Your 1st non-safari vacation after Africa?
Aug 11th, 2006, 10:16 AM
#42
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Sadly enough, we have yet to still take our first vacation post-African safari. We did our Africa trip in Jan/Feb of this year and social obligations have our calendar completely booked well until the fall.
We're headed to Edinburgh for a long weekend in 2 weeks, but our next "real" vacation won't be until next year.
For the record, I will NEVER take a 3-4 week trip in January ever again. It's been beyond painful to have gone this long without a vacation. Of course Africa was more than worth it, but especially lately, I find myself looking at pictures from past trips. I feel like I have USA cabin fever!!!
We're headed to Edinburgh for a long weekend in 2 weeks, but our next "real" vacation won't be until next year.
For the record, I will NEVER take a 3-4 week trip in January ever again. It's been beyond painful to have gone this long without a vacation. Of course Africa was more than worth it, but especially lately, I find myself looking at pictures from past trips. I feel like I have USA cabin fever!!!
Aug 13th, 2006, 08:00 AM
#43
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I've always asked my friends, where else in the world can beat a vacation after the Himalayas? I didn't know Africa clicks with so many people as well 
I guess I should consider it for my next trip. In case you've not been to the Himalayas, you MUST MUST consider it.
I come back a better person, mentally and emotionally. And I went back again, and again. That is why I have a problem thinking of where else in the world can make me stop going to the Himalayas for 1 or 2 years.
In case you need any reference, these guys in Nepal have earned my trust over the last few years: http://www.himalayanheartbeat.com
I've not been Africa but I believe traveling in the Himalayas is one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime!
I guess I should consider it for my next trip. In case you've not been to the Himalayas, you MUST MUST consider it. I come back a better person, mentally and emotionally. And I went back again, and again. That is why I have a problem thinking of where else in the world can make me stop going to the Himalayas for 1 or 2 years.
In case you need any reference, these guys in Nepal have earned my trust over the last few years: http://www.himalayanheartbeat.com
I've not been Africa but I believe traveling in the Himalayas is one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime!
Aug 13th, 2006, 10:47 AM
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culture_77, thanks for the post. Can you say more about your experiences in the Himalayas? That's always been a region that excites my imagination. Did you mostly do trekking holidays? What is considered an "easy", "moderate" trek? what are the tents, lodge and food like?
Aug 14th, 2006, 08:53 AM
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Hi Judy, I’ve been to Nepal 3 times and Tibet will be on the list next (just a matter of when).
My first time in Nepal, my itinerary was very complete with trek + rafting + jungle safari + mountain flight + sightseeing. I took up the “Himalayan Heartbeat Classic” package. It was the best itinerary for any first timers.
Going to the Himalayas without doing a trek, is almost comparable to going to Paris without seeing Eiffel Tower I did trekking holiday on all the 3 times I’ve been there, to different regions of Nepal. I’m such a sucker; I did treks from each category of “Easy”, “Moderate” and “Strenuous”. So I suppose I am comfortable enough to share with you what is considered an “Easy/ Moderate” trek.
For a start, I am not a very fit person. I rarely exercise, am not over nor under weight (fortunately)... just lazy. So when I did an “Easy” trek, all was fine because we trekked at our own pace… I think we actually strolled at our own pace. The maximum elevation was only 3210 meters so we didn’t have much of an altitude sickness problem. During my 2nd trek, I did the “Moderate” one and the road is more demanding (more steeps steps, lengthy ascend/ descend) but it was still manageable cos whenever we are tired, we would stop and our guide will wait for us. We dictated the pace you see. As long as you bear in mind you are trekking at a pace for enjoyment, you can overcome any trekking grade. It’s all in your mind. It’s a humbling experience and it builds up my determination and strength as I struggled with myself at certain points of each trek. You developed responsibility for yourself when out there in the mountains.
About the tents/ lodge, I’ve not done camping trek all these while so I can’t comment on that. But from what I have observed, the tents used are bright or blue-colored, modern and secured. The reason why I choose lodge trekking over camping trek is because lodge trekking is cheaper (due to lesser staff required to carry the equipments). The lodges’ standards vary slightly from one another. I’ve come across 2 to 3-storeys lodges that are just built with wood. Rooms are generally small and not sound-proof so sometimes we can hear trekkers from the next room chatting about anything. We had sleeping bags provided for us even though we were trekking from lodge to lodge. It was good because nights are usually cold and sleeping in the bags, in a room, enabled me to sleep soundly.
About food, it was good for me and my friends cos we love rice and local bread and noodles. Some lodges even have spaghetti on their menu (expect spaghetti with tomato sauce and nothing too fanciful… but it worked for me cos I am a tomato person). At the top of my head, I love their Garlic soup, Vegie soup, Tibetan bread & Dal Bhat. I know of people who lost weight when trekking in the Himalayas but my friends and I didn’t… we came back the same size, except a bit fitter haha. All the carbo we consumed, we burnt it all while trekking.
I’ve written a long post here so I’ll try to end it soon. The first time I stepped on its land, I was like an empty glass, ready to soak in all the sights and sounds of this country, without prejudice, without expectations. Some things amazed me, some didn’t. Yet on our departure day, I was so sad and reluctant to leave. The 2nd time I stepped on the same land, I was actually happy to smell the dusty air of Kathmandu again. It was so good to be back. I left already knowing when I am returning again. The 3rd time I returned, I felt proud to be in the plane arriving Kathmandu. That’s when I know I really love this country. I love this country because of all the wonderful and rich experiences I have every time I come. Needs are simpler here. People are generally more easy-going and happier here. There is so much more I can say but I would rather not. Because some things are better left un-said. Some things are better left to be personally experienced.
My first time in Nepal, my itinerary was very complete with trek + rafting + jungle safari + mountain flight + sightseeing. I took up the “Himalayan Heartbeat Classic” package. It was the best itinerary for any first timers.
Going to the Himalayas without doing a trek, is almost comparable to going to Paris without seeing Eiffel Tower
I did trekking holiday on all the 3 times I’ve been there, to different regions of Nepal. I’m such a sucker; I did treks from each category of “Easy”, “Moderate” and “Strenuous”. So I suppose I am comfortable enough to share with you what is considered an “Easy/ Moderate” trek. For a start, I am not a very fit person. I rarely exercise, am not over nor under weight (fortunately)... just lazy. So when I did an “Easy” trek, all was fine because we trekked at our own pace… I think we actually strolled at our own pace. The maximum elevation was only 3210 meters so we didn’t have much of an altitude sickness problem. During my 2nd trek, I did the “Moderate” one and the road is more demanding (more steeps steps, lengthy ascend/ descend) but it was still manageable cos whenever we are tired, we would stop and our guide will wait for us. We dictated the pace you see. As long as you bear in mind you are trekking at a pace for enjoyment, you can overcome any trekking grade. It’s all in your mind. It’s a humbling experience and it builds up my determination and strength as I struggled with myself at certain points of each trek. You developed responsibility for yourself when out there in the mountains.
About the tents/ lodge, I’ve not done camping trek all these while so I can’t comment on that. But from what I have observed, the tents used are bright or blue-colored, modern and secured. The reason why I choose lodge trekking over camping trek is because lodge trekking is cheaper (due to lesser staff required to carry the equipments). The lodges’ standards vary slightly from one another. I’ve come across 2 to 3-storeys lodges that are just built with wood. Rooms are generally small and not sound-proof so sometimes we can hear trekkers from the next room chatting about anything. We had sleeping bags provided for us even though we were trekking from lodge to lodge. It was good because nights are usually cold and sleeping in the bags, in a room, enabled me to sleep soundly.
About food, it was good for me and my friends cos we love rice and local bread and noodles. Some lodges even have spaghetti on their menu (expect spaghetti with tomato sauce and nothing too fanciful… but it worked for me cos I am a tomato person). At the top of my head, I love their Garlic soup, Vegie soup, Tibetan bread & Dal Bhat. I know of people who lost weight when trekking in the Himalayas but my friends and I didn’t… we came back the same size, except a bit fitter haha. All the carbo we consumed, we burnt it all while trekking.
I’ve written a long post here so I’ll try to end it soon. The first time I stepped on its land, I was like an empty glass, ready to soak in all the sights and sounds of this country, without prejudice, without expectations. Some things amazed me, some didn’t. Yet on our departure day, I was so sad and reluctant to leave. The 2nd time I stepped on the same land, I was actually happy to smell the dusty air of Kathmandu again. It was so good to be back. I left already knowing when I am returning again. The 3rd time I returned, I felt proud to be in the plane arriving Kathmandu. That’s when I know I really love this country. I love this country because of all the wonderful and rich experiences I have every time I come. Needs are simpler here. People are generally more easy-going and happier here. There is so much more I can say but I would rather not. Because some things are better left un-said. Some things are better left to be personally experienced.
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