New Westminster, Canada
Well... I'm home - It's been great to kick back and hang out with the family these past couple of days. I've posted random pictures from the trip. Enjoy!
Durbar Square, Patan, Nepal

Monkey at the "Monkey Temple" Kathmandu

Lukla Airport

Phakding


Yak between Lukla and Namche

Prayer wheels in Namche

Yak in Tengboche

Tengboche Monastary

"Throw another turd on the fire"

Trail between Khumjung and Mong


My guesthouse in Dole

Between Dole and Macherma


The 2nd Lake

Gokyo

Mount Everest

My Innukshuk

Views From Donag-Tse (5800m)


Cho-La(5420m)

Walking down from the Cho-La

Helicopter wreckage at Everest base camp

Thame Monastary

Renjo-La (5417m)

Everest from Renjo-La

Mong (3973m)

High trail between Khumjung and Mong

Ama Dablam

Bangkok, Thailand

I took the night train from Kanchanaburi to Surat Thani, followed by a bus to Krabi. I ended up in Ao Nang Beach, where I took the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Open water diver course (4 days.) It was a lot of fun. The water temperature was between 29-32 degrees Celsius. In addition to learning all about the gear and how to use it without killing myself, I saw lots of cool looking fish and corals. The weather began to deteriorate towards the end of the course. It rained a lot and apparently it was worse in the southern gulf, (east coast - ko samui, ko pha ngan, ko tao) so I cancelled my plan of attending the full moon party on the 16th (on ko pha ngan.) I hung out in Ao Nang for a few more days. I'm in the famous (infamous?) tourist ghetto of Koa San road in Bangkok. I begin my journey home tomorrow.
Scuba Diving in the Indian ocean

Kanchanaburi, Thailand

After spending almost a week in the Chiang Mai area, during which time I went for a 3 day trek through the jungle (elephant ride and crazy bamboo rafting trip down a jungle river included,) checked out the night bazaar and markets, and took a thai cooking course, I abandoned my plans to continue into Laos and Cambodia, and headed south towards the beaches. I felt that with the amount of time that I had available, there was no way that I could explore either place to the depth that they both deserve. I'm saving them for another trip (believe me, there will be more trips. I am now addicted to travel.) Kanchanaburi, the town that I am in now, is the site of the famous 'Bridge on the River Kwai' which was built by allied POW's during World War II. It's around 2hrs by bus west of Bangkok. I spent a day checking out the cemeteries, museums, and the bridge itself. I leave this evening for Krabi province (south west coast of Thailand) where I will be taking a scuba diving course. I fly home in 10 days! The trip is nearly over.... NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, it will be nice to see my family and friends, and I'm into the ugly stages of skiing withdrawl... See you all soon.

Wat in Sukhothai Historical Park

Chiang Mai, Thailand

I took a bus from Bangkok to Sukhothai where I spent a day exploring the ruins in the Sukhothai Historical Park (a world heritage site) on a rented bicycle. It was very interesting, but I must confess that I've seen enough of ruined temples for a few days. Today I took the bus from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai. I plan on doing a 3 to 5 day trek in the area before moving north to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle.
I added some photos to earlier posts, so check them out.