We would like to introduce you to Rupak
This is him here, posing with his wife Riya, thumbs up and big bright smiles!
He was the first (of many) friendly Nepal faces we met, who were so wonderful and welcoming to us. Not only did he pick us up from the airport but he gladly welcomed us into his home, organized our entire himalayan trek and Orphanage visit, he also went above and beyond everything to take good care of us.
But before I get carried away here telling you how much Shaun and I appreciated meeting Rupak, let me back up a bit and let you know how we found out about him.
We actually heard about Rupak though some fellow Canadians we met in Thailand, they absolutely raved about how beautiful Nepal was and how much fun they had. They insisted Nepal and the himalayas are a 'must see' and was without question their favorite! Also, one of the Canadians had gone to university with Rupak's Napali brother so when they decided to travel to Nepal, Rupak's brother made sure they were well taken care of. And, as all good travelers do, they passed this on to us and put us in contact with Rupak and his company if we chose to visit Nepal. Shaun and I didnt need more to convince us then that, and by the next week we were drunk as skunks (because we were worried about the duck tape we saw being applied to hold down our planes windows as we were boarding! ) on our 3 hour flight from Bangkok to Katmandu!
We spend only one night in Thamel Katmandu, enjoyed some Dalh Baht, a traditional Napali dish (that you eat with your hands) for lunch with Rupak and Riya and got to know each other. Later we wandered around the confusing ally ways of Thamel where we found some AMAZING food at a little underground tavern, and when we were finished eating we had some nice long chats and laughs with the local owner (we ate their every meal we were in Thamel ) over a hot cup of Chi.
The next day we were on a quick flight headed to Pokhara! Ready to do some Trekking!
Here is a photo taken from the air where we saw some stunning mountain view. The Himalayan range was outta this world! We had our eyes pealed for Mount Everest, but wouldn't have known if we saw it either way.
In Pokhara we were met by our Guide Babu, another warm, welcoming, friendly Napali face that we will never forget. It wasn't before long that we were picking up supplies and on our way out to start our trek.
Thhhhheeenn...
this happned:
On our way out of the city we got caught up in a protest. Which Babu told us was quite routine in Nepal, everyone strikes and protests everything! On this particular day the students of Pokhara were protesting and demanded to have the fairs lowered by one Rupees (2 Canadian cents) for riding the bus to school.
Needless to say, the bus drivers we a little unimpressed by the one Rupee protest and blocked the ENTIRE main road with their busses. ( which was the only road that leads out of Pokhara. ) We were forced to sit and wait until the students and drivers and politicians, police and towns people all worked it out. It was quite the exciting, dramatic ordeal for us to watch! haha
Finally we made it out of Pokhara, drove for a few hours and then fully geared, backpacks on, sleeping bags and down coats attaced.. our mountaineering begain!
After some light trekking around a beautiful river and up a few hills, we arrived to our first cozy tea house on our first night, and just before dark too. It was FREEZING!
Brrrr!
Babu!! We miss you!!
Getting closer to our Himalayan Dream
The beautiful mountain town of Gorepani and our tea house with an incredible view
AGAIN! slow internet!! We have been in an internet cafe for nearly 3hrs trying to do this darn blog! We are giving up AGAIN. sorry.. we have some really really great pictures still to come, so stay tooned AGAIN for the rest.
xo
