FLIGHT TO EVEREST!!!!!

The very early start was all abit mad, our 5am alarm didn't materialise, then our taxi to take Ian and Ads to Everest with another girl Emma who was on our trip plus take me and mum to an Everest viewing point to watch the sun rise (we had both seen the size of the plane to Everest and thought 'no can do’ sadly!) consisted of the usual miniature Suzuki with 5 of us plus driver to fit in!! The driver spoke no English and a local said that we would be stopped by the police for overloading and it was all too much to take in at 5am!! In the end me and mum waited at the hotel for the driver to return whilst Ian, Ads and Emma set off desperate not to miss their ‘Yeti Airline’ (whom we were told were the safest!) to see Everest. 2 hours and very cold later our driver had still not turned up, the sun had risen and after more confusion mum and I abandoned the Everest viewing idea and went to breakfast to warm and wake up and get over our disappointment…. Over to Ads….

The haphazard start to the morning and the journey to the airport were just compounded by the scene at the airport as we arrived…. Blooming bonkers!! Walking into the departure area was just crazy and as the man at the desk took our 3 tickets, saying we owed him tax even though we had already paid it to which he replied ‘no this is passenger’s departure tax!!!!’ What a joke eh… Going through various searches, ticket checks, then trying to ring Nic and her mum with no joy what a morning and it was only 7am. Finally we were led to a bus, then onto our Yeti aircraft then we were off… I had a real sense of unreal ness as we took off and couldn’t ‘t believe that what lay ahead was another major dream of mine (well I’d prefer to climb it!) I was going to see EVEREST!!!

Cruising up to 25,000 ft , sitting on the left hand side (thanks book for the advice!), the Himalayas loomed out of the clouds filling the panorama. Huge peaks rising out in the distance, peak after peak covered in snow, the feeling was indescribable. Following the map telling you what was what, the excitement grew as we neared Everest – so close now…. Each of us got 2 minutes in the c*** pit and it just worked out beautifully for me as my turn came up just as we neared Everest, so so close just wicked! The pilot was really cool too and I got some amazing pictures, it’s very difficult to describe the feeling for me as this was a lifelong dream. It was such a special moment, I just wish that Nic could have been there sharing it with me as this was her dream too, its not often on this trip that we have done separate things and I didn’t like it……

As we turned all the passengers swapped sides to the right and we all viewed the mountains in reverse order. Just SPECTACULAR and I for once took many many photos!! Trying to match them against the names will be very difficult. All in all a truly memorable trip, such an experience, one I will never forget!!! Back to Nic as I now need a rest…..

After the boys returned from their amazing experience which we were so gutted we missed, we had breakfast then all set off in our roller skate taxi to an ancient town out of the city called Bharatpur. Yet another life passing you by journey to say the least, Ian crammed in the front and the three of us on top of each other in the back whilst lorries headed straight towards you on the wrong side of the road, local rammed buses tried to over take, more jams and more horns!! Closing our eyes again and praying were the 2 best options we decided!! 5 cars to a lane built for 2 and us in our roller skate versus massive lorries, this was fun…..not…. but what an experience and that is what makes this trip get better and better the further we adventure… The poverty, concrete and wooden shacks, dirt, filth around was quite a sad sight to see, such a poor country.

Nearing Bharatpur the traffic started to thin, it was quite a change and such a relief at the same time! The ancient city was car free too, this was PARADISE!! As usual a guide pounced upon us as we got out of the roller skate but for all off 200 rupee it was definitely worth it. As we arrived to the arches of the city, ancient Tibetan chanting music was playing, it was so cool, music I will never forget (well mum and I just had to buy it so none of us can forget it now!). We wandered into the main square looking at all the beautiful ancient temples watching the dirt ridden children in rags playing amongst them. We then carried on through the back streets, it was very chilled and a far cry from Kathmandu!

We wandered down to what is known as the pottery square, full of locals, mainly young and old ladies, drying pots amongst the thick smoke from the outside ovens, it was quite an incredible scene which then dramatically changed…… Ahead of us was a headless buffalo laid on his back upside down solid with rigor mortis and totally burned!! Then just a few feet from him was a fresh young looking cow tied up happily chewing on some hay totally unaware of the fate that was about to occur…. Suddenly the local music of the ceremony started, symbolising the start of its inherent fate and before you could say boo, I was outta there!!! The others ended up following me too but sure Ads would have stayed if we did. Suddenly becoming a vegetarian is definitely a good option!!

Next a roof top café looking over the ancient city (which had once been the capital), more Momo’s whilst our guide had a ‘lassi,’ bit like milkshake but made of curd, yuk! After wandering back through the square, seeing the old ladies begging by the temples again with the lines of their entire lives etched in every wrinkle, we returned back to our spacious limo for the peaceful journey back to Kathmandu. Our driver stopped to buy us all drinks (obviously hoping for a big tip!) and by the side of the road underneath a huge tree sat an old man and woman selling hair conditioner and shampoo sachets, just mad! We arrived safely home, phew.

On our return it was the ‘group meeting’ and first impressions were fab, a real mix of ages, personalities and nationalities, we could immediately see this was going to be a great trip with some great people!! There were just 11 of us in total, an Ozzie couple Lucas and Helen from Townsville – Oz, Emma from Melbourne, Bevan from Byron Bay, Tali from Brisbane, Luna and Grace from Hong Kong and Stephen the PC from Bristol which meant we were almost outnumbered by the Ozzies ha ha!

That eve Krish organised for us to go to a local Nepalese restaurant with traditional food and dancing so we could all get to know each other more. Battling the traffic, we were led upstairs then the tape started and the local girls started dancing in their beautiful silk apparel. They came out in different local costumes and poured us very strong Nepalese rice wine (which cleared my cold!) and attempted to smile as though they were enjoying it. It was overall abit cheesy and too touristy for us but was a good way to get to know the group. Then as we were told to move downstairs, the next group arrived and the tape started again…I felt so sorry for these girls…. Downstairs we then enjoyed a typical local meal on tin plates of mutton curry, weird and dodgy looking black lentil soup, buffalo curry and veg curry, the latter being my only food as Ads thankfully ate the rest for me! Washed down by a beer (thanks Ian!), then attempting to sort the bill which proved very difficult but overall it was a top night and we could see that the group were going to be great to travel with which was a relief. Roll on hiking in the Himalayas!