..and how to shorten your life... (Bangladesh)

Allo allo

Just returned from a trip to Dhaka in Bangladesh (Southern asia, basically surrounded by India)
and I must admit, I quite enjoyed it. I thought those days when I traveled in Delhi were bad, but man the traffic in Dhaka was even scarier. How to loose 10 years of your life caused by stress, go on an autoricksha (those 3 wheeled scootercars) or rickshaw (the 3 wheeled bicycles) and experience facing REAL traffic with your bare body. You will think the people are mad, then you realize it's just the way they drive around there. No one follows the traffic rules (like stopping at a traffic light or staying in your lane). You just drive as if you REALLY have to be somewhere. It's cars, buses, rickshas, auto ones, people (incl. beggars, hawkers) EVERYWHERE! The flight over there was horrendous and animalistic. Unfortunately the locals just have no idea. They don't know how to flush the toilet, where the bin is, or some don't even know that there is a toilet on the aircraft and pee on their seat (one even pooed on the toilet seat and not inside) they ask for water constantly and stand up from their seats while the aircraft is landing. There were 400 of them on this flight. Good grief, what an experience. I've been warned, so thought I was prepared. But sjoe, hiyebo, aikona.

Anyway, no one was brave enough to take on the thought of traveling, so I went alone. Found a guide (probably not more than 12 years old) and off we went. Saw the beautiful National Parliament House designed by Louis Khan, it won architectural awards. Went to the Dekashwari hindu temple and then little Russel (the guide) took me to the clothing markets where you can also buy the latest movies for verrrry cheap. Took a 3 wheeled bicycle ride back (my first time, i felt bad for letting a guy cycle us, but he gotto feed his family (sjoe, this is a poor country) - i gave him a lot more than he asked for) Then we walked back to the hotel - he took me through the back alleys where I would never dare be alone. It was great!!! I loved it.

Back at the hotel, I chilled in a jacuzzi (haha, in Dhaka) and joined crew for dinner. The hotel had a stunning fully equipped gym, swimming pool, sauna and steamroom and restaurants(well, like most hotels). Don't know why crew complain about the hotel. It is luxury. Especially for Dhaka standards.

Money unit= taka
Weather - misty now and chilly

That's it for now. Hope you enjoyed.
Hear from you soon

Ciao for now
Hugs,
A

bye bye love, hello loneliness

Good morning lovely people!

The first month of the year is already over!
and so we continue into the year
I have just said goodbye to Pookie. We spent about 9 wonderful days together. Param and I also spent days of bad flu's and body aches and nursed each other back to recovery, it was quite funny. I took him to my favourite corners of Dubai, old traditional buildings made from clay and wooden sticks, arabian boats, hungry cats and native men with bad posture, where the food is cheap and the birds like to chirp. He loved it as much. Wow, what a relief. We went on a thrilling dune-bashing desert safari, amazing dinners and lunches, saw some crazy architecture and just enjoyed being together again. It was great. In between I had an insane Indian flight (never to be repeated again, haha) and went to Birmingham, where I fell so sick, I slept for 17 hours. The bus ride to the hotel was stunning though. Beautiful stretches of bright and lush grassy fields and leafless trees, old english suburbs (Solihull). The weather was cold, but great.

The month of Feb, I will hopefully have some great traveling news again, as my roster is quite promising. Having Param here though, has been my best time in Dubai:-) He is on his way to Thailand now (without me, as I didn't get the leave I requested)

Oh, and I must tell you this interesting happening - the rain in Dubai. On the 13th of Jan, we had 2 days of non-stop rain in Dubai. Now, this sounds normal for a winter season, but no - NOT Middle East!! Dubai does not have a draining system, causing all of our balconies to flood, confusing and disorientating taxi/bus drivers, traffic jams, delayed flights etc etc. It was unbelievable. It seems like it's over now, although the weather is still very cold. Been like this for a month now. (Dubai USUALLY only has TWO seasons - hot and BLOODY hot), don't know where THIS weather comes from, hehe.

Hey, it's 7am now (haven't slept), preparing my body clock for the 3 am flight I have later:)
Thank you for letting me share my life

Till later
Tooooedeldoe!!

Alta

how to loose weight in one easy step - for travelers only (London)

Good afternoooon fellas

How about an afternoon tea?

So, I finally got to London, Central. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so I didn't plan well. I took the Tube, spoke to random people on the train as usual, to find my way
and I decided to start at Covent Garden. Stupid me (expecting a big, beautiful park-like garden with benches only to find that it is some historical place with lots of markets, lights
and busyness) A disappointment. Then I went off to see the action in Soho (redlight district, heehee), checked out what Chinatown looks like in London (boohoo) and just walked around. Honestly, I was not interested in things like the Big Ben and blah blah blah. Just wanted to get the 'feel' of London City. And it was great. Foooking cold tho, but great. I was extremely tired and was wandering around like a zombie actually.
Which brings us to my secret diet:) Just skip on meals when you want to travel to ONE more destination, or afford that cool coat, etc. Hahaha. In this case, I did some groceries shopping again, and saw these booties that I reaally wanted, and actually went back to the supermarket to trade some stuff in to afford the boots. (or rather afford to get back to my hotel, which is an hour away). As I left the supermarket, I realized that I'm not sure where the shoes shop is again (and I left all my belongings there) and I forgot to take the name to ask for directions ( I guess this is how tired I was, with London being 4 hours behind from Dubai, extending my day also). Anyway, found the place eventually, got the shoes and left. Back on the Underground (the Tube/train), got off at desired station, to find no one around to help me with which bus to take. Eventually found a man that was rude to me (probably also tired, as it was 22h00 by then) so I just sat at the bus station crying. Hahaha. I was tired, cold, hungry and broke (gave my last coins to an artist at the station - and I was told the buses to my hotel is free from the airport) and it was just a weird day and I felt lost. So, I cried. But then someone helped me, and told me about the free buses and exactly which ones to take.

Had an interesting time. Afterall, not so sure what the fuss is about London? The sky is REALLY grey, check the photo. And it's REALLY cold, too cold.
The next day I just slept:)

Tomorrow I leave for Johannesburg, to stay for 2 days. Then I bring my pookie with. He's catching the same flight as me:) to stay till the end of the month, whoohoo
Anyone knows of a contact in JNB that does bike licences?? One of those guys that will just give you a mark:).... let me know

Was nice sharing my crazy times
Take care now
And as usual looking forward to your replies

Toedledoo
A

stepping into the light of 2008

Good afternoon boys and girls

Happy new year to you all!!

Relationships can be such wonders in ones life. It can aid in the growth and development of ones journey, creating more life awareness, challenges and reflection. I am loving my relationship with partner and best friend, Param and even over these long/far distances, we connect like never before.
So, I spent New Year's eve in JNB and pookie was right by my side:)
Hope you all had a good party

I have just returned from Gatwick, was discouraged to travel to London from there, so just ended up doing lots of shopping. The entire Debenhams centre was 50-75% off sales. And I've decided to do my groceries shopping at Sainsbury's from now on, it's the best!! (the guy at the till even guessed my profession: "Let me guess. You're aircrew. Yes. Emirates? Of all the airlines, you guys are the best. Thank you. You sound South African. You enjoy living in Dubai? Probably overlooking the creek from your apartment window?" And then as I left the store, I shouted "TOEDELDOE" and he replied, "Ma'asalama!! I was blown away. This guy was so awesome, that I returned immediately to take a photo of him to show the crew. He said that I made his day... likewise buddy, I said. hehe, I tell you, the attitude in England is great, with the right approach:) Imagine this kind of customer service/attention at a Pick-n-Pay till.
I'll be going to Heathrow soon, and would like to go explore London then (haven't been there)

Not sure if I mentioned this before - I won a 500dhs voucher for writing about our beautiful Cape Town for a crew website;-) You can read my review on what2do4crew.com

Oh, my wonderful flatmate turned into a demon, hahaha. So, I'm looking for new accomodation. Watch this space.

So ja... hope you all well

Bye for now
Alta