Big Stupid Adventure: Himalayas

I became obsessed with the idea of travelling to Bhutan a few years ago after reading The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. (Great book. Highly recommended.) Then I learned that they have a strict tourism policy that requires all visitors to pay US$200 each day just to be in the country. Fair enough, rules are rules. So I figured, why not just go to Bhutan's equally cool neighbours: Nepal and India. This is mountain-country like no other place in the world.

The most spectacular mountain range in the world.

Civilisation in the Himalayas has created some unique and amazing cultures. It's hard to say if the people or the landscape is more fascinating. These are some things I'd love to get up to on an adventure in this beautiful Asian mountain range:

1.) Drink Tea in Darjeeling
Darjeeling is a beautiful mix of post-colonial Christian, Buddhist and Hindu. Chuck that in with farming in extreme mountain conditions and some of the most famous tea in the world, I'm sold!

Tea Plantations in Darjeeling, India

2.) Visit a monastery in Paro Valley

Buddhist monks are really the poster-boys of Himalayan cultures. Living in some of the most remote places on earth means that these monks can truly resist western-style modernisation and preserve their authentic lifestyles.

Monastery in Paro Valley, Bhutan

3.) Get lost in Kathmandu.
I've heard there is no greater culture shock than for a westerner to land in Kathmandu. Now if that doesn't scream "BIG STUPID ADVENTURE" then nothing does! Kathmandu is the epitome of traditional old world hurtling into contemporary city culture. Tourism took off in the 1960s, which of course cued the Nepalese to cater to westerners demands (toilets and coffee for instance). Yet this city remains uniquely Himalayan, bursting with secret temples and busy markets selling unfamiliar produce.

Market Traders in Kathmandu, Nepal

 4.) Trek to Everest Base Camp.
There is simply no point in heading up these glorious mountains without committing to serious and challenging trek. Now I know full well there is no way I'm ever going to make it up Everest. But Base Camp is totally doable. What a dream come true to stand at the foot of a monster and marvel and the absolute magnificence of the planet we live on. Certainly a Big STUPID Adventure, but, I think, one well worth the effort.

The Highest Place on Earth

Big Stupid Adventure: Clipper Round the World

Adventure is improved only by competition. 

Q: What could be more awesome than sailing around the world?
A: Racing nine other boats around world!

Clipper Round the World is a 40,000 mile ocean race that takes 11 months to complete. Ten identical boats with novice crews compete in 15 individual races to see who can circumnavigate the globe the quickest.

"It's the only race in the world where taxi drivers rub shoulders with chief executives, vicars mix with housewives, students work alongside bankers, nurses work with vets and doctors team up with rugby players. It's an experience that will change people's lives and while the crew members may be amateur, no one has told the ocean that. The sea does not distinguish between Olympians or novices and if the Southern Ocean, the Pacific or the South Atlantic decides to throw down its gauntlet, the Clipper crews need to be ready to face exactly the same challenges as those experienced by the professional racer."

I want to do this SO MUCH! I'd love to do the whole thing but 11 months is a big chunk of your life to set aside. On the up-side, you can sign up to do just one leg of the race which takes just about a month. Recruitment for the 2012/13 race is now on and I seriously looked into doing it. On the down-side, the cheapest possible option was about £10k. That's a lot of money that I simply do not have. One day. It has been bucket-listed. One day I will go on this Big Stupid Adventure!

But hey, maybe you have ten grand lying around? If you're keen to sign up for this amazing race you can get more information on their website. OR just click here to see their very cool promotional video that they won't let me post on my blog. Silly copyright!

Big Stupid Adventures

Many, many hours of my life have been spent on planes and trains and boats and cars; queuing in airports and waiting on platforms and sitting in traffic trying to get somewhere. Hey, I like travelling as much as the next person, but transport just makes me weary! However, in the last six months my life in transit has depressingly stalled. I haven't even seen a plane since September and I've hardly been outside of the city since January.

The result is that I'm now itching for a Big Stupid Adventure! Yeah, a plane home would be nice. But it is not enough. Months of sitting still have me longing for something like this:

Yep, Nike again. I'm just loving all of their marketing right now.

Adventure is what I'm craving but my bank account protests (loudly and rudely). For now, the best I can do is dream. So I've decided to start a new blog-series of all the Big Stupid Adventures I wish I was setting off on right now! Not making any promises on how regularly these will appear. But I've got plenty of stupid ideas to share.

#1: Around the World in 10 Days! I actually think this is a STUPID adventure. But hell, what an experience!  And made infinitely cooler with your best mate making a cool film along the way.