.::. Nepal 2012 .::.

We went to Nepal in February 2012.  I have been wanting to write about it, for it may be our most memorable trip together.  It was the only trip I kept a diary and wrote daily.  The only trip which was so much pain and a very great challenge.  But before I wrote anything, almost a year has past.

I've no clue what went over me.  I'm not that adventurous, especially physically.  Yet one fine day, while watching Discovery channel, I decided that I wanted to climb Mount Everest.  Obviously there's no way I could really do that, but I set my sights on trekking around that region.  It seemed doable, but I really never expected it to be this bad.

The lack of oxygen at high altitude brought us down.  Either that or the food.  I started vomiting and having diarrhea during the 2nd day of the trek.  It got so bad that water was coming out from my butt and it's no joke getting out of the warm bed again and again into the freezing wooden cubicle with a squatting toilet. After I got better, the husband came down worse.  He even puke into his food while eating and made a mess of the whole toilet.  I still remember the smell of our puke.

Anyway, we didn't make it to Gokyo Lake and only reached Namche.  The climb to Namche was the hardest, yet so satisfying.

It was a trip which changed something in me (more than other trips).  We trekked for 5-6 hours a day and rested in the afternoon.  I read when I was well, slept when I wasn't.  It was grueling getting up every morning, knowing that it'll be another uphill climb literally.

I still remember, the day we made it to Namche.  We were half dead, barely had any strength left and haven't had a bath for days.

The lodge we stayed at Namche had quotes, which really made an impact.  Dalai Lama makes so much sense.

NEVER GIVE UP
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up.

THE PARADOX OF OUR AGE

We have bigger houses but smaller families;
more conveniences, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgement;
more experts, but more problems;
more medicines, but less healthiness;
We've been all the way to the moon and back,
but have trouble crossing the street to meet
the new neighbor.
We build more computers to hold more
information to produce more copies then ever,
but have less communication;
We have become long on quantity,
but short on quality.
These are times of fast foods
but slow digestion;
Tall men but short character;
Steep profits but shallow relationships.
It's a time when there is much in the window,
but nothing in the room.

It was really an experience, but both of us have agreed that we're not going to do something like that again!  It was our first trip as a couple, and the worst state the husband has even been in his lifetime. These are memories we share, that nobody can take away and only we would remember these moments in the years to come.  That's why I hate tours - you never ever have nearly as much fun.

Totally looking forward to our next trip together!  

.::. Time .::.

I've been surviving on very little sleep these 2 months.  I sleep for about 5-6 hours on weekdays, and don't have much time to repay my sleep debt during the weekend because it's always a mad rush - going to meed IDs/contractors, visiting furniture shops and now checking on our renovation progress.

Weekday nights I'm doing research about all sort of things from deco ideas, to which contractor/IDs to use, to comparing market prices and reviews, to choosing tiles and which materials to be used.  Then, now that we have decided on renovation and deco, it's what brand/model of fridge, hob, hood, air-con, heater and fans to buy.  Even after deciding on the brand/model, I start looking for the exact place to buy it, comparing prices and checking reviews.  It's really no joke, and the learning curve is really steep.

Now, I can easily rattle off about pro/cons about using gas/induction hobs, different brands and models of hoods, different washers/dryers, storage/instant/gas heaters, where to find furniture and lights or air-con.  Basically, I'm immersed in everything renovation.

I really wished I had more time for everything.  I'm trying to read books about 'Fengshui' these days, and looking for nice deco items for our place.  We've got our air-con and arranged for the first delivery of piping.  We've also short-listed our hob/hood/ceiling fan/fridge/TV console/side tables/coffee table/bench/lights/bed.  We've placed deposit for our mattress/air-con/sofa/dining table/sideboard.

I vaguely remembered wanting to blog about the Nepal trip, but before I had the chance to do it, it's already *gasps* 3 months since I got back.  Has it really been 3 months ago?!

Where has all my time gone to?

.::. Salt or Pepper Shake? .::.

Do pepper shakes have one hole or three holes?

I always thought this was universal, international.  But apparently, it isn't!

I never once doubted that the pepper shake is the one with 3 holes, while the salt shake is the one with one hole.  I don't remember getting it wrong ever either!

It all started with our trip to Nepal - the salt shake is the one with 3 holes, while the pepper shake is the one with 1 hole.  The husband apparently thought like me, and happily sprinkled what he thought is pepper in his food.  Yet to his horror, it was actually salt.  He added salt to his already salty food.  It led me to conclude that Nepalese loved their salt - salty food and salt shake with 3 holes!

I posted a comment on Facebook and a friend I knew from Europe commented that salt shakes with 3 holes are international.  Then I started googling it and realized to my horror that there is no 'international' or 'universal' pepper/salt shakes!

I'm beginning to realize that those universal things I originally thought isn't universal at all.

I used to think that keyboards were universal, since I learnt typing on a typewriter since young and the computer has the exact same keyboard.  I never once suspected that different languages had different keyboards.  After all, I typed Mandarin words using the same keyboard.  Now, I wonder why did I think that?  

.::. Day 1: Around Thamel .::.

We arrived at the Kathmandu's airport in the afternoon.  It was simply one bricked building, and we had to queue to pay for Visa on arrival.  As we were staying for 16 days, we had to pay US$40 for a 30-day visa.  The 15 day visa cost US$20 but they refused to let us extend that for a day though there were notices around saying that we could.

It was hectic and crazy.  There are many people who are waiting to help you with your bag so that they can earn tips.  Touts were everywhere trying to get you on their taxi.  Everyone wanted your attention all at once.  We were at a loss, since our guide said that he would pick us up but did not say how we could recognize him.

Just as we walked out of the airport to the chaos, he suddenly appeared and asked if I was Jan.  I was somewhat shocked!  In the end, he said that he recognized us since we have scanned our passport for him to apply for the trekking permit.  *phew.

So we were ushered to a super old tiny Suzuki taxi with a boot that can barely fit both our backpacks.  The drive to town was very bumpy and I had my first glimpse of Nepal and the dirty streets.



This was the street right outside our hotel.  We went for lunch right after checking-in.

Our first meal there, we wanted to try Nepali food.  This was their traditional rice with vegetables and curry, called Daal Bhat.  It was refillable and it's impressive how much rice the Nepalis eat!

Outside the restaurant.

We settled things with the guide and got some trekking gear before roaming Thamel by ourselves.

They sell their meat and fish like that, by the street where cars go by.

It's the most touristy area, but they are mainly old buildings with narrow roads. 

Almost every shop sold the same things.  Trekking gear, hand-made paper, shawls.

Their local market.

Their taxis which are all really old, without aircon and looks like it's about to break down any minute.

Colourful felt crafts.  I like.

This dog was so cute!  I wonder if it can see?

There wasn't much to do nor see, so we had dinner early at a Thai restaurant and retired early for the trek the next day.

Despite paying US$30 for a three-star hotel popular with trekking groups, the room was small and very tired.  For some reason, the building was cold and there was no hot water.  Moreover, the door can be pushed open easily even after we lock it.  It was pretty cui and we did not shower.  The room was dim and electricity was only available for 10 hours a day.  It didn't help that there was a Danish tour group with teenagers screaming and running about at 3am in the morning.

With that, we ended our first day in Nepal and a hint of what a difficult trip this was going to be.

.::. I'm Back .::.

I'm back.

And I'm really happy to be back.  I'm even happy to head back to work despite a bad throat infection (that lasted the past 2 weeks) and an MC.

Strange.  Very strange indeed.

This trip is...extraordinary.  Totally not the type of holiday I'm used to.  It was an incredible experience though.

So much to say, a whirl of emotions.

I'm thankful.



And here's one of my favorite shots of the trip - our signature jumping shots at the Everest Viewpoint near Namche.  It's about 3500m, and the highest we managed to climb.

It's the first holiday that I kept a diary and wrote down my experience everyday.  I'm not sure if I'm going to manage posting about it all there though.  I just managed to upload all the pictures, almost 8GB of them - lesser than I thought I would take.

Very busy month ahead.  So much to do, so much happening at the work and personal front.  With 2 weeks worth of emails and deadlines to meet and the regional meeting next week, plus collection of keys for our flat and some wedding preparations and renovation research, I'm up to my neck.

Is it March already?!

Breathe.

.::. Hello from Nepal .::.

.::. Food & Love .::.

We have been going around, buying supplies for our trek this week. Since we've got our Goretex jackets and Northface Goretex trekking boots, we were pretty much set. We got a cheap +15C Outgear sleeping bag for $29.90 from Planet Travellers and the husband eventually got a pair of soft shell pants from Campers' Corner at Waterloo Street.

We were trying to check out Adventure 21 at Chinatown Point after reading all the good reviews online. To our dismay, the whole Chinatown Point was under renovation! We went to the other outlet at Central after work this week, but were pretty disappointed because things were pretty expensive generally. The cheapest sleeping bag was like $109 for +3C and pants seem to be from $200++. Everything seemed very expensive generally and we left without buying anything.

We were pretty desperate as the husband has no pants and can't possibly trek in jeans. Moreover, he was too skinny and we were worried that he may not be able to get any pants in Nepal. We only have an afternoon there before we started trekking early next morning. We tried Northface, but they had no S size!

We eventually got his pants from Campers' Corner at Waterloo Street and prices seemed more reasonable there with a pretty good selection of everything.

Our 'Valentines' Day' meal.

We never celebrated Valentines' Day since the first year together.  But I skipped my Kickboxing to check out pants together with him. My colleague recommended a Nasi Padang restaurant at Central when we bumped into her after visiting Adventure 21.  She mentioned that it was pricey and I thought, how expensive can Nasi Padang be?  $10/pax?

It was the most expensive Nasi Padang I ever had in my life.  Was it delicious?  Yes, it's pretty good, very rich and fragrant.  But then again, a chicken drumstick cost $9.20 and the whole meal came to $40.  Goodness!!!

I like the old-school feel of the place and Hotel Rendezvous was named after it.

I guess I'm not going back again!  The husband couldn't stop complaining and said that he's sure he can have Nasi Padang that was as good but a lot cheaper somewhere else.

And this came in the mail and made my day today.

A hand-made card from Jo.  =)  So pretty.

The husband got me a Valentines' Day card too, and I was so touched and guilty because I didn't get him anything at all.

Not feeling my best and feeling nervous about the Nepal trip now.

Can't believe I'm flying in 30 hours time.

.::. Training .::.

We went for the hardest 11km trail at Mac Ritchie to break into our shoes and to train in preparation for the hike.

Although some most books and forums are saying that anyone can do the Gokyo Trek, the husband kept telling me how difficult it is.  It got me a little worried and I started training a lot harder these 3 weeks.



Pretty greenery.  The trail started easy like this, totally walkable.  But as we went deeper, it became steeper and more uneven.  Some stretches were more tiring and slowed us down quite abit.

My partner in life.  =)

We started at about 530pm and finished at about 730pm.  We did 11km in 2 hours, and it was pretty fast considering that the uneven uphill stretches slowed me down quite abit and I was quite tired at towards the end.

There were so many people jogging along the track!  I'm totally amazed by how fit these people are to jog 11km of this trail.  I reckon I should train more and get more fit.

By the time we finished, the sun was setting.  We made it out of the forest just before it turned dark.

Had Indian food opposite Mustafa on Friday, the same restaurant we went with the girls quite some time back.  *yums.  We wanted to get sleeping bags from Mustafa, but it was of too lousy quality, so we didn't get them instead.

We wanted to visit Adventure 21 at Chinatown point after the trek since we heard that it's a good place for trekking equipment.  We made it there at about 845pm, before the 9pm closing time, but the whole complex is closed!!

By then, I was famished and very tired.  We have been on our feet for 4 hours without any rest!  We finally had dinner at the hawker before coming back.

Amazingly, I have no muscle aches today!  We went walking for an hour and a half tonight after dinner too.  I guess whatever training we do now would make it easier for us there.

Borrowed my Dad's Oakley's for the trek since I didn't want to spend money on shades.  I don't look good in the at all.  Shades always seem to look good in pictures but I hate wearing them.  I dislike looking at things through tinted lens and would always prefer to take in the natural colors of beautiful scenery.  But it's essential when those snow-capped mountains reflect light and strong winds.

I'm still thinking if I should get a wide-angled lens for the trip.  The husband wanted to get it for my birthday but I told him that I didn't want it and would prefer to save the money for the house.  Now, I'm having second thoughts and feeling very tempted.  =(

5 more days to the trip!

.::. Can't wait .::.

Got my Northface Goretex trekking boots today.  I guess I need a good pair of waterproof shoes.



Many thanks to Ju and Karen for the discount!

And I'm roaring to go after looking at all the pictures while researching about the trip.

Gosh.

It's so beautiful and I'm prepared to be in awe.  I reckon pictures do not prepare you for the real thing.

Take my breath away.

I wonder if people feel very touched when they visit beautiful places?  I do, all the time.  I feel so touched and so thankful that I could witness such beauty, that I feel like tearing. I love that feeling, that excitement and anticipation, that fulfillment and amazement.  It makes me feel so small, yet empowers me and make me feel like I could make all my dreams come true.

.::. Preparations with love .::.

We have been kept busy these weekends, and I'm enjoying it.

McDees have this new (maybe not) deluxe set which I love!  I no longer have to choose between sausage egg mac muffin meal and hotcakes, I can have them both!  *yums.

So we have been visiting furniture shops and researching about renovation cost and ideas.  We have also been preparing for our Nepal Trekking trip and checking out gear from North Face.

We checked out both of North Face's shops and visited Journey East at Thomson which carries a brand of furniture which I really like - dBodhi.  I love solid wood furniture, the grains, the color, the texture, the feel.

We went to MacRitchie Reservoir in an attempt to walk more and prepare for our trekking trip.

It was an enjoyable stroll, but we didn't do the full trail since we didn't have proper footwear nor the luxury of time.

But!  We will be going on the 10km trail this weekend to break into our new hiking boots.  I'm looking forward!  I can't run but I can sure walk for hours.  As much as I'm becoming a little worried if I'll strong enough for a 2-week trek in such high altitudes, I think I'll make it!  I have been training and working out pretty hard these weeks.

There are monkeys everywhere, even monkeys loves oranges.

The husband started getting very involved about the trip after hearing his colleague's adventures and advice for Nepal.  His colleague has been there to trek twice!  We stocked up on some fuel for the trek too.  Some energy bars, canned food and of course, my favorite comfort food during travels - cup noodles!

He was saying that many friends and couples break up after the trek, since people start showing their true selves when they're really tired and all during the trek.  And his colleague married his wife because they got along well even during those difficult times.  We are going on this trek after we got married, so hopefully we get along well enough and I keep my husband after the trip!

I feel so loved, contented, blissful, thankful and fulfilled these days.

Looking at the pictures of the trek, I'm really looking forward to clocking more wonderful memories (and photos) with the husband.

Loves.