 2009
Sep 30, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
7

The other unforgettable journey: 21 hours from Leh to Manali

99 + 1 Countries ― People taking the bus from Leh to Manali were told to show up on the Main Bazaar of Leh at midnight. The bus was to take off at 1 AM.When I arrived a fight had already errupted. A European couple was having it with India."You try to tell me I didn't... (More)
The other unforgettable journey: 21 hours from Leh to Manali
Posted on Sep 30th, 2009
Sep 28, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
5

Leh: 10 small things I liked

99 + 1 Countries ― Okay. So Leh did not quite do it for me. Saying this is somewhat unfair as I did have the best potato and cheese momo soup ever (60 rs) at Tenzin Dickey Tibetan, was looked remarkably well after at the Julay guesthouse (200 rs, hot shower), visited... (More)
Leh: 10 small things I liked
Posted on Sep 28th, 2009
Sep 26, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
7

Srinagar to Leh in one go - a very bad idea

99 + 1 Countries ― I have only myself to blame. I was told to spend two days on the road from Srinagar to Leh, making a stop half way at Kargil.Seven o'clock in the morning at the Srinagar taxi stand I found out that I could do this trip in a one very long day. I... (More)
Srinagar to Leh in one go - a very bad idea
Posted on Sep 26th, 2009
Sep 24, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
5

What to do in Srinagar - 10 tips

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. Upon arriving take your time to find the perfect houseboat to stay. As you probably are arriving late from either Leh or Jammu, spend the first evening just chilling on the front deck of the boat and soaking in the Kashmiri atmosphere. There's... (More)
What to do in Srinagar - 10 tips
Posted on Sep 24th, 2009
Sep 22, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
9

9 tips to finding the perfect houseboat in Srinagar

99 + 1 Countries ― Staying in a houseboat is one of the main attractions of the Kashmiri town Srinagar. The houseboat are like little villas on the Dal lake. They come in all classes from deluxe to D class (D is an official class) so everyone can find a houseboat to... (More)
9 tips to finding the perfect houseboat in Srinagar
Posted on Sep 22nd, 2009
Sep 20, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
7

An unforgettable journey from Jammu to Srinagar: How these men made my day

99 + 1 Countries ― Night bus from Amritsar to Jammu arrived in Jammu at 4.30 in the morning. It was pitch black. The driver of the private bus told me it was the Jammu bus station but I doubt it was.Rather, it seemed like I had been dropped from the bus to some... (More)
An unforgettable journey from Jammu to Srinagar: How these men made my day
Posted on Sep 20th, 2009
Sep 18, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
8

Visiting the Attari border - not what you expect

99 + 1 Countries ― You'd thinks it's grand, pompous and dignified. But the closing ceremony at Attari border (30 km from Amritsar) between India and Pakistan is anything but. In fact it's more like a daily fiesta.The ceremony itself probably is rather serious business.... (More)
Posted on Sep 18th, 2009
Sep 16, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
5

Travelling across India on a ricksha - these guys did it!

99 + 1 Countries ― Ever joked about buying an auto ricksha and making your way around India driving on your own? Well it's no joke anymore. Charles and Stuart from Canada have travelled all across the continent from Kerala up to the north on their own three wheeler,... (More)
Posted on Sep 16th, 2009
Sep 14, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
14

5 best of Amritsar: Good times for free!

99 + 1 Countries ― I seriously don't understand why the Taj Mahal is considered to be the number one attraction in India - at least if we are talking about buildings. That notorious title ought to belong to Amritsar's Golden Temple. But thankfully it doesn't. Now... (More)
Posted on Sep 14th, 2009
Sep 12, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
5

The man who traveled 3 days to get cookies from Jaisalmer

99 + 1 Countries ― The ex-news presenter, ex-monk, and now a meat eating oddjob, who was mentioned earlier here, popped up again while I was still in Delhi. These are the focal points of our discussion:1. He thinks he has found the secret to being comfortable in Delhi.... (More)
Posted on Sep 12th, 2009
Sep 11, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
5

10 do's for Delhi

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. Find out if the half naked man lying in a featal position on Chandni Chowk is really dead or does he need help. Do it the Indian way: stare! Then get embarrassed by realizing that the other onlookers aren't laughing at the man's bare ass but at... (More)
Posted on Sep 11th, 2009
Sep 10, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
4

Delhi: News update

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. 5 girls died in a stampede in a Delhi school. The kids were running away from the classroom which had open electric wiring and it was pouring down rain - into the classroom, I assume. The girls were stomped to death by their classmates.2. It's... (More)
Posted on Sep 10th, 2009
Sep 8, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
4

Delhi as a first point of entry into India

99 + 1 Countries ― My first day of the trip here in Delhi was... most uneventful. I arrived safe and sound, took a 50 rs bus to Connought Place and a ricksha to my prebooked guesthouse in Pahar Ganj. I thought I had been tricked into paying too much for the first time... (More)
Posted on Sep 8th, 2009
Dec 10, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
31

5 sexy do's for Bhutan

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. First you need to learn about Drukpa Kuenlay, also known as the Divine Madman, Bhutan's favorite Lama. Drukpa Kuenlay came to Bhutan from Tibet in the 15th century armed with a bow and arrow, which he magically used to find suitable virgins to... (More)
Made popular on Feb 28th, 2010
Dec 7, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
24

Arriving in Bhutan: 8 do's

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. When flying to Paro in Bhutan, try to get a seat on the left side of the plane. That way you will have the chance to see Mount Everest and some other highest mountains in the world from the plane. It helps if you have a clear mental image of... (More)
Made popular on Jun 16th, 2010
Dec 3, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
17

7 do's for the Kathmandu night

99 + 1 Countries ― 1. Get acquinted with people who can take you to drink tongba. Razu at the Mount View guesthouse might prove to be your new best friend if he takes you to Dorje restaurant. If you can't find Razu, you can try locating Dorje yourself. Facing south,... (More)
Made popular on Oct 4th, 2010
Nov 30, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
32

Bathing with elephants? No thanks

99 + 1 Countries ― It's cruel. It's abuse. It's wrong. Elephant bathing is one of those things which in a guide book seem like the funniest thing you could ever do, but the reality of it is quite different.I watched a few tourists "help an elephant bathe" in the... (More)
Made popular on Jun 17th, 2010
Nov 27, 2009
Merja posted a new topic.
17

Want to see rhinos in Chitwan? Go find a waiter called Santos

99 + 1 Countries ― If it wasn't for Santos I don't think I would have seen any rhinos in Chitwan National Park.These days spotting one is a matter of luck - due to lack of surveillance, poachers have been enjoying a field day in Chitwan.I booked two trips to the... (More)
Made popular on Oct 16th, 2010

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