Hi Richard
For some reason it's taken me a long time to get round to
sending this thank you mail. I know, work and lot's of it.
Helen and I thank you and your team for the truly stunning
trek we undertook with you this April to Everest Base Camp.
From the moment we stepped off the plane in Kathmandu the
journey started with an unexpected but wonderful traditional
Nepalese garlanded welcome from our guide Chundim. Certainly
other passengers booked with some rather more well know
trekking agencies appeared surprised by the rapid and personal
service we received. Then followed the rattling taxi dive
to the Hotel, your choice of which certainly puts you at
the centre of the capital and in fine style.
It's was with some trepidation that we embarked on a trek
that would push us to our own personal limits with a group
of people that were as yet an unknown to us. however by
breakfast time the next day I think we had both realised
that our companions for the following 3 weeks would become
firm friends, with each of us bringing something different
to the party.
Our trek leader Chundim (I still don't know if this is exactly
the right way to spell or say his name) was well adept at
resolving the seemingly complex bureaucracy of the flights
to and from Lukla, getting us on the first plane in and
out. Again we appeared leave other trekking groups flailing
in our wake.
The choice of teahouses and overnight stays were a perfect
balance for comfort and experience of the local food and
customs.
As for the pace there was no over emphasis on getting to
a destination at a certain time. This has often been a criticism
of other trekking groups. Your and Chundim's local knowledge
of the area and people put us quickly at ease and in touch
with the local community, I have friends who have completed
the same trek who not seen half the things that were shown
out to us.
During the trek some days we were tired beyond belief, but
then on the evenings we never laughed so much, great times
great company. The most memorable of which include
First cup of Chiya
The flight into Lukla 'What were going to land there!!!'
First sight of Everest
Helens first chain bridge
The smell of a Yak dung fire
Supernoodles!!
The porter carrying the giant fridge over the high bridge
to Namche
Trying to run up the steps in Namche with a birthday cake
from the bakery
The starlit morning set out walk from Labouje to Kalapattar
The view from Kalapattar
The arrival at Tengboche and monastery
The flight out from Lukla 'What were going to take off from
there!!!'
The first beer in 3 weeks at the Rum Doodle
The Bisket Jatra festival at Bhaktaphur.............to name
but a few
The pre trek preparation advice from yourself with regard
to fight booking and kit was extremely reassuring as we
had decided to commit to this trip at relatively short notice.
As I write it looks and sounds like the first of the Atlantic
storms is brewing up for a typical British winter, I'm filling
a small green hot waterbottle that Helen had bought for
her in Namche Bazaar, Then as now It's proving to be a most
valuable gift. I remember a cold night in Labouje, a South
African trekker was willing to sell his house for it at
the time. No Deal!!!
Please pass on our thanks to the others who made the trek
such a fantastic and memorable experience for us both. Until
the next time.
Namaste Robin & Helen Shaw
