peggycumming.blogspot.com

peggycumming.blogspot.com

Ottawa airport

33 hours later and we arrived at the Ottawa airport. Brian and Bob were waiting to welcome us.
It is a week later that I'm writing this and I'm still struggling with jet lag!
Although the trip didn't go exactly as planned, I was very happy and extremely grateful for the great adventure that we did have and for the wonderful people that we met.

At the top of my list is the opportunity to reconnect with my adopted Nepali family: my friend Damodar, his wife Sanu, daughters Bandana and Chandana, and son Apil. It was a joy to see these lovely young adults that I has known as children 10 years ago. Dianne and I were delighted and honoured with their warm hospitality.

We also loved meeting our trek leader, Ram, and his staff of assistant guides and porters, and the other members of our trekking team ... Rita, Lee, Richard, Elizabeth, Lana, John, and Steve.

Highlights include a visit to the Child Haven Orphanage, the Stupa at Bodhnath, elephant safari in Chitwan,
flying into Lukla and seeing views of the Himalayas from the air, trekking to Namche and seeing Everest, a daytrip around Kathmandu guided by Api,l and moments of pleasure and delight too numerous to mention.
As with all travel, it is really the people who make the memories. I can't express enough appreciation to Dianne for her steadfast good nature, her ever-present positive attitude, and her willingness to Go For It, for every new experience and new adventure!
Dianne, you are a wonderful, fantastic travel partner, and a stubbornly loyal friend!
I also want to say an enormous and special thanks to Apil, who tirelessly showed Dianne and I around and explained All Things Nepali. Most of all, Apil, we enjoyed your company tremendously and appreciated your friendship !!
That is my official closing of my part of the blog for now!
Thanks to everyone who followed us!
Namaste,
Peggy

Another garden photo

Dianne with some of our trekking team:
Top left - Richard from Australia and Lee from Toronto.
Bottom - Rita from Picton Ontario, and Dianne.

In the Katansu guesthouse garden before we leave

On the Sunday that we left, we spent the morning relaxing in the garden. Richard, from Australia, took this photo.

Hospital Tour

Apil took us for a tour of his hospital; 'his' in the sense that he spend the past six years there at medical school. In many ways, it was like a hospital here - lecture rooms, departments for specialities such as pediatrics, gynaecology, ear nose throat, orthopedics, etc. In other ways it was very different! I think that the emergency department struck me the most! It was all in one room ... Patients and their families were waiting in the same room as doctors were diagnosing and treating patients! Most beds had 3 patients to one bed. Apil told us that the doctors are literally grabbed and pulled from patient to patient by the family members! In spite of those distractions, the doctors on duty were really focused on patient treatment and seemed able to block out the distractions! It was hopeful to see such good quality of medical care being given to patients. We appreciated this tour and the opportunity to see where Apil works.

Dianne loves her first cup of coffee in the Kathmandu morning chill

Back in Kathmandu

Yesterday afternoon we flew back here to Karhmandu, and0 met up with our trekking team after their flight back from Lukla.
It was great to see everyone and to know that they has all stayed healthy and were successful with the trek to Everest Base Camp. Obviously, they had jelled as a group and were really supportive of each other over the difficult trek. They reported that it was indeed very difficult, but very worthwhile doing. Best of all, they said that they really missed us!!
We had dinner rogether at night. In a happy atmosphere of celebration and satisfaction. Even though we had not been there for the whole trek, wre were really happy for the success of the others.
Everyone was praising Ram, the trip leader. Certainly, when I was sick, he was very concerned and caring and so sad that we had to turn back. Our tour company, 'Intrepid', sure knows how to pick great leaders!!!

Sent by the iPeg

Dianne in the sight of a two year old baby! RUN! He's bigger than me!!

Elephant safari

A visit to the elepant nursery

Happily in Chitwan!!

This morning we were still in the noise and traffic of Kathmandu tonight we are sitting by the river in Chitwan park, watching the sun set. Occasionally. We can hear the trumpeting of an elephant.
We flew here on Buddha Air ... Now isn't that reassuring! This afternoon we went on
elephant Safari and saw five
Rhinos - up close and personal! We have a lovely cottage where the only sound is bird song!
In Dianne's words ... I've died and gone to heaven!
Awesome, adds Peg!
Sent by the iPeg

Dianne applies mosquito repellant ( supplied by Apil)

On the porch of our jungle
Cottage.

Flying Buddha Air! Now that's Comfort!!!

Sunset in Chitwan National Park

Look carefully - Dianne In green top at Baktapur Temple

Health up-date

It has been a full week since the onset of my 'bug' and last night I took the last of the antibiotic .
Thankfully I am feeling much better, although not yet 100%.
Dianne is taking great care of me and I am well on the way to good health once again.
Thanks for your emails of concern.

Sent by the iPeg

Days in Kathmandu

Instead of clean mountain air and breathtaking Himilayan scenery, we are taking in the noise and chaos of Kathmandu.
We are managing to see all the UNESCO heritage sites, but we have to battle the traffic and chaos to get there and back.
Today Apil took us to two sites, Patan the ancient collection of temples, and then The Monkey Temple. High on a hill overlooking the city.
We completed the whole day on public transportation and walking. That was quite an education for us!
Now we are mentally exhausted and dianne is enjoying a cappuccino at out favorite wi fi spot.

Sent by the iPeg

Dianne and Apil tossing coins for luck at the Monkey Temple

Peggy crosses path with the yaks - yaks win

Everest in the background

tap to edit

Breathtaking !!!

The best laid plans ...

Sent by the iPeg

Hi

Very sad and disappointed to tell you that we are back in KMD as of this morning... Wednesday

Before we left KMD , I started to feel in uneasy stomach.

By the time we flew to Lukla and started trekking, it was full diharroea and I was losing fluid as fast as I could take in.

I rested that afternoon while the others went for a hike but soon discovered that no food or fluid would stay in my body.

I started antibiotics, which did nothing.

The next day, I managed the 6 hours to Namche but it was a real struggle.

I had to 'stop and drop' more than 20 times along the way.

The guides were wonderful - concerned, caring and eager to do whatever they could.

Ram, the head guide. switched me to a different antibiotic, but there was still no improvement.

Finally he phoned Apil who then consulted with a colleague of his and he called back with a different antibiotic

Ram was able to find this at the local pharmacy( for. $3.00!) and I started that.

But decision time came, as the group was scheduled to continue and I knew that I  was without the atrength and physical resources, and I could not.

I was by then 3 days with nothing staying in my body and no sign of improvement.

Ram assigned one of his assistants to return to Lukla with me. to get the plane back to KMD.

In the middle of the night, Dianne informed me that she was going to return with me- she would worry too much otherwise.

I tried to talk her out of it, saying that I wanted her to have the experience, but she's a wonderful stubborn friend and was adamant that she was coming with me!!

The hike back from Namche was 9 hours of struggle for me, still with bouts of Illness, but fewer. I'd that is a good sign !!

Last might In Lukla I had some soup but that didn' stay, sonwenwere very discourages.

We fashioned a ' diaper ' for the flight back but it wasn't needed. Thankful for small mercies!

So here we are back in crazy KMD and I have just had some tea and mushli and am not yet running to the toilet! Dianne is amazed!

Hopefully, I have finally turned a corner and the antibiotic is finally kicking in.

I've  been clear for 10 hours now and I need to eat and drink . Dr Apil says lots of rehydration salts!

So - there 's the update of our adventure . Not what any of us expected, but life has it's twists and turns.

Sent by the iPeg

       iPeg

Flight to lukla

Flying from KMD to Lukla was major excitement !
We waited at dawn at the airport for the pilot to get the green light that the weather condition s were clear in Lukla
Then we were upand over KMD and heading for the Himilayas
The view of the mountains, set against a brilliant blue sky was breathtaking!
Two days of uphill trekking brought us to Ncha Bazaar - through villages, over suspension bridges, always climbing and sarong the track with yak trains, bringing goods to Namche Bazaar.
Daytime weather is sunny and warm but very cold when the sun goes down.
Today was a 'rest' day - just a 3 hour hike to help aclimatize!
Sent by the iPeg

Happy Birthday LAURA!

My daughter turns 26 today!

Miss you - Love you,

MOM xoxoxox.

Stopping to by oranges after a 5 hour uphill slog!

On the way to Namche Bazaar

Possibly out of touch

Hi everyone,
We just met with our Intrepid trekking group and with our leader, Ram.
People are Aussies, British and 4 Canadians.
No surprise, Dianne and I are the oldest!!!
Ram says that internet service is spotty and unreliable for the next 12 days, so do not worry if we do not update for a while!
When we get back we will overload you with photos and stories!
If we can get some news though, we will. If not, don't worry. We are setting off on a great adventure. After meeting Ram, I know we will be well taken care of!
Sent by the iPeg

Mornimg at the Monastry

This morning we went to morning prayers at Sechuan Monastry. We took off our shoes and sat at the door watching a out 100 monks in their ritual of low rumbling chants accompanied by long throaty horns, cymbals and resounding drums. The monks were robed in reds of all hues and the younger ones had splashes of orange and yellow.
At one point, a bevy of very young monks, some as young as 4 years of age, stood behind us, bags fruit in hand. Although they were dresses in monks robes, it was delightful to see that they were really boys in monks' clothing, pushing and jostling each other before tearing pellmell down the steps to play! They were delighted to pose for some photos, even showing their best Ninja moves !
It was a Moment of Travel Treasure !
Thanks to Apil for guiding us to the monastery yesterday.

Very young monk at morning prayer

Child Haven Orphanage

This was my second visit to Child Haven, Kathmandu, the first being ten years ago. It was founded by Canadiana Bonnie &Ken Cappuchino who live outside Ottawa. Supported by donations from all over Norrh Weica, and by volunteers who give three months of their time and talents, it houses 120 children and employs a local staff of care-givers, cooks and teachers.
Recently a school was added to the buildings.
Thanks to Shoppers Drug Mart, Glebe, who donated some health care supplies, Dr Bill who donated toothbrushes, Anne who donated sweatshirts and to Apil who guided us there!
Sent by the iPeg

Sunset and espresso = one Happy Dianne

Dianne on The Great Stupa

Child Haven Orphanage - Kathmandu

Children say thank you Dr. Bill for the toothbrushes. Smiling faces, some of the 120 children at the orphanage.

Peggy -tibetan morning prayers

TheGreat Stupa, Bodhnath Plaza

Dianne feeds the birds in Bodhnath plaza

Visiting with Damodar in Pokhara

On Tuesday,Feb. 22, we flew
from Kmd to Pokhara, guided by Apil. He met us at the airport and has been tremendous great company ever since
Damodar's family welcomes us with open arms and made us very comfortable.
Damodar and Bandana took us for a day of sightseeing in Polhara - the World Peace Stupa (on top of a hill overlooking the lake) the museum of mountaineering, a a great climb up Sarancot, the highest hill overlooking the lake.
Our boots got a good workout and we are both pleased that they are very comfortable
The last day in Pokhara, Apil took us to Lakeside where I had lived ten years ago. There has been tremendous development since then!
We were overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of Damodar' family! We had lots of laughter and a few tears when we has to say goodby
Sent by the iPeg

Tibetan Stuba square

Connected to our family and friends

Internet connection is unreliable so we have been out of touch for several days. We are back in Kathmandu and will update our blog.

With our Nepali family

Dianne & Peggy in new Nepali dress ... Gifts from Damodar's family

Diane helping Bandana make relish

Himilayas seen from the flight to Polhara

Apil

Thank goodness for Apil. He is our guide and protector.

Damodar's family in Pokhara

Dianne says to say that this is the "After" picture, but she won't tell me what she means!!

Peggy zzzzzzzzzzz away

Doha

Hello blog followers:

We have made it to Doha, Qatar. We are here until 4:00am then we catch our flight to Nepal.
We are waiting to get into the Lounge area to try and get in some well deserved rest.

In touch tomorrow.

take care al
Peggy and dianne

Departure ottawa airport

Bags are packed we are ready to go we are leaving on a jet plane and don't know when we'll be back (I think there is a song in this).

What a mess

Getting this all into my pack may be the biggest challenge of the trip.