Majestic Nepal
First off, Danielle you have got to go to Nepal!! Anyone with a love of mountains, valleys, jungles, waterfalls and the like must make this journey. It is glorious!!
The early morning bus from Varanasi to the Nepal border was brutal, however. They basically take one seat, split it in two and there you go...your seat! I didn't even fit in one seat and I was definetely the smallest tourist on the bus! Ten hours later (and much uncomfortableness and nauseousness) we got the Belahiya border station and signed immigration paper and obtained visas. Our overnight accomodation in Sonauli (border city in Nepal) was a major dive but the 7hr bus ride to Kathmandu the next day totally made up for it! So luscious! So calm and fresh! I love this place.
Logan and I found a decent deal at a hotel and proceeded to check out a book house. We picked up a lonely planet for Nepal, bought it, and instantly decided that Nepal is worth a few weeks of our trip, not just a week like we had planned. We're looking into trekking the himalayas, white-water rafting, doing a safari and Logan even mentioned bungee jumping (160m into a canyon). Not my thing, I think, perhaps I should do a smaller jump before attempting one of the largest in the world!!
Kathmandu city is very interesting. The people are not as pushy in their business and generally more friendly than the Indians (if this is possible!). Also, the men are much better looking and more mature!! The weather is nice but cooler, a jacket is nice at night. It's so nice to not be sweating profusely all the time. There is quite a bit of pollution and garbage, but you always know that you are surrounded by mountains on all sides. Shops are fairly cheap but in general things are 10-30% more expensive than in Inida. We're having to get used to the Nepalese Rupee which worth less than the Indian Rupee. Approx. 100INR=160NPR. Makes me think we need to find a cheaper hotel if we're staying here longer.
I had a pot of organic Nepali green tea yesterday and it brought tears to my eyes. It has been over a month since I've had green tea,let alone this delicious cup! I also had a salad (washed in purified water) and that made my day!
So I'll keep this blog short and I'll give an update once I know more-so what we're going to be up to here.
Our ideas for an itinerary are going all over Kathmandu, busing to Royal Chitwan national park and seeing all sorts of wildlife, staying there a few day then busing to Pokhara, further west and north. From there we'd do a few days of trekking in the Himalayas (checkout the annapurna range) and some rafting (class 4+). Then we'd exit Nepal through Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. This is tentative, and dependent on the good deals we may be able to get. I am so thankful we decided to break our India trip for Nepal, it's a very nice change!
Health update: Mom maybe you can help. Since leaving Varanasi I've been feeling bloated all the time yet I'm not eating that much. I get somewhat painful stomac cramps in the afternoon and evening, especially after eating. It isn't really a problem, just uncomfortable more than anything. If it doesn't go away in a few day, I'll seek some advice. (Probably just a little gut bug) Logan is still doing great tho!
I thought I had much more interesting to say...but I have forgotten, I think I'll buy a notepad for such things!
Although I must say that I've noticed lately that all my insecurities are out in the open. There's no where to hide them really. Thus I am feeling a little low at times but I also realize I'm working through these things, which was one of my intentions in doing this trip. Oh the complexities!!
Hope you are all doing well at home and I enjoy hearing from everyone!
The early morning bus from Varanasi to the Nepal border was brutal, however. They basically take one seat, split it in two and there you go...your seat! I didn't even fit in one seat and I was definetely the smallest tourist on the bus! Ten hours later (and much uncomfortableness and nauseousness) we got the Belahiya border station and signed immigration paper and obtained visas. Our overnight accomodation in Sonauli (border city in Nepal) was a major dive but the 7hr bus ride to Kathmandu the next day totally made up for it! So luscious! So calm and fresh! I love this place.
Logan and I found a decent deal at a hotel and proceeded to check out a book house. We picked up a lonely planet for Nepal, bought it, and instantly decided that Nepal is worth a few weeks of our trip, not just a week like we had planned. We're looking into trekking the himalayas, white-water rafting, doing a safari and Logan even mentioned bungee jumping (160m into a canyon). Not my thing, I think, perhaps I should do a smaller jump before attempting one of the largest in the world!!
Kathmandu city is very interesting. The people are not as pushy in their business and generally more friendly than the Indians (if this is possible!). Also, the men are much better looking and more mature!! The weather is nice but cooler, a jacket is nice at night. It's so nice to not be sweating profusely all the time. There is quite a bit of pollution and garbage, but you always know that you are surrounded by mountains on all sides. Shops are fairly cheap but in general things are 10-30% more expensive than in Inida. We're having to get used to the Nepalese Rupee which worth less than the Indian Rupee. Approx. 100INR=160NPR. Makes me think we need to find a cheaper hotel if we're staying here longer.
I had a pot of organic Nepali green tea yesterday and it brought tears to my eyes. It has been over a month since I've had green tea,let alone this delicious cup! I also had a salad (washed in purified water) and that made my day!
So I'll keep this blog short and I'll give an update once I know more-so what we're going to be up to here.
Our ideas for an itinerary are going all over Kathmandu, busing to Royal Chitwan national park and seeing all sorts of wildlife, staying there a few day then busing to Pokhara, further west and north. From there we'd do a few days of trekking in the Himalayas (checkout the annapurna range) and some rafting (class 4+). Then we'd exit Nepal through Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha. This is tentative, and dependent on the good deals we may be able to get. I am so thankful we decided to break our India trip for Nepal, it's a very nice change!
Health update: Mom maybe you can help. Since leaving Varanasi I've been feeling bloated all the time yet I'm not eating that much. I get somewhat painful stomac cramps in the afternoon and evening, especially after eating. It isn't really a problem, just uncomfortable more than anything. If it doesn't go away in a few day, I'll seek some advice. (Probably just a little gut bug) Logan is still doing great tho!
I thought I had much more interesting to say...but I have forgotten, I think I'll buy a notepad for such things!
Although I must say that I've noticed lately that all my insecurities are out in the open. There's no where to hide them really. Thus I am feeling a little low at times but I also realize I'm working through these things, which was one of my intentions in doing this trip. Oh the complexities!!
Hope you are all doing well at home and I enjoy hearing from everyone!
Good to hear from you again Doe!
Nice to be on a trip that isn't over-organized, I'll bet.
I'll email you info on my new job as soon as it's finalized - next week.
I'll get mom to look at your symptoms tonight, when she gets back from work, but if your stomach problems persist for more than 3 days, you'd better call the number and get it looked at. We don't want a giardia repeat - it could ruin your trip.
Take lots of pictures!
Pa
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:26 AM
Oh Doe, I am so SOLD!!! Nepal has always been at the top of my list of "countries to do" (in a travel sense, not in the "Debbie does Dallas" sense). But honestly, reading your raves about the mountains (!!) and the peacefulness, I KNOW I MUST GO THERE. As soon as I get back from Thailand, I will immediately start planning my trip to Nepal for next year. After reading your blog, I looked up some pics of the Annapurna range, and it looks absolutely glorious! I can't wait to hear about the trekking/safari-ing! And Logan's insane for doing that bungee jump, but I shouldn't talk because I know I'd be tempted to do it too! I read about it (the one on the Bhote Kosi river right?) and by all accounts it's very safe and was designed by one of New Zealand's top bungee consultants...maybe you should give it a go too... ;)
Anyways, so happy to hear you guys are discovering the world and yourselves in such a no-holds-barred, dive-right-in kind of way. Sometimes I feel like I'm living on the sidelines, waiting for something/someone to come along and "nudge" me into really LIVING. But I know that this "something" or "someone" is ME and I must take control. And I will.
Well, hope the gut bug decides to move on soon... that can't be fun. Wishing you health, discovery (of all kinds) and lots of adventure.
Love,
Da
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:32 PM
Interesting blog once again Do. Shall read Logan's also as it helps elaborate on your descriptions. About that GI bug. I'd suggest keeping track of your symptons to describe them clearly if you see a Doc. It is most definetly someting such as a bug or parasite that the locals are immune to. If you can find a physician, ask for one who speaks English and maybe has had some experience outside India or in treating foreign tourists. Yvette was not impressed with the medicines she was given for similar symptons years ago. If you don't have much appetite keep drinking lots of safe fluids. Would suggest you hold off on the bungie jumping until your energy and vigor return...! I'll e-mail you also. Monique
Posted by
Anonymous |
9:14 PM
Hello Doe, Nepal certainly sounds amazing and glad you two are taking the time to discover more of the natural beauty around the country.
Now about you...
So sorry to hear that you haven't been feeling well and not eating much, lord knows you don't have any extra weight to lose! I hope you are able to get some medication that will rid you of this so you can fully enjoy the rest of your journey and be full of energy. If at all possible suggest you eat a very bland diet until you get whatever it is under control. A BRAT diet is likely hard to find (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce & Toast), I'm not a nurse, nor do I know anything about parasites but do know this helps to settle the stomach & bowels and any type of milk products can cause havic too, but I doubt you are in taking moo products.
I had to laugh and yet could sympathize with your previous blog entry re Logan's belongings laying around. My brother was no different but as he became a mature man he's very anal about neatness, so there's still hope!!
It's Monday morning and we woke up to snow, and it's still snowing.
You're in my thoughts everyday.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:25 AM