Kolikok to Lumsa : 31 Dec 10

Walked straight up from campsite through jungle and over pass.  In February there was snow everywhere but this time none … so no snow fights L 

We had lunch at (?) school.  We could see Lumsa across the valley on the side of the hill.  We dropped down to the river after lunch, across the suspension bridge and then walked the steep up to Lumsa. 

We camped at Phurba’s sister-in-law’s place in the potato field.  We met with some of the villagers from Lumsa after dinner to discuss their proposed micro-hydro project. 

None of us stayed up til midnight Nepal time … the sleeping bag was the only warm place to be … but we thought of everyone in OZ at 7.45pm … midnight in Australia.  Happy New Year J

Mulkarka to Kolikok : 30 Dec 10

Walked out of Mulkarka after lots of goodbyes, katas and family photos.  Walked to Nayan Bajar but markets on this day as only operate on a Saturday.  In February we walked through on a Saturday and the markets were pretty amazing.  We stopped for a cup of tea and the village kids played up to the camera so got some great photos.

Two young Tamang boys (10 & 12) who were portering firewood to one of the shops walked with us for most of the day after Nayan Bajar.  I saw how much the shopkeeper paid them … 120 rupees each (about $1.70 AUD).  They walked with us from Nayan Bajar to their place which we passed after lunch … it was a long way home for them and it was amazing to think that they had portered this heavy firewood so far for so little!!  It was their school holiday job!  We spoilt them a bit with sweets and they seemed happy enough singing and chatting all the way.

We had lunch in a field … the boys set up the tables and chairs for us and it was a beautiful day … we just needed a bottle of bubbly and it would’ve been perfect!

We arrived at our camp spot … a dusty potato field above a creek.  The wind was fierce and it was a struggle to get the tents up.  Phurba decided it was way too windy so we all pitched in and helped carry everything down to a nice grassy spot on the creek bank.  Was much nicer and no wind.

Kophu to Mulkarka : 29 Dec 10

The lady porter I had met last time at the marriage party we gate crashed came up to see us while we were having brekky.  I gave her a couple of photos (one of her and me and one of her and her daughter) from the visit in February and she gave me a gift of a scarf which was really sweet. 

We walked out of Kophu at about 8am and two little boys who looked very poor followed us for a fair way.  I gave them a red knitted scarf each that Brenda had given me out of the NAFA stock to give to kids.  They loved the scarfs and got some great photos with big grins on their faces. 

We got to giggly girls place … she was waiting for us proudly wearing her new purple scarf I had given her yesterday.  She was so cute.

We headed up further to a tea house and sat in the sun for awhile and had a break from the steep up!!

Arrived at Mulkarka just before midday and in time for a yummy lunch cooked by our cook extraordinaire, Nori.  After lunch a Ross, Phurba, Jungbu, Gyali, little Phurba and I walked up to the water source for the water tank in Mulkarka that NAFA has funded.  Jungbu was so proud to show us.  www.nafa.org.au

In the arvy we played with some of the village kids for awhile and also had a well deserved snooze J

Mulkarka to Kophu : 28 Dec 10

Walked out of Mulkarka at 8am and headed down hill to Kophu. 

We stopped at the house where the cute little giggly girl lives who I made friends with in February.   I had photos to give her and she remembered me.   One of her front teeth was missing so she was even cuter.  Brenda had given me a scarf to give her … the little girl was pretty happy about this.

We arrived into Kophu mid morning.  After lunch we headed down to the school for the program.   The classrooms were finished and looking great.  We were given the warmest welcome by the students with lots of katas and flowers.  The kids sang and danced and we had a special treat of a martial arts demonstration.  We all made speeches and were given thank you letters and a traditional Rai shirt.  There was a special plaque on the outside wall of the classrooms …  “This building was constructed with funds from NAFA Nepal Australia Friendship Association February 2010” … very proud and we all had our heads photographed next to the plaque J

We did a tour through all the classrooms and checked out the new whiteboards and skylights and Room to Read library books.

Was great to visit the school again and see the finished classrooms and to see the difference the whiteboards and skylights have made to the older classrooms.   The students & teachers were so pleased to see us and were very happy with our visit.

www.ahandfornepal.blogspot.com

Kathmandu to Mulkarka : 27 Dec 10

Today was the first day of the NAFA Solu Khumbu Trek to visit the schools and villages where some NAFA projects have been completed and others are still in the application stage.  There were three of us from NAFA on this trek … Ross (Secretary of NAFA), Brenda (Vice-President of NAFA) and me.

We were booked on the 9am flight to Paphlu from Kathmandu but as usual it was delayed ... but only 3 1/2 hours this time … but it wasn’t cancelled this time like in April when Mum and I were trying to get to Paphlu ... woo hoo :))

Was a quick flight … the landing though was the one of the most terrifying experiences of my life … it is a short take off and landing airstrip (and bare ground just to add to the excitement) … the plane did a huge sweep to the left and then a fast near vertical drop to the airstrip.  I was in the middle back seat and had direct vision up the middle of the aircraft through the cockpit and all I could see was land coming up towards us very fast … I panicked as it felt like the plane was going to crash into the airstrip!!!  But the hostie was sitting behind me calmly so thought if she is not panicking then I shouldn't be panicking ... but I think it may have been the closest feeling to crashing.  There was a Nepali girl sitting next to me and we were hanging on to each other it was that bad!  Anyway enough melodramatics … we all lived but my legs were shaking when I got off the plane. 

Some of the crew were waiting to carry our bags to a local hotel where we had Dal Baht for lunch and a cup of tea. 

We had 10 crew (Cook – Nori, Cook Assistants – Rinji, Chong Dorje & Cancar, Sherpa Guide – Chongba, Porters – Non Nori, Gyali, Siring, “big” Phurba & “little” Phurba) plus Phurba our amazing guide. 

We walked up the long steep hill to the tea house above Mulkarka.  There’s a new road being cut into the side of the hill which will go nearly all the way to Mulkarka.  The local people are all for it as it will make their lives a lot easier but looks like a major scar on the side of the hill.  Very sad really but good for progress in the area. 

Walked the last 20 minutes down into Mulkarka just as the sun was going down and arrived at Jungbu’s house (Phurba’s brother). 

Was so good to be back in the lower Solu Khumbu region of Nepal.