1989 School Magazine

JaPan TriP Back Row (ttoR) S. Seery, V. McConnel, F. Penlecost, M. Cooke, L. Hensby, D. Kennedy, G. Dee, l. Hadgraft, Mrs W. Campbell, Mrs M. Campbell Front Row N. Grimley, S. Clarke, L. Wong, l. McMenamin, B. Lulon, A. Robinson, J. Waite, C. Thompson, P. Whalan, E. McBride, S. Maslen, Mr T. Miwa

NEPAL TRIP

Views were spectacular - the Annapurnas, Machapuchari and Manaslu, all over 7,800 metres. (We reached only 2800 m. but this is well above the highest point in Australia.) Small paddy fields clung to steep slopes and the path passed through rhododendron forests sprinkled with wild flowers. Memories of iodine-free water, chocolate and real beds invaded our thoughts from time to time and I found I enjoyed walking with Bruce, the father of the family we had become. After a night at Pokhara we took to our rafts on the Trisuli River with a group from Churchie, for a day and a half of alternating fear and exhilaration. Having briefly lost Kirrily overboard in the monstrous rapid appropriately named "Upset", Anna stated that she earnestly believed that if Cod had intended us to ride dangerous rapids to the yell of "Paddle Forward", He would have given us fins. Next we travelled by local truck to Chitwan where we were to walk and ride elephants in search of one-horned rhinoc- eros and tiger. Jungle lsland Camp - an oasis of hot showers and toilets that flushed - was tucked into the forest beside the river and reached by dugout canoes.

For three weeks in January this year an intrepid group of nine from the school community, together with Back Track Expeditions leader John Cray and his wife, Meredith, braved the wilds of Nepal. For anyone who has been to Nepal before, the chaos of Kathmandu Airport is expected bLrt for most of us it was the first of many culture shocks. We wan- dered somewhat dazed for a day or so in Kathmandu which smells different from all other cities. lt took time to adjust to bartering, to the beggars, the narrow streets and to tiny shops selling everything from ready-made false teeth to exotic jewellery. On Monday with our gear and Sherpa guides we set off for the bus trip to Begnus Tal - our first camp was in a paddy field. We were not to see another vehicle for eight days. The foothills of the Himalayas are huge and next day the way was up, and up. Days followed a pattern - early morn- ing'bed tea', a bowl of warm washing water, breakfast, then off walking for perhaps three hours, a leisurely lunch, then another couple of hours till camp was reached, tents already up, bags piled nearby, afternoon tea soon appeared, more washing water, later a three course meal followed by games of cards with some of the Sherpas.

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