The World Challenge team arrived back safely at Newcastle airport late last night to a lovely warm reception from their families. It was the best feeling in the world!
Emotions were running high, but what else would you expect after a month away!
What else can I say but VERY WELL DONE EVERYONE, FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND SO PROUD OF YOU ALL!
Enjoy the rest of your summer break :)
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Awe & Wonder!
Having arrived in Agra yesterday afternoon we settled into our new hostel pretty quickly.
First impressions; Agra seemed to be like most towns we'd travelled through, lots of poverty, rubbish piled on the road sides, stray dogs and cattle roaming the streets and roads clogged with traffic, tuk tuks, bicycles and buses with people sitting on the tops.Water buffalo's wallowing in the mud and rubbish, barbers on the road side, children playing on mounds of debris and filth! It's quite emotional taking all this in as you travel through in the bus.
We were told by our guide not to go outside on our own, so we stayed in the confines of our hostel for the evening. To be honest we were tired out after all the travelling. Humidity was very high and the temperature was high 30's.Phew pretty sticky!! Cold showers were a godsend.
Today we have been so lucky to have visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World- the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.
It was everything we expected and more! It looked so serene and beautiful. Needless to say we were snap happy with our cameras and took endless photographs, sitting on the seat 'Lady Diana' had sat on. Our guide took some funny and unusual photographs, which we will show you on our return!
We experienced some of the monsoon weather today too and got wet through at the Red Fort-it was quite refreshing though!
It is our last night in Agra and tomorrow morning we will move on to Delhi; another six hour coach journey. We are going to be staying next to the airport so that on Saturday we don't have too far to travel.
Our month away has flown over, we have experienced so many different situations, coped with new challenges and built new friendships. We are a very fortunate group of people to have travelled this far across the world and we hope everyone back in the UK will look forward to hearing all about our experiences and looking at our many photographs!!
I know we are all looking forward to coming back and to enjoying our home comforts once again.
Till Saturday we'll say 'cheerio' and see you at Newcastle airport about 10.00pm :)
First impressions; Agra seemed to be like most towns we'd travelled through, lots of poverty, rubbish piled on the road sides, stray dogs and cattle roaming the streets and roads clogged with traffic, tuk tuks, bicycles and buses with people sitting on the tops.Water buffalo's wallowing in the mud and rubbish, barbers on the road side, children playing on mounds of debris and filth! It's quite emotional taking all this in as you travel through in the bus.
We were told by our guide not to go outside on our own, so we stayed in the confines of our hostel for the evening. To be honest we were tired out after all the travelling. Humidity was very high and the temperature was high 30's.Phew pretty sticky!! Cold showers were a godsend.
Today we have been so lucky to have visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World- the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.
It was everything we expected and more! It looked so serene and beautiful. Needless to say we were snap happy with our cameras and took endless photographs, sitting on the seat 'Lady Diana' had sat on. Our guide took some funny and unusual photographs, which we will show you on our return!
We experienced some of the monsoon weather today too and got wet through at the Red Fort-it was quite refreshing though!
It is our last night in Agra and tomorrow morning we will move on to Delhi; another six hour coach journey. We are going to be staying next to the airport so that on Saturday we don't have too far to travel.
Our month away has flown over, we have experienced so many different situations, coped with new challenges and built new friendships. We are a very fortunate group of people to have travelled this far across the world and we hope everyone back in the UK will look forward to hearing all about our experiences and looking at our many photographs!!
I know we are all looking forward to coming back and to enjoying our home comforts once again.
Till Saturday we'll say 'cheerio' and see you at Newcastle airport about 10.00pm :)
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
En route to taj Mahal, Agra
We3 left the hippy town of Manali and travelled overnight by coach reaching Delhi at 6.00am this morning!
At present e are in the reservation centre awaiting our coach to Agra!
At present e are in the reservation centre awaiting our coach to Agra!
Monday, 1 August 2011
Rest & Relaxation-at last!!
R&R is now well underway; no more camping and trekking over high passes, getting washed in the freezing streams of Ladakh and eating rice, noodles and dal morning, noon and night!Don't get me wrong, we loved everything about the trekking phase but after 12 days we were so looking forward to a proper shower and bed!
What can i say about Manali, it's in the foothills of the Himalayas, this side of the range is completely different, lush vegetation, very green, much more moisture and humid. The town is very busy with the main street running just outside our guest house.You can imagine we are quite conspicuous amongst the locals, especially our fair skinned blonde haired Challengers!However everyone is coping well with all the attention and probably loving every moment!
We spent a lovely morning in Old Manali; we all shared a tuk tuk to get there. Haha our driver was avoiding the dogs, cows and old ladies crossing the road, we felt like we were in a car rally- really good fun!
Old Manali is very different from where we are staying, so much quieter, no-one in your face getting you to buy whatever, loads of hippy style shops to improve our bartering skills and what did i see immediately - A DREADED SNAKE CHARMER WITH A YELLOW COBRA! Whaooo ! was away up the hill without another glance back!
The group bought clothing and presents for themselves, families and friends. It was a really relaxing morning, getting the feel for this new part of India.
Tomorrow afternoon we are moving on from Manali on the overnight coach to Delhi, about 14 hours travelling. However this should be a different experience as the group have booked a luxury coach with reclining seats. Let's hope so-fingers crossed! From Delhi we hope to book a 6 hr coach journry to Agra- Taj Mahal.
We couldn't visit Northern India without going to this World Heritage site.
Will keep you all posted!
Thank you for your comments, it's so good to know you are following our progress!
What can i say about Manali, it's in the foothills of the Himalayas, this side of the range is completely different, lush vegetation, very green, much more moisture and humid. The town is very busy with the main street running just outside our guest house.You can imagine we are quite conspicuous amongst the locals, especially our fair skinned blonde haired Challengers!However everyone is coping well with all the attention and probably loving every moment!
We spent a lovely morning in Old Manali; we all shared a tuk tuk to get there. Haha our driver was avoiding the dogs, cows and old ladies crossing the road, we felt like we were in a car rally- really good fun!
Old Manali is very different from where we are staying, so much quieter, no-one in your face getting you to buy whatever, loads of hippy style shops to improve our bartering skills and what did i see immediately - A DREADED SNAKE CHARMER WITH A YELLOW COBRA! Whaooo ! was away up the hill without another glance back!
The group bought clothing and presents for themselves, families and friends. It was a really relaxing morning, getting the feel for this new part of India.
Tomorrow afternoon we are moving on from Manali on the overnight coach to Delhi, about 14 hours travelling. However this should be a different experience as the group have booked a luxury coach with reclining seats. Let's hope so-fingers crossed! From Delhi we hope to book a 6 hr coach journry to Agra- Taj Mahal.
We couldn't visit Northern India without going to this World Heritage site.
Will keep you all posted!
Thank you for your comments, it's so good to know you are following our progress!
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Trek Phase in the Bag!!
Hello everyone!
I won't write all about the trek as it will take too long!
It was the most amazing 12 days ever.
We all survived the high passes, dealt with altitude sickness, delhi belly and whatever was thrown at us.
We are the first team so far this summer to have successfully completed the Markha Valley trek. HOW GOOD IS THAT!!
I am so proud of the Challengers they have shown true grit, commitment and enthusiasm even when the going was tough. I think it's probably the most amazing challenge i have undertaken and i feel so humbled to have shared it with the students from The Hermitage. They are a FANTASTIC group of young people and i know they are looking forward to sharing their news with you in september.
It is now Saturday and we have spent the last 2 days travelling from Leh through the Great Himalaya Mountain Range down to Manali by coach. The journey was the longest ever and we were so pleased when we arrived this afternoon.The road if you can call it that, took us over the highest motorable road in the world, through a dessert, through streams, waterfalls and mud slopes. I think every bone is our bodies felt the wrath of that journey!! All part of the experience though.
Manali is chaotic, smelly and a hive of activity for hippies!We are here for 2 nights. Thats all for now, meeting up for some food with the team soon.
More news later.
I won't write all about the trek as it will take too long!
It was the most amazing 12 days ever.
We all survived the high passes, dealt with altitude sickness, delhi belly and whatever was thrown at us.
We are the first team so far this summer to have successfully completed the Markha Valley trek. HOW GOOD IS THAT!!
I am so proud of the Challengers they have shown true grit, commitment and enthusiasm even when the going was tough. I think it's probably the most amazing challenge i have undertaken and i feel so humbled to have shared it with the students from The Hermitage. They are a FANTASTIC group of young people and i know they are looking forward to sharing their news with you in september.
It is now Saturday and we have spent the last 2 days travelling from Leh through the Great Himalaya Mountain Range down to Manali by coach. The journey was the longest ever and we were so pleased when we arrived this afternoon.The road if you can call it that, took us over the highest motorable road in the world, through a dessert, through streams, waterfalls and mud slopes. I think every bone is our bodies felt the wrath of that journey!! All part of the experience though.
Manali is chaotic, smelly and a hive of activity for hippies!We are here for 2 nights. Thats all for now, meeting up for some food with the team soon.
More news later.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Acclimatisation phase begins
Saturday afternoon and we have completed two practice treks and survived!
Early start yesterday morning and began our trek just after 7.30 am before the heat of the day kicked in.We climbed up to Leh Palace winding our way through the streets and heading out towards the accent path. It was fairly steep all the way up and the views were stunning, Himalayas one side and the Caracorum (not sure if that's the correct spelling-sorry)mountains on the other side.Loads of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the sounds of the religious music(Fri is the sabboth day) travelling up to the tops of the mountains. We have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we are in India!Wierd feeling.
We were all breathing fast and could feel the effects of the altitude. Different challengers took turns in leading the group and we zig zagged up, using ropes to cross ridges and where challengers felt vulnerable. From the palace we continued up to one of the stupas, here you could see into the next valley and across towards the river indus. Lots of group photos to mark the occasion. Lunch on the top and then the decent down which was even harder on the kness!
We arrived back at the REWA centre early afternoon, packed up our tents & sacks and headed back to the Oriental Guest House for the next 3 days. This was a bonus, real beds and proper showers, whoop whoop, we couldn't wait!
Today was very similar to yesterday but we trekked up the river bed and round to another stupa. Both days we have trekked to just under 4000meters. Fantastic achievement and all challengers are embracing everything which is thrown at them. They have amazed me and I feel very privileged and proud to be given this opportunity too.
Tomorrow we have been invited to the REWA picnic for over 100 children, carers and their families. It's another early start as we have to be at the centre for 6.45am!We also have to prepare a puppet show and group dance! Ha ha how good!
Not sure if I'll be able to blog again until after the 12 day trek which begins on Monday. I wish Hermitage staff all the best for the last 4 days of term and hope everyone has a brilliant summer break.
The challengers are looking forward to sharing all their stories with you in the new term.
Will blog after the trek; we are really looking forward to it but also with some anticipation!
Early start yesterday morning and began our trek just after 7.30 am before the heat of the day kicked in.We climbed up to Leh Palace winding our way through the streets and heading out towards the accent path. It was fairly steep all the way up and the views were stunning, Himalayas one side and the Caracorum (not sure if that's the correct spelling-sorry)mountains on the other side.Loads of colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the sounds of the religious music(Fri is the sabboth day) travelling up to the tops of the mountains. We have to pinch ourselves to remind us that we are in India!Wierd feeling.
We were all breathing fast and could feel the effects of the altitude. Different challengers took turns in leading the group and we zig zagged up, using ropes to cross ridges and where challengers felt vulnerable. From the palace we continued up to one of the stupas, here you could see into the next valley and across towards the river indus. Lots of group photos to mark the occasion. Lunch on the top and then the decent down which was even harder on the kness!
We arrived back at the REWA centre early afternoon, packed up our tents & sacks and headed back to the Oriental Guest House for the next 3 days. This was a bonus, real beds and proper showers, whoop whoop, we couldn't wait!
Today was very similar to yesterday but we trekked up the river bed and round to another stupa. Both days we have trekked to just under 4000meters. Fantastic achievement and all challengers are embracing everything which is thrown at them. They have amazed me and I feel very privileged and proud to be given this opportunity too.
Tomorrow we have been invited to the REWA picnic for over 100 children, carers and their families. It's another early start as we have to be at the centre for 6.45am!We also have to prepare a puppet show and group dance! Ha ha how good!
Not sure if I'll be able to blog again until after the 12 day trek which begins on Monday. I wish Hermitage staff all the best for the last 4 days of term and hope everyone has a brilliant summer break.
The challengers are looking forward to sharing all their stories with you in the new term.
Will blog after the trek; we are really looking forward to it but also with some anticipation!
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Project Phase-mission accomplished!
'Jollay' today, we have all finished our tasks liked to the REWA project. It's a lovely feeling and we are so proud of all the Challengers who have worked relentlessly to get everything finished on time.
The outside wall of the REWA centre looks amazing. The picture painted represents the hope the centre gives to the disabled children. The Challengers also put on a puppet show for the children and carers this morning. The last two days have seen lots of developments, brightly painted stones in the play area outside, a huge smiley face on a rock and butterflies hanging from a playground frame as well as tidying up the grounds.
Meanwhile at the old lady's house (whose name sounds like Grandpa)we have totally cleaned it out with bleach, painted the walls turquoise and white, passage way from the front door cleared out (all animal poo and goodness what!)Everywhere is so dusty dry and sandy, we have to wear bandanas over our faces to protect us and the heat is intense. We have also painted around her front door. Today, we put the finishing touches to the paint and put underlay and carpet down (Gerry you would be well impressed with the work we've done out here) and we also hung material on her ceiling to brighten it all up.
While all this tidy up has taken place 'Grandpa' has been sleeping outside under the shelter we put up, on her new mattress, blankets & pillow we bought. Our interpreter said she was very happy with her new looking house and would miss us all tomorrow. Bless her, she is a remarkable woman.We are humbled by this experience, that someone would allow us into their home and delve into their personal possessions and have faith that we would improve their living conditions!
If we can upload photos we will soon.
This is the end of our project phase and start acclimatisation phase tomorrow in preparation for the trek on Monday. We are still based on the REWA site and will have several treks of varying length over the next three days.
All is well out here, we are enjoying the veggie food, we have our cook, assistant and sherpas on site. They are looking after us really well.
We are getting used to icy cold, stand up bucket showers, it's amazing how we are all adapting to our new surroundings.
Its 6.20pm here, so heading back to the camp for our dinner. All the Challengers say hello to their families and friends. Please pass on our news to everyone.
The outside wall of the REWA centre looks amazing. The picture painted represents the hope the centre gives to the disabled children. The Challengers also put on a puppet show for the children and carers this morning. The last two days have seen lots of developments, brightly painted stones in the play area outside, a huge smiley face on a rock and butterflies hanging from a playground frame as well as tidying up the grounds.
Meanwhile at the old lady's house (whose name sounds like Grandpa)we have totally cleaned it out with bleach, painted the walls turquoise and white, passage way from the front door cleared out (all animal poo and goodness what!)Everywhere is so dusty dry and sandy, we have to wear bandanas over our faces to protect us and the heat is intense. We have also painted around her front door. Today, we put the finishing touches to the paint and put underlay and carpet down (Gerry you would be well impressed with the work we've done out here) and we also hung material on her ceiling to brighten it all up.
While all this tidy up has taken place 'Grandpa' has been sleeping outside under the shelter we put up, on her new mattress, blankets & pillow we bought. Our interpreter said she was very happy with her new looking house and would miss us all tomorrow. Bless her, she is a remarkable woman.We are humbled by this experience, that someone would allow us into their home and delve into their personal possessions and have faith that we would improve their living conditions!
If we can upload photos we will soon.
This is the end of our project phase and start acclimatisation phase tomorrow in preparation for the trek on Monday. We are still based on the REWA site and will have several treks of varying length over the next three days.
All is well out here, we are enjoying the veggie food, we have our cook, assistant and sherpas on site. They are looking after us really well.
We are getting used to icy cold, stand up bucket showers, it's amazing how we are all adapting to our new surroundings.
Its 6.20pm here, so heading back to the camp for our dinner. All the Challengers say hello to their families and friends. Please pass on our news to everyone.
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