Nal Have you realized Ray Romano that not everyone wants to make money? That everyone wants their freedom - the ability to say what you want, do what you want, pray how you want. Have you been to Tibet? Perhaps you should. I have. I see none of this great chinese positve influence on the tibetans. i see the han Chinese who are wealthy and taken care of and I see Tibetans living in squalor with no hope for education, no electricity or roads or schools or food for them, rations... in their own country. It is easy for you to sit here in the modern western world and talk a big talk.. but to really see and know you have to stop reading the internet, stop reading books about monarchies and the 1% and go visit for yourself. Talk to locals. Perhaps then you will see that what is important is no where near close to what you deem important. Sign me up as someone who just got back from Tibet and who is going back again...

Ray Romano I would read up on some Tibet history if I were you. Even though being occupied by China may not seem like a good thing, if you read what the life of 99% of Tibetans was like before the Chinese takeover, you might have another opinion about the situation. Basically the entire populace was living as medieval serfs and only the 1% that was the ruling class (read: Dalai Lama and his inner court) lived comfortably. Also, all the Tibetan voices you hear in the media today fighting for Tibetan independence and condemning China are descendants of the 1% ruling class that fled Tibet when the Chinese took over. Basically, they want their monopoly over Tibet and the Tibetan people back. They want to live their bling bling life again. A Chinese takeover may not have been the ideal choice of the average person in Tibet, but if you ask the average Tibetan who was living before the takeover - I doubt many would regret the takeover. Their living standard has increased tremendously since the takeover - and being part of China - the younger generations at least have a chance to be something more than an indentured farmer. For some reason, the West idealizes Tibet and wants its antiquity preserved like some museum. But, the problem is - these are people - people just like you and me who have a right to want to progress and improve their lives - who want to make money and buy iPods, buy a house, have a car, take vacations, etc. They are humans - they are not museum pieces that exist just for tourists' fascination. Economically, it is hard for Tibet to make money alone. It is a land locked nation - there are no sea ports to conduct trade activities - they don't have a tradition of manufacturing - and they were crippled for centuries by a truly backwards authoritarian leadership (the Lamas) that really did not promote improvement of their country and the living standard of its people. So, by being part of China, they at least have direct access to the modern opportunities that China can offer. That is truly enormous and useful for Tibetans. Sitting around praying all day never made anyone money.

Mercool Wow! Fantastic summary - I too saw the bit in LP telling me I must have a photo - I'll have one just to be on the safe side, though! Very much looking forward to spending a few days there next week (puntuating a 3 week stay in Thailand). Reading guides such as yours make the whole thing seem even more exciting (if that's possible). http://www.webstertelecom.com/country/Cambodia.html

les Hi Jem! Been really amazed by India huh! Nice. I hope that someday you'll be able to write something like this about Philippines! I hope you'll consider it too someday and tell it's your fave place on earth also. :) Shall be waiting for more updates on the next coming days. Thanks for a wonderful trip!

nicola Hello!!! So lovely to hear about your adventures in India..ha, have you started head wiggling at each other yet.. it's endearing and infuriating all at the same time! So sorry I haven't been in touch, have been severly off the radar for a while.. underestimated how difficult my move would be. Back on track now, gonna email you with the latest. Miss you honey, loads of love, always look but you are never on skype. Your trip will never end..will always be with you!!! xxx

philip Lovely, will sure miss your blogs Have a great time in Goa, people here pay lots of money to go there Love Dad

Philip Glad to hear Charles seems better, reallly sounds exciting place - what an experience!! Love Dad.