Tamba Kosi

Although I had paddled my last river of the year the boys were yet to paddle theirs. We just had to get there! The trip had split up with two guides staying with Michelle so that she could paddle the Bhote Kosi and the boys could do a harder river. 

The journey was to take us up the mountain and I went along for the road trip. It was a fairly painful journey with my head hurting with the bumpy roads and shaky bus however it was nice to see the scenery. There was great views of some high mountains and we passed through several pretty villages along the way. That is until the bus suddenly stopped. Again this was to be another "6 hour journey" that turned into more! Luckily however we had a mechanic on board who was able to help to save the day. That was for a few hundred meters until the bus stopped again. We got it started and another few hundred meters and you guessed it - it stopped again. Luckily we were in a town at the top of the mountain and we were able to get the bus to a garage.

 We all offloaded to go have a toilet stop and for the boys a beer - and the mechanics had got it started again. So we set off on the way again. Shortly after leaving and heading down the mountain - again the engine cut out again - this time it had got dark so out came the head tourches and the on board mechanic set to work again. As we were facing downhill the plan to start it was for one of the boys to run in front with a head tourch and the other boys to push the bus to jump start it - luckily the bus started and we didn't need this plan but when in Nepal who knows what will happen. 

The rest of the journey was again fairly uneventful although a slight scare happened when a motorcycleist smashed our wing mirror - at least he didn't collide with the bus as we ha already killed a dog (I don't think any of us would have been happy if we had killed a person!). 

We however did eventually reach our destination for the night a small house of which the 9 of us would sleep upstairs. It was very basic accomadation a room with a tin roof a bed and not much else although it was enough for us for one night. After a short lay down for me because my head my in so much pain from all the travelling we had our nightly dal Bhat and then it was time for some rest. They boys were to have a big day ahead of them the next day. 

The boys were to set off early and after some noodles for breakfast they got geared up and ready to start paddling. I was to spend the day with the bus and the boys that were with the bus. The river to start with looked fairly flat and calm with nothing to worry about. That was to change however but they left feeling happy and excited for the paddle ahead. 

We started the drive to the get out and stopped along the way at what we though was the first major rapid. Whilst we were waiting some villagers stopped and asked me what had happened to my head - with my limited Nepali and no English from them photos on my mobile showed them followed by some nodding and more Nepali being spoken that was pretty much it apart from the bus driver explaining to them when they asked them. 

The boys were soon in sight and they seemed to be caught off guard by the rapid that was to come. Soon enough they were at the side inspecting the rapid deciding which way they were to go. Soon they were off and our view of them was gone. We later discovered that there was a group of people burning a body by the river who all stopped watching the person burn and were watching the boys go down the rapid. 

Again we stopped further down the river at an even bigger rapid - it turned out to be the same rapid. They had got out and scouted a lot by the stories from the boys and at this point three of the boys walked off the river and joined us on the bus. The rest of it the two Nepali guides - shamba and paddy had then decided just to say to the English boys - follow us and they made quicker progress. 

At the end when we all joined up again the boys were in high spirits and they had  all enjoyed themselves! Now it was time to load up the bus with the boats and head back to meet Michelle and the other two boys. Apart from some interesting banter then bus journey was uneventful. Soon the whole group was back together and the journey continued through to kathmandu. We arrived around 10pm plenty of time to get changed and ready to see the new year in. There were thousands of people however and making the way through the crowd to get to the office was quite hard and again by this time my head was hurting lots so it was time for a lay down - which turned into sleep - missing the new year come in - again for the second year in a row!?! 

Overall it was a good trip and chance to paddle some different rivers and see different parts of Nepal. 

Rivers and rescue of a different kind...

It was once again time to travel to kathmandu - Fortunantly it was only for one night before we would be leaving again. We jumped on the bus at fishling with the rest of the guides and clients for the multi river trip. They had lost a couple of people so there was a girl called Michelle and five lads plus the guides. They all seemed like a good laugh although a little fed up of being on the bus - but the beer was helping them through it! 

We arrived in kathmandu fairly late, after unloading the bus, eating some food other than dal Bhat  and sleeping - it was time to load up the bus again and set off to the east and start our journey. It took us a while to get out of kathmandu - we all thought they were looking for oil with stopping at every petrol station but it turned out it was diesel - there was a fuel shortage which had just happened that morning apparently! Soon though we were able to fill the tank and we were underway on our journey. 

We arrived at our lodgings for the night which was situated on the bhote kose not too far away from the confluence where the bhalefi joins. After some lunch it was time to get on the river - on the way up to the bhalefi the journey again was not without event. A dog had run in front of the bus and unfortunatly that was the last time it would ever run again - although it was a stray it happened in front of several young children. I guess these things just happen.

The river itself was from the begining fairly fast and filled with lots of rocks - so a lot of dodging was to be done - the guide boom described the river as a kayakers dream river with boulder gardens, beautiful blue water and fast water. It definatly fitted the description with lots of non stop action and rapids to run some harder than others. The biggest drop on the river and I walked around this rapid with paddy running my boat down for me - which I was more than happy with. 

We were padding fairly quickly as there wasn't much time for stopping with rapid following rapid which was fun catching nice lines through the boulders. Until near the end - unfortunantly I managed to land on top of a boulder and drop into a hole - which I stayed up for some time until I got flipped - no issues I went to set up for a roll and then bang - my head had hit a rock hard, under the water. Time to pull the deck as I couldn't think at that moment - maybe I should have tried to roll but the force that my head hit the rock I wanted air as soon as possible. Paddy was right there to rescue me so I grabbed the front of his boat. And he started paddling me to the side - which was when I said to him "sorry I didn't roll I hit my head on a rock" to which he replied "it's ok, hold on your bleeding". 

It was then I put my hand to my head and saw the blood - mixed with the water it seemed like there was loads. When I got to the side I started to panic a little as I couldn't see what had happened I just knew that it hurt. Thankfully the English guys had some first aid stuff with them and after a quick bandage up, short ferry glide across the river, paddy and me walked up to the road to the bus - we were only approx half a kilometre away from the end but I did not want to get back into the boat. 

I got taken to the hospital and there they asked "what kind of doctor would you like?" And stated the rip off prices that they wanted to charge. I didn't know about this until afterwards but a phone call later and we had a doctor to see me. This doctor cleaned me up, gave me some local anesthetic and then two stitches. The cut was down to the bone apparently which was pretty impressive! I only had to pay for the medicines and what they used. Overall it wasn't a bad experience. Although the headache and black eye that were to follow the next few  days would be a reminder of the rock I had a fight with. 

Christmas in Nepal

So it's Christmas. It doesn't feel like it. Like I found in India Christmas isn't really a big deal over here - mostly only for the tourists. Places like kathmandu and Pokhara where a lot of western tourists hang out offer Christmas menu's which was nice to see. 

We were to spend a few days in pokhara which was a nice change of scenery. Christmas Day itself was beautiful and sunny and started with an English breakfast! Winner! Bacon and eggs always goes down well for my breakfast! The rest of the day was pretty relaxed walking around the lake and having some chai - looking around a few of the shops and then skyping my parents. 

Although I wanted it to be a suprise for my mum - she read the what's app messages I sent to my dad's phone and guessed! Way to go spoil a suprise! It was the first time I had skyped them since arriving in Nepal at the start of November. There is was Christmas morning and both my parents, my Aunty Pam & uncle stu plus George and will were there. It was really good to talk to them all and see my home again! I always  enjoyed Christmas and I was always the little elf that gave everyone their presents and for the second year running it wasn't me. Last year they made Hannah George's girlfriend do it and this year it became wills turn so hopefully he did a good job. 

Santa on the other hand didn't get the message I was in pokhara so apart from a small chocolate bar from my sweet raft guide that was it! Who needs presents anyway! 

That evening we headed to Silk Road and met up with a few of our kayak friends - the group ranged from Nepali guides, English kayakers, and girls from New Zealand, Poland and the USA. It was a good night full of happiness and of course beer and a BBQ! 

The next day it was time to leave pokhara and head back to fishling as our next kayaking adventures were to start in a few days. 

Rescue time!

Once back in fishling we had kind of two days before we were to meet up with the multi river guys. This gave chance for more kayaking - mostly playing on the wave for paddy and some more rolling practise for myself. There were a few kids that had been trying to kayak and trying to roll but failing and no one was there to help coach them. At least they were trying close to the side and in mostly shallow water. 

The day we were to go to kathmandu in the morning however I went down to the river and got in my boat to warm up and there was someone sat on the other side of the bank. It turned out it was one of the kids from the day before and he had paddled upstream flipped, bailed out the boat and lost both the boat and the paddle and was stuck on the other side of the river. He had tried to swim across apparently but had been unsuccessful. So I went to rescue him when I got closer he just said "help me!" Which I was impressed at as he at least attempted to speak English to me! So after a rescue mission it was time to carry on with practise time. 

From the Himalaya to the highlands and back again

So, it's nearly the end of the year. Wow it feels like yesterday that I was in India and slept through the new year celebrations. However I was ill and the kidney stones I had recently been diagnosed with meant that celebrations would be of the non alcoholic variety anyway. 

It's been a fantastic year really, starting off in the Indian himalaya (which I recently found out that 'hima' means snow and 'laya' means abode or home) then travels took me to Goa and Mumbai with Paddy. This holiday was fantastic and allowed me to experience more of India - namely travel on long distance trains, beaches, cities, crowds and quieter communities. 

Upon returning from the trip more experience of Delhi and rishikesh was to be had where I entered my first white water kayaking competition. Although the female category was under represented it did allow me to place second and win some prizes. I also met a lot of people and a lot of good kayakers over the two days who I may or may not encounter again. 

Although, I was having a great time experiencing new programs and treks in various locations. frustrations where starting to develop with the work and peoples views on my relationship with Paddy. Instead of getting frustrated it was time to do something about it - namely leave the company and India. This decision was particularly hard as I don't like quitting and I was uncertain where this would take me although with the summer season in the uk approaching and a secured job offer oh made sense to earn some money again. 

So it was back to the uk I went, not without a little stress and drama. I nearly missed my flight for apparently overstaying my visa as I hadn't registered my stay at the registry office - a little stress and a small fine later I was on the. Plane. I remember sitting on the plane for the whole journey wanting it to be turned around and wanting to stay - that didn't happen though and I was soon back in the cold! 

It was good to see the parents and Bedfordshire for a little while before I commenced the long drive up to Scotland - well it wasn't just Scotland it was Inverness right up in the highlands. It would turn out to be an interesting summer - I rented a room in a house with a lovely gay couple living in it in a small village with no shop. Both of the his were great and I enjoyed living there the house was always clean and the occasional cooked meal was always apprieciated. 

It was the start of my time up in Scotland where I undertook my raft guide training course. This course was great with a bunch of lads and all with different motivations. This course would hopefully make it a little easier for me and Paddy to be together. It was enjoyable despite to cold weather and water which I was not used to at all! 

Working was just as interesting, a small team of staff and I was the only female instructor - again. It didn't matter though and many adventures were to be had from canoeing down the Spey, gorge walking, to driving to some amazing remote locations within the highlands to pick up or drop off kit for the hire people. Getting lost up in the highlands was something that happened fairly frequently  - although the use of sat nav helped me greatly to avoid this most of the time. 

Leaving Scotland would be hard as good friendships had been made and it's beautiful up there - however plans had been made to return home for just over a month. This month at home would see we spend most of my days either with my parents or flat water kayaking. My evenings were mostly spent delivering pizza's. My career as a delivery driver was fairly fun for the most part although late nights and hard to find addresses where the annoyances in my fairly Unstressful life. 

My life was getting a little more stressful trying to pack paddling gear and a boat so that I could fly with it. Eventually it got sorted alright and no extra charges made it a bonus and I was back to the himalaya this time though it would be nepal. 

What an introduction I had to nepal, one night in kathmandu, then travel to the Trishuli for a bit of kayaking and then off to the tamur, which included a trek and some rafting with some great people. Then back to kathmandu and the Trishuli for the white water competition. Other travels took us to pokhara, chitwan and to visit his family in a small village. 

Now it's Christmas in pokhara and after a short Skype with my parents, Aunty and uncle and George and will for the first time since I had been out here we had fun with the kayak crew. Although it didn't feel very Christmassy it was nice to enjoy some time off the river with friends which had been made during my time here so far. 

I realise that I've been very fortunant this year and the oppourtunities that have got me back with my little man in this strange yet amazing country have been apprieciated. I am thankful to those who I have met along the way that have helped me, put up with my banter and moaning at times. 

Looking to the new year I am hoping that it too will bring some great oppourtunities for me to grow and develop. I am also looking forward to more adventures along the way whatever they may bring, along with being reunited with friends who have been missed. There is also the marriage of my brother to his fiancé to look forward to - the union of these two will reunite and bring together our family from the country to spend some time together. Hopefully this year although may be a struggle a times for certain members of the family hopefully good health and happiness will push through. 

Although It again was a dry new year due to splitting my head open but that's another post it was still a great end to an amazing year here's to another great year to come. 

Clinic of the kayak variety

After chitwan a few days of kayaking followed - more race training, rolling practise and a bit of river running on the Trishuli with a kayak clinic from another company. There was a few boys who were learning how to kayak and we were able to run the upper section of river with them. There was a raft with us on the first day and they were enjoying themselves. One of the boys from the kayak clinic capsized a couple of times and swam which I don't think he enjoyed as he ended up not kayaking the following day. 

The following day we had two girls who joined us and they too again had a couple of swims but they were in good spirits and enjoyed themselves. I ran 'upset' both of these times as although it was not the main line I still felt like I had pushed myself a little. The waters big and although there isn't many rocks there are big holes in some of the rapids which I don't really want to get caught up in. Overall it was a really good couple of days kayaking and my confidence on the bigger water has definatly got better. 

We were to spend the next few days at kuringhat with a lovely girl called mili who had booked on to learn how to kayak. Getting her to learn the basics was good as she wanted to learn and soon she was going upside down trying to learn how to roll. The next day she was to run some rapids and I stayed at camp to let Anil one of the GRG boys helping to cook have the chance as I had already run the section a couple of times. Mili did really well - Anil however had a couple of swims but enjoyed himself anyway. The last day of the clinic and we ran the section from fishling down to kuringhat. There was just us two girls and paddy. It went well and we had the chance to roll in the flat water which was good as I managed to roll successfully by myself a handful of times it felt like a lightbulb moment where things had clicked and were working well and easily! It felt like a small break through to me anyway! 

Soon though it was time to depart after being joined by a group of English people who were doing a multi river trip program over the next few days. They were heading to pokhara next, mili and Anil were heading back to kathmandu and paddy and myself back to fishling. 

Overall we had a really good few days paddling with different people and different parts of the river. Lots of learning was involved and a little more confidence gained.