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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Feb 21, 2014 08:00 PM Permit to the legendary kingdom - not easy!
I got my Nepali visa on arrival in Kathmandu airport. IT is easy assuming that at the same time 3 or 4 planes will no arrive :)
So just after landing run to the arrival hall, pick from the table one A4 format visa application form and jump into the first line. Fill the form waiting and keep ready one passport photo. First desk is cashier desk : tell him how many days of stay you need. Accordingly he will ask for money: 25 $ for 15 days, 40$ for 30 days, 100 for 90. You pay, you get the receipt and he will show you second line to jump into: every period of stay has separate line - my-30 days was the longest!
It took me 40 min all toogether - I think I was lucky....
Then you go to security screening, then pick you luggage, then to bored customs... Welcome to KTM!!
But visa is not enough to go to the Kingdom of Mustang - travel agent in KTM or better-in Pokhara must obtain for you Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (easy - in half day).
Then, since the Upper Mustang is restricted area the agency providing your guide (obligatory) must apply on behalf of you for Mustang permit. This will cost you a lot... My partner arrived today (there must be minimum 2 in the group + guide) and our agent promised to arrange this permit in one day - tomorrow (Sat is holiday for some reason in Nepal, Sun-not). We will see.
What I am afraid: there are clouds on the mountains today and they say it is snowing up there. I pray for the sunny weather...
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Feb 20, 2014 08:00 PM Nepal - 27 years later...
I have been to Pokhara 27 years ago. I see many changes. More tourists, more guesthouses. But it is still inexpensive destination for the foreigner. The loaf of bread cost 120 rupees, A jar of honey (my choice) 200 rs for 500g. In the street restaurant you pay 150 rs for the portion of momo -my favourite Tibetan dumplings. Money changers offer today 97 rupees for one USD.
But there are also unpleasant surprises: the shortage of electric power -it is officialy announced: no power from 9am till 3pm and from 6pm till 11pm. This means no internet, no warm water, no laundry...That's Nepal in 21st century... But the people are lovely...
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Feb 19, 2014 08:00 PM Fish Tail Mountain
Kathmandu is noisy and polluted now. Pokhara - the second town of Nepal is much nicer. That's why I didn't stop in KTM on my way. The second point for Pokhara: from KTM you cannot see the snowy peaks. From Pokhara you see Annapurnas and even closer -the sharp pyramide of Machhapuchhre - Fish Tail Mtn - almost 7ooo m high. Third: Pokhara has beautiful Phewa Lake. Go Pokhara!
You will find a hundered or more hotels and GH to chose from. Rates are similar: 10 USD per room with bath. Plus 2 if they provide breakfast. I stay in the tiny and friendly Pushpa GH - lucky to see Fish Tail from my window - ask for room 109!
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Feb 18, 2014 08:00 PM On the way to Himalaya
Four planes one by one took me from Gdansk to Munich to Delhi to Kathmandu to Pokhara. Lucky me - no one was delayed, a two of them arrived before the schedule!
I travel only with a cabin luggage this time and maniac security guards in India and Kathmandu were not nice to me. They collected even my small screwdriver . Last segment took me along the snowy main range of HIMALAYA. Great views!
An hour before sunset I reached Pokhara at the bottom of Annapurnas. Time for the rest...
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Feb 17, 2014 08:00 PM Back to Himalaya!
When in 1987 I was for the first time in Nepal I managed not only to did famous Everest trek, but also to reach the mountain settlement of Jomsom hidden between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. I knew at this time that Jomsom is a gateway to the legendary Kingdom of Mustang, located further up - near the Tibetan border. But at that time Mustang was closed to me. Now I want to try again.
It's been many years since then, the situation has changed, the door of Mustang is slightly open now. So I set out again to the highest mountains in the world to realize one more travelers' dream. Walking trail to Lo Manthang - the capital of the Himalayan kingdom goes through the passes of altitude around 4000 meters above sea level. In the tiny villages on the trail they do not have electric power - or internet connection, of course. And I do not have such a fitness like 27 years ago when I was in the Himalaya for the first time. Will I manage that? Please - keep your fingers crossed for me!
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Dec 23, 2013 08:00 PM Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Dear Friends
We do not have any snow for Christmas this year in Gdansk but it is still very pleasant and important event...
My Christmas tree 2,5 m high is ready and bright - in the morning my two grandsons - Kamil and Kuba helped me to put on it the apples, sweets and ornaments. Soon we will wait for the first star on the sky to start the Christmas Eve celebration. We do hope that Santa Claus will also come this evening with his pack full of gifts.
Merry Christmas dear friends! Have a prosperous New Year. Happy travelling in 2014!
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Dec 09, 2013 08:00 PM Last beach walk in Miami
Strong sun was shining from the morning. I had enough time to take a long walk along the beach. At 9 am there were very few people but a lot of sea birds.
Last chance to swim - water probably as warm as the air, the waves were quite high so you have to take care - but it was the great pleasure. In Europe there is a snow!
Time to pack up. The last expensive way to go from Miami Beach to Miami airport is express bus 150 from Lincoln Rd.
For 2,65 USD they will take you to metrorail terminal (allow 30-40 min) and then there is a free people mover to the airport.
Do you know that you have to pay extra 25 USD even for the first piece of checked luggage? I avoided this taking my pack to the cabin as an carry-on. There was nice sunset on the air. It is evening and I am waiting for the flight to Europe in JFK airport in New York. They have free wi-fi access - but only 20 minutes - if you will give them any e-mail address. My voyage is almost completed. I think about white Christmas in Europe!
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Dec 08, 2013 08:00 PM Everglades on Florida
I love the nature so I took my chance to see another National Park: Everglades on Florida.
What most of the hotels and agencies offer is a standard tour which lasts about 4 hours - they will pick you up from your hotel or agency, then there is 40 minutes bus drive to the park.
In the park you board the airboat. Wow! This was something new to me: can you imagine a noisy flat boat with a big air propeller in the back? They distribute earplugs before you go...
It can sail through the shallow waters and swamps of Everglades. But the standard tour takes only 35 minutes of sailing. We saw alligators, birds, mud turtle and water flowers... Then in the park ranch there is a kind of the show: the ranger is talking about animals showing them (12-years old resident alligator some 4 m long is showing himself). At the end you can have for 3 USD a picture with a young alligator in hands. And there are people who pay!
If you shop around in Miami this tour will cost you 35 USD including airboat and entry fee. Enjoy!
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Dec 07, 2013 08:00 PM Miami after years,,,
At sunrise we already docked in Miami cruise terminal - a big place - there were 6 ships at a time!
Since I decided to spent another two nights in Miami Beach there was a problem how to get there from the cruise terminal. Initially I wanted to walk about 2 kms to the public bus 120. But at the pier there were private minibus drivers offering door-to-door service to Miami Beach for just 10 USD (bus ticket cost 2,65) so decided to go with them instead to carry the pack in the heat.
I booked in advance the room in Tropics Hotel/hostel on Collins Ave. They have free wi-fi, little pool and guest kitchen. It is only 70 m to the beach... Rooms are big, but take care about the excursions they offer - you can get the same trip few dollars less nearby.
Miami Beach is nicer then 20 years ago - many Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive were renovated.
It is lovely 25 deg Celsius, warm sea and sun. Good time to relax...
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Dec 06, 2013 08:00 PM We are close to the end of the cruise!
The sea is calmer today and they opened the promenade on the deck 7 for walkers. We are heading to Miami, Florida. It is the last day at sea. The cruise staff is delivering to the cabins the passengers bills. What do you think - how looks the backpacker's bill. I believe that they are always surprised by my bill: no drinks, no duty-free shopping, no shore excursions...
Balance to be paid: zero I am here not to be milked, but just to see new places on the route.
It is time to pack-up again my backpack. In the evening we had an interesting show in the ship's theatre. Russian artists were the best!!
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