Somewhere among the list of popular Asian countries to visit, that does not get as much fanfare is Malaysia. And those who revisit Malaysia over and over again usually do so for the food paradise that it is. The diverse food culture is partly due to the fusion of various different cooking styles and tastes that different cultures have brought to the shores.

While the population is primarily Malays, Chinese people have long made a mark in Malaysian history and brought their cooking expertise along with them. On top of that, the country was once part of the British colony. Giving western cuisine has had considerable influence on the evolution of Malaysian food as well.

Yet when tourists talk about the good food in Malaysia, it is seldom about the best steaks in fancy restaurants or the funkiest cocktails in bars spotting a fancy name. It is about street food and exotic fruits.

Some of the most popular street foods that have gained infamy in that part of the world are fried rice cakes (char kway kak), fried rice noodles (char kway teow), laksa which is a noodle dish served in sweet and spicy soup, and the heavenly icy dessert that is cendol. That’s without mentioning nasi lemak which is a to-die-for dish consisting of rice cooked in a pandan leaf and coconut milk.

If you like a more natural diet, then the buffet of exotic fruits that line up Malaysia streets will be more than able to satisfy your taste buds.

The most notorious of which is durian. This is one aggressive-looking fruit with a hard husk lined up with sharp bulky thorns. Yet with its beastly appearance from the outside, there is unrivalled beauty on the inside.

But I have to warn you. Durian is a polarising fruit. Either you love it to the heavens or loathe it to the core. The aroma can be so repulsive to so many people that it is the one fruit that is specifically banned in almost all hotels. Saying that a lot of people still love the taste of durian even when they cannot stand the smell.

Because this is the most expensive fruit in Malaysia, you might want to learn some simple tips on choosing a good durian before buying one.

Another exotic fruit that almost always accompanies the durian at fruit stalls is mangosteen. It is often said that durian is the king of fruits and mangosteen is the queen. Mangosteen has a rind that is dark purple in colour.

It easily opens up like how you would crack open a peanut. After which the white flesh of the fruit is revealed accompanied by a sweet fragrant scent that can be too tempting to pass over.

An old folk tale is often told about how durian raises your body temperature, and mangosteen lowers it back to normal. Once you have had your fill of durians and mangosteen, a fruit seller might then feel that you are ready for some cempedak. This is a fruit that looks very similar to jackfruit. It even tastes like jackfruit but the locals would be laughing if you insist that it is indeed jackfruit.

It is generally smaller and has a much stronger scent of sweetness. You might also find the amusing display a seller puts on when opening the fruit oddly satisfying. Locals love cempedak so much that they even fry the pulps to create cempedak fritters.

For the street food culture alone, Malaysia is worth a spot in your shortlist of Asian countries to visit one day.

And if you worry about a language barrier, be assured that most people do speak English. Especially if you are visiting the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The post 3 Exotic Fruits To Try When You Visit Malaysia appeared first on Blend Worx.

These days, many people need to mirror their smartphone screen on Windows / Mac PC. Today we would introduce you an all-in-one software for many daily uses such as online meetings, presentations, sharing an application, your game, movies when mirroring your screen with other participants. Here is the screen mirroring software: Aweray Remote (Awesun) which also allows you access to remote control and remote assistance.

Screencasting, often referred to as screen sharing, mirrors your screen to a mobile device, laptop, iPad, or PC screen. This technology allows you to access all your games, photos, videos and other applications on a large screen wirelessly, which is frequently used during meetings, presentations and conferences.

It does not matter whether it is an Android, iOS, Windows or Mac device, you could use Aweray Remote to project your screen on another device, so the experience would be very ingenious. Users can access a PC simply by using another phone or PC. You can also use it to remotely control your PC, access your files from anywhere, anytime, and it can even help you troubleshoot others’ PCs without having to go to their room. To learn how to share your screen, just follow the steps below.

First, install Aweray Remote on your PC / Mobile Phone / iPad / Laptop etc.

There are three ways to access via device ID, QR code scan, or via device list. Go to the “Screen Mirroring” section in the Aweray Remote app, click to link the device. Now you can choose the way you connect.

1. Access by entering your device ID
2. Scan the QR code of the Aweray remote desktop software
3. Go to the device list and click the device to share the screen

Other features and functions of Aweray Remote include:

• Seamless connection – With the proprietary protocol that uses the most advanced compression algorithms, it achieves a visual performance of up to 144 FPS for remote game versions and video editing.
• Multifunctional – A wide range of remote work and remote control solutions: multi-concurrent sessions, remote support for mobile devices, session recording, remote printing, slide, file transfer, blank screen, remote camera monitoring, clipboard sharing and screen sharing projection, IT assistance etc. All of these solutions are offered FREE.
• Efficient – shortcut keys to increase productivity.
• Secure – Multi-factor authentication, bank-level encryption, protected with end-to-end 2048-bit RSA encryption and 256-bit AES.

Visit https://dada.link/4EZPju for more information.

Please note that you should use personal information with caution in all cases.

The post Best Solution for Screen Share Using Remote Desktop Software Aweray (Awesun) appeared first on Blend Worx.

Although Finland has a small population that is friendly and hospitable, traveling around the country makes the experience no less than a hassle. If you are traveling to Finland, chances are you will land in Helsinki and from there you can travel to any corner of Finland with ease as you can easily find an abundance of travel options in the form of buses, trains, or private vehicles, with buses being the best option among all when it comes to traveling.

Buses are an excellent option for traveling as they provide a more comprehensive and comfortable option than trains. When you are in Helsinki, you will find a number of bus services, Coach Hire Helsinki being one of the best as our services are not only extremely comprehensive as we cover distances throughout Finland, Baltics, and Scandinavia through our fleet of luxury buses but we also provide a wide range of charter buses options that cater to every need of our customers, all while taking in deep consideration of their specific requirements.

Whether you are planning to have a memorable traveling experience in Finland with your family or you might want to take your office crew out on a picnic along a gorgeous lake in the countryside, Coach Hire Helsinki has got you covered with our huge fleet of luxurious buses that comes with all due comfort such as large panoramic windows, adjustable armchairs, comfortable airconditioning, DVD/Music entertainment, on-board restroom, drinks and snacks to mention the few.

Next time you find yourself in a bind, give Taxilady a call, and our highly trained English speaking staff will not only provide you the best quote covering all of your traveling needs but will also help you out to plan your itinerary so that you get the best out of your tour to Finland.

The post Travel to Finland with Coach Hire Helsinki appeared first on Blend Worx.

Numerous lakes between rich green hills invite to do water sports or take a boat trip. Either top class hotels or small guesthouses for the low-budget traveler – you will find something for everyone.

Bavaria is also rich in historical and cultural highlights. The medieval cities of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg, Augsburg and Nuremberg or the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein are just some of the places well worth seeing. The capital of the state is Munich, a lovely town with great atmosphere but fortunately without the hectic rush of other large cities.

The Bavarian hospitality is just fabulous. I had the chance to get acquainted with it myself and I was really surprised of the kindness and friendliness the people showed. You will feel very welcomed and comfortable at every place.

The Bavarians also love to celebrate. The Oktoberfest might be the most famous party on our blue planet but if you have the chance to attend another festival (Volksfest) then go for it! The smaller festivals are more traditional and not so overcrowded like the Oktoberfest is nowadays. Nevertheless, Oktoberfest is still a great event and a highlight of every Germany vacation.

It can sometimes be difficult for an English speaker to communicate with a Bavarian speaker, especially if the latter does not speak German but Bavarian. Bavarians can, however, make an effort to speak English as the conjugation of German strong verbs, Bavarian verbs and English verbs are very similar. So it is quite easy for Bavarians to help you with English. It’s even easier because Bavarians are quite festive and not really reluctant to speak German or English, even more so during the Oktoberfest when all foreign languages can be spoken.

Another outstanding feature of Bavaria is the tasty food. If you like hearty meals you will love it here. In particular meat eaters will be more than pleased. Roast pork, knuckles of pork, roasted chicken and veal sausages to name just a few of the Bavarian specialties.

Also the beer got quite a reputation and this is for a good reason. Believe me, there is truly no better brew but why don’t you form your own opinion on your visit to Bavaria. With scenic beauty, cultural highlights and great hospitality combined with fantastic food and probably the best beers of the world, Bavaria is a highlight for every Germany visitor.

The post Bavaria: A Pearl in the South of Germany appeared first on Blend Worx.

The speed of travel has increased faster than our bodies can keep up. Our inbuilt circadian rhythm is programmed to our eating and sleeping habits, but when time zones are crossed these rhythms get out of sync, resulting in jet lag.

Also, going long periods without natural light makes the pineal gland secrete more melatonin. This increases drowsiness, making it even harder to adapt to new time zones.

Jet lag symptoms

Different people react in different ways to crossing time zones, but common symptoms of jet lag include:

• Fatigue
• Stomach problems
• Loss of appetite
• Poor memory and concentration
• Irritability and headaches
• Sleep problems
• Daytime drowsiness

How long does it take to get over jet lag?

Age, stress levels, and general health all play a part in jet lag recovery, but it can take up to a full day to recover for each time zone crossed, especially when traveling east.

For example, it could take a week to recover from flying to Thailand from New York! Whether it’s a trip of a lifetime or yet another long-haul business trip, jet lag can wipe you out. However, if you plan ahead you’ll arrive feeling refreshed and ready to make the most of your travels.

7 ways to recover quickly from jet lag

1. Sleep well the night before

Whether you’re excited about your trip or have a hectic work schedule, it’s important to get more sleep in the 24-hour window before you travel than you normally would.

These extra hours of sleep will help offset sleep deficit accumulated during the course of your flight.

2. Melatonin

Melatonin plays an important role in sleep cycles and helps us feel sleepy prior to bed.

Melatonin levels rise at dusk and fall at dawn, but this is disrupted when time zones are crossed. Some research (suggested reading: “Melatonin for the prevention and treatment of jet lag“) suggests that taking 0.5-5 mg Melatonin close to bedtime at your target destination helps alleviate jet lag symptoms and speeds up adjustment to your new time zone.

3. Plan your eating

Nutrition for jet lag relief is poorly understood, however, we recommend avoiding a big meal prior to bed when you arrive at your destination.

Large meals can lead to abdominal discomfort and interrupt sleep, especially when your body and (gut bacteria) are recalibrating to a new time zone.

4. Maritime Pine or Pycnogenol

Emerging evidence suggests that Pycnogenol may help alleviate jet lag symptoms. A small Italian study (suggested reading: Jet-lag: prevention with Pycnogenolshowed) that taking 50mg of Pycnogenol three times a day for seven days may be an effective jet lag treatment.

When started two days prior to travel, the control group struggled with jet lag for nearly 40 hours while those taking Pycnogenol saw a reduction in jet lag symptoms after just 18 hours.

5. Drink wisely

Naturally, you want to start your holiday in style, but we suggest skipping the pre-flight cocktails as alcohol dehydrates the body and disrupts sleep. Caffeine also impacts sleep and can delay recovery from jet lag.

Avoid caffeine after 3 pm in your new time zone to give yourself the best chance of feeling tired in the evening.

Instead of cocktails and coffee, stay hydrated by sipping water or non-caffeinated herbal teas regularly throughout your flight. A good indicator of hydration is urine that is lemonade-colored or lighter.

6. Reset your body and your watch

Anticipate changes in time zones by gradually changing waking up and going to bed routines.

Depending on your destination, wake up and go to bed either an hour earlier or later for up to three days before your flight. If travelling east, bring routines forward, and delay them when traveling west.

Then, set your watch to your destination time as soon as you’re on board, subtly tricking your body into new sleeping and eating patterns.

7. Get outside

Even if you’re tired on arrival, collapsing in front of the TV or napping isn’t always the best way to beat jet lag. Light exposure is a powerful determinant of circadian rhythms. Get outside and be active if you arrive at your destination during the day.

Light exposure blunts melatonin secretion and helps your body adjust to your new location.

The bottom line

While jet lag affects different people in different ways and to different extents, following these simple hacks may improve your jet lag recovery time.

The post 7 ways to recover quickly from jet lag appeared first on Blend Worx.

The only problem I have personally is getting my friends to join me on my adventures. It can be difficult to not only have friends be able to meet your budget, but also your availability. We all work different jobs and have our own responsibilities, so you won’t always be able to make it work out.

So, what are your options? Well, you can try looking around for a travel partner, or look for someone in the country your planning to visit who is willing to meet you and possibly show you around. There are many benefits to this, firstly, you’ll have someone who shares one of the same interests as you: travelling. You’ll also make new friends, who you’ll likely meet up with again in the future.

Finding a travel partner isn’t too difficult. Especially when so many apps and websites exist for the sole purpose of finding a travel buddy. One of these websites is RemoteFriends, it’s a social media network where you can find new friends, with it also having a specific directory for Travel Partners.

When you make a profile, you can specify that you’re looking for travel partners, and list out some countries that you’re wanting to visit. From there, using the advanced search feature, you can also look for other members who want to visit the same countries like you.

That’s it, probably. You’ve got your first travel partner; you can start to communicate with each other and make plans for your big adventure. It’s always a good idea to stay in a hostel, that way there’s a good chance you’ll meet even more people who will want to hang out and see local attractions with you.

One tip is to try looking for social hostels, ones which might have a bar, offer walking tours or offer to take you to pub crawls. These are great ways to break the ice when it comes to meeting new travellers, as well as see all the attractions without doing it alone.

The post How to find your travel buddies to join you on your adventures? appeared first on Blend Worx.

Over the past several decades, Austria has made a massive investment in bicycle paths. Today, there is roughly 10,000 km (6,213 miles) of marked bicycle trails throughout the country, and the Austrian Federal Railways makes it easy to ride from place to place without backtracking.

In the Austrian Alps, many hotels and guesthouses do double duty as “bike hotels”. These inns, which are mostly in the three and four-star price categories, offer a variety of services such as special meals geared to cyclists’ nutritional needs. Most bike hotels will pick customers up or drop them off at the nearest train station, hauling the luggage and your bicycle while you shop or explore the town.

Austria’s most famous biking trail is the Tauern Cycle Trail in the state of Salzburgerland. It starts at the base of the Tauern mountain range, near the Krimml Waterfalls, at an elevation of 1,036 meters (3,400 feet). The trail ends 161 km (100 miles) and 610 vertical meters (2,000 feet) lower in the city of Salzburg.

Along the way, the trail passes through dozens of towns and villages while avoiding traffic by meandering through alpine meadows and woodlands and along the banks of the Salzach River. It follows the northern boundary of the Tauern National Park.

When you take part ina mountain-bike tours to the Austrian Alps, you have to enjoy the local cousin (fresh Kaiserschmarrn with mountain cranberry sauce is a favourite), and take the time to sample some local vines.

The post Cycling in Austria: the paradise for every cyclist in the world appeared first on Blend Worx.

Norway features 15,626 miles (25,148 kilometers) coastline that encompasses hundreds of magnificent fjords and numerous small islands. With a population of 256,000, Bergen is the second-largest city and located on the south-Norway: Fjords, Scenery, Shipwreckswestern coast. Despite being as far north as the southern tip of Greenland, Bergen’s weather is relatively mild. In fact, Bergen enjoys one of the warmest climates in Norway, thanks to the Gulf Stream. The city is home to the Institute of Marine Research (IMR), an advisory services company in the fields of marine ecosystems and aquaculture. Bergen is also the main base for the Royal Norwegian Navy, and its harbour is Norway’s largest port.

The city of Bergen is almost surrounded by water. Within a 20 mile (32 kilometer) range, divers have access to at least 50 known shipwrecks, including the Frankenwald. Built in 1922, the 5,000 ton German steamship sunk on January 6, 1940 after it struck an islet in the Sognefjord. The wreck, which is considered one of the best dives in Norway, sits perfectly upright on a sandy bottom in 138 feet (42 meters). Divers reach the deck in approximately 98 feet (30 meters), and the rear mast extends to a depth of 23 feet (7 meters). Handrails, deck winches and lifeboat davits are still in place. The sheer scale and size of the 400 feet (122 meters) long wreck is truly awesome. The Frankenwald is nicely decorated with plumose anemones and other species.

From the shores of a village called Vadheim, another wreck with an interesting history can be reached. The Oldenburg is a 4,988 ton German boat that has participated in both World Wars. Built in 1914 as a transport boat, the ship was requisitioned by the German navy and converted to the merchant raider. During World War I the Oldenburg became the most successful warship of all time, sinking, mining and capturing close to 50 Allied ships.

After the war, the British ceded the Oldenburg, and later sold her to the French. In 1933, the French sold the ship back to the Germans. During World War II, the boat was once again requisitioned by the German navy, this time as a transport ship to support the German occupation of Norway.

During its history, the ship had many names, including Pungo, Möve (Moewe), Vineta, and Greenbrier. Today, the wreck rests on her starboard side at a slope with a starting depth of 82 feet (25 meters). The bridge is in 131 feet (40 meters) of water, and several cabins and rooms that make up this superstructure can be explored. The stern of the vessel lies in over 197 feet (60 meters) of water.

The German cargo ship Katja hit a reef in November 1964. The stern broke off and the 148 feet (45 meters) boat did sink quickly. Divers will find the wreck in 66 feet (20 meters) in the sand between two rocky ridges. The stern section is upright and still intact, and an anchor lies against the port side. Sinks and toilets can be seen inside the hull.

The remains of the 3,077 ton steamship Anna Sofie can be found in Haugesund at depths from 115 to 164 feet (35 to 50 meters). The Norwegian-owned ship was built in Newcastle in 1919, but commandeered by the Germans during World War II. She hit the Trollholmen just north of Haugesund in February 1944, and sank quickly. The vessel lies on her port side and has not been salvaged. Unfortunately, the wreck site is in a shipping lane and exposed to tides.

Not too far away rests another steamship, the Vestra. The 1,422 ton boat was built in Holland in 1904. Again, the Germans commandeered the 243 feet (74 meter) long ship during World War II. Anti-aircraft guns did not help much. The ship was sunk by British bombers during October 1944 while carrying a cargo of limestone.

Divers will find the wreck sitting upright with her bow pointing to the North. The superstructure collapsed, and the hull has been badly damaged. Since the Vestra rests in the middle of the harbor, permission from the Harbormaster is required to dive the vessel.

The Barenfels was another German steamship with triple expansion and turbine engines that sank in April of 1944. The 7,569 ton boat was struck by a mine laid from a British mini-submarine at her moorings in Bergen. While the bow was salvaged, the stern section of the 460 feet (140 meters) long ship sank while it was towed away. What’s left from the wreck lies on its portside in about 66 feet (20 meters).

Divers planning to visit Norway should book their accommodation in advance to avoid surprises. An umbrella is recommended, since Bergen has 260 rainy days per year. The water temperature can be a balmy 63 degrees (17°C) during late summer and early fall, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Even during the winter, the temperature stays around 43 degrees (6°C), but storms are common.

Visibility varies and usually ranges from 33 – 98 feet (10 to 30 meters). While on the expensive side, Norway undoubtedly offers some of the finest wreck diving in the northern hemisphere, as well as outstanding scenery. Visitors have to observe some rules governing scuba diving in Norway: Diving in the areas of military bases, fishing zones and habitats is not allowed. Divers need to deploy a dive flag at all times, and spearfishing is strictly forbidden.

A YouTube video showing divers exploring the wreck of the Frankenwald can be found here.

The post Norway: Fjords, Scenery, Shipwrecks appeared first on Blend Worx.

The National Park “Hohe Tauern” is the largest in Austria, and the “Tauern Cycle Trail” runs along its northern boundary. The 695 square mile (1,800 square kilometer) park encompasses 246 glaciers and 304 mountains at 9,000 feet (2,743 meters) or higher. The “Tauern Cycle Trail” allows discovering one of Austria’s most beautiful regions. It runs along the banks of the Salzach River and passes through dozens of picturesque towns, yet it manages to avoid busy roads. While the 100-mile path is one of Europe’s most popular touring routes, it never feels crowded.

The clearly marked path starts in Krimml, a small mountain village and popular holiday resort at an elevation of 3,500 feet (1,067 meter). It ends 100 miles (161 kilometers) and over 2,100 vertical feet (640 meter) later in Salzburg. Krimml is well known for its waterfalls. With a total drop of 1,247 feet (380 meter), the Krimml waterfalls are among Europe’s highest and a source for the Salzach River.

Following the river downstream, the Tauern Cycle Trail will gently sloop through the Rosental valley and pass the towns of Neukirchen, Bramberg, and Mittersill before reaching Zell am See after approximately 36 miles (58 kilometers). The small town of about 10,000 is a major tourist destination on picturesque Lake Zeller. The Hundstein is with 6,946 feet (2,117 meter) the highest peak in the area and provides a dramatic backdrop when seen from across the lake. The city itself dates back to Roman times and the St. Hippolyte Church is the oldest known building in the region.

Following the route to Bischofshofen, cyclists can enjoy grand views of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak. They will pass the town of St. Johann Im Pongau, the most important shopping and tourist center in the region. St. Johann is famous for the scenic Liechtenstein gorge, open from mid-May to the end of October, and a beautiful cathedral.

Every year in January, Bischofshofen hosts the final competition of the traditional “Four Hills Tournament”, an international ski jumping event. This 36 miles (58 kilometer) leg of the “Tauern Cycle Trail” combines mainly easy downhill cycling with beautiful scenery.

From here, Salzburg is another 36 miles (58 kilometer) ride through the Salzach meadows. A little climb to the 1,713 feet (552 meters) high Lueg pass will reward cyclists with a lunch-break at a rustic guesthouse.  On a downhill slope, the settlements of Golling and Hallein are passed. Hallein is a historic town close to the German border known for its salt mine. The name Hallein is derived from the Celtic word hall for salt, and the settlement can be traced back over 4,000 years.

After a short ride and a little bit more traffic, the city of Salzburg is reached. The city center, better known as the “Old Town,” is one of the best-preserved north of the Alps and listed as a World Heritage Site since 1997. Famous for its baroque architecture, Salzburg is the birthplace of the 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A castle called “Hohensalzburg” dominates the view and is one of the largest in Europe. With three universities, Salzburg is filled with the liveliness of a large student population. Many restaurants and cafés dot the city, and visitors outnumber locals by a large margin in peak times.

The cyclist can continue to follow the route along the Salzach and later the Inn. After crossing the border to Germany, they will pass through the picturesque towns of Burghausen and Braunau before reaching the city of Passau. At this point, they will have reached the Danube River. The landscape has changed, and majestic mountains and high peaks have disappeared in the distance. Instead, rolling hills and flat passages great cyclists and the early morning view is usually softened by a light mist.

If cyclists prefer to focus on burning calories and getting back in shape, the more active crowd can simply reverse the trip and travel from Passau or Salzburg to Krimml. Many uphill passages will certainly help to get back in shape after a long winter slack.

The best months to travel are usually Mai – June and September – October. Hotels enjoy their peak summer season in July and August when Europeans take long vacations. Hot temperatures at lower elevations can also limit the fun factor during this time. Cyclists will notice that Austrian’s and German’s always find reasons to celebrate. Town festivals are common, especially during the fall season, and the streets are often closed to traffic and filled with tourists sampling local cuisine, wine and beer from hundreds of vendors.

The post The Tauern Cycle Trail: let’s discover one of Austria’s most beautiful regions appeared first on Blend Worx.

Qinghai-Tibet Railway is the world’s highest railway. Some 960 kilometers of its tracks are located 4,000 meters above sea level and the highest point is 5,072 meters, at least 200 meters higher than the Peruvian railway in the Andes, which was formerly the world’s most elevated track.

Our train journey

Our group departed from Shanghai and started the 52 hours train journey. We left on Friday evening and arrived at Lhasa on Sunday night. It was a great journey passing through many provinces of China which provided great insights for people like me who is not aware of the various Chinese cultures.

Our journey started from Shanghai and proceeded towards west then north then west again. Major cities we passed by were Wuxi, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Xian, Lanzhou and Xining, which was the starting point of the new rail into Tibet, followed with the cities along this new railway. It’s not physically challenged because we opted for the soft bed. I think the over-night train ride is a must experience because one can really enjoy great view passing through the China countryside. You can try a similar thing other countries depending on one’s affordability. Of course, be prepared for hardship if you take a long train ride in China.

To kill time, we read books, played cards & mahjong on the train. This made our train journey interesting and not a slight hint of boredom. The mahjong was brought along by Petrus’ German colleague!

On Sunday, we were excited once our journey entered the new rail track starting from Xining heading towards Lhasa because it’s long waited for and the view was so different from our past experience. The view was magnificent, mountain ranges, plateau, blue sky, icy land, wild animals etc. We were supposed to stay calm while enjoying those but we were shouting out with joy when we first saw the yak. And it was really yuks! When we saw them in Tibet, they were everywhere and they were smelling like yuks! Urgh.

Earlier I mentioned about hardship in a train journey in China, it’s the hygiene issue. Imagine, there is no bathroom in the train. So, we could not take showers for the next 52 hours. And the train attendants didn’t clean the toilet on the second day onwards. Coupled with the bad habit of local Chinese, you can imagine how dirty the toilets can be. The train was compressed with oxygen when we were approaching Xining so we didn’t feel any difference in air pressure. It was just like airplane.

The experience in Tibet

But I felt shortness of breath once I stepped out of the train. Our movement has to be slow, less talking (good, no fighting), less food, to conserve energy and not to stretch our lungs as the air was thin. Their weather was still cold and we were told not to take a bath on the first day to avoid catching a cold and to consume lesser oxygen. We have to remind ourselves that every simple movement takes up oxygen. So, we limit our movement unless it was necessary.

Alas, I hadn’t bathed in the past 52 hours, so it wasn’t any big deal to wait for another 24 hours. It was a big mistake to shower & washed my hair on Monday night, plus other activities such as packing, watching TV etc and I suffered severe headache on that night and I was having a sleepless night!

I felt really sick the next day. Felt like asthmatic, felt severe shortness of breath, couldn’t move a lot, worst we have to leave Lhasa (it’s about 3500m height) to a higher city! Unfortunately, one of the teammates withdrew and left Tibet on Monday after suffering high blood pressure and high pulse rate. Since I have travelled so far to be in Lhasa, I decided to continue with the journey but to move on thinking I should be able to acclimatize later. Most of the time, I stayed in the car, reduced walking and rested early. I consumed all kinds of medicine as long as it was claimed to be good. Lucky me, I was a fresh person the next day.

The highlight of the tour was reaching 5220m at the Mt Everest base camp (EBC). Wow! We were so thrilled when we saw the Mt Everest summit as it was so close. It was so near and yet so far. We could see snow flying off the slope of Mt Everest blown by a strong wind. We spend the night at the Everest base camp and yet again, a new experience to us. We stayed in the native tent and they were friendly to us.

They continued supplying us with warm water collected from spring nearby knowing that we were frozen. The temperature dropped to minus at night. Our clothing worn on that day has to be packed separately coz those were really smelly! We couldn’t visit their toilet because we couldn’t stand the sight of it. We decided to go for the natural toilet when it turned dark.

This was the only trip I lost weight and I won’t call it a holiday but an adventurous trip. I achieved a new personal record to go on without a bath for 4 days.

The post A train journey from Shanghai to Lhasa: Tibet in 52 hours appeared first on Blend Worx.