Betsy Blog

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A Trekking We Will Go...


Our trek started out at 4:30 am November 9, 2006. We woke up, packed, had breakfast and left our hotel by 5 am. We drove through the dark streets of Kathmandu, rolling past only a few people as they were early risers on their way to pray, to work and to who knows where so darn early.
At about 5:15 we arrived at the airport, still dark and quite chilly. We waited over an hour for our "guide" to show up. Not knowing if we were going to trek it alone or what, we checked our luggage through and proceeded into the terminal. Preparing ourselves for the unknown, we decided that we could make it work if our guide ditches us. Just as our plane was scheduled to take off at 6:30, our guide waltzes over to us like he's been waiting for us the whole time- whatever.
As it turns out we didn't depart until 9:00 am, the runway was socked in with clouds and fog. As soon as the pilots got permission to fly, we stuffed cotton balls in our ears and we were up up and away with Agni Airlines! The tiny 15 passenger airplane was quite a thrill. We didn't fly high enough for the cabin to be pressurized, the view was amazing. At times I thought the wing was going to hit the mountains.

We landed in Lukla on the most unique airstrip- not only was it tiny, it was slanted upward to help the plane slow down.


We started trekking after a quick cup of tea. The sidewalks and trails were full of trekkers, yaks, porters, dogs, more yaks and more trekkers. We definitely were not alone on this trip.


Our first day, maybe 3 miles, from Lukla (2886 meters) to Phakding (2640 meters) was nice and easy- down hill. We crossed several rivers on bridges some new and some not so new- they were all wobbly and very very high.


We slept at the Namaste Lodge- basically a shanty hotel with cardboard box like rooms.
And little did I know, it was going to be the last "western" style toilet I'd see for many many days.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Nepal


Goyko, Nepal- 4750 meters high.


Lake Dudh Pokhari in Goyko. The water looked tropical, but it sure didn't feel like it. Cha Cha coldie.


Yak Yak Yak- check out the crazy horns!


My best bud- Portermon. He carried my bag for 11 days, I love him!!!


This little man is the one and only Birddog- King of Adventures!
Gokyo

gotta run to the Seahawks vs. Packers football game - Monday Night Football Baby! YEAH!!!!
more on Nepal later

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Last Day in India




This was actually our second day in India, but I couldn't get any other pictures online.

We'll be home Sunday, November 26 about 4pm. More pictures and stories soon!!!
xoxo
b

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Nepal Trek

Namaste!

I have a quick second before the computer room closes

We are headed on our trek tomorrow (Nov 9) morning with Sherpa Trekking Service in Kathmandu, Nepal www.sts.com.np

we are doing the Gokyo trek (close to Everest region- I think?) through Nov 22
for you map junkies....
we will fly to Lukla
trek to Phakding on the first day
Nov 10- Namache
Nov 11- Namache Bazaar rest day
Nov 12- Trek to Dole
Nov 13- trek to Machhermo
Nov 14- Trek to Gokyo
Nov 15- Gokyo rest day, explore
Nov 16- Trek to Dole
Nov 17 Trek to Phortse
Nov 18- Trek to Tengboche
Nov 19- Trek to Namche
Nov 20- Trek to Phakding
Nov 21 Trek to Lukla
Nov 22 Lukla flight to Kathmandu

we are staying in a very nice hotel Tibet Guest House

Kyle and I both got a little sicky yesterday. Let's just say we are very familiar with where the bathrooms are.
I think the fresh Nepal mountain air will clear us right up.
more later
Namaste!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

India's new nickname= SLOW

Monkey see, Monkey do


the pace and progress in this large country is at a different pace than I'm used to.
even the internet, and food, and everything except the driving-HONK HONK!

We woke up at 5:45am and got out the door at 6am to trek up a 800ft hill to Sirvati Temple. The streets were busy with people going one way and another to different temples to chant and pray. Our hike up was peaceful and we made it to the top to watch the sunrise. Beatuful. And full of monkeys.


more sooner

check out Birddog Adventures blog - sweet!






Good Morning Sunshine! Pushkar, Rajasthan India 1/Nov/2006