The idea of going to Nepal was conceived after our Northern-India Trip back in 2007. And after seeing the tiny tip of Mt Everest from Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, I knew I wanted to get a better view of this magnificient Mountain.
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I asked myself this question after the India Trip:
If I am going to die & given only one choice, where is the LAST place I would like to visit?
I want to see Mt Everest before I leave this world.
Bringing 40kg worth of Donated items for Porters Clothing Bank & another NGO in Nepal
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Everybody in the plane got really excited.
Why???
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We could see the Himalayas Range!!!
The clouds were below the high & mighty mountains.
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Street Food in Kathmandu
PY wanted to try the food, but after considering that we had to trek 2 weeks in the Everest Region, she decided to try it after we returned. Yes, we did try it on the 2nd last day.
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"Retro" Gas Station
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There was Diwali Celebration in Nepal, where majority of the Nepali are Hindu. It is also known as Deepavali festival in Singapore.
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Thamel Area
Shopping Paradise for Tourists
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We did our part to contribute to the local economy.
A pair of Trekking poles is only 800 NRps (S$16.00) - it will cost S$100+ in Singapore
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I was expecting Nepal to be similar to India, but I was wrong. Nepal is generally cleaner than India & there almost no cows roaming on the street, and most importantly, Nepali is less aggressive. Traveling in Nepal is actually quite comfortable and easy.
"8 October 2008 - Yeti Airlines Flight 103, a Twin Otter, crashed on final approach and caught fire, killing 18 passengers and crew. Only the pilot survived"
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Yes! We were taking Yeti Airline.
The alternative way to reach Lukla, is take a 6-8hrs bus from Kathmandu to Jiri, then trek for another 3-4 days to Jiri. It will be the same for coming back to Kathmandu.
The plane only can have seat for 15-16pax with full view of the cockpit
That's something new!
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PY was clearly panicking...
while the Flight Attendent @ the back gave "WTF" look.
haha...
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View from the Plane
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There was no safety briefing.
(I assume we could do nothing in an emergency)
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No life-jacket
(who needs it in a mountainous region)
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Given cotton wool to stuff it into our ears
(yeah, it was quite noisy)
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Then, I realised that my mobile phone was not turned off & there was full signal!!!
(Well, at least, I could make my last call if necessary & I heard that the control tower in Lukla is not operating, hence, i am assuming that my mobile signal will not interfere with any flight communication!!!)
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I could see the airport in the mountain!!!
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550m runway.... ahead!
Everybody clapped when we arrived safely...
haha...
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Lukla Airport 550m runway.
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Nothing beats a Youtube Video!
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Lukla Starbucks @ 2800m
This ain't the original starbucks.
This is cooler!
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Children gambling on the street
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Green Farmland @ 2800m
As I ascend higher, it is interesting to see how the landscape changes.
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Day 1 of Trekking
Milan (Guide), Jaya (Asst Guide), HY, AY & Boon
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Boon & the Valley
Still looking clean =)
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Kids Studying
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Pretty Girl!
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Brought Purification Pill, as I heard that the price of bottled water is exorbitant.
Basically, we took the water from the tap & dissolve the pill that will kill MOST of the bacteria.
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Lunch time. =)
It's nice to eat in the open with flowers & mountain view
This is the first time we tried Ra-Ra noodle
(A popular nepali instant noodle brand)
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Om Mani Padme Hum
The Buddhism influence is pretty strong in the Everest Region
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Buddhist Chorten (aka Stupa)
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Porters @ Work
The average load that they carry is around 30-40kg
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Taking a break by putting their pole below their basket for support.
cool!
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This porter is wearing slipper
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End of Day 1 Trek....
Chilling outside the Teahouse to pen down my thoughts.
The background music was sound of rushing water @ the river.
The airconditioning was the natural cool breeze of the Himalayas.
