Meditating on the meaning of life

Well, I've gone from flaming hot f*cks in a ski town (shots of Baileys and Midori set on fire as opposed to anything more interesting I'm afraid) to ten days contemplating the purpose of life in Kopan, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery just outside Kathmandu.

It really has been an amazing experience and at times extremely challenging. I can honestly say that my perspective on my life has shifted somewhat. Being exposed to your own delusions is very uncomfortable to say the least but I am sure what I've learned will stay with me.

The rituals associated with Tibetan Buddhism were at times rather too much but I suspended my disbelief for once and I even did prayers and prostrations. Did you know that before 1959 there were around 6000 monasteries in Tibet? Such a rich spiritual life, so imaginative. If I compare it to the dour Church of Scotland and all those hard pews and mournful hymns... it's a world away. It's no wonder nobody goes anymore.

I did also realise at one point that four years ago at this time I was away with the fairies at the closing parties in Ibiza... and now there I was chanting mantras and meditating for 5 hours a day. I guess it's all about altered states of consciousness really. I even managed to stay completely silent for a day and a half. Yes, that's 36 hours. (It was supposed to be 48 but I just couldn't do it. I actually started talking to myself. You know how I love the sound of my voice.)

Struggling to cope with frantic Kathmandu after so much peace.... so having spent a fortune on fake trekking gear I'm off to the Himalayas tomorrow. Back in about 4 weeks, unless I get kidnapped by Maoist rebels.

Pics of monastic life are here. Haven't got nearly as many of the monks as I'd have liked, it seemed somewhat disrespectful to snap away at them doing their mantras. Have a look at the sunrise ones. 5.30am over the Kathmandu valley. Just beautiful.

Wanaka moments

I'm typing this in Wellington having just left Catherine; it was so great to see a London friend! Here are the pics, she looks fantastic. We've drunk loads of coffee and caught up on the last 6 months.

I wanted to capture my favourite moments from the season in Wanaka before I move on to the next chapter. It really has been great, particularly the last month as I've got to know people better and relaxed into myself a bit more. Sod travelling proper. You never get beyond the standard travel chat: "so where you from? / where you been? / where you going?" It's all very superficial. I must start working on my travel chat-up lines. Something along the lines of: "so what mess are you running away from then?" would yield much more interesting material, I'm sure.

As ever, it's people who make your world. So here's the rolecall of those people and moments.

Jane, who has been the best possible roomie ever. I knew we were going to get on just grand when we had an evening swapping stories of misbehaving madness. Jane had visions of Medusa-style snakes in her companion's hair this NY. Fantastic. We have dominated 10A for two months; only Morton the Danish hunter has got close to disturbing this domination.

Russ and Jesse for arriving like little angels sent by the universe to play with me. The best night was being hijacked by them on the way back home from yoga class and dragged to Canteen. I'd been walking along the street feeling really sad about Nathan but several Speights and bourbon shots later, I had trouble even remembering his name. Thanks boys.

Hours spent trying to impress Jonno the chef with my cooking and baking. I must have made scones about six times and he still said they were rockcakes, not scones. But they did taste good. And you should have tasted Claire's recipe for flourless chocolate cake that I made for Russ and Jesse's BBQ.

Great chairlift chat with Daisy and Leigh, top ski mates and coffee drinkers. Or tea in Leigh's case because he is just so English.

Skiing fast with Russ one sunny afternoon in the Saddle; yet again, he helped me turn my day around. There was just so much life philosophy in that afternoon. And I rocked! At least until I fell over.

Hammering Jagerbombs with sleazy Colin and holding my own in the & Bar with the kids til way past 2am one Saturday - displaying my usual mature attitude to emotional upset. Yes, booze works. At least for a few hours and possibly longer depending on the carnage you manage to create! That night was pretty mild. I must finally be maturing. Pics of pub nights and things here. On the same sort of note, trying to get a hit from 'chew' supplied by Jesse - thus proving once and for all that I am a sensation-seeking nightmare all on my own and do not require the influence of Iain Cassidy.

Lunch at the Glenorchy Cafe with Russ. Shockingly beautiful scenery, lovely food, fantastic company. A really great day; in fact I'd go as far as to say awesome! (in a cheesy American game show host accent of course.) Pics of the day trips here.

Last day in the Motatapu chutes with Nick, and realising just how much my skiing had come on in the 8 weeks. It was so still and quiet and so beautiful back there away from the lifts and the people, I felt a bit tearful when we'd got to the bottom! Here's some pics of the ski area. Amazing skiing, amazing views. Oh I love skiing. Have I said that before? Oh - another top ski moment was landing that jump off the "cliff" (aka rock) with Jon. There's video evidence of me failing to land it (of course), but not of the success. Jon was great for terrifying the living daylights out of me; all very good for my skiing!

And finally.... swimming in the lake after walking a couple of hours to this secluded beach. I was the only one there for miles. Sun shining, bits freezing, totally exhiliarating. Think this was better than swimming in the sea on the West Coast but only marginally. I've got some great pics of the scenery around Wanaka, have a look.

Another thing I've really enjoyed about Wanaka is the total absence of metrosexuals. Here, it's all about snow/ ski kit/ ski technique and maybe a bit of rugby/beer. You'd never catch this lot poncing around Selfridges on a Saturday afternoon drinking Pinot Grigio and spending shedloads of cash on Nicole Farhi jumpers. Or fretting about their 'issues' for that matter. Issue = a bad day on the hill.

I've just loved Wanaka, I've loved New Zealand and I'll be back. I've been living in a touristy resort town and hanging out with Brits, Australians and Americans, I've not really experienced New Zealand at all. I want to come back and do a road trip and some serious hiking and camping; so I'll need to find some proper outdoor mates who realise a walk is more than a half hour to the nearest gastropub for lunch.

Here are all the pics, you'll need a while but I have organised them a bit so you can peruse at leisure!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10618273@N00/collections/72157602035840437/