Developing our media skills

Namaste

Since our return our team has been interviewed by reporters from the Otago Daily Times and The Central Otago News. Dave Borrie and I also had a very enjoyable radio interview with Ferg from Classic Hits, Queenstown.

Here are two of these links.

ODT article

http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/257830/cromwell-pupils-top-world-after-trip

Radio interview with Ferg, Classic Hits

http://classichits.co.nz/southernlakes/player/ondemand/cromwell-everest

The team will be also making presentations at our school assembly, the local Country Womens Institute, Probus and a community thank you function.  This will be quite an adventure for many in our team!

The Teams final meal at The Hotel Tibet, Kathmandu

Team EBC 2013 has landed - the joys of a welcome home

After 15 hours flying in the past 48 hours we touched down back in Queenstown to the joys of a special welcome home from family and loved ones. What an unforgettable journey it has been.

EBC 2013, Worldly young adults home again (Pauline and me included) - Back row L to R: Leroy, Hugh. Jonny, Dave, Will, Pauline, Mason. Front row: Doug, Liam, Elsa, Bryn.

It is revealing to compare the fresh faced leaving photos with the worldly, self assured individuals in the photo above.

Peter Hillary commented at our shared Khumbu Lodge dinner that the students should continue to reflect and think about their experiences, dwell on them and learn from them. It is clear to me that they have been doing this consistently and one of the true highlights has been to see the personal growth in every one of our team. Sharing 23 days of adventure and memorable experiences in a remarkable part of our world has awakened new understandings in each one of us. I think that the full magnitude of what we have achieved will fully dawn on each of us at different times.

Peter Hillary, Khumbu Lodge Namche Bazaar - reading his Dad's account of the first ascent of Mt Everest with Tenzing (60 years ago) in a letter he sent to the President of the NZ Alpine Club 3 days after the climb. Captivating!

We have all found Nepal and the Himalaya visually stunning, diverse, demanding and stimulating. It has been extremely satisfying to achieve the expedition goals such as Phortse, Gokyo Ri, Cho La, EBC, Kala Pather but perhaps the most memorable highlight will be our time spent with the people of Nepal and enjoying their company, culture, generosity and kindness: Chhuldim owner Mountain Experience; our sherpa - Sirdar Pemba, Surya and Jethar; our porters, Akas, Pasang, Aspal and Gyalbu; Devendra his staff, children and the families of Phorste School; and the many lodge and hotel staff, shop keepers and taxi drivers.

Our Sherpa and Porter Team from Mountain Experience L to R: Gyalbu, Jethar, Pemba, Akas, Pasang, Surya, Aspal

Chhuldim Sherpa - Owner of Mountain Experience presenting Kim with kata outside the Hotel Tibet on our departure. 

I think we have all learnt the powerful impact that genuine and open respect has on people in their country - being polite and courteous, learning a little of the language and important customs, coupled with a smile.

Pauline reading Fox in Socks, one of the books we donated, to the children of Phortse Primary School

Principal of Phorste - Devendra with some of his pupils

This past 12 months has been about "Shaping Life Through Adventure" - our expedition motto. I believe this journey has done just that as well as teaching us a little more about what it really means to "Deserve Success".  Thank you again to the team of families, sponsors and supporters, especially Kim Logan and Pauline Murphy, and each of the students - it has been pleasure to be part of something so special and a privilege to be able to share our experiences through this blog.

The EBC 2013 team having just crossed Cho La Pass 5364m - Arakam Tse 6423m in the background

I am sure that Cromwell College EBC 2013 will stimulate many other adventures for the each of the members of our team. Whaia te taumata - Tashi Dele - Namaste.

Mason Stretch
Principal
Cromwell College

A selfy (alias 'Le Blogger') - Pharilapche 6017m from Gokyo Ri

The bearded ones return

Johnny, Hugh, Leroy and Dave pushing for facial hair in year 13. Boarding our 10 hour flight to Christchurch.

Team Cromwell are on their way home

Chhuldim generously presented us with Mountain Experience teeshirts and Kata on our departure from Hotel Tibet. Things have gone smoothly through check in and customs apart from Liam trying to smuggle a pocket knife through security. All good learning.

We have arrived in Singapore, been out for dinner and are checked in to our hotel. Tomorrow will be reasonably relaxed with some shopping and exploring. We arrive back in Queenstown at 12.35 pm Friday and look forward to seeing family and friends again. 

Pashupati and Monkey Temples, memorable World Heritage Sites

By 7 am we were weaving our way across a city where centre lines do not exist to visit the spiritually significant Pashupati Temple. The entry fee is high $13US and is used to fund site restoration and clean up the heavily polluted Bagmati River.

The site has been in existence for over 1000 years and is one of the holiest temples in the world for Hindus. Brightly made up Babas were seated around the Temple, keen for a picture for a price.
We were privileged to observe a traditional Hindu funeral from the blessing in the Bagmati to the family carrying their loved one clothed in bright yellow and orange and covered in marigolds to the cremation site. A private family ceremony shared so openly in this memorable temple, as it has been for hundreds of years. 

The Temples at Pashupati: The Bagmati River is in the foreground, about 2-3m wide. We observed the funeral taking place in the right foreground.  

Back in the van for the ride across town to the Monkey Temple, Swayambhu. This trip took us through the old Kathmandu, very narrow streets with as many people, motor bikes and taxis as in more modern areas. The centre was closed for a festival so we took a detour down what seemed like a garden path eventually arriving at the magnificent Monkey Temple.

They say there are a thousand steps to the impressive brass and gold plated stupa that affords panoramic views of Kathmandu. We didn't count but the staircase is certainly steep, easily handled though after our high altitude training.

Near the top of the stairs to The Monkey Temple, Swayambhu, the bright gold stupa in the background.

New prayer flags were bring hung by a man precariously scaling the dome by hauling himself up on a chain. No Health and Safety here. The stupa is beautiful and the views are just tremendous!  Devotees and tourists alike wander around entranced. Numerous stalls line the stairs and viewing areas selling Buddha, prayer wheels, singing bowls, knives, etc. And yes, there were monkeys too. All doing their own thing and quite oblivious to all the fuss.

Pauline, Will and Elsa taking in the views over Kathmandu. A monk checks his cell phone in the right of the picture

Will Jonny, Dave and Hugh - Monkey Temple

On our return to the hotel several were dropped off in Thamel for a last bout of shopping. Tonight we will be trying to fit everything into our cases for the flight to Singapore and home.

Retail therapy in Kathmandu

A relaxed get up this morning with a full continental and cooked breakfast, 'live egg station' included (omelettes prepared on the spot).
A day of shopping was planned first in Thamel then down to a newer area about 30 minutes walk from the hotel. We split in two with my group hitting the Thamel area and the others with Pauline continuing on to Durdar Square.
Five of us squeezed into a small Suzuki Taxi back to the hotel at 12 pm. After lunch we took another taxi down to met  the others at the E Revolving Restaurant that did revolve a just a little, near Durdar. It was then off for some serious pashmina shopping with Chhuldim. There was a massive increase in the crowds, density and diversity of shopping in this area. A colourful, pulsating shoppers heaven!
All ten of us plus two locals then packed into the back of a 3 wheeled tooktook for a short trip back to the hotel. 
Dinner is out at a restaurant in town tonight at 6.30 pm. We will be up at 6 am tomorrow to visit the Monkey Temple and other sights.
Soaking up the bustle and raw energy of Kathmandu is a wonderful contrast to the peace and grandeur of our amazing Himalayan trek. It is all part of our adventure.
Pictures of:
1. Big breakfasts for Jonathan, Liam and Hugh.
2. How many Cromwellians can you spot?  Shopping in the Durdar square area.

Helicopters to Kathmandu, the only way to fly!

The Nepalese know how to party. Lots of singing and traditional dance that they all know, young and old. This is something our culture lacks although we did sing with gusto the national anthem and Dave and I did an awesome school haka. Our strong porters and awesome sherpa were all there to enjoy the dere ramro (great) cake and celebration of a successful trek.

Our outstanding celebration chocolate layer cake

Dancing the night away

This morning it was breakfast at 7 with our flights due for 10. This all changed to 8 am, as it does in Nepal. We were now in 3 choppers with Pauline with 4 students followed by me and 5 students. Kim would join in with some climbers on a later flight.

Pemba presented us all with Kata as we waited. Pauline and her group got away ok then our chopper had to go to EBC to pick up some climbers. My group had the distinction of flying with Dave from London who had climbed Everest two days earlier.

Before take off we admired the skills of the fixed wing pilots landing and taking off from the short, sloping Lukla air strip. Yippee for helicopters.

A plane rapidly nears the end of the worlds most dangerous airstrip 

Hugh, Jonny and Leroy

A beautiful day to fly. There was fresh snow on the hills from torrential rain that fell last night and clear air to see in detail the intense terraced farming, huge brick kilns and sprawling housing of Kathmandu.

After landing at Kathmandu it was onto the back of a ute and around to the domestic terminal where we met up with Chulddim, Pauline and the others.

A taxi with extra leg room

Haere mai Kathmandu

We are all now back at the oasis that is the Hotel Tibet and have enjoyed fresh fruit, mango juice and a real coffee.

The team are resting, showering and heading to the nearby supermarket for essential supplies of chocolate, fizzy and ice cream.

Happy Mothers Day team mums and wives!

Luxury!

A party in Lukla tonight!

It was great to catch up with Peter Hillary over dinner at the Khumbu Lodge last night. He is guiding his own group to EBC over the next few weeks. It was special to hear him read the letter that his Dad wrote 3 days after climbing Everest in 1953. A very matter of fact account of an extraordinary achievement by his Dad and Tenzing.

This morning we were away by 7 am to visit the market Namche is renown for. A huge range of fresh produce, eggs,  spices, vegetables and a very basic butchery with plenty of buffalo being carved up. I couldn't resist buying an Everest exercise book!

A small part of the Bazzar. 

Morning tea was at Bengkar where the team reunited two weeks ago. It was very warm coming down valley. We passed numerous donkey trains on their daily run from Lukla and return, a full day!
The vege curry and Dahl Baht for lunch at Phakding was kaserang shimonok, superb!

Larga Bridge - David and I left our kata there

Great tukka - vege curry and dahl bhat

Elsa and Bryn spin one of the many the prayer wheels

Beautiful mani stone

Back in Lukla - a big day from Namche Bazzar

We finally arrived in Lukla at 2.20 pm to cloud, a few drops of rain and thunder. A shower, relax, afternoon tea and then its party time :). Five of the team are running the gauntlet having ordered Yak burgers or steaks!

It is now bucketing down outside, serious rain! Any gear not in plastic bags with our porters is going to be soaked.

Yaks and rhododendrons

I have had a request for some yak and rhododendron pictures. There are only a couple on my phone to show you. I will try to load some more in Kathmandu.

The yaks have long hair and we have only really seen them above Namche. They are quite deft on their hooves negotiating the step stairs and rocky tracks to EBC. Pauline and I did pat a couple at Dole, they were tied up though!

There are whole hillsides covered in the white, yellow and pink flowers of the rhododendron. Pauline has been enjoying identifying heaps of local plants. There were pretty euphorbia on the track to Lukla.

Home again in Namche

After another yummy lunch we headed over to the Khumjumg School. There was an assembly on with two girls doing a Nepali dance to students and many parents all squeezed into a small hall.

We admired the bronze of Sir Ed Hillary then walked past the longest mani walls in the park. we made a quick visit to Khunde hospital, built with support from NZ Lions clubs.

The descent back to Namche was steep and stunning with moody cloud swirling around. We are back at the Sukara Lodge and the team is out shopping already!

We have dinner with Peter Hillary tonight and wander down to Lukla tomorrow.

Down, up and down again to Khumjung, Khunde and Namche Bazaar.

Up early for some views of Ama Dablam and the monastery.

After a 6.30 breakfast we were trekking down to the Dudh Kosi and then climbing up to Khumjung for lunch. The team is definitely moving well as we decrease our altitude to Namche.

Thick patches of rhododendron forest, yellow, pink, lavender and white; a huge botanical garden! Tall stands of pine now dominate the upper canopy. We passed water driven prayer wheels and stopped for tea at 8 am at Phungi Thanga.

It was a steep climb to Sanasa for another hot drink trying to avoid yaks carrying film gear for the movie of the first ascent of Everest.

Ama Dablam is majestic to the north east. We passed several thar very close to the track, quite rare.

We are now at the Sherpaland Hotel for lunch just opposite Khumjumg School set up by Ed Hillary in 1961, roll 350.

Breathing easy at 4000m and off to the Tengbouche Monastery

We set off at 8 am after great sleeps at Pheriche. Being 800m lower makes a huge difference to your breathing.

Back into conifer, juniper, pine and rhododendron forest. More lovely views of Ama Dablam and the villages along the Khumbu.

It is so much busier in the Khumbu than the Dudh Kosi valley. Morning tea in Pangboche and lunch in Deboche.

At 3 pm we visited the monastery for there afternoon prayer service. The inside of the monastery is ornately decorated in paintings of buddha and a massive statue of the bhudda Guru Rimpoche sits peacefully at the front of the prayer room. Monks recited their mantra for about 10 minutes and after a circuit of the room and a donation we walked past heaps of prayer wheels around the monastery.

It has been a restful day walking beneath the ever present ice capped mountains, through numerous small villages and groves of flowering rhododendron forest.

Tomorrow we head back to Namche Bazaar via Khunde and Khumjung.