Heat and Humidity!

After a long haul, we finally made it to Phuket!  We're staying at a hostel in Patong Beach tonight. Tomorrow morning, we're planning to try our first Thai massage!  So excited!  Tomorrow afternoon we're taking a ferry to the island of Ko Phi Phi.  Most people we've met have said that it is amazing, so we'll probably end up staying there a couple days.

The heat and humidity feel amazing after the EBC trek.  On the EBC trek, I literally wore 2 pairs of socks, 4 pairs of pants, two jackets and a hat to bed each night.  Today, I bought a swimsuit and a sundress... :)

Baggage Update

Apparently, my baggage has been sitting in Kathmandu since April 13.  Of course, every time that I called (including this morning) they told me that it was not there.  Now begins the battle of figuring out how to get them to send it back to the US....

thailand

Hello from the bangkok  airport.  after two days of traveling, we are just one short plane flight away from the beach.  can't wait

Mumbai

Chillin on a LONG layover in the Mumbai airport. En route to Bangkok on a red eye and then a final flight to phuket! Looking forward to the beach and a massage!

Waiting out the rain

So it begins. We ventured out to do some sightseeing in Kathmandu today, only to turn back due to rain. From now on, we will always be packing raincoats. Kathleen left today. So sad! Our trio has been disbanded :( Ashley and I are staying the night with some of Kathleen's friends before we leave for thailand tomorrow!

KTM

Safely back in KTM.  Spent the morning doing laundry, SHOWERING, and we went to mexican food :) (the expats say it is safe).  Headed to Thamel to try to sell back some of my gear and buy some of the stuff I still don't have.   Then we're going to indian food tonight!!

Trek Day 14

The people are so demanding :) Internet is expensive at 3400m! I did not freeze or collapse from altitude sickness; however, I did come pretty close to doing both on several occasions. My subpar trekking gear from KTM definitely did not keep me warm, but in all honesty, the stuff in my bag wouldn't have helped that much more.  Above 3400m it was frigid all the time, and dipped well below freezing at night...in our rooms.  Being above 4000m was what I imagine the moon to be like -- no trees, only rocks, the sun was extremely bright, and it was very windy.

We went to EBC, which literally sits on a glacier.  EBC was cool because it was definitely something that wasn't there for tourists.  It was full of climbing teams and climbing teams only, mostly sponsored by North Face, etc.  The next morning, we got up at 4:45 am to hike up Kala Pattar (~5500m) to see the sunrise over everest.  I only made it about halfway up.  The sub-freezing temperatures combined with the altitude made it impossible to catch my breath, so I had to go back down.   My water froze on the way up, and I was only outside for about an hour or so. Ashley and Kathleen made it up, and luckily they said that the view was about the same from halfway as it was from from the top.  Also, a few days before we had climbed Chukung Ri (also ~5500m) so at least I can stll say  made it that high (in the sun, during the day).

I caught a cold on our 2nd day out of EBC, so I've been battling that for the last few days.  At least it happenend on our way out, otherwise we would've been delayed for sure!  We're flying back to KTM tomorrow morning.  I've never been more excited to take a shower in my life!

If it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm not.  Pics to come soon. The trip was amazing--the himalayas are definitely something special!  Also, our guide and porters have been amazing!  We got really lucky!  everyone that we met was definitely not having as good a time with theirs (e.g. they got ditched halfway through or ripped off). If anyone plans to do any trekking around here, let me know, and 'll hook you up!

Trek Day 13

We made it back to Namche Bazaar and are headed to Lukla tomorrow morning. We plan to fly back to KTM from Lukla on the 27th.  Sorry for the lack of updates. My access to reliable internet has been about as frequent as my access to running water, electricity, showers, and heat.  EBC was awesome and we've had good weather and incredible views the whole way!

Trek Day 2

today we made it to namache bazaar, our home for the next 2 days. The altitude gave me a run for my money on the first day, but I feel pretty good today. Ashley and Kathleen are apparently half sherpa, because it isn't bothering them at all. the hike in today was brutal, but tomorrow is a rest day to acclimate. we'll do a short hike to gain some elevation and hopefully get our first view of everest!

Trek day 1

Safely landed in Lukla (not as bad as everyone made it sound, but we did have a clear day). We're at a cafe getting situated with our guide and porters and having some breakfast. It is chilly, but sunny here. I didn't have the best view on the plane, but the mountains are incredible. Looking forward to getting into them!!

Happy new year

Today is Nepali new years eve! I stocked up on all new knock off gear and wacky clothes today. Still no knowledge of the whereabouts of my bag. Headed to lukla tomorrow morning to start our trek!

Good Internet and phone service is hard to come by.

New stuff

Still no bag or help from any competent airport people. I suspect that china is holding it hostage. Luckily, I've scored some sweet knock off north face gear, and will probably spend the rest of tomorrow re-purchasing ALL of my gear.

Nepal

Safely arrived at Kathleen's in Kathmandu; however, my baggage did not. Trying not to flip out, because it doesn't look promising. I might have to re-buy all my trekking gear here in Kathmandu...

Vancouver

So far so good! Waiting to board our 13 hour flight to China, en route to Kathmandu!