The Ginkakuji Temple (The Silver Pavilion) Kyoto. 

Cherry bossom tree. 

Cherry Blossom tree along the "Philosophers Walk". 

Three shades of cherry blossoms along the "Philosophers Walk" Kyoto, Japan. 

Hanging on to the kite! Good day today- had some nice wind and I played on the beach with my new kite (a Peter Lynn Guerilla II 13 metre). What fun! I also ordered a board (watch out water here I come that should be hear in about 2 weeks. I also had a nice talk with the kids today… miss them heaps and wish I could be playing with them. They are doing well and seem to be growing up.
My flying has changed. I was going to fly to London but am now off to Osaka (Japan) for 5 days and returning Saturday morning. If I am lucky there will still be some cherry blossoms when I arrive. Will post again on Saturday.
 

Playing with my new kite! You can see the marks down the beach were I have been. 

Being dragged through the sand. 

A-330 training is over!

Sorry I have not published for a while but I finished my training on the A-330. I did my A-330 final check ride yesterday and now I can relax! The ride went very well and I was very happy with the way I flew the aircraft. My first scheduled trip is on Monday to London, but I am on standby on Sunday night so anything could happen!
Today I plan to do a good spring clean of the apartment, a weights workout, go kitesurfing (if the wind agrees –not looking promising at this stage at 10:00 AM), a training session with sticks and a few drinks tonight with the kitesurfing crowd. Overall a very busy day! The temperature in Doha is starting to get warm (today forecasted to be 37C/98F) but a few more months before it gets humid.
I am posting a few pictures from Nepal (the A-330 does not fly there…I will miss going there) from the last few years.

Early morning in the south of Nepal. 

Chitwan Nepal. 

Shivapuri Village north of Kathmandu. 

Rhinos at Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. We got with in 15 metres (riding on elephants). They are a big animal standing about 6 feet (1.8 metres) at the shoulders. 1 rhino charged our elephant but stopped when the elephant gave a loud "whoof" almost like a dog. The rhino must of had a few encounters with elephants and lost. An exciting few seconds!

A rhino lookout in a mustard field at Chitwan Nepal. 

1 month old elephant at the elephant breeding centre Chitwan, Nepal. He (?) became my friend and followed me around for about 5 minutes wanting to play a game of who can push harder! 

Who can push harder? 

Village near Royal Chitwan Natioal Park in the south of Nepal. 

Market in Kathmandu. Picture of Bruno - one of the first officers I fly with. 

Monkeys diving from about 3m/10ft into the water! They were having fun! 

Public cremation in Kathmandu. There can be up to 9 cremations at the same time, 24/7! 

After the cremation the ashes are pushed into the water. Children then dig through the ashes looking for anything of value (like gold or silver tooth fillings)! 

People watching public cremations in Kathmandu.
 

Nice picture in Kathmandu. 

A school bus in Nepal. 

A cow resting on the road. 

Local woman carrying grass. 

House in Nepal.