Kathmandu

Hi Everyone! I have finally found an internet cafe that seems to have a decent connection. This will be a brief update as I am just about to boad a plane to Pokhara for the beginning of our trek. Kathmandu is fantastic, I am having such a great time. Crazy drivers, lots of holy cows and dogs everywere! Not sure if they are holy too! We went and checked out a Buddhist Stupa yesterday and had a wander round some shops as well as a Hindu temple were we dodged holy men, street sellers and monkeys! We also witnessed the beginnings of a cremation ceremony.
My room mate and I went to a local restaurant for lunch, which was great, yummy momo's! We also had an earthquake here yesterday. No damage, but it was pretty substantial!!!
The accomodation at the Radisson was luxury, but I am looking forward to camping in the forrest. That is going to be awesome!!!

Well, I had best get moving so my flight dosen't go without me, it's a long walk to Pokhara and I think there are a few hills between here and there!!!!
I'll be out of communication for a bit over a week now, so don't fret, I am safe and sound in the mountains!!!!

Love Annie

Less than 24 hours to go!!!

Well, it is about 5:30pm on the 26th October. In less than 24 hours I'll be on the plane. I am still feeling, well, not very much right now. A few butterflys and not much of an appetite (which is not like me at all), but apart from that, not a great deal. It will be interesting to see how well I sleep tonight! I'll have to make the most of sleeping in my own bed, last time for a month!!!
Right now though, Andy and I are off to the beach, for some fish and chips and to watch the sun set over Aussie waters! And of course to spend some quality time together before I head off!!!

Next blog will be posted, probably from Kathmandu, by a slightly shell shocked, possibly a little home-sick Annie. All that said though, I know I will be having a great time! Until then......

A picture of calm

Well, it is Monday 22nd October. I leave in 5 days for my mind blowing, life changing adventure. This is the furthest I have ever been from home, this is the longest flight I have ever taken, these are probably going to be the most challenging and fascinating places I have ever seen and will ever see! And here I am, perfectly calm, no butterfly's in the tummy, nothing! I had a dream last night that I arrived in Kathmandu and I hadn't organised my money situation, which was mildly stressful, but somehow, I got by (thanks to my friend Kate mysteriously being there and loaning me money for essentials! Cheers Nixon!). I think it was my subconscious telling me to get more informed about currency exchange etc, so I am not left short! So I did that this morning and discovered that Nepali Rupees are not available in Australia and can only be exchanged over there, so that is a comfort to know that I won't actually be expected to have Nepali money when I arrive there.

I am sickeningly organised!!! I have written colour coded lists and have planned out my 2 days off so I get everything done and don't waste time. I have lunch dates planned for both days and I have a massage booked for Friday afternoon (courtesy of Andy's Mum & Dad!). I am thinking that my organisation skills is what is stopping me from getting stressed!!!

I might try and find some time to blog again on Friday, just before I head off! Then we'll see if my demeanour has changed!!!! ;-)

Getting older in the Outback

Well, apart from very badly corrugated roads and coming down with a nasty cold, our weekend in Arkaroola was lovely.

The drive up was pleasantly uneventful, we only had one roo jump in front of the car, but luckily we had seen him first, so we were going pretty slowly. We stopped off for a cuppa and some Quandong pie with my Uncle in Beltana and also visited some other friends who have a place there. We arrived in Arkaroola at about 5ish, found a spot and set ourselves up. After a delicious dinner of pasta washed down with red wine, we got out the glow sticks and went for a walk. Being a pretty dark and moonless night, we were quite a sight, a few luminous tubes bobbing through the bush!!! We then made them into a bit of an art installation in the tent!!!

Sunday was my birthday, so we had an early morning present unwrapping in the tent (I am now the proud owner of a very nice MP3 player!) and then had some brekky. We decided we were going to check out the Acacia Ridge hike, but we had missed the early bus out there. The next bus went at 1:30 and it was already pretty sunny and warm at 9:30 and my cold was starting to really kick in, so we decided to give it a miss. Instead, we found a shady patch, parked our chairs and spent hours reading our books. Later in the afternoon, we decided to go for a short walk up to the Spriggina lookout. It was a great view and we were greeted by a friendly roo on the way up.

Back to our books for a bit, then a quick shower before heading up to the restaurant for tea. It was Carvery night, so we had a nice big roast dinner before heading back to camp and cracked a bottle of red and some chocolate. We then proceeded to solve the worlds problems by the camp fire!

Monday was home day. We spent all day on the road, poor little Barina got a bit warm round Pt Pirie, so we decided that was a good time for ice cream!
While it was a bit of a shame we didn't get a big hike in, we had a nice weekend. In hindsight, we'll probably go somewhere a bit closer next time!!!