Postcard from Nepal (and Bangkok)…

Namaste y’all,

Annapurnas, Nepal

26/10/08: We’ve just emerged from the clouds! Trekking in the Annapurnas was an absolute blast – especially because the pace was surprisingly civilized…

Of  course, EB (aka Energizer Bunny) was hopping from one foot to the other the whole time.

We had a great group…mostly slightly older than us (and, thank god, not out to prove they were Thooper Thtars!). EB was the social lubricant, as always (possibly because the rest of us were actually gasping for breath most of the time). 
 
At one of the villages, we found some open space and challenged ’the boys’ (porters and guides) to a game of cricket… with a bit of wood and a ball made of something wrapped in plastic bags and held together with string! The only problem was that a ’six’ required a jungle safari and sharp eyes to retrieve the ball.

On the last night, we rocked the (tea)house ’til the wee hours with the porters (a very gorgeous bunch, i might add). It’s amazing what fun you can have with one drum, some dodgy whisky, and a bunch of crazy people.
 
One bloke in our group said ‘and Elle wants to take three of you boys home for her daughters’…which guaranteed I was never short of dancing partners We had people from the village turning up to see what was going on and joining the party…  

Nepal’s scenery is spectacular, the people are delightful, and the food is mostly vegetarian. What more can I say?
 
Bangkok (our first four days) was another story. A huge, humid, smelly city were a tuk tuk ride is a journey to anywhere – except where you want to go. Mostly tailors who make you suit for cheap price or out-of-the-way boat sheds where a business associate was ready and waiting to take you on special charter boat with bonus snake park visit.  
 
But we did love the night markets and had a great time bargaining with the locals. Lots of laughs. The market we went to was in the red light district, and every few steps I got asked to go to a Ping Pong show (note to self: dress like a girl next time).

They take pole dancing to whole new levels in Bangkok… the bars are lined with poles (every couple of feet) with a very gorgeous and very bored girl on each, gyrating half-heartedly for the slavering tourists.
 
Apart from the markets, Bangkok’s shopping centres are huuuuuge. One Aussie shopping centre would fit on one floor, and there are seven! EB spent wonderous hours looking at defects (QA and H&S is non existent there!), while I walked around in a catatonic state and bought nothing. No surprises there  
 
We’re hanging out in Pokara (Nepal) today while some lovely people wash our clothes (I could get used to this!). Tonight is our end of trip party (another one). And tomorrow, we head into the jungle to look for four-legged wild life…
 
Of course, we can’t wait to get home and back to work. Not. 
 
Elle and EB  (aka Road Runner…mee meep)

Hinchinbrook – back from the wilds

As we waited for the ferry to collect us at the end of our Hinchinbrook walk, you could have knocked me over with a feather. Not because I was exhausted, but because I was in shock.

I started the walk thinking I’d be counting the days AND kays (kilometres) until I reached the end. But here I was, feeling sad that it was over and wanting more. I was elated.

I’d lugged my 15 kg pack along rocky trails criss-crossed with tangled roots; negotiated slippery creek crossings; scrambled up and down rocky sections; and (almost) got used to the March flies that were fatally attracted to my hair.

And I’d loved every bit of it, with the possible exception of my bloke whacking me over the head constantly (“It was the March flies!” Yeah right).

Even with the bities and the humidity, it’s such a fantastic walk. One moment we were deep in cool, lush rainforest or rock hopping across crystal clear creeks, the next we were walking through mangrove and palm swamps, open eucalypt forest or grass tree shrubland.

Along the way, we’d stop to cool off in deep forest pools beneath cascading falls or slide into the pristine blue of one of Hinchinbrook’s bays.

At night, the island came alive in a very Jurassic Park kind-of way. There was a whole lot of squawking, hunting and foraging going on beyond the campsite – which was strangely comforting, except when you wanted to go outside for a pee.

Who would have thought carrying all your ’stuff’ on your back for four days could be so damn relaxing? Hinchinbrook was magic.

And no, Sash, I didn’t see any crocs. Especially none with Jodie Foster* in a death roll. No opportunities there for heroic rescues and possible movie script deals.

We’re back in busy-ness land, dancing to the tune of our mobile phones again, but we’re already planning our next adventure… which involves trekking. Who would have thought?

Elle

* JF was on the island at the time, for her part in some movie they were filming there (Mim’s Island?)

For the Hinchinbrook slideshow…

Hinchinbrook Island: Hardcore relaxation

A friend of mine has just come back from Fiji and she’s still floating (metaphorically-speaking) on 10 days of waves lapping the shore just outside their beach hut, water of the perfect colour and temperature, cocktails and smiling, happy people…

A beach holiday sounds perfect. In fact, we’re off to the coast ourselves next week. Except I’m carefully packing bush camping gear, insect repellent, dehydrated food, snake bandages and two changes of undies into a backpack that looks big enough to carry ME.

We’re getting ready to walk the Thorsborne Trail on remote and beautiful Hinchinbrook Island, off the Queensland coast near Townsville. When I say remote, I’m talking about the only way out being by emergency helicopter evacuation – or on foot.

So once the ferry drops you off, you’re on your own. Unless you count the company of estuarine crocs, marine stingers, bush rats that steal your food, and a variety of bitey insects.

I’m sure I’ll appreciate the cloud-covered mountains, fragile heath vegetation, patches of lush rainforest, sweeping sandy beaches and rocky headlands – once I’ve dumped my pack for the day.

Did I mention I won’t be able to have a wine for a week? But there’s bound to be plenty of whine-ing going on! The whole ‘experienced and fit bushwalkers’ thing has me shaking in my sturdy, reliable footwear. What was I thinking?

Next time my intrepid adventurer partner decides we need a holiday, I’m going to be there when he books it. I mean, who wants a holiday involving lapping azure blue water, cocktails and happy, smiling people?

Don’t worry, if I get out alive, I’ll invite you to the (cyber) slide night. Yaye.

Elle.