Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Everest Base Camp and Panchase Trek Briefing


Everyone at the dinner table (Deepak in orange on the right)
Deepak and I were invited to Angie's house last night for dinner and to conduct a briefing for their trip to Nepal in April. Some of them are going for Panchase Trek and some are challenging themselves by going on the Everest Base Camp Trek.

This is the second time that we have a really appetising dinner in this beautiful home - and with some very nice folks.

Shin wants to paint in Nepal. Chia Chi was reading our travel notes diligently when we arrived. Gin Song had concerns over toilets enroute his trek and provokes Angie quite a bit over this :P. Grace have practical concerns - injuries, safety, womens' matter, level of trek difficulty etc. Angie and Don - our hosts - do their best to calm everyone's nerves prior to the trek. Basskaran made everyone laugh at his highly intellectual jokes. Vincent and I have one thing in common - our love for photography! After a good dinner and lots of laughter at the dinner table, we finally proceeded to the living area and began our briefing for the Panchase and Everest Base Camp Treks. Everyone has a customised itinerary as they are meeting on different days and going on different treks. Best of all, Don and Angie's children are joining them in Nepal from the United States! I can already see the glimpse of excitment and anticipation in their eyes.

With the map spread over the coffee table, Deepak took everyone through a day by day briefing covering elements such as views, level of difficulty, distance, meals, medication etc. It is important that the right expectations were set before a group departure and that everyone is well prepared physically and mentally.

I told Vincent I'll be looking forward to see his photos upon his return. Basskaran said he will get his secretary to disseminate his emails as and when he is able to write during his trip. It would be interesting for our readers to track the journey of this super energectic grand-dad in his first Nepal trek! Our gathering ended slightly past ten at night and everyone left with a good smile on their face!