Hi everyone,
Fiona here in a very hot Kathmandu.
After spending the morning making these arrangements, we met up with Ravi, Ptemba and his wife for lunch. Not knowing where else to go, we again ended up at the Indian place that Paul found on his way in here. I think Paul has now eaten here about 5 times – but it’s the best Indian food I’ve ever eaten. (Definitely something different tomorrow…)
Hi Tim – thanks for the message but I think the flights are even busier now than when you and Dame left.
Rebecca / Sonham – great that you also think Tibet would be an interesting place to see. Unfortunately it seems that all the tours are run by the Chinese these days though. Also, I’m sorry but we have not managed to get the potato pancake recipe for you. From what we hear, its not as simple as it sounds.
Hi Meals – good to hear you’re getting some “culture” too. We’re definitely looking forward to relaxing and being real tourists on this side trip. See you soon
Hi Giles and Sandy – great to hear from you. Hopefully you received the Spirotiger by now. Thanks again for your support with Paul’s climb. He thinks the Spirotiger training was a significant help.
Hi Dena – good to hear from you. We did think about Chitwan but not to be this time. Also, the board at Rumdoodle with my name is now sealed off and there is a new board that Paul signed. Our new foot is next to last year’s one though.
Lianne and QECVI kids – we didn’t get a photo with your flag at the Rumdoodle sorry, but have a different one. Stayed tuned tomorrow.
Big hi to everyone else.
Fiona
P & F:
We love the Rumdoodle foot that you created……..THE ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT! Wish we could have been there so you and Den could reminisce about Everest 2006 and we could have heard firsthand the stories of Everest 2007. We had a cold one for you here on Bonaire to celebrate and will keep a few additional cold ones in the frig per chance you have the opportunity to visit with us here. The diving far surpasses the Florida Keys!
Enjoy your time in Kathmandu, we know you must be eager to get back home where the Adler Army is awaiting!
Again, a HUGE congratulations to both of you…………….
Den-n-Tam
Awesome to see you both kicking back and relaxing – those smiles are priceless. Enjoy your week off together. The Kiwi mob are always thinking of you. *hugs* P.S. Love the foot! :>
Hi Paul and Fiona,
Great to see you enjoying a ‘real’ hioliday. Congrats Paul on making the summit, its been so good to be able to follow your adventure vicariously online.
Enjoy the heat of Kathmandu, it is cold in Melbourne!
Safe travels and looking forward to catching up with you when you get home.
Cheers,
Janet Fearnley
Great that you were able to get your names together on the wall…I never doubted that you would! Love the photo of Paul smiling while signing the wall at Rumdoodles!
The best,
MC
Excellent to see you both supporting the Everest brewery. I brought a bottle home with me but gave it to Dad. Not really beer-drinking weather at 9C and the squally morning meant that I changed back out of my bike gear and drove to work instead. I’ve become very slack on my return! Paul, lots of people have talked to me about your climb and just how amazing it was to hear you interviewed under all sorts of conditions. And a great finish on the wall at Rumdoodle. Our last night there was a bit subdued because it felt like we were in limbo, back for BC, Cas’s last night, Fiona missing, not sure what effect the food was going to have on various bellies…. but you’ve made up for it with some great photos. Have fun being tourists again and see you soon. Liz. (p.s. It’s been fun being re-united with my scooter)
Hey Paul & Fi:
As you will note on my blog, I took advantage of an opportunity to get home earlier than expected … but hate that I missed seeing you and celebrating! Enjoy Kathmandu :>)
**I’m a bit knackered so will write more tomorrow.
Pat :>)
Glad to hear you made it safely down the mountain. In class we’ve been curious about your oxygen supplies. My name is Jarrod and I am 17 years old and I was wondering if there was a device that could refill your oxygen tanks back up as you keep on going up the mountain or do you just have a set limit of oxygen in the tanks? I am very very curious about this because I have come up with a concept design for a compressor that could recharge your air supply. Is there anything like this on the market? And would it be of use when you’re climbing up the mountain?
I would love to hear back from you.
From Jarrod
Fiona and Paul–Ditto to glad you are “kicking back and relaxing.” If I ever get back to kathmandu, will ck out that foot, for sure. I know that you are going to have full schedules when you return home, but do hope you will both consider some motivational speaking (along with book and movie).The photo of you, with big smile as you are signing the wall, Paul, could be captioned “The mentor you wished you’d had.” I just think you both have so much to share with the world and your stories/experiences could help others reach heights they did not know were psbl. I am grateful for the chance to get to know you, from a chance meeting last yr in Nepal. Now enjoy your time together and I look fwd to hearing your stories as you travel in Tibet. Here’s a quote for you as you take a more “relaxing” route: “Serenity: In the race to be better or best, do not miss the joy of being.” This quotation came to mind as you trekked with your group from Lukla to EBC, Fiona. All of you had the right idea–enjoying the food, people, and beauty–with time for relaxation and smelling the flowers along the way. Jarrod–your idea would certainly alleviate fears that people (like me!) have of oxygen failure.
Dena
Hi Guys, you could go to Delhi and the Taj Mahal which is amazing. Bridge and I flew over with Comsic Air (not via Mars though) which was good value. Let me know if you want more info.
Chris
Ohh that beer looks pretty tasty at the Rumdoodle! Yes unfortunately due to the communist situation, all agencies/tours are basically run by the chinese, but there are tours where the guides, drivers, cooks etc are tibetan and it makes a huge difference to your trip. There is a good tour company located in Lhasa, they organise tours from all over the place also starting from KTM. Rebecca has travelled with them 3 times from Lhasa to Western Tibet trekking through Mount kailash, they are called http://www.tibetwindhorse.com they have only tibetan staff and also there are other tour companies with tibetan staff. Goodluck, I just want you to see Tibet through tibetan eyes, not any propaganda that you may be told usually by chinese guides on how china has helped tibet and and how happy tibetans are for the cultural revolution. Ok, enough poitics from me, have fun and we wish we were there too. Atleast you wont have to climatise for Tibet. Tashi Delek Sonam
Hi ya!! Now you’re holidaying the way I would….which seems a whole lot more enjoyable – won’t keep you fit though. Enjoy this time together and enjoy the warmth – it’s #%*!@*!!! freezing here. Leah’s in her apartment and it’s great. Very cozy for her and she’s now a city slicker. It’d be nice to see you as soon as possible but if you have to wait, well, you have to wait. Enjoy the rest, with love Jacqueline x
Hi Paul and Fiona,
Well done. The foot looks great. Your artwork I am guessing Fiona? Finally both Adler signatures are on the famous wall. I hope you are enjoying your time in Nepal. Dame
Great to see those Rumdoodle smiles (hope you didn’t have to pay!) I missed you too- would love to have been there with you guys to celebrate the climb and the anniversary. Talking of celebrate, did the Anzacs and camembert survive???
Have been trying to phone you but can’t seem to get on;
lol Dad and Mare
xxx
Bet it felt the highest of highs, what a wonderful acheivement in your life! Congratulations to both of you again. Love to hear the tales and see the pics.
Heath, Nat and Jemma.
I heard you had a welcome back party
and I say great work.
kizza