So there I was, on a slow, rickety, overcrowded bus, crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with a young Nepali girl on one side and a frail old lady on the other.
The driver seemed determined to defy the laws of physics. Although I had no space to even move my arms, he kept stopping to welcome more passengers in.
People, boxes and bags were soon leaning on the old lady, the old lady onto me, and me onto the girl. Others - not sharing the driver's optimism that it was physically possible to have more passengers in the bus - nimbly scrambled onto the roof.
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Attitude for altitude: Trekking Nepal's Annapurna circuit
I love trekking, and so when I heard from a friend that someone was organising a trekking trip to Nepal to do the famous "Annapurna circuit", I contacted the organiser without thinking twice.
A training schedule was set for us almost every Sunday. In addition, I went for Hash runs and the gym regularly. The trip was fast approaching, and I was getting anxious, especially about altitude sickness, which varies among individuals. Would I be fit enough?
To be sure, I went to the doctor for a full medical check-up. To be honest, I didn't feel up to the challenge, and I partly wished the doctor had told me that I was medically unfit to go! But go I did, and though it was tiring, I wouldn't have had it any other way.
related: Travel tips for trekking enthusiasts to Kathmandu
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Trekking in Nepal mountains for pre-wedding photos
The mission began with a crazy joke by my fiancée, Nicole, when we were brainstorming where to take our pre-wedding photos.
She said, "Let's go up to the Himalayas, then it will be unique!".
I answered "Let's make the joke come true, what say you?"
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Namaste, Nepal!
Young monks in Bouddhanath, a fifth-century monument in Kathmandu, happily greet you with “namaste”, which roughly means “I bow to you”.
FROM five-day treks in the Annapurna circuit to the more arduous two- or three-week ascent to Everest base camp, it’s only natural that tales of trekking adventures from Nepal are aplenty.
The country, after all, boasts eight of the world’s highest peaks. But if, like me, you’re no trekker, there are other “quests” to embark on – starting from the capital, Kathmandu.
Attitude for altitude: Trekking Nepal's Annapurna circuit
I love trekking, and so when I heard from a friend that someone was organising a trekking trip to Nepal to do the famous "Annapurna circuit", I contacted the organiser without thinking twice.
A training schedule was set for us almost every Sunday. In addition, I went for Hash runs and the gym regularly. The trip was fast approaching, and I was getting anxious, especially about altitude sickness, which varies among individuals. Would I be fit enough?
To be sure, I went to the doctor for a full medical check-up. To be honest, I didn't feel up to the challenge, and I partly wished the doctor had told me that I was medically unfit to go! But go I did, and though it was tiring, I wouldn't have had it any other way.
related: Travel tips for trekking enthusiasts to Kathmandu
read more
Trekking in Nepal mountains for pre-wedding photos
The mission began with a crazy joke by my fiancée, Nicole, when we were brainstorming where to take our pre-wedding photos.
She said, "Let's go up to the Himalayas, then it will be unique!".
I answered "Let's make the joke come true, what say you?"
read more
Namaste, Nepal!
Young monks in Bouddhanath, a fifth-century monument in Kathmandu, happily greet you with “namaste”, which roughly means “I bow to you”.
FROM five-day treks in the Annapurna circuit to the more arduous two- or three-week ascent to Everest base camp, it’s only natural that tales of trekking adventures from Nepal are aplenty.
The country, after all, boasts eight of the world’s highest peaks. But if, like me, you’re no trekker, there are other “quests” to embark on – starting from the capital, Kathmandu.
read more
Nepal marks 60 years since Everest summit victory
KATHMANDU, May 29, 2013 (AFP) - Nepal marked 60 years since the first ascent of Everest on Wednesday, celebrating the summiteers whose success has bred an industry that many climbers now fear is ruining the world's highest peak.
Four days of ceremonies which have been dubbed the "Everest Diamond Jubilee" conclude on Wednesday with a gala at the former royal palace in the capital Kathmandu in honour of the first successful climbers, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
The British expedition in 1953 changed mountaineering forever and turned New Zealander Hillary and Nepalese guide Norgay into household names and heroes in many parts of the world.
Nepal marks 60 years since Everest summit victory
Four days of ceremonies which have been dubbed the "Everest Diamond Jubilee" conclude on Wednesday with a gala at the former royal palace in the capital Kathmandu in honour of the first successful climbers, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
The British expedition in 1953 changed mountaineering forever and turned New Zealander Hillary and Nepalese guide Norgay into household names and heroes in many parts of the world.
read more
Beautiful Nepal
SHERPA, yak and the mythical yeti are synonymous with the beautiful Nepal. Its spectacular landscapes and warm people are what make this country so enchanting.
Home to the highest peak in the world, Nepal has also struggled economically, due to its political woes.
The country was ruled by a king until 2006, which saw the end of a monarch so greatly revered by its people.
Beautiful Nepal
SHERPA, yak and the mythical yeti are synonymous with the beautiful Nepal. Its spectacular landscapes and warm people are what make this country so enchanting.
Home to the highest peak in the world, Nepal has also struggled economically, due to its political woes.
The country was ruled by a king until 2006, which saw the end of a monarch so greatly revered by its people.
read more
Nepal's all magic
Pettigrew and his dad after a four-day trek in the lower valley regions of the Annapurna range
Nepal's all magic
WHEN a destination is thrown into turmoil, most holidaymakers would naturally reconsider their travel plans.
Not Hong Kong-born Briton Oli Pettigrew, 30, and his dad when they were planning a trip to Nepal in 2006 - the year the King of Nepal was asked to step down and political conditions were unstable.
The TV host's dad, who was an officer in the British Army's 6th Gurkha Regiment, had asked him to attend a Durbar, a ceremonial gathering which is held as a demonstration of loyalty to the crown and dates back to the British Raj period.
Not Hong Kong-born Briton Oli Pettigrew, 30, and his dad when they were planning a trip to Nepal in 2006 - the year the King of Nepal was asked to step down and political conditions were unstable.
The TV host's dad, who was an officer in the British Army's 6th Gurkha Regiment, had asked him to attend a Durbar, a ceremonial gathering which is held as a demonstration of loyalty to the crown and dates back to the British Raj period.
Everest ladder a step too far?
KATHMANDU - It is the final obstacle to what a growing number of climbers regard as the ultimate height of glory - the 12 metres up a near vertical rock face before the top of Mount Everest.
Now, almost 60 years after New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to stand on the highest point on Earth, a plan to install a ladder on the famous Hillary Step to ease congestion has sparked controversy, British newspaper The Guardian reported on Monday.
"We are discussing putting a ladder on the Hillary Step but it is obviously controversial," it quoted Sherpa Dawa Steven as saying. He runs commercial expeditions on Everest and is a senior member of the Expedition Operators Association in Nepal.
Now, almost 60 years after New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to stand on the highest point on Earth, a plan to install a ladder on the famous Hillary Step to ease congestion has sparked controversy, British newspaper The Guardian reported on Monday.
"We are discussing putting a ladder on the Hillary Step but it is obviously controversial," it quoted Sherpa Dawa Steven as saying. He runs commercial expeditions on Everest and is a senior member of the Expedition Operators Association in Nepal.
