globalcitizen

In summer 2002, I joined the rest of my gap year group in Uganda for a day of white water rafting down some of the best rapids in the world. There were 11 sets of rapids starting at the soon-to-be-flooded source of the Nile, Bujagali Falls. Four of the rapids were grade five (the biggest you can safely raft!). The last rapid, ‘The Bad Place’ apparently verges on a grade 6. A full day with lunch is US$75 with Equator Rafts, but you’d best be quick as a dam is being built and the serene Bujagali stretch will soon be lost forever.

I rafted again a year later in India on the River Beas (bottom row of photos). The Himalayas formed a gorgeous backdrop, and although the rapids weren’t as fierce (4 being the highest), it was still great fun. A morning of rafting from Manali with Himalayan Journeys was under £20.

In 2006 I went rafting down a stretch of rapids near Chiang Mai in Thailand (video below). A half-day on up to grade 4 rapids, mountain biking in the jungle and an elephant ride at a sanctuary totalled about £30.

Manila…

Puerto Galera…

Recorded at Maidstone studios in June 2007, my episode of ‘Dirty Rotten Cheater’ was broadcast in November of the same year.

I’d hope it may be obvious from my terrible banter in the video that – based on past experience – I never thought I’d get as far as I did!

Also, eagle-eyed viewers may notice the disappearance of fellow-contestant Lynn who should’ve been in ‘Loser Lounge’ at the end. This was due to the fact that – unbelievably – she barged out of the studio shortly after being voted off, thus thwarting her prospects of winning £250! …Suffice to say, the other players were extremely good sports – although dodgy wheeler-dealer Dean still owes me that £100 consolation he promised backstage!

Highlights video (21 mins)…

Full video (42 mins)…

My remix tribute to fellow contestant Lynn, who barged off the set after losing…

Photography…

View as a slideshow

St Petersburg & Moscow…

Trans-siberian Railway…

Click here for tips on taking the Trans-siberian Express across Europe, Russia and Mongolia.

Map

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Videography

Photos

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Journal extract

“[Moscow.] Early on the Sunday morning I set several alarms and sweated my way around the cryptic, but fantastically decorated Metro system. Much of the efficient, extensive and splendid underground network was bloodily constructed with forced labour, as was much of the roads, railways and infrastructure in Siberia. By deciphering the weird Cyrillic signage and pestering the occasional babushka, I managed to emerge in the correct train station, ready to board a sleeper train for 4 whole days…

Loaded with my two huge cursed backpacks and a ton of vegetarian food, I entered my 4-bed cabin to find I was sharing with what turned out to be a group of consistently drunk, but cool, Latvians and a friendly Russian chap whose English consisted of ‘I love you’, ‘bagel store’ and ‘London’. He was either demonstrating the limits of his vocabularyor was particularly keen on expressing his affection for a British-based bread retailer.

Bangkok…

White water rafting and elephant rides in Chang Mai…

Kanchanaburi Tiger Temple