In message <[log in to unmask]> "Ahmad Risk" wrote:
> > In November I'm off on a trip to Nepal - partly hotels but mainly
> > walking/camping.
>
> Probably the best time of year to go to Nepal. Post-monsoon, good
> visibility but not quite in bloom which can be spectacular (Spring
> time, poor visibility).
Plenty of trekkers around, however. October is ace if you hit lucky
with the weather.
> > I know from others' past experience that amoebic dysentery is a
> > problem so I wondered what people thought of this advice culled
> > from a Web site on travel in India?
>
> The advice is basically OK (apart from the spelling of
> metronidazole!).
>
> This is usually caused by giardia lamblia. Easily treated with
> metro. I would suggest 400mg three times a day for a week. No
> alcohol.
Tinidazole seems to have fewer side effects. From personal
experience lager is feasible. Interestingly the most prominent
brand in Nepal is Beck's !
> Things to watch out for in Nepal:
>
> 1. In Kathmandu, avoid staying in Thamel if you can.
"Sita Home" in Thamel was OK; and only 4 quid a night.
> 2. If you are going to Pokhara (recommended anyway), try to fly
> there. Journey by bus is 9 back and bum breaking hours!
Good advice if you have the money. RTAs kill far more tourists than
trekking or climbing.
> 3. In Pokhara, find the Trekkers Retreat (wonderful name for aging
> old GPs, ain't it?).
> 4. Probably the most enjoyable trek is from Pokhara up to
> Goripani(10,000 feet alt.) and a coronary inducing 1000 feet climb
> from Goripani straight up at 3 in the morning up Poon Hill to watch
> dawn from the top (Annapurna III and Fish Tail), well worth the
> effort.
> 5. From Goripani, you cross an enormous gorge to a place called
> Gandruk (I think).
> 6. In Gandruk, find the "Panorama Inn" at the top. Run by an
> ex-Gurkha and familiy. The view from the garden is out of this
> world.
This is a 3 - 4 day trek. You can do Annapurna base camp in 10, or
round-Annapurna in 16 - 20 (v. hard work). You need at least 3 weeks
for Everest base camp unless you're super fit.
> 7. Don't pack too much. Most stuff is available for hire in
> Kathmandu(sleeping bag etc.). Travel light as you will be travelling
> along the footpath highways of the Nepalese themselves. You walk
> till the next village where you have a clean bed and a gorgeous
> breakfast of corn bread and porridge all for, well, very little.
> 8. Be gentle with the environment. 80% of Nepal energy comes from
> burning wood. Trekkers consume whole hillsides of it just to have a
> romantic fire at night.
> 9. Do not leave loo paper hanging off trees!
> 10. Be gentle with the Nepalese. They are one of the most gentle
> people I know. They will beat themselves down in price if you haggle
> too hard so as not to offend!
> 11. Remember: out of every 20 USdollars spent in the villages, only
> 3 dollars remain in that village.
> 12. Ask about the day trip hikes from Kathmandu and Pokhara. They
> are well worth it.
> 13. Take mug shots of you. You need them for the trekking pass. Be
> prepared to hang around for hours for one.
> 14. Do not forget mountain sickness. Be well hydrated all the time.
> Any sign of mountain sickness, come down. Usually at alts beyond
> 10-15,000 feet but depends on individual.
>
> Finally: have a great trip. It is one of the most endearing places
> in the world, the mountains make you feel really small and the
> people are on small doses of hash all the time, makes them really
> mellow and friendly. Pizza, lasagna and choc fudge brownies are
> great in Kathmandu. On trekking, dahl, rice and bread.
Yep. One of the best places anywhere.
Trims.
________________________________________________________________________
Dr Ian Trimble email: [log in to unmask]
Sherwood Health Centre
Elmswood Gardens Tel: +44 115 962 4516
Nottingham NG5 4AD Fax: +44 115 985 7899
________________________________________________________________________
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|
