Fresher's Week and Birthday

I have just had the most fantastic crazy freshers week. Tonight is my first night in for the whole week. Also yesterday was my birthday so meant an extra excuse for a huge partaaaay!! We all went out to Attic in Newcastle, wearing a cowboy hat in the photo...
I am absolutely loving Newcastle. The fact that lectures dont start till the 2nd week doesnt really apply for medics, so I've already had a number of academic lectures. We met our first patient and everything so far is so interesting. I cant wait...we have our first dissection on Monday - yay (i'm weird- i know!)
I'm probably not going to update blog much now, that is until I go traveling again, which I hope wont be too long.
Thanks for all those of you who have been closely following my travels, I hope you have enjoyed the reading, and hasn't made you too jealous!! he he!!

Taj Mahal, Agra

I have just been to visit the world famous Taj Mahal, and it's fame is well justified. I was there at 6am this morning when the golden light was just sprinkingly the east side in a faint light. Simply magical. As i stayed there over the next two hours the colours changed, it became brighter and more magnificent if only a slightly less magical.

I have spent so much of my time in the last few days travelling by train and yet again I head to Delhi this afternoon. It will be my last evening with Jim and Sian, as we go our separate ways tomorrow. They have been wonderful travel companions and I'm not sure I would have coped in India without them.

Varanasi, India

Well, I made it into India after an extreme day of travelling that started with a bus at 9am and finished with a train arriving at Varanasi at 4am the next morning. I am so glad I decided to come to India for a few days, because it is entirely different to any other country I have ever been in before. Immediately the traffic was hundred times worse, there were cows on the street and general chaos everywhere.

Varanasi has to be the dirtiest city I have ever been to, hopefully in the world. We found a haven of a guest house in misdt of the grime, so much so that during the 36 hours spent in Varanasi we spent the majority of it on the roof-top restaurant safely away from the dirt, smell and touts! The people are so harrassing, they ask you repeatedly if you want to go to their silk shop or in their rickshaw etc. Even the most friendly of them who you think are genuinely trying to help...ask you for money.

The level of the Ganges is extremely high at the moment which means that walking along the ghats (steps) on the riverside was impossible. This forced us to use the back streets to explore the city. Back streets barely 2m wide, cramed with stalls, people, beggers, cows, shit, rubbish and the smell was simply awful. I thought I had a strong stomach but it was pushed to its limits on a number of times. Sian and Jim thought it was hilarious when a cow pissed on me!

Despite all this, the city is remarkable. The ghats along the river are very pituresque (especially viewed from the safety of a boat!) and there are many hidden shrines and temples squeezed into the back streets. It was very interesting to watch the religious ceremonies, thousands of pilgrims visit the city. There were also many funeral processions which make their way to the "burning ghat" where the cremations take place daily, this happened to be very close to our guest house.

I was certainally thrown in the deep end with my first experience of India, and after 36 hours in Varanasi (it felt a hell of a lot longer) I felt it necessary to leave.

Chitwan National Park

We took a gamble on a 2 day prepaid all-inclusive trip to Chitwan National Park amd for an amazing $60, it was fabulous. The NP is in the south of Nepal bordering with India. It was the first time in 3 weeks we would not be at altitude and immediately we noticed the heat and humidity.

We took a early morning canoe ride floating downstream and it was a wonderful way to take in the peaceful atmosphere of the park. After the stresses and chaos in Kathmandu it was a perfect way to relax. We were also lucky to see both species of crocodile by the banks.

Our expert guide took us for a walk through the jungle which was a great way to get a feel for the habitat. We saw monkeys swinging from trees high above but not much else, except for some fresh rhino footprints. This was quite worrying, since before we had started walking we were given safety procedures for meeting a rhino on foot which included climbing the nearest tree (and meeting a ). We had to cross a section of tall grass which due to the monsoon was completely overgrown (see picture), we wouldnt have been able to see the rhino if it was two metres away. Luckily our paths didnt cross.

Later that day, however, we did see two rhinos from the safety of an elephant. Elephant safari has to be the most sedate civilised manner to travel through the jungle. The rhinos seems very unalarmed by the presence of 3 tourists near by. Has we had just started our safari it decided to pour with rain, and I mean monsoon style. So within minutes we were drenched to the skin but it added to the atmosphere of the rainforest.

A highlight of the stay was the chance to wash our elephant in the river. This meant climbing on her back and attemped to hold on to the rough leathery skin whilst she sprayed us with water through her trunk. Actually I think we got more of a bath than she did!

In Kathmandu

Ok, in 3 days I have done more extreme sports than previously in my lifetime. Bungee Jump, Giant Canyon Swing, canyoning and white water rafting... All fantastic and out of this world. I'm just afraid I've got the extreme sport bug and i'm not going to get another fix.

I've been in Kathmandu for a couple of days now, I've had so many things to sort out that I havent done much sight seeing; hopefully tomorrow. Having said that I do know the restaurants, bars and clubs fairly well considering the amount of time I've been here (he he!).

My plans for the next few days have finally been decided and I have scrapped the idea of trekking because I dont have enough time, and I'll come back again and do it properly in the future. Instead I am going overland to Delhi taking 10 days, via Chitwan National Park (elephant safaris), Varanasi, Agra (Taj Mahal) and Delhi. I arrive in England on the evening of 15th eptemeber, which to be honest I'm quite looking forward to.

BUNGEE JUMP

The suspension bridge that I volunterally jumped off attached to a bungee!!! It was so incredible, the bridge is 160m high over a torrenting Bhote Kosi river, and jumping off was fantastic. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone with the opportunity. I'm afraid I dont have any great photos of my jump, (but I do have the DVD). Also Jim might have some photos on his blog, when he updates it.

This is our last bushcamp ever, between Everest Base Camp and the Nepali Border. I just thought there havent been any photos of camps or anything.

Mt Everest

This is our first glimpse at the world's highest mountain.

We arrived at Rongbruk Monastery (the highest monastery in the world) at 4pm, then some of us set off on foot to walk 8km to the first Everest Base Camp on the northern side, whilst others took quaint horse and carriages. The walk took two hours and despite being at 5000m+ I was surprised by how easy it was.


Our arrival at the Base Camp, was greeted by the smallest glimpse of the top of the mountain appearing out of the cloud. There was souch a great atmosphere at the camp, because for many people this was the highlight of the trip. The Base Camp is a collection of fixed tents which offer bedding for the night. The Tibetan families who lived and ran the "guest houses" were extrememly friendly.

The morning came and with it a perfectly clear view of the whole peak. I just couldnt belive that I was looking at such a prestigious, famous mountain towering above us. Again we were all on such a high (literally!?) taking hundreds of photos, dancing celebratory jigs and singing. Half of the time though, I sat on my own staring, in disbelief of how lucky I am to have the opportunity of seeing Mt EVEREST!!!

Isnt it beautiful? I'm am so blatently a Ferraro!