Odyssey’s 2012 Kathmandu to Istanbul expedition has officially begun, and we’ve hit the Nepalese roads running. More about that to follow...
I’ll start with a little introductory photo, so you can see the faces of those who are making Odyssey history, and also as a reminder for later on as to ‘how things were in the early days’. The obligatory beginning-of-tour group photo.
Almost hidden in the very back row on the left: Carmel.
In front of Carmel, from left to right as the faces appear: Paul S, Nigel C, Paul O, Phil, Nigel H, Andrew P, Annie, Ann S, Anne W, Norman, Jacq, Cathy, Fraser, Andrew E.
Crouching in the front, from left, Ann H, Mignon, Toby, Jill.
Missing from the pic are me (Alison, as I took the pic), as well as Carolyn, Simon and Teresa – all joining us in China. No doubt there will be another group photo there!
So that’s who we are, a group of (in no specific order) Australian, English, Scottish, Irish, American, Canadian, Kiwi-American and South African travellers.
I was reminded today at lunch by Nigel C, who travelled previously with Odyssey in Africa, that ‘what happens on tour stays on tour’, and some of it may well have to, the way things are going ;-) but I think we’ll share with you a bit of what we’re up to.
We had several days in Kathmandu. Most people arrived a couple of days prior to the start of the trip, to get their bearings and do a bit of exploring and sightseeing. Sights on ‘the list’ included Durbar Square, where the city’s kings used to rule from; Pashupatinath, Bodnath and Swayambunath temples (the latter is also known as the monkey temple). Some people did a day and/or overnight trek. Norm, Nigel H and Jacq headed off to Chitwan National Park for a night, to see the rhinos and do a bit of elephant riding. And 5 got up very early to do some flight-seeing with Buddha Air, and had amazing-looking glimpses of Everest.
We’ve also sampled several of Thamel’s many restaurants – including the Funky Buddha, Bamboo Club, Black Olive, most offering Nepali, Indian, Tibetan and various different versions of western cuisine. Lassis are becoming a popular choice, but then so are Everest, Gorkha and San Miguel.
After enough of the hustle and bustle and noise of Kathmandu, we headed down a windy road, getting out of Kathmandu before the roads were closed due to strikes, and wound our way towards the Tibetan border. Our destination: a pocket of paradise called The Last Resort. Green , tropical and lush, with the sound of the river, and quite often the sound of rain too, this is a peaceful haven away from the noise and pollution and busy-ness that go with cities. It is a beautiful tented camp that runs off solar power. There is a plunge-pool, lots of shady areas to ‘chill’, an open-plan bar, dining and lounge area – the only catch is that you have to walk across a very high suspension bridge to get here! And if you’re crazy enough, take the plunge like Toby, Nigel H and Anne W did, and do a bunji or a swing into the gorge from the bridge. Well done team!
6 of us decided to go canyoning – basically abseiling down waterfalls, to the bottom of the gorge. Thanks to Nigel’s GoPro camera we have some funky shots of this.
Others of the group have taken advantage of these chilled days to read, relax, have a massage – really start to feel on holiday. There have also been some walks through terraced rice paddies, ending up at the local school.
We were determined to get to see the border to Tibet, unfortunately closed to us this year. Tired of waiting for the local bus which was rumoured not to be passing that day, those explorers accepted a lift on the back of a cement truck (well all except Nigel who was – arguably – privileged to sit in the front). There were some delays enroute, as it had to navigate over a landslide, and around an overturned truck, at which point most got out and walked, and were later picked up by the cement truck once again. They got to the first border gate in the end, and opted for the bus back as the prospect of the cement truck without cement bags to sit on (as they had now been offloaded) seemed less appealing. I believe the bus ride was just as ‘exhilarating’?!, the bus driving dangerously close to the edge of what passes for road. Living on the edge?
We are all getting to know each other – through these adventures, discussions, and over competitive games of Uno in between, and I think some are wondering where does the 12 wks go from here (well I’ve heard some say it!) but I read that as it’s gonna be fun(ny). Secretly wondering the same – but I’m excited.
I’ll start with a little introductory photo, so you can see the faces of those who are making Odyssey history, and also as a reminder for later on as to ‘how things were in the early days’. The obligatory beginning-of-tour group photo.
Almost hidden in the very back row on the left: Carmel.
In front of Carmel, from left to right as the faces appear: Paul S, Nigel C, Paul O, Phil, Nigel H, Andrew P, Annie, Ann S, Anne W, Norman, Jacq, Cathy, Fraser, Andrew E.
Crouching in the front, from left, Ann H, Mignon, Toby, Jill.
Missing from the pic are me (Alison, as I took the pic), as well as Carolyn, Simon and Teresa – all joining us in China. No doubt there will be another group photo there!
So that’s who we are, a group of (in no specific order) Australian, English, Scottish, Irish, American, Canadian, Kiwi-American and South African travellers.
I was reminded today at lunch by Nigel C, who travelled previously with Odyssey in Africa, that ‘what happens on tour stays on tour’, and some of it may well have to, the way things are going ;-) but I think we’ll share with you a bit of what we’re up to.
We had several days in Kathmandu. Most people arrived a couple of days prior to the start of the trip, to get their bearings and do a bit of exploring and sightseeing. Sights on ‘the list’ included Durbar Square, where the city’s kings used to rule from; Pashupatinath, Bodnath and Swayambunath temples (the latter is also known as the monkey temple). Some people did a day and/or overnight trek. Norm, Nigel H and Jacq headed off to Chitwan National Park for a night, to see the rhinos and do a bit of elephant riding. And 5 got up very early to do some flight-seeing with Buddha Air, and had amazing-looking glimpses of Everest.
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| Temples |
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| Mt Everest |
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| Just peaking above the clouds |
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| Durbar Square |
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| Odyssey's new Kathmandu office? |
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| The streets of Thamel |
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| Elephant riding in Chitwan National Park |
We’ve also sampled several of Thamel’s many restaurants – including the Funky Buddha, Bamboo Club, Black Olive, most offering Nepali, Indian, Tibetan and various different versions of western cuisine. Lassis are becoming a popular choice, but then so are Everest, Gorkha and San Miguel.
 |
| If you can't climb it, at least you can drink it! |
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| Ghurka beer |
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| The first of many group meals I'm sure! |
 |
After enough of the hustle and bustle and noise of Kathmandu, we headed down a windy road, getting out of Kathmandu before the roads were closed due to strikes, and wound our way towards the Tibetan border. Our destination: a pocket of paradise called The Last Resort. Green , tropical and lush, with the sound of the river, and quite often the sound of rain too, this is a peaceful haven away from the noise and pollution and busy-ness that go with cities. It is a beautiful tented camp that runs off solar power. There is a plunge-pool, lots of shady areas to ‘chill’, an open-plan bar, dining and lounge area – the only catch is that you have to walk across a very high suspension bridge to get here! And if you’re crazy enough, take the plunge like Toby, Nigel H and Anne W did, and do a bunji or a swing into the gorge from the bridge. Well done team!
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| Stunning mountain scenery |
 |
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| The gorge at The Last Resort |
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| Nervous? Toby & Nigel H |
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| 3...2...1... bungy! Toby takes the leap |
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| And Anne W |
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| Cathy |
6 of us decided to go canyoning – basically abseiling down waterfalls, to the bottom of the gorge. Thanks to Nigel’s GoPro camera we have some funky shots of this.
 |
| Norm |
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| Abseiling down a waterfall |
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| Safety briefing |
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| Nervous anticipation |
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| Don't look down! |
Others of the group have taken advantage of these chilled days to read, relax, have a massage – really start to feel on holiday. There have also been some walks through terraced rice paddies, ending up at the local school.
We were determined to get to see the border to Tibet, unfortunately closed to us this year. Tired of waiting for the local bus which was rumoured not to be passing that day, those explorers accepted a lift on the back of a cement truck (well all except Nigel who was – arguably – privileged to sit in the front). There were some delays enroute, as it had to navigate over a landslide, and around an overturned truck, at which point most got out and walked, and were later picked up by the cement truck once again. They got to the first border gate in the end, and opted for the bus back as the prospect of the cement truck without cement bags to sit on (as they had now been offloaded) seemed less appealing. I believe the bus ride was just as ‘exhilarating’?!, the bus driving dangerously close to the edge of what passes for road. Living on the edge?
 |
| The bus back from the Tibet border |
We are all getting to know each other – through these adventures, discussions, and over competitive games of Uno in between, and I think some are wondering where does the 12 wks go from here (well I’ve heard some say it!) but I read that as it’s gonna be fun(ny). Secretly wondering the same – but I’m excited.
 |
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