Preparations on top of the hill. The instructor casually unpacks the parachute, attaches me to the seat and explains how to make myself comfortable once we’re in the air. I’m nervous, borderlining fear, he doesn’t even mention it. Gerda appears to be going through the same. I know this will be good, I already feel the rush coming on. When suddenly we start for the edge of the mountain, the world follows in slow-motion. A moment later my feet leave … Continue reading
In the air! / Skrendu…!
Ramadan in Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir, the northern-most state of India, is officially home to 3 major ethnic groups. The state capital during summer months is in Srinagar, located in Kashmir valley, mountains away, while during the winter it relocates to Jammu, situated on the base of the Himalaya mountains. We reached Jammu early in the morning, but in contrast to the majority of others boarding jeeps for Srinigar right outside the train station, we headed for a guest house. It seemed wise … Continue reading
Delhi – noise, crowds and pollution
Delhi greeted us warmly with 40+C heat, air and ground covered in layers of dust and annoying salesmen. Piles of rubbish, stinking away in the sun, decorating the street corners. The holy cows of India, their coat covered in a collection of patches of dung, strolled around casually in between anthills of people, helping themselves to delicious pickings from the rotting piles. It occurs to me that a farmer’s cow in Lithuanian lowlands enjoys a much higher quality of life … Continue reading
Maharaja’s adventures on a plane / Maharadžos nuotykiai lėktuve
In-flight instructions brought to you by Maharaja IndiGo. / Maharaja moko skrydzio taisykliu, lankstinukas is IndiGo.
We went to Burma!
“We went to Burma!” – text on a souvenir t-shirt available in Yangon tourist market. You’re in for a treat – instead of the traditional “What we liked most in country X” summary post after leaving a country, you get a (redacted) version of Gerda’s diary to folks back at home. Enjoy the reading! 2012-06-17 – Successfull touchdown in the land of the Burmese (it feels unusual to fly again after 8 months). Our hotel is unbelievably expensive and the … Continue reading
Nay Pyi Daw – the secret capital of the generals
Nay Pyi Daw, literally, “the royal city of the sun”, the newly-built grandiose capital of Burma, isn’t frequented by tourists. Some of them skip it as a protest against the totalitarian government regime, others simply dedicate the short 28 day visa time for more advertised destinations in the country. After all, the city, built in 2006, lacks any sort of cultural attractions. The government is not at all interested in attracting non-official visitors either; in fact, tourists simply aren’t expected. … Continue reading