Saturday, 4 October 2008

Under starters orders and they're off.....


I had hoped to upload a few pictures, but hey ho what a surprise Western is slightly flummoxed so you will have to do with a more spartan initial entry. Bangladesh Biman flight was entertaining, had our supper 2 hours before our breakfast! We arrived Kathmandu thursday afternoon, a welcome return after 9 years, and on the surface it would appear to be pretty similar, traffic more chaotic, and slightly sleazier, shower bars no less! Have been pretty busy organising our trek, an epic 30 dayer, about 200 miles, with a wonderful 10 day trip to Upper Mustang, just the two of us, with a guide, a porter, and a cook - Ghurung Ramsay. Before we do that we have a careful 10 day trek over the 5416m Thorung La pass. We should be well & truly acclimatised for Lo Manthang.

Only annoying thing so far was this conversation on a restaurant rooftop, between an Aussie and a Canadian. The Aussie is telling him about the rugby league grand final which he is missing to be at Everest Base Camp! He says to the Canadian, "most people who like both codes of rugby agree that 'league' is a much more exciting game", I nearly choked on my fresh lime soda.

6 hour bus ride to the start of the trek tomorrow (109 miles). More from the circuit in a day or two.