Author Description

A spontaneous decision to fly to New Delhi and a chance meeting with a Kashmiri tour agent took the author for five weeks to Kashmir. Highlights in Kashmir were a visit to a floating vegetable market, a two week pony-trek through the mountains and a water trek. The author tells how the mountains and the water helped in allaying his fear of heights and water, he also reflects on the friction that arose between himself and his guide/tour leader during the trek. He also touches on the ever-present Indian Army. Back in England the author plans a trip to New Zealand. Once in Christchurch the author embarks on a six-week bus tour of both the North and South Islands. Initially alienated by the first group, the mood changes with new groups of travellers. The author relates his experiences, good, bad and sometimes comical, whilst travelling with the many backpackers, he has some very enjoyable experiences travelling from Picton to Queenstown. Returns to England for Christmas with mum before planning a last-minute holiday to Sri Lanka. The author relates the hotel's attempts to woo the European clientele despite its limitations and describes two regional day excursions he made. The author tells how his trip to Pattaya in Thailand was marred by the overt sexual activity prevailing the city. Singapore a super clean shopping mecca for the shopaholics and searching for the Iban headhunters and Orang Utans in Borneo. Chilling out on the tax-free island of Langkawi before returning to England.