Around the world in 2000,
via Asia and Madagascar.
This fifth around-the-world ramble focussed on South East Asia and India. South-East
Asia is one of the most heterogeneous areas of the world where dozens of quite
different
ethnic groups have sought refuge and
established
kingdoms through the ages. It was interesting to see how China, Thailand
and Myanmar deal differently with their ethnic minorities. I was positively impressed
by the growing openness and amazing rate of
growth
of China and negatively by the
oppressive
military regime of Myanmar.
I had been in India before but had explored only its business
world. This backpacking trip showed other facets so that now my
impressions of India are overwhelmed
by the hard reality of what life is like for the vast majority of its population.
Madagascar and the South Indian Ocean islands were added
at the end because I had not been there before. You you may follow the
route shown on the map from page to page or go directly to the highlighted
places that interest you most.
The map traces my journey. My route was not direct for I
shopped for the lowest air fares. This year's adventure took me from Montreal
to Newark, to Anchorage, to Seoul, then to
China, 200 photos, (1, Guizhou),
(2, Kunming),
(3, Jinghong),
(4, Ganlanba),
(5, Menghun a),
(6, Menghun b),
(7, Lijiang),
(8, Baisha),
(9, Dali),
(10, Shaping), to
Thailand, 45 photos, (1),
(2), to
(Myanmar, 190 photos, (1 Yangon-Taunggyi),
(2, Inle Lake),
(3, Heho - Mandalay),
(4, Pyin U Lwin),
(5, Bagan - Popa),
(5a, Bagan Temples),
(6, Bago),
(7, Shwedagon),
to Dacca, to
(India 238 photos (1, Varanasi),
(2, Khajuraho),
(2b, Khajuraho Temples),
(3, Gwalior),
(4, Hyderabad),
(5, Mysore),
(6, Madurai),
(6a, Minakshi Temple),
(7, Kerala),
(7a, Kathakali),
(8, Goa - Bombay),
to Dubai, then to the
Seychelles, to Mayotte, to
Réunion, to
Madagascar, 69 photos, (1, Tana),
(2, South),
(3, Train),
(4, Center) and
Mauritius,
, before going home via Bagdad, London, Reykjavik and Boston where I got a night
bus for Montreal. It was quite a ride, altogether about 60 100 kilometers including
8 600 by train, 6100 by bus and 100 by boat. Here is some
information on costs and hotels.
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