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Free Tibet, Kushalnagar
2008.01.23
On the approach to the Tibettan Settlements at Bylakuppe, 4km from Kushalnagar.
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On the approach to the Tibettan Settlements at Bylakuppe, 4km from Kushalnagar.
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You'd think this was Australia if you didn't know better.
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You'd think this was Australia if you didn't know better.
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Nothing like a sign to make you shake in your boots if you haven't got a permit in your pocket.
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Nothing like a sign to make you shake in your boots if you haven't got a permit in your pocket.
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My room for New Year's Eve. It might have been the room I enjoyed the most on my whole trip. 600 INR or say AUD$20. If I was part of a couple, it might have been a bit more.
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My room for New Year's Eve. It might have been the room I enjoyed the most on my whole trip. 600 INR or say AUD$20. If I was part of a couple, it might have been a bit more.
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That's my bike under the stairs. I could keep an eye on it from my balcony. Often I wasn't able to take my bike to my room but after a while you get to trust them when they tell you "your bike will be safe".
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That's my bike under the stairs. I could keep an eye on it from my balcony. Often I wasn't able to take my bike to my room but after a while you get to trust them when they tell you "your bike will be safe".
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Being a big skeptic about anything "spiritual" I couldn't go past this lovely sign.
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Being a big skeptic about anything "spiritual" I couldn't go past this lovely sign.
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Adorable.little.boy.
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Adorable.little.boy.
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Gorgeous.little.girl.
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Gorgeous.little.girl.
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And.what.about.this.bunch.I.love.the.red.jumpers.
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And.what.about.this.bunch.I.love.the.red.jumpers.
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I went to Kushalnagar mainly to visit the Tibettan Settlements nearby. I didn't have a permit however, so I could only spend the day there. It was not a particularly attractive place, not at all traditional, though i enjoyed the Tibettan flags and the juxtaposition with imported gum trees, being Australian like me. The temples were worth visiting, nevertheless, to see the paintings and it was the first time i enjoyed momos - stuffed dumplings. If anyone wants to actually stay here, you need a permit which you can get by googling "tibettan colonies" The name is Bylakuppe. It takes three months to get one, so do it now and do take the trouble to send you application to Delhi and nowhere else.
The day before in town I had met an ex-monk who offered to show me round the place. Given what is going on in Tibet lately, I am not feeling sorry for him anymore. He's better off in India. Unfortunately, most of the practicing monks were away, gone to listen to the Dalai Lama who was in the state.
It was New Year's Eve when I arrived in Kushalnagar. I treated myself to this nice hotel and wasted most of the day there doing my washing and drinking rum and cokes which went down very well. I rather liked this town. It was easy to manage but, gee, there were a lot of hotels to sort through.
The next day I went to the Dubare Elephant Camp which disappointed me a little - I thought they were a bit rough with the elephants. I took the pictures of the school kids while i waited for the boat to take me across the river.
