Briefing for Everest Base Camp Trek at Christ Church

Everyone listening intently so as not to miss out details

Deepak paying attention too!

Q & A session with Deepak

We were at Christ Church Secondary School for a briefing session last night. As a centre for outdoor excellence, the school has organised many outdoor trips for its students.

We had the pleasure of participating in their trip to Annapurna Base Camp in 2007 and climbing Mt Kinabalu (see previous post here) in 2008.This round, we are really excited to be able to support YMCA for all its ground operations in Nepal for this amazing all-girls team to trek to Everest Base Camp!

It is inevitable for parents to worry for their girls going on the trip as everyone is a novice when it comes to trekking. What more, with little understanding about Nepal except its famous Moaist fightings and the perception of lack of food in Nepal....little do they know that millions of tourists flock there every year to do what their girls are doing! :)

Anyway, it helped that Deepak, as an officer from Nepal Tourism Baord and trek consultant, was there to share with views and gave an update of the current situation. Having been on part of the trek last year, I urged the girls to be clear in their objective and keep in mind what will motivate them on the trek. It is important to be focused and not habour any thought of giving up before trying.

It was wonderful to gain the parents' understanding (and a granny was there too!) at the end of the session. We look forward to assist the team in their quest and working towards a successful trip together.

Happy Chinese New Year 2009

A yak walking in Dingbuche within the Everest National Park.

Dear all,

In the auspicious year of the Ox, we would like to wish you a Happy Chinese New Year! In good times or bad times, let us look forward to a better tomorrow everyday. Stay Happy!

Yours Sincerely,

All of us at Divine

Kent Ridge Secondary - Thank You Card

Words cannot express our appreciation enough. Thank you very much.
Ms Sujeetha, Head of Department

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Dearest Deepak,
Sincere thanks for all your effort! Your commitment and patience have certainly impressed me. I also enjoyed all your sharing of the Nepali culture and lifestyle. Thank You for everything! You have sone an excellent job!
Ms Lim, Teacher

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Dearest Deepak,
It is a comfort to have you with us all this while. Your care, patience and attentiveness is greatly appreciated. Your smile never fails to brighten up our day. We’ve learnt a lot from you this trip. Sincerely, thank you.
Ms Chua, Teacher

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Thank you so much for everything. Your patience inspires me. We will really miss you. You are very kind. Thank you so much.
Syubri

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Thank You for this whole awesome trip and taking such good care of us.
Karina

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Thank you for everything especially during the four hours trek! Thank You!
Felicia

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Thanks a whole lot, Mr Deepak, for everything.
Peinah

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Thank You for guiding us along in the trip.
Frederick

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Thanks for being so very patient with us!
Claudia

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Thanks for being patients and all.
Natt

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Thanks a lot! Danyabad!
David

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Thanks for your guidance!
Azraa

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Thanks for guiding us for the whole trip!
Khalid

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Thanks! We will be missing you!
Joanne

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Thank You Very Much!
Indah

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Thanks for guiding us along!
Diana

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Thank you for everything.
Fatimah

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Thank you very much!
Yong Wen

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Thank you so much!
Maxine

Kent Ridge Secondary in Nepal 2008

Sent-off at Changi Terminal 2


Briefing upon arrival in Dhulikhel

Breakfast at Dhulikhel

Loading the luggages

Trekking from Dhulikhel to Nagarkot

Photo opportunity with Deepak

Toast and potatoes - Breakfast at Nagarkot

Eggs and Vegetables - Breakfast at Nagarkot

Beach ball for break time at village school

Oragami session

Teeth brushing techniques

A group shot with ethnic costumes from Singapore

How about a cake to celebrate the success of the trip?

Jake receiving his participation certificate from Deepak

The result of this trip - a brand new volleyball court

Kent Ridge Secondary School was in Nepal for their service learning trip in November 2008. If you have read about their trip and viewed the trip photos on our website www.nepalexplore.com , take a peek into those behind-the-scenes shots here. Our Singaporean students and teachers are really a great bunch of people to be with!

The All-About-Nepal Dinner at Vince's

Deepak and Angie engrossed in the Mustang trip discussion

Gift from Angie - Beautiful painting of Annapurna Range

Our talked-about out of print book - 'East of Lo Monthang'

Deepak and I were invited to dinner at Vince's place at Bt Timah tonight. It was a joy to get together with everyone after so long. It reminded me of the first dinner we had at Angie's about a year ago when Deepak was planning their Everest Base Camp Trek and Panchase Trek in Nepal. Thereafter we met up for dinner at Shin's place after the trek.Tonight we had gathered again to conclude the Mustang/Jomson Trek which Angie, Don, Grace and Chia Chi are going for this May. Deepak also had an intensive discussion with Shin about a group painting trip to Nepal. Shin does wonderful water colour painting and it would be her second trip to Nepal to paint. We were all reminiscing about our last Nepal trip as we flipped through Vince's album and our Island Peak album.

I also brought back 2 very interesting books - Mastering Light & Shade in Watercolour by Mr Ong Kim Seng and East of Lo Monthang - In the Land of Mustang by Peter Matthiessen kindly loaned to us by Shin and Angie respectively. According to Shin, Mr Ong is famed for his paintings which he did in Nepal. Indeed, when I flipped through the gorgeous hard cover book, the paintings of the Nepalese architecture and daily lives stood out. And it was love at first sight when I set eyes on Angie's book on Mustang. First of all, the book is already out of print which makes it really precious (well, at least for all of us Mustang fans) and what more, who can resist the gorgeous photographs when you turn the pages?

The icing on the cake must be the gift from Angie - a painting of the Annapurna range in West Nepal. I had mentioned over the last luncheon that I loved a painting of the Everest by popular Nepalese painter D Ram but did not managed to get it. This gift from Angie more than makes up the regret I had, simply because it is a gift from a very special friend. Thank you so much Angie. The painting is now sitting nicely on our pink wall. It's a great piece to have for our nice cozy living room!

Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) at ITB Asia Singapore 2008

NTB officials and participants at NTB Booth (Deepak on extreme left).

NTB Booth

Edwin Siew at NTB booth

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) exhibited at one of Asia's premier travel trade show ITB Asia held in Singapore from 22 - 24 October 2008. Deepak and I were busy at the tradeshow floor promoting Nepal as a travel destination at the NTB booth. It was a hectic three days event with lots of follow-up work everyday after the show ended. The interesting thing was, at this trade show meant for trade visitors, we spoke to many who were enquiring about Nepal for their personal trips! I guess Nepal still stirs in the hearts of many as THE destination to visit once in their lifetime. And for those who have been, only they know why they kept returning. We were happy to play host to Deepak's colleagues from the NTB Kubil and Hikmat. They both loved Singapore food! It was also to meet Edwin who came to visit everyone at the booth. Edwin was one of the member of the first Singapore Mt Everest Expedition Team to summit Mt Everest on 25 May 1998. The show was a success for the NTB as we managed to raise awareness of Nepal's tourism scene to many agents who visited and participated at the show. Having returned from the Island Peak Expedition ourselves in early October, it was a joy for Deepak to share his climbing experience at the booth. We are looking forward to the next ITB Asia where we can create greater awareness about Nepal's political stability and travel highlights!