Tag: Kathmandu

Tomorrow we head out to the mountains but this morning there is time to enjoy a short cultural tour of Kathmandu where we visited Pashupatinath Temple and The Great Boudha Stupa. It is said that “Stepping into Kathmandu is like stepping into another world that everybody should experience at least once in their lifetime” and we are most fortunate to share that experience. Once thought to be the fabled and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is now a hub for travellers either to explore the city or stepping off into the mountains or forests of Nepal.

We were lucky today to join the Dashain festival which is the most auspicious festival in the Nepalese annual calendar and celebrated by Nepalese Hindu people throughout the world. The sights, sounds and smells are vibrant and full of life.

This afternoon was spent repacking, again, this time in to smaller bags for the flight and trek with assembly tomorrow scheduled for 4:30 for the 6am flight to Lukla.

Two days after leaving Cayman and via different paths across the globe we arrive and gather in Kathmandu. The flight path takes us along the Himalayas with spectacular views of the peaks lit by the morning sunrise followed by a dip down to the greens of Kathmandu Valley.

Upon arrival however I’m met with the saddest of news. A dear friend, who on Monday morning this week I was sharing coffee, talking nonsense and laughing with, had passed. Jim was a pioneer, an adventurer, a maverick and a visionary who believed passionately in many things. He was so excited about the journey we are taking, regaling me with tales of his adventures, and he was looking forward to following our progress on this blog. May I offer my sincere condolences to Judy, Jim’s family and his many friends. Along with many others, I will miss him greatly. He was a true friend.

Today we are touring Kathmandu, repacking our gear in to bags for transportation on the trail and preparing for our early flight to Lukla.

As we set off we will embrace the challenges and the adventures ahead of us carrying with us Jim’s spirit, enthusiasm and love of the planet, soaking up the wonders of this magical place.