BBC & Palin's Himalayas
Posted by: Rasher on 18 October 2004
Due to the continual dumbing down of the BBC over the past few years, I have previously stated that I would like to see it replaced by a commercial service that would allow me to choose whether to subscribe or not.
I watched Palin's Himalayas last night and have been so entranced at the quality of the programme that I wonder if this could be made under a different funding scheme. The photography is sublime! Maybe it stands out only because this type of programme is now so rare?
I shall buy the DVD when it comes out, and I've never done that with a telly programme before. Maybe it's my age
Posted on: 18 October 2004 by Jez Quigley
I've been watching this avidly, mostly perhaps because I'll be in the Himalayas myself in a couple of weeks time. The Dvd is out on the 16th ish of November and the book is already available.
Posted on: 18 October 2004 by David Stewart
The Nepalese people come across as being extremely gentle and kind. Even the local Maoist insurgents behave like gentlemen and kidnap people just for a chat and a cup of tea! - excellent programme
Posted on: 18 October 2004 by Jez Quigley
Tom,
I'm too old and smoke too much to do the trekking/climbing stuff, so I'm doing the 'small group' tourist thing from
Explore. I'm especially looking forward to the flight around Everest.
As for the insurgency,it's a bit of a worry. So far they haven't targeted tourists but there is the chance of being caught up in the bombing/disturbances,or being 'asked' to make a 'contribution'.
Posted on: 19 October 2004 by Simon Perry
Jez,
Have you ever travelled with Explore before? The Anthropological elements of it are frequently the best bits i.e. examining your fellow tourists. I can list the personality types before you go and then you can tick them off.
I expect you will have a great time - the country looks stunning. A friend who returned about 6 months ago confirmed that the insurgents will provide a receipt when they fleece you. One night they also heard gun fire and explosions across the valley as the army engaged them.
Simon
Posted on: 19 October 2004 by Dev B
Great programme. I've travelled around the Himalayas around 15 yrs ago and watching it makes me want to return. I loved last week with the Dalai Lama.
Palin's travel programmes have always been class.
Posted on: 19 October 2004 by Jez Quigley
Simon,
No we've not used Explore before, but we went to Vietnam and Cambodia last year with a similar small group tour from
Travel IndoChina. We were in a group of 6 people (4 from Oz)plus a local guide. Absolutely wonderful way of doing things. For us the ideal way of getting the advantages of independent travel without the hassle (costs more of course). One of the highlights was being in a Saigon bar absolutely packed with Australians to watch the Rugby final last year. What a moment when the drop kick went over!
Posted on: 19 October 2004 by Matthew T
It was fun hearing about the high altitude effects. He seemed to have them pretty bad. Glad he did the Tibet/China side of Everest, you so often just see the melee on the Nepal side.
Really made me want to get out there and do some of those summits, shame they are are so high and it's takes too long to get up them, just doesn't mix with a normal job!
But even a traverse across the plateau, wow!
Anyway, back to reality, at least London reality!
Matthew
Posted on: 19 October 2004 by Jez Quigley
When is Palin going to make a programme about guinea pigs?
Posted on: 21 October 2004 by greeny
In contrast, the 'History of Britain' with Alan titchmarsh is very poor IMO. The photography is fine, but the florid Titchmarsh descriptions and complete lack of any science, make the whole thing dumbing down in the worse sense.
This is a shame because the general idea is good enough, and the link you your local area is someting that only the BBC could pull off.
Posted on: 21 October 2004 by seagull
quote:
When is Palin going to make a programme about guinea pigs?
Well he once made a programme about crossing the Andes by Frog...
