Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal

Greetings from Australia.

We look back at our wonderful photos and can’t believe it all took place just under one week ago. Thank you for making our time in Nepal so very special. It is an understatement to say that we will never forget it.

We have many highlights from our trip. It is a cliche, but an accurate one, when they say that it is the people who make a holiday extra special. This was certainly the case with us. From our wonderful guides, Hom Neth and Pradeep, (who knew everything from the technical aspects of the trip to how to make the best chipati in the Himalayas), to Sayam and “Khushie Ram” who were our very friendly porters, we were looked after from the moment we stepped off the plane, to the time we boarded again at the end of our trip.

Other highlights included: crossing Throng La pass at altitude, the amazing Nepali cuisine throughout the whole walk (“bloody good tucker mate!”), learning about Nepali culture and history from our guides, the highly energized Nepali children along the way, learning a few Nepali words, bathing in the hot springs at Tato pani, and, of course, the spectacular mountain scenery.

I have included a few photos from our travels. If possible, could I ask that you pass some of these on to Hom Neth, Pradeep and Ram and Sayam? Let us know if you’d prefer that we print them and mail them to you.

A word for future travellers. When we arrived at Kathmandu airport we were met by our guide from Himalayan Glacier, however were quickly approached by several men who insisted on carrying our bags to the shuttle bus for us. We thought this was very kind until they demanded a tip of US $50 for the service. We ended up giving them $15, but really this was much more than was necessary. Apparantly this happens quite regularly and there is little Himalayan Glacier can do to stop the problem. Our advice is: hold onto your bags until you are inside the bus, no matter how insistent some one is to carry them for you. If you do this you are well within your rights to refuse any tips. After the airport we had no further trouble at all with being hassled. Everyone was extremely friendly and always accepted a polite ‘no, thank you’ when offering their merchandise.

Thank you again for your kindness and hospitality while we were in your great country. If any of you should come to Australia, be sure to contact us as we would love the opportunity to repay some of that kindness. Until then: “Bhare bartola”! (see you later).

Katie and Ben
Australia
December 2009