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Leaving Nepal

April 28, 2015 Uncategorized 0 Comments


We are leaving Nepal for Istanbul.

Where we were located during and after the earthquake was sheltered from the catastrophic fallout many of the staff experienced. Yet, in light of everything that had befallen them (homes destroyed or inhabitable, no communications to check on relatives in distant villages), they continued to be gracious hosts and went out of their way to ask about our needs.

Our trip to Everest Base Camp has obviously been scuttled – we hear that many of the lodges and tea house structures along the way are weakened and not allowing guests inside and that some of the trails have suffered damage.

We left our seven water filtration devices behind for the staff – as well as a variety of warm clothes they have assured us will be put to good use. If you feel a desire to assist, any donation to any of the aid organizations assisting in the rescue and recovery operations here, no matter how small, will be very much appreciated by the Nepalese people.

We will update you from Istanbul.

Thanks for all your kind words and concern.

National Tragedy

April 26, 2015 Uncategorized 6 Comments

As you may know, Nepal experienced a major earthquake earlier this week. We join their people in mourning their losses.

We are fine. We were resting in our room when it hit. We have food, water and a warm bed. Our hosts at Gokarna Forest Resort have been most gracious. Communications are spotty at best. We will be scuttling our plans for Base Camp. Eric has gone to the airport this morning to assess our ability to depart Kathmandu.

Will keep you updated as we learn more.

Next Stop – Kathmandu

April 24, 2015 Uncategorized 0 Comments

Made it through Toronto where we complained about the cold (and we expect those temperatures will equate to a heat wave in Namche Bazar) and had an airport workout.

Had enough spare time in Istanbul that we braved their very good mass transit system and visited some high points.

The Itinerary for our Everest Base Camp Trek

April 20, 2015 Everest Base Camp 2 Comments

Everest-Base-Camp-Trek

For those of you interested in exactly where we are going on our way to Everest Base Camp, here’s hoping this information will help you track our progress:

  1. Kathmandu to Lukla flight – Lukla elevation 9380 ft.
  2. Lukla
  3. Lukla to Phakding – Phakding elevation 8563 ft.
  4. Phakding to Monjo – Monjo elevation 9301 ft.
  5. Monjo to Namche Bazar – Namche Bazar elevation 11,286 ft.
  6. Namche Bazar
  7. Namche Bazar to Tengboche – Tengboche elevation 12,687 ft.
  8. Tengboche to Pangboche – Pangboche elevation 13,074 ft.
  9. Pangboche to Dingboche – Dingboche elevation 14,800 ft.
  10. Dingboche
  11. Dingboche to Lobuche – Lobuche elevation 16,210 ft.
  12. Lobuche to Gorek Shep – Gorek Shep elevation 16,942 ft.
  13. Gorek Shep to EBC and return – EBC elevation 17,598 ft.
  14. Gorek Shep to Kalapatter to Pheriche – Kalapatter elevation 18,514 ft.
  15. Pheriche to Tengboche
  16. Tengboche to Namche Bazar
  17. Namche Bazar to Phakding
  18. Phakding to Lukla
  19. Lukla to Kathmandu

 

Three Weeks and Counting

April 2, 2015 Everest Base Camp 0 Comments

It’s official, it’s under three weeks now until we pack up to leave to attempt Mount Everest Base Camp!  We’ve been working hard since <at least> October to be in shape for this trip.  Tomorrow, I’ll start doing inventory on all the equipment and clothing we will need (and get in in under 33 pounds) to make the trek.  It’s currently 4 degrees in Gorek Shep – sure hope they get a heat wave by the time we get there!

Welcome to Our Blog

March 30, 2015 Uncategorized 0 Comments

Hello!  Welcome to our blog!  This blog is documenting our quest to visit 100 countries together.  We are over halfway there at the start of this blog – but the remaining countries seem to be those very far flung and increasingly more difficult to travel to.  We’ll document our travels, and, since we don’t <currently> travel all the time, we’ll also document some of the other activities that interest us:  decorating and design, food (eating and cooking), entertaining, and gardening – to name a few.  I suspect that the blog will morph over time – but in the meantime, we hope that some of our commentary will be as helpful as a number of the blogs we have read when we have been looking into new adventures.  Enjoy!