Please read on

Namaste, Sorry we haven't posted anything we haven't had any wifi in the Himalayas. we are in chhomrong on our way back from ABC ( Annapurna base camp 4120 meters ). We have just eaten the best chocolate cake in Asia.  There are lots of good views in the mornings but later in the day the clouds come in. The toilets are squat toilets , the pancakes are about 1 center meter thick , the kids rule the night , there are lots of tourist . We met some real nice Chinese people , and groups of yacks and donkeys there about 1000000000 stone steps .  It gets dark in about to minutes and we all go to sleep at 6:30. The hardest walk was  probably Himalaya to MBC or jhinu to chhomrong. Tomorrow we are going to the hot springs . There a lot more stuff to say but I have to eat tea. Little red next door
( Beth )

Puppies and dogs

In the streets of Kathmandu there are lots of puppies and dogs we have a photo of the cutest one yet that we will put on the blog in Thailand. The dog follow us around is a bit creepy because if we touch         them we will get very sick. It is creepy for me because I'm the only one with red hair and lots of people are waving at me and touching me. Beth 8-)

Cows and stuff

In pokhara there is a lot of cows roaming the streets big ones small ones brown ones black ones. Ones    with horns  muscly ones fat ones and all of them have hooves. They are called yaks over here. We like momo they are like dumplings, curry with flat bread, butter chicken with naan bread. Coke, Lemmon with honey type of drink and mum and dad like the coffee here.

What we have been up to so far

Hi everyone, firstly sorry for not having posted any photos yet, seems to be a very difficult thing to manage from the iPad.  I'll try and get to an Internet cafe tonight and see if they let me plug in my camera. I've also added in some hyper links for the place we've been.

 Yesterday we arrived in Pokhara after a very interesting bus ride from Kathmandu, lots of sites along the way as well as adventurous driving.  The roads are more than a little rough as they struggle to maintain them during the rainy season and the country is very poor.  We caught the bus from Kathmandu which was a real eye opener for us all.  Rubbish everywhere and lots of people living on top of each other.  Glad stayed just out of town.

Today we have spent getting ready for trekking tomorrow in the Annapurna.  This has involved hiring sleeping bags, getting trekking passes sorted, and trying to find a money machine that will work. All time consuming.  It's just after lunch and we think we might hire a boat and paddle on the lake this afternoon.

We got stuck in Bakpatur one day longer than we expected as Nepal held it's general election.  Me and Ed met some locals when we were out walking and one of the men took us all to see him vote.  Lots of army and police watching preceding.  Ex US president Jimmy Carter was also in town with an international party to check voting was up to standard.  If we'd known we'd have popped round the corner to see him.

I don't think we'll be able to post for a couple of weeks.  Our plan is to spend 14 days in the Annapurna sanctuary and Poon hill area.  Meg has been managing to post photos on her Facebook page for those of you who are online friends.

Ok hope everyone is well at home and we'll post in a couple of weeks to tell you all about the trek!

Cheers Jim, Meg, Ed and Beth

10 Things Ed and Beth have noticed about Nepal so far

1. There are cows roaming the streets
2. There are way more people than in Dunedin and they all look very different to us
3. We both like momos which are a bit like dumplings.  They are a specialty in Nepal.
4. There is a lot of rubbish and pollution in Kathmandu 
5. It's rude to point with one finger you need to use your whole hand
6. Bakpatur where we stayed the first few nights is very very old.  Some of the building we're build 500 years ago.
7. There are a lot of dogs on the streets
8. People ring prayer bells all through the night
9. People are always trying to sell us something
10. The roads are vey rough and bumpy 

Mt Everest

We have seen mt Everest on the plane we flew right by it

Otago champs

How did OTAGO champs go sorry I wasn't there? From Ed 

Stuff

Hi from Beth 

Awards

We are having awards for funniest incident Ed is looking good for that award by being caught accidentally rolling the kicking dad in the head by the hotel lady and cannon balling onto blankets and pillows then accidentally crushing his chocolate and marshmallow Santa. Second award is most polite third is least complaints.  Arriving in Nepal feels like we have gone back in time.....

By Ed

Arrived safe and well

Have arrived in Nepal after a very long trip.  Wonderful views of the Himalayas (including Everest) on the flight in.  Staying just out of Kathmandu in the historic town Bhaktapur.  We managed a walk around yesterday before jet lag kicked in and we all crashed for 13 hours.  Kids experiencing a little bit of culture shock!!!  Off to Pokhara first thing Wednesday as the whole of Nepal shuts down on Tuesday for their general elections.  Hope to be up and away trekking on Thursday. Ed and Beth's thoughts to follow.

Singapore

At Singapore - didn't get much sleep on the 1am-6am flight- kids were determined the watch movies and play games, they outlasted me by many hours. Meg

ED on everest

im on everest



Finding a Yeti

Beth is going Yeti hunting in Nepal!!!

swag

hi everbody EDWARD here!!!!!!

Sorry Wilson you're staying in Dunedin

First stop Bhaktapur

Once off the plane our first stop is Bhaktapur an ancient town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.  It is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century. Bhaktapur is famous for special type of curd called "Ju Ju dhau".It is experienced by the curd makers that the taste of curd prepared in this location cannot be found elsewhere all over Nepal. We'll make sure Ed and Beth try this!!
Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork.  We'll let you know what it's like!!


Durbar Square Bhaktapur at night.

Our little mate

Uncle Henry has lent us this little fella to take with us.  He's aready been to a few places around the globe as you can see from the pictures below.  keep watching to see where he pops up next!