Himalaya with Michael Palin

Michael Palin travels to the Himalayas and visits the countries around the region. There are six episodes. He makes a big circle starting with Pakistan and India. He visits Dalai Lama and even Tibet. He travels down the Yangtze River and befriends some of the minorities in remote China. He goes through Bhutan, eastern India, and finally Bangladesh. The highlight of this series has to be Tibet especially after sitting down with the Dalai Lama. It's a place that few travel shows are going and it's nice to see from street level. China does have a drawback. Nobody is willing to talk openly about politics. It can get awkward with Michael's questions. Even when he's avoiding the subject, it feels like he's obviously avoiding the subject. Some of the interactions with his hosts can be very staged or limited. I prefer his man-on-the-street interactions. All in all, this is an interesting series with some very compelling people and places.

After being drawn into the wonders that are Michael Palin's travels, I could not pass the opportunity to watch his journey across the diverse Himalaya region. Palin, as well as his other travels, brings great humor and charm to this documentary. He has never been afraid of trying anything new, and Himalaya is no different, from journeying to the troubled land of Kashmir to milking female yaks in Tibet. One of the neatest parts of the documentary is when Michael chats with the Dalai Lama. This enlightening part of the program was well put-together, as well as the documentary as a whole. Bravo, Michael, you've done it again! Keep up the travels!

Having planned a two-month trip to the Northeastern India next year I immediately snatched up disk one of Michael Palin's Himalaya. I was so blown away by the first two hours that I immediately drove back to the video store to rent 2 and 3. This is one of the few programs I have watched that I can say is truly perfect. Palin is more than a great comedian and traveler; he is a kind and humble man that brings cheer to the people of battered places like Kashmir, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The 3 DVDs are 6 hours in total and even the snippets in the special features section are highly entertaining. Bravo to Michael Palin for being such a great ambassador of goodwill and sharing his great travels with us all.

Without a doubt Michael Palin is a true explorer out of his time. He would have been at home with the greats such as David Livingston, Cecil Rhodes, Albert Arrbuthnott and Fred Bloggs to name a few, tramping up them thar hills makes me feel breathless just watching T'Lad and he's nowt but a sprog of a lad at 62, Keep it up Lad your get better each trip. When the Telly is this good who needs the rubbish.

Michael Palin and his various trips are something to look forward too. You don't have to wonder if it's going to be good, just how much better than the last one.

His easy going, pleasant style reminds me a lot of Sir David Attenbourough's own way. Maybe the two of them should meet up some where and do a trip together.

Michael Palin's comic genius is rarely disputed, but something he is equally good at and less well known for is his ability with people, no matter what their nationality, language, religion, or culture.

In this documentary series Palin travels the Himalaya, and in the process meets many different people, from Royals and Ministers to ordinary shepherds, and even the Dalai Lama. On his journey through visually stunning landscape, he shows the lives of those whose livelihoods depend on the mountains of the Himalaya. It is difficult not to be enthralled and amused with every new country he visits.

Palin's respect for others and ability to laugh at his own way of living makes Himalaya a worthwhile documentary with real impact. Excellent.