The sights were equally breathtaking. We drove about an hour and a half to a hill resort called Nagarkot. Upon arrival we were awed by the surroundings which we thought were mountains. (Picture on left)A local told us to look up ...higher and we caught a glimpse of what was really and trully mountains! What we saw were hills!

The snow cap tops are part of the Himalayan range.

NEPAL 5th May to 9th May 2007

Perhaps one of the most beautiful country I've visited - the sights and scenery and the people. Albeit I only visited Kathmandu and not the outline villages. The people and faces of Kathmandu are so varied and intriguing. There are some who look like indians from India, some who look like tibetans and still some who look like chinese!!

I tried to capture some of the faces

March 17th-25th 2007

CHINA

My business travel in March took me to 4 cities in China; Hong Kong, Chang Ping (DongGuan), Dalian and Shanghai. This trip was especially significant since I was accompanying 5 Europeans; 2 of whom are Swedish and first time in China. Its always a pleasure acting as tour guide for first timers since they are not able to verify the facts and figures which I throw at them. :>

My usual stopover is in the city of ChangPing (a direct train from Hong Kong gets you here). Whats in the town of ChangPing? Apart from several wood working factories in the area; there are some good buddies here.....they are native to ChangPing (almost). They tell me they visit my travel blog regularly and so I wonder how long before they realize their mugshots are here. These guys claim that their factories are run by MBAs. (Managed by Alchoholics).......I tend to believe them.

From the southern province of Guang Dong, I flew to the beautiful city of Dalian with my UK business partner, Chris and his wife Tracey. Its always nice to be in Dalian where its quiet(er)and the streets wider after being in the busy province of GuangDong. Dalian is cold he winter with temperatures ranging from 3 to 9 degerees.

The highlight was being in shanghai…….because I found out where the copy market folks moved to. I shall reveal this in my next posting!!!

Hannover, Germany 12th - 15th January 2007

Besides the Domotex Floor Show, which was good to reconnect with friends in the trade, Germany is known for good shweine, sauerkraut (which I am not such a fan off) and dumplings. The meal was absolutely fabulous and I am glad I got a good shot to remind me of the meal....I can taste it now just looking at the pic. Note the crispy pork skin on the pork in the middle of the plate!

A good restaurant in Hannover, with reasonable price is the "Lehner's Wirsthaus". Judging from the crowd, it must be a popular spot in Hannover. By the time we got a table it was quite late and when we left the restaurant there were not many people around. We topped it off with some pear shnappes which kept me warm and satisfied the rest of the cold winter night!!

11th Jan - 21st January, 2007

This annual trip to England included a weekend in Hannover, Germany to visit the flooring exhibition at Domotex. A quick dash around to visit customers and potential clients on my way back to London. Stopped over in Reading, Henley on Thames and then London itself.

It was an unusual warm 10 days but was told it the temperature dropped to 4 degrees and snowed in Manchester that evening I left England!! Great timing!!

I had night in London before heading north to Manchester and so I had to find a place to lay my head for the night. Everyone is familiar with the cost of hotels in the UK and so, I booked this on the net www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk not knowing what to expect. Great website for London information!!

Anyway, to cut the story short; I would give this place a full THUMBS UP for location, service, cleaniness and friendliness. For 50 quid per room per night; I got wi fi in my room, ensuite (which is not always the case in the UK) and a full english breakfast in the morning. The room is not super big but ideal for a couple or businessman for a night or two.

I arrived at 5.30 am from Kuala Lumpur, tired and wanting a rest. The manager at the front desk invited me for a complimentary breakfast and checked me in at 9.30am!!

The hotel is 5 minutes walk to Euston station which is the main railway line to any northwest destinations. It is also 10 minutes walk to Kings Cross and Euston Square Underground.

To the people at Mabledon Court Hotel...thanks for a wonderful stay!!

11 January 2007