[caption id=“attachment_4050” align=“aligncenter” width=“450”] Washing Day[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4043” align=“aligncenter” width=“450”] So yummy[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4047” align=“aligncenter” width=“450”] Yep, that’s my knee[/caption]

Ended up in a small art gallery by chance today. Ok maybe not that much by chance but rather by the owner’s brother who chatted me up in the streets. Anyway, early on in the visit I had to crush their hopes of selling anything to me, as I told them I don’t have a home and no place to hang a painting either. The lady running the gallery took it easy enough though and invited me to stay for a chat.

It’s incredible, how dusty this city is. Blowing one’s nose is not a pretty sight around here. Dust masks are common in people’s faces and from what I’ve gathered so far, it’ll be a while before the next rain brings relief. Despite the dust, everything in Kathmandu is pretty colourful, especially the clothes. While the dust is annoying, the dry weather has the big advantage of being far less tiring than the moist heat of Southeast Asia.

Started the day with a walk into Thamel (after breakfast that is) to have a look for some warmer clothing. Pretty much straight after entering the touristy area, I was frequently approached by trekking guides and others, who hope to make a few dollars. One of the guys seemed nice enough and I followed him for a tour around the area. He seemed pretty knowledgeable (should be, as a trekking guide) and told me, that the number of overseas visitors had dropped from hundreds of thousands per year to less than a quarter of that after the 2015 earthquake.

It was a couple of years ago that my verdict about Singapore was “boring and expensive” (or something along those lines). And in part, that still holds true. It is an oasis of peace compared to the utter madness that is down-town Manila, Bangkok or Saigon. But with the colourfully lit CBD and the hawker centres (food), it does have something to offer. Might only justify a stay of 1-2 nights, but still.

Approaching Singapore by means of air transport is quite a sight. Coming in over the sea, one looks down on an endless amount of cargo ships and, if sitting on the right side of the plane, the CBD. Looks especially pretty at night. All that is nothing compared to the approach on Kathmandu though. Descending into the mountains, close-by peaks on eye-level and finally arriving in pretty much the middle of the city was the most breathtaking landing I’ve ever witnessed.

Six weeks in Adelaide already - time flies when you’re enjoying yourself. On Tuesday it was time to move on and in the early afternoon I waved goodbye to my home of 1.5 months through the window of an airplane. The rather tiny E190 jet climbed up and away from the state capital and the view from above showed the dry vastness that is South Australia. The flight over to Brisbane takes 2.

Another “re-visit” years later. Singapore Airlines brought me into town after a 7.5h trip from Brisbane. Most of that time was spent flying over Oz. Crazy how big that country is. Just as in Brisbane, a train connects airport and city. Although the $2.50 they charge here are more attractive than the $33 return you have to shell out down under… Got to the hostel, dropped my bags and asked the guy at reception to point me towards the next good eatery.

Time flies and my stay in Adelaide is already coming to an end. Tomorrow I’m on a plane to Brisbane to meet up with a client and on Thursday it’s on to Nepal with a layover in Singapore. [caption id=“attachment_3979” align=“aligncenter” width=“253”] The “Mall’s Balls” in Rundle Mall[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3980” align=“aligncenter” width=“300”] CBD at Night[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3981” align=“aligncenter” width=“300”] Alternative Bar playing Vinyl Records[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_3982” align=“aligncenter” width=“450”] Australia - Land of the cheap Booze[/caption]

Just a 20 minute drive south of Adelaide city centre, good opportunity for an up-and-down coastal walk. Trees are rather scarce in the area, which is typical of South Australia and a consequence of the state being Australia’s driest.