We are not getting enough information coming out of Tibet, except what we hear on international media. In Kathmandu, however, the trips are still leaving for Tibet. So that is a good sign.
Here are some links with more information on the Tibetan protests and the Chinese response:
BBC News: UN Calls for Restraint in Tibet
Human Rights Watch: China Restrain from Violently Attacking Protesters
Associated Press: Tibet Unrest Sparks Global Reaction
New York Times: China Takes Steps to Thwart Reporting on Tibet Protests
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Tibet Travel Advice
The season for travel into Tibet is starting. And with news of new protests in Lhasa, people might get a bit hesitant to travel. Rightfully so....
Read a NY Times article here
OK, it is difficult to have accurate information from Nepal, and it does not help that Nepal has taken a negative stance towards Tibet, so the media is not reporting much. But we organise trips to Tibet, and deal with tour operators in Tibet, hence can get news enough for travel advice.
Right now, most problems are in Lhasa only, which during a standard trip to Tibet, is only two days. Knowing the Chinese Embassy and how they operate in Nepal, any day, the rules can change, the day they think that westerners are not welcome, because they would rather that they did not see the protests, the visa can stop. It has not happened right yet, but could... so be warned.
However, as is in Nepal, your life as such is never at threat. Tourists are always given a better status and priority, especially in Tibet now, since the Chinese need a good image for the August Olympics.
Hence the TRAVEL ADVICE: Keep your eyes and ears open, get accurate information, and be armed with local advice. Watch this space. There is no need to cancel your well deserved trips just yet.
Read a NY Times article here
OK, it is difficult to have accurate information from Nepal, and it does not help that Nepal has taken a negative stance towards Tibet, so the media is not reporting much. But we organise trips to Tibet, and deal with tour operators in Tibet, hence can get news enough for travel advice.
Right now, most problems are in Lhasa only, which during a standard trip to Tibet, is only two days. Knowing the Chinese Embassy and how they operate in Nepal, any day, the rules can change, the day they think that westerners are not welcome, because they would rather that they did not see the protests, the visa can stop. It has not happened right yet, but could... so be warned.
However, as is in Nepal, your life as such is never at threat. Tourists are always given a better status and priority, especially in Tibet now, since the Chinese need a good image for the August Olympics.
Hence the TRAVEL ADVICE: Keep your eyes and ears open, get accurate information, and be armed with local advice. Watch this space. There is no need to cancel your well deserved trips just yet.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Aussie tourist beaten over liquor price brawl
Nepalese are patient people. They will endure anything, but at a certain point, they tend to snap and it is difficult to know what can turn Nepali innocence and friendliness into stupid brutality. As a Nepali myself, I know that at some point in time, we tend to snap.
An Aussie was beaten up at Tatopani, at the Western end of the famous Annapurna Circuit Trail, over, hold your breaths..... a liquor price brawl ? whaaaaatttt?
I can imagine what happened. In Nepal, there is a local price and a tourist price for everything, specially so in a tourist area. The fight probably started over a tourist price for the Aussie who came in with Nepali friends who would have paid a different price.
At some point in time, the local youth set in, snapped and brutally beat this tourist up. He is convalescing in Pokhara now. Read the article on the Himalayan Times
or on eTurboNews
TRAVEL ADVICE:
1. Do not drink alcohol on the trek. It is not recommended to drink alcohol on trek anyways. OK, Tatopani is not high altitude, so it is still OK, but cannot we stay out of this habit for a bit?
2. Do not get into brawls with locals. This is not smart at all.
3. Nepal has differential pricing for locals and tourists. The difference can be huge in relative terms but in dollar terms, Nepal is still one of the cheapest holiday destinations... Accept it! Fighting will not solve it.
4. Be smart and stay safe!
An Aussie was beaten up at Tatopani, at the Western end of the famous Annapurna Circuit Trail, over, hold your breaths..... a liquor price brawl ? whaaaaatttt?
I can imagine what happened. In Nepal, there is a local price and a tourist price for everything, specially so in a tourist area. The fight probably started over a tourist price for the Aussie who came in with Nepali friends who would have paid a different price.
At some point in time, the local youth set in, snapped and brutally beat this tourist up. He is convalescing in Pokhara now. Read the article on the Himalayan Times
or on eTurboNews
TRAVEL ADVICE:
1. Do not drink alcohol on the trek. It is not recommended to drink alcohol on trek anyways. OK, Tatopani is not high altitude, so it is still OK, but cannot we stay out of this habit for a bit?
2. Do not get into brawls with locals. This is not smart at all.
3. Nepal has differential pricing for locals and tourists. The difference can be huge in relative terms but in dollar terms, Nepal is still one of the cheapest holiday destinations... Accept it! Fighting will not solve it.
4. Be smart and stay safe!
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