Saturday – ABC The destination!!!

This is the magical day

We didn’t end up catching the  mouse that kept us awake most of the night but we did get up officially at 5am to get our trekking started to the ABC (Annapurna Base Camp). I was v excited. Somehow not having enough sleep really didn’t matter, having pumped my body with adrenaline. I am paying for it now that I’m writing this blog 2 weeks after the event… Reaching ABC has been the climax for this trip. I didn’t realise this until today when we all got up and ready to hit the road. It is important to mention though that not everyone who came with us was able to reach ABC with us. The family of 4 (Deigan) left us couple of days ago. Alex is with them. Anthea J we had to leave her behind a day ago until she’s better. Anthea W became ill and Michele refused to get up to ABC. They both stayed behind at MBC. So out of 19 people that start the trek only 11 was able to reach the pinnacle of the trip, Annapurna Base Camp (4310m).

The view first thing in the morning was absolutely breath taking. It was quite magnificent. Climbing to the camp you get to  see the Annapurna ranges from Annapurna South (7219m) to Bharha Chuli (7647m), Annpurna I (8091) Khangsar Kang (7485m) and behind us the fish tail . It is 360° of mountains. Everywhere you look. The sunrise is also quite spectacular. It has red and orange tint to it and it comes up on one range of mountains and moves to the next. It is hard to capture the picture of it… you have to go to flickr to see the photo… Viewing the rangers made me realise that wherever and whenever I am in life, I will get spectacular moments and God’s presence will be with me throughout the experiences.

We arrived at ABC (4310). Pasang took a photo of me standing under the “Welcome to Annapurna  Base Camp” sign. It’s bizarre as to why it is so important for us humans to reach a destination. And today was all about the destination. I had a number of stairs to climb up and Amanda was waiting for us with an open arms and a big hug to congratulate us for getting there. It has been quite challenging getting there. After being sick for number of days. Tired, sleepless and out of my comfort zone. It really shows that we can do anything that we put our heads to.

We climbed up rocks where the prayer flags hanging from a poll and I took a number of memorable photos from there. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t have enough warm clothes on and had to take refuge in the Annapurna Sanctuary lodge’s restuarant for some hot chocolate and hot chocolate mouse which was divine. On the wall in the lodge/restaurant the wall was covered with photos of people who have made it to the camp so I took the final, spare visa photo that I had and wrote a note and I stuck it on the wall. You just don’t know who will end up there and c me… (probably no one)… Tutsi d camel took a few photos too. Eventually all the group members joined us and we got to share our experiences with the group and what this trip has meant for us.

On our way down, we took a group photo at the sign. It took us 45 minutes to come down to MBC and it started to snow. It has been a very long time since I have last seen snow. It was very much part of the journey. We were told the previous day that the weather will turn and we needed to get down to MBC by 10am… and they were right… can’t understand how in Nepal with next to no technology they can predict the weather a lot better than we can do it here in Sydney…

In the afternoon, Veronica did an energy move around my body and I had a quick nap. Anthea and Ricky joined us in the afternoon… We played cards and talked a bit more… All in all it was fabulous

Friday – The final road to MBC

We left Anthea and Ricky to reminisce their romance at Dobhan (2520m) and we continued our journey to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC) @ 3700m. The day started early and well. I had my 1^st good night sleep since I started the trip and I was feeling physically well after being sick with the flu for much of the walk till then.

The day was one of the hardest on the journey. We will not only climb 1200m, we will also be dealing with the altitude and the effects of it during our last 400 or so meters. We trekked through bamboo forest for a while and came to cross a number of springs and waterfalls. Very pleasant indeed. As we were trekking, you can feel the temperature dropping and the air is getting thinner and less oxygen getting to your lungs. We stopped at Deurali (3200m) for lunch and the trip till then has been almost pleasant. The hills that we climbed are known as Nepaly flats… which really means no steps but there are no such things as flats in Nepal… We rested for only an hour at lunch,  as we had 2.5 hours of climbing still to do. Today was one of the longest treks we have done since we have started. And after lunch was when the hard work started…

When people talk about altitude sickness, it is hard to imagine or describe how it feels. You start by having a mild headache that lingers and never leaves you alone. Then your mind starts to slow down a bit too. You feel lethargic and weak. Just breathing seems to be the hardest thing to do. But you push on. We had to climb up lots of rocks and waterfalls and it gets little bit scary. I felt breathless most of the time. The good news is by the time you get there the body is automated to walk so at least walking is done automatically without thinking it just the breathing that requires an effort.

In order to motivate myself and others, I needed to concentrate on something and that something was the time. You see, you brain is only a muscle and just like any other parts of the body when it gets lazy the best thing to do is to put it on overdrive. As it was common that I was the last person on the trek, I saw a number of people who for most cases were way ahead of me in most days, were taking longer and more often breaks in order to recuperate. So once I gave them 2.3 minutes to rest, I got them to move on and let them know the time and how much longer has left in order to get to our destination. This technique certainly worked for us and got us to MBC around 3.30pm… as scheduled

The doggy moments of the day was when I saw a mouse enter our room that I was sharing with Anne-Marie and Lena and when I went to get something from the room the mouse was there staring at me. Very very doggy moment indeed. Specially when the mouse came back to visit us at night and we screamed our lungs out and had to call in the Chef to come and scare the mouse away… overall  very  interesting experience indeed.

Thursday – The people of the adventure

  Major part of the magic of the adventure has been the people who have participated. Ricky, for example, is one of the guides that have been assisting us through the adventure…. His story is quite romantic… he’s mid 20′s, in love with his girlfriend who is studying in UK for a commerce degree. They both work hard to pay off her tuition fees. She has one of his fav t.s. with her so she can wear it whenever she feels lonely or misses him. They will be framing the t.s. when they get together. She will be visiting him in January and he might just propose to her then… v romantic indeed…

I heard this story on our way from Chhomrong (2170)  to the base camp. The journey started by us descending bunch of steps with Sheppard’s guiding their herds of donkeys, goats and cows. You can’t help but feel immersed into the lives of the villagers… Once the steps were over we came across amazing Bamboo forest. The trees were all lushes green and you can hear the birds everywhere… A few of the trekkers also saw a number of monkeys along the way. We had lunch at a place called Bamboo (2310m) and stayed the night at Dobhan (2520m)

This day I had a constant awareness of God and His creation. I kept stopping and looking at the amazing and grand mountains… they were alive and yet v peaceful. I felt v moved by it all. I kept thinking that throughout my life in the city, I’m used to seeing God in small places, in my everyday life, work, family… but here His presence was in nature and it was immense. I felt v humble and grateful for all the blessings that I have in my life.

At Dobhan (2520m) I took my second hot shower since I’ve been on the trek and it felt wonderful…

Wednesday – The Journey

We had a family (mum and 3 kids) travelling with us. Kelly (the eldest daughter) broke all the bones in her body when she fell from 4 story building in February. and now she joined us with her family trekking in Himalayas… quite remarkable woman and family. Today, the group and the family had to be separated. We were to go up to the base camp and they will do the Annapurna circuit. We will meet the last day of our trekking.

I didn’t feel too well when I got up this morning. A caught a cold and wasn’t feeling too well… but trekking doesn’t stop… we started descending (yes again).. we went from Landruk (1565m) to New Bridge (1340m). We went through rice fields, crossed a  number of suspension bridges… it felt great… adult version of Disneyland…

We arrived at Jhinudanda (1780m). Almost everyone went to the hot springs which required more descending and then ascending… I took a break with Michelle and Veronica and we had a good chat.. This is where I bought a fossil

After lunch we started ascending and this was hard. I had a little cry and felt lethargic. But we continued. We reached Chhomrong (2170m) early evening. It was a hard day but the views were all worth it…

Alex surprised us this day… The family were behind us somewhat and he rushed ahead and joined us for dinner… that guy is amazing… he has got too much energy and stamina… well done

all in all, I made it and that was the highlight of the day

Tuesday – Dhampus to Landruk

We started the day with Yoga at 6am… v relaxing… it was the perfect way to start the day doing Yoga with a back drop of lushes green mountains and nothing else to see for a while. The local dog took a fancy of us and didn’t leave us alone. She ended up between the instructors legs whilst he was in his resting position.

After b’fast we started trekking. The first interesting landmark we passed was the “Australian Camp Site”. I didn’t know this but world exhibition is an Australian company and one of the first to start trekking in Nepal when it was allowed in the 70′s. We continued climbing… as u would since we need to get to the base camp and you think you will continue to do so… but no, not on this trip…  in the morning we climbed from 1650 up to 2100 and after lunch we descended to 1565… How crazy is this??? this was the hardest thing I had to overcome. I was getting really pissed off… but then I had to release…

Of course, the locals do this on daily basis and they carry loads with their heads. One of the seeneries most beautiful is to see humans treating the land with honour and the land rewarding them with its fruit. For most of the journey the hills are covered with agriculture fields but not all of it. The mother earth and humans were living in harmony.

I tell you something funny happened along the way. One of the key information we were given is to run up the hill when a cow looks at you funny. AFter passing two suspension bridges myself and Anthea encountered a cow… looking and walking towards me. At that exact moment I run up the mountain and proved to myself that running is ok…

AT Landruk (1565m) I realised that I had  done -113m today… after 6 hours of trekking… ummm  That’s how life goes… sometimes you end up worse then when you started… but the next day you can always get up and move again… It never stops

1st day of Trekking… Monday 8th Nov

Today I got up early again. Bloody jet leg… I went and bought quite a lot of food to consume along the way. Don’t know how the kilos will be dropping off if I keep eating at this rate… B’fast as usual was great… I’m addicted to Cinnamon yogurt…. who would’ve thought that cinnamon and yogurt are best friends?

After b’fast we went to the airport to pick up our flight to Pokhara… the security at the airport was v private… shall we say… it is all about the personal touch…

The plane itself wasn’t too bad but I was thinking of my sister Nyrie who would refuse to get into a plane which does not have the minimum standards like it may not fall from the sky… We had around an hour in Pokhara and then made our way to the start of the trekking a place called Phedi (1130m). This day set the expectation of what the days ahead will look like… We had steps… and I mean steps… everywhere… for almost 2 hours we climbed the steps… the only thing I could think of was how great my butt was going to look like in 9 days…  Of course the views were all worth it. After 2 hours (or infinity) we stopped at a tea house and took a break. We played with the kids on the swing and inhaled the amazing and peaceful views of the surrounding mountains and hills… You can really see creation at it’s best. Just a note on the swings… They are made of 3 or 4 bamboo sticks put together and they are visible from top of the mountains… The locals get on the swings once a year to give the earth a break… nice

After the massive steps we walked through villages passing kids doing english homework, tinny goats and chooks, villages coming over to the neighbour’s house for a visit and a chat (maybe bitching about us… who knows???)… I didn’t know it then but it was the last time I was to see cars and motorbikes for v long time. For that day it was just interesting… We took a refuge at Dhampus (1650m) for the night… All in all not bad

Why Nepal?

We finally arrived in Nepal after a day (no kidding) of travelling by Plane from Sydney. We landed in Kathmandu and it was scary… The place never sleeps… people and animals everywhere. It’s an interesting and exciting place to be. Chaotic just like any other city in Asia with a lot less infrastructure.

The hotel we stayed in was 5* and it had the longest swimming pool in Kathmandu. It was comfortable and clean.

I will not bore you with further details of the first two days and nights in Kathmandu, just one, the most common wild animal in Kathmandu are monkeys and they are everywhere… on the temples, on top of the roofs and everywhere else you can think of… it is bizarre and beautiful to see

Trekking to Nepal Day 1 – Day 15

Day 1… we will arrive at Kathmandu very late and we are staying in a deluxe hotel called Annapurna… I will be looking forward to having some sleep

Day 2 … Sightseeing in Kathmandu and a trip up to the hilltop temple of Sqayambunath with it’s outstanding views over the Kathmandu. We will also visit the Umbrella Orphanage. We will then visit the buzzing district of Thamel where I will be buying my head torch.

Day 3… We will get a spectacular flight along the central section of the Nepal Himalaya, to the pretty lakeside town of Pokhara. We will pass several giant peaks included Manaslu which is over 8000m. We will climb around 2 hours up to the small village of Dhampus (1700m). The views apparently are magnificent with the towering peaks of Machapuchare and the Annapurna range looming above us.

Day 4… We will climb through rhododendron forests to the crest which separates Pokhara Valley from the Modi Khola River Valley. After lunch we will descend to the picturesque village of Landrung… I know can’t believe after climbing we will descend…. apparently v common on this trip to Annapurna

Day 5… We descent further to Modi Khola River and then cross over a suspension bridge to the opposite bank. From there we climb 800m up a “Stairway” which leads to our next stop at Chhomrong. The village setting offers tremendous views.

Day 6… We begin a steep ascent into the Annapurna Sanctuary. the trail goes through beautiful rhododendrom and bamboo forests and then into a narrow gorge which often has waterfalls cascading down it’s steep granite faces. We will stay in Dobhan (2600m) after 5 hours of strenuous, uphill trekking…  this day sounds like a killer…

Day 7… The ascent into the ascent into the Annapurna Sanctuary is over a rugged and often difficult trail. It will sometimes require scrambling over rocks and countless small streams although the tantalizing glimpses of the massive peaks that loom ahead are more than enough inspiration to push on. When we enter the glacial moraine area the views are absolutely incredible. The Himalayan amphitheatre which completely surrounds the Annapurna Sanctuary is one of the most wonderful sights in adventure travel. We trek to a lower altitude to spend the night in our cosy lodge.

Day 8… We will explore the upper glaciers of the Annapurna Sanctuary. We trek to the Huinchuli Glacier at nearly 4000m. We will descent back to Machupuchare Base Camp

Day 9… Continuing our descent back down…. Thank God!!! trekking is almost over… and we will stay is a peaceful village Bamboo

Day 10.. back to Chhomrong

Day 11… We cross the river at Kyumnu and climb up to the village of Ghandrung…. optional to hike to the 3100m  (I might take a pass on that and visit the village instead)…

Day 12.. Descent back to Modi Khola River then to Birathanti and catch a ride to Pokhara… Thanks God!!! it is def over!!!

Day 13… Pokhara as a tourist

Day 14… Arrive in Kathmandu and visit a buddhist temple Bodnath…

Day 15… I will do a special flight to see Everest!!… Can’t wait…

And that is all my friends…

The night b4 Nepal

So here I am sipping my herbal chai tea and reflecting on the amazing journey that I will be encountering the next 2 weeks.

I can’t believe it has come so quickly. Just 4 days ago I decided to start squatting and doing lunges and my legs started to heart and I realised that perhaps I should have started them 3 months ago when I decided to go.

I don’t really know how it happened really but I’m glad it has come. I know this will be once in a life time opportunity. The group that I will be with has collected over $30,000 to give it to an orphanage and a school. As always, I started late to think about it but I was able to gather $205 for it…. Which on it’s own is not a bad effort. Of course all this made me think as to how lucky I am to be able to do this in the first place. I know it is a cliché to say it but just the frick chance that I’ve been born to a family such as mine instead of to any other one in this world has a lot to do with what I am capable of doing. But what does all these mean????

For a while, I wasn’t sure why I decided to go to Nepal? Sure many years ago I was thinking will be nice to visit Everest base camp and being adventures it is not surprising that I chose something so out there…. but why Nepal? Why trekking??? Lets face it it’s not my strong point. I don’t enjoy camping, let alone wearing the same clothes for 4 days in a row. The last couple of days thought it has occurred to me that this trip will be about reflection, meditation, prayer and nurturing my soul…. I know I sound like every other person who goes to Nepal but this is v true to me.

I also must confess that I’m a bit scared… I don’t usually get scared when I travel but this time around I am. It might have to do with the plane that crashed in Cuba or the fact that I’m getting old… fingers crossed I’ll come back as I left, preferably alive….

In my next blog I will have my full itinerary so you get a feel of what I’m doing… I’m not sure if I will be able to blog when I’m there but I will definitely when I get to Hong Kong

Where is Nepal?

In November, I will be climbing Annapurna base camp in Nepal. It amazes me how many people do not know where Nepal is? Even more worrying when they don’t know what Everest is… I would have thought that Everest will be the same as knowing Adam and Eve… you won’t necessarily have to be a christian to know the story as it would be universal concept. Everest, is the highest mountain in the world. Wouldn’t everyone know what? obviously not… So here I am telling everyone…  Everest is the highest mountain in the world and it is in Nepal which is a neighbouring country to India…