We have linked a blog to our co-trekker Tammie, check out her blog too! Especially today's regarding the toilet paper "situation"!
Seriously though, everything she says is absolutely true! We bought more "gold paper" today ourselves!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Trek picture posted!
From yesterday on the hike to Namche with Ama Dablam in the background.
signing off!
signing off!
In Namche
We are taking this opportunity to blog again since it might be a while... we are still in Namche today, and we walked through the baazar where the tibetan traders bring their goods and boy were we surprised... cheap Chinese sneakers and North face knock off gear... not Tibetan goods at all!
I did buy woolen knit long socks and a hat and another balaclava today, we are thinking it is going to be very cold up in Gyoko valley and across Cho La Pass before we get to the Khumbu valley we will have about 4-5 nights camping at around or just under 5000 meters.
I am feeling better today after resting this morning. I have sinus issues that I hope does not blow up into an infection or bronchitis... too early to take those antibiotics yet... but bought lots of throat losenges in Namche because I've gone through allot of what I've brought already and this is the last large town/village so we don't know what we will find beyond or what price it will be! But, we did find Pringles for 180 rupees today (approx. $2). Many other places wanted 300 rupees... oh, and more toilet paper, essential stuff!
Brian did go on the acclimitization hike this morning to the Everest view hotel with views of Everest, Nupse and full face of Ama Dablam. I slept since I didn't sleep much last night but much better after taking decongestants this morning. I accidentally left my Tylenol cold pills in my bag in Kathmandu... yet another mistake (first was not bringing my thicker Thermarest pad or down booties!). Oh, just the lessons for next time! :)
I did buy woolen knit long socks and a hat and another balaclava today, we are thinking it is going to be very cold up in Gyoko valley and across Cho La Pass before we get to the Khumbu valley we will have about 4-5 nights camping at around or just under 5000 meters.
I am feeling better today after resting this morning. I have sinus issues that I hope does not blow up into an infection or bronchitis... too early to take those antibiotics yet... but bought lots of throat losenges in Namche because I've gone through allot of what I've brought already and this is the last large town/village so we don't know what we will find beyond or what price it will be! But, we did find Pringles for 180 rupees today (approx. $2). Many other places wanted 300 rupees... oh, and more toilet paper, essential stuff!
Brian did go on the acclimitization hike this morning to the Everest view hotel with views of Everest, Nupse and full face of Ama Dablam. I slept since I didn't sleep much last night but much better after taking decongestants this morning. I accidentally left my Tylenol cold pills in my bag in Kathmandu... yet another mistake (first was not bringing my thicker Thermarest pad or down booties!). Oh, just the lessons for next time! :)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
start of the trek to Namche Baazar
Landed in Lukla safely on Monday. First 2 trek days were easy hikes, 2-3 hrs hiking in the morning then at camp for lunch. Not cold yet, in 40's at night, but we know it will be getting colder! Today we entered Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) Nat. Park and had our first glimpse of Everest, and Nupste, and also Ama Dablam. We are now in Namche Baazar staying 2 nights - to acclimatize - in a simple Sherpa lodge here at almost 12000 ft. We have both had some minor headaches, and Anelle has had some sore throat issues, but nothing major and pushing through with the help of VIt. C, Zinc, cold eze and Advil.
Today's hiking was challenging, a rise of 600 meters (approx. 1800 ft) but the total cummulative elevation gain/loss was 2700 ft in only 4 hrs and we were moving at a snails pace due to the acclimitization making it more difficult. Everything is measured in elevation and time to get to the next point, we have no idea how many miles we are traveling!
Might not be able to post much more for the next 10 days or so... its approx. $4 for 15 minutes of internet here! And, we aren't having much luck for data signals with the blackberry... perhaps a text message might get through to Brian's brother Jeff with an update, so check out comments from him as we might ask him to post a short message or two.
Today's hiking was challenging, a rise of 600 meters (approx. 1800 ft) but the total cummulative elevation gain/loss was 2700 ft in only 4 hrs and we were moving at a snails pace due to the acclimitization making it more difficult. Everything is measured in elevation and time to get to the next point, we have no idea how many miles we are traveling!
Might not be able to post much more for the next 10 days or so... its approx. $4 for 15 minutes of internet here! And, we aren't having much luck for data signals with the blackberry... perhaps a text message might get through to Brian's brother Jeff with an update, so check out comments from him as we might ask him to post a short message or two.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Around Kathmandu...
We have had difficulty posting earlier today due to signal problems and internet café slow speed and kicking us offline… so here is the update on the past few days in Kathmandu…
We arrived in Kathmandu early Friday morning, and after a long wait in line for visa’s, enjoyed a shower and a 5 hour nap through the afternoon! Saturday we were out and about on our own until the evening.
We had a stunning view of the Himalaya from a distance on our plane ride in; although we think it was the Annapurna region not Everest region where we are going. We met the other members of our trek group, Tammy and Holly, starting with the van ride from the airport – they are both in their 30’s and Holly is an ER doctor so that is extra peace of mind!
Kathmandu is quite a city; traffic flow is organized chaos, and it is amazing we have not seen a single accident given that cars motorcycles and pedestrians flow through the streets, no lanes, no regard to the “other side of the street”, and I’m sure they have no idea what “following too closely” would mean! We think driving around today and crossing the street while walking around has been more dangerous than the trek we are about to undertake!
Met our guide Harka last night who debriefed us about the trek, etc. what to expect, what to pack, getting us correct size down parka’s, etc. He also took us out into Kathmandu at night to a traditional restaurant with Nepali/Newari food and dance. We would not have ventured out in the dark without an escort, as the streets are dark (NO street lights!), sidewalks are uneven to put it lightly (craters, etc.) and feral dogs line the streets… in fact Brian stepped on one just laying on the dark sidewalk last night and lucky he was not bit! Surprisingly they look nasty, but we have yet to see any snarl at us.
We had a tour around Kathmandu to two Buddhist stupa’s today, plus Durbar Marg (square) where there are many temples around the 17th Century old palace. We also visited a holy river with burning ghats (cremation sites). Our guide Shree sang Nepali songs and told us the stories of the Budda. Many things to remember, we need to write down the names so we can remember ourselves.
Well, we embark tomorrow, 5 am departing from the hotel for 6:05 flight to Lukla. We have to finish packing our gear bags, and weigh them to make sure that we do not have a total of more than 20 kilo’s including our daypacks (approx. 40 lbs).
We don’t know if we will be able to post while on trek, although we might be able to send a short message now and then to Brian’s brother via text message, which seems more reliable, than data service. So, we’ll update as we can, but probably will be sparse.
Namaste!
We arrived in Kathmandu early Friday morning, and after a long wait in line for visa’s, enjoyed a shower and a 5 hour nap through the afternoon! Saturday we were out and about on our own until the evening.
We had a stunning view of the Himalaya from a distance on our plane ride in; although we think it was the Annapurna region not Everest region where we are going. We met the other members of our trek group, Tammy and Holly, starting with the van ride from the airport – they are both in their 30’s and Holly is an ER doctor so that is extra peace of mind!
Kathmandu is quite a city; traffic flow is organized chaos, and it is amazing we have not seen a single accident given that cars motorcycles and pedestrians flow through the streets, no lanes, no regard to the “other side of the street”, and I’m sure they have no idea what “following too closely” would mean! We think driving around today and crossing the street while walking around has been more dangerous than the trek we are about to undertake!
Met our guide Harka last night who debriefed us about the trek, etc. what to expect, what to pack, getting us correct size down parka’s, etc. He also took us out into Kathmandu at night to a traditional restaurant with Nepali/Newari food and dance. We would not have ventured out in the dark without an escort, as the streets are dark (NO street lights!), sidewalks are uneven to put it lightly (craters, etc.) and feral dogs line the streets… in fact Brian stepped on one just laying on the dark sidewalk last night and lucky he was not bit! Surprisingly they look nasty, but we have yet to see any snarl at us.
We had a tour around Kathmandu to two Buddhist stupa’s today, plus Durbar Marg (square) where there are many temples around the 17th Century old palace. We also visited a holy river with burning ghats (cremation sites). Our guide Shree sang Nepali songs and told us the stories of the Budda. Many things to remember, we need to write down the names so we can remember ourselves.
Well, we embark tomorrow, 5 am departing from the hotel for 6:05 flight to Lukla. We have to finish packing our gear bags, and weigh them to make sure that we do not have a total of more than 20 kilo’s including our daypacks (approx. 40 lbs).
We don’t know if we will be able to post while on trek, although we might be able to send a short message now and then to Brian’s brother via text message, which seems more reliable, than data service. So, we’ll update as we can, but probably will be sparse.
Namaste!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Day 1
We are in the Delhi airport. After a mad dash through the Paris airport (there was not even time for a cafe' au lait and a croissant) worthy of the Amazing Race (departures out of newark were delayed two hours) we have several hours before our flight to Nepal in the morning. We were haPpy to find our luggage made the short tranfer as well. The food on Air France was great and plenty of it. Talk soon.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, October 13, 2008
2 days and counting!
Welcome to our blog! Most of you all know that we have been talking about our dream to visit Nepal and trek in the Himalaya for many years... and I have been wanting to do this for close to 15 years - before I met Brian! We finally are managing to go, and our bags are packed and we are less than 48 hours from departure!
We are flying on Wed. Oct. 15th, which is my 39th birthday, and even though I won't be having birthday cake, it will probably be my best birthday because I'm finally doing this! Docs have all said my back is good, knee is good, and I am injury free the past 2 years so I've worked up to getting ready for this and no time like the present rather than keep putting it off.
Brian's brother Jeff loaned us his new Blackberry with world posting capabilities to do this blog, and hopefully we can post from Everest Base Camp! Thanks Jeff!
So... this is the plan...
Oct. 15th - fly to Delhi via Paris. Oct. 16th arrive Delhi late PM. Oct. 17th fly Delhi to Kathmandu.
Oct. 18th, meet the group we are trekking with
Oct. 19th - sightseeing in Kathmandu
Oct. 20th - fly to Lukla and begin Everest Circuit Trek! Number of days on the trail is 20. During the trek we visit Namche Bazaar, Gyoko Lakes region, climb a trekkers peak Gyoki Ri, cross Cho La Pass into the Khumbu Valley, visit Everest Base Camp, climb another trekkers peak Kala Pattar, and return to Lukla via Namche Bazaar again. We return to Kathmandu on Nov. 9th (or 10th if necessary to delay flight due to weather).
Nov. 13th we are visiting Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal for a jungle safari (on elephant back!) and maybe spot a Royal Bengal tiger... if we are lucky.
Nov. 15th we fly to Varanasi India for tour of the Ghats along the Ganges river, then visit the anchient temples at Kajuraho, the Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Agra, the Red Fort in Jaipur - the capital of Rajhastan, and Old and New Delhi. We fly home November 25th, arrive early morning Wed. Nov. 26th, JUST in time for turkey day!
We hope you will drop us a note to keep in touch, and read our blog updates!
Namaste!
We are flying on Wed. Oct. 15th, which is my 39th birthday, and even though I won't be having birthday cake, it will probably be my best birthday because I'm finally doing this! Docs have all said my back is good, knee is good, and I am injury free the past 2 years so I've worked up to getting ready for this and no time like the present rather than keep putting it off.
Brian's brother Jeff loaned us his new Blackberry with world posting capabilities to do this blog, and hopefully we can post from Everest Base Camp! Thanks Jeff!
So... this is the plan...
Oct. 15th - fly to Delhi via Paris. Oct. 16th arrive Delhi late PM. Oct. 17th fly Delhi to Kathmandu.
Oct. 18th, meet the group we are trekking with
Oct. 19th - sightseeing in Kathmandu
Oct. 20th - fly to Lukla and begin Everest Circuit Trek! Number of days on the trail is 20. During the trek we visit Namche Bazaar, Gyoko Lakes region, climb a trekkers peak Gyoki Ri, cross Cho La Pass into the Khumbu Valley, visit Everest Base Camp, climb another trekkers peak Kala Pattar, and return to Lukla via Namche Bazaar again. We return to Kathmandu on Nov. 9th (or 10th if necessary to delay flight due to weather).
Nov. 13th we are visiting Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal for a jungle safari (on elephant back!) and maybe spot a Royal Bengal tiger... if we are lucky.
Nov. 15th we fly to Varanasi India for tour of the Ghats along the Ganges river, then visit the anchient temples at Kajuraho, the Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Agra, the Red Fort in Jaipur - the capital of Rajhastan, and Old and New Delhi. We fly home November 25th, arrive early morning Wed. Nov. 26th, JUST in time for turkey day!
We hope you will drop us a note to keep in touch, and read our blog updates!
Namaste!
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