From Delhi to... Bangkok!!

Yes, we sent e-mails to different agencies in Kathmandu and they all answered the same. The only way the Chinese government allows foreigners to get into Tibet from Nepal, is by booking a guided tour of min 8 days through Tibet with lodging and breakfast included, which would cost us at least 450USD per person. Once in Tibet, you can do what you want, you do not necessarily have to follow the group. First of all, a guided tour does not really interest us, as a "permit" 450USD is a little too expensive. Secondly, we would have to make a 36hours bus trip to Kathmandu. Then, in order to get from Lhasa to China afterwards, we would be obliged to go by plane (another Chinese rule). So, finally we have decided with pain in our hearts (Sarah, I don't know if this is good English) to leave Tibet for another occasion and to fly to Bangkok. We will then travel through Laos to China (Kunming), where the temperatures are now perfect, and then come back to the South, when the monzoons will not be that strong anymore.

So, yes, we are in Bangkok at the moment! Different faces, different language, different currency, different food... A tiny little culture shock... Since we have arrived in the middle of the monzoons, with high temperatures, high humidity and hot showers all late afternoon and part of the evening, we have looked for a guesthouse with Air conditioning. Small room, but bathroom included and clean & tidy.

I don't have any photos yet, but I'll give you more impressions of Thailand later on, with pictures, OK? Talk to you soon...