Hi Deepak & Alice,
All I can say is that I truly enjoyed myself in Nepal! Hearing from Noreen was one thing, doing it myself was another. I’m glad I made the decision to do it and to do it with Divine International. Divine staff (Deepak, Alice and Dhruba) were very professional in your services — Deepak and Alice have provided us with very good advice and tips during our pre-trip briefing and answered our many questions, while Deepak and Dhruba were quick to update us on the next course-of-action when we had an unexpected event during the trip.
Our 15 days holiday was well-organised and planned, but I particularly enjoyed and missed the 9 days of trek up to Jomson & Muktinath. The picturesque mountainous scenery in the Annapurna region was breath-taking and beyond words. Yes, the trek wasn’t easy and at times, rather tough for me, but all these were comforted by my incredible “superman” guide, Rinji. He is a GEM!!! He is ever so caring, patient, genuine, helpful and jovial — he really took good care of us, from his whistling and singing of Resham Firiri to distract us whenever I’m trailing behind or when we are all tired, to encouraging me to go slowly (“bistari bistari”), to helping out at the kitchen to ensure that we get our breakfast/lunch/dinner fast, to making sure we get a good room, have hot shower, and have an extra blanket to keep us warm at night. Even though we encountered a massive jam and delay in the first 2 days of our holiday, Rinji more than made up for it all, throughout our trek. Rinji is simply the best and I can return to Nepal to do any treks, if he is my guide!!! 🙂
Of course, I will not forget the rest of the trekking crew – Lakpa, Kumar and Karma. They are the sweetest and most helpful Nepalese boys who can carry loads much heavier than my daypacks and run faster than the jeeps!!! We would not have done it without their help with the backpacks, with leading the way at times and with their cheerfulness. They are equally great and I’m already missing them and their smiles. 🙁
Nepal is a remarkable country with spectacular scenery, rich culture and warm and friendly people. I will definitely return and perhaps attempt the Annapurna Base Camp, Everest Base Camp or complete the rest of the Annapurna Circuit on the other side, up to Thorung La Pass. But before I do that, I will really need to double-up my training for the next trek, so that I can walk faster than the first time 🙂
And finally, I’m grateful to Noreen for all her help, tips and advice and for encouraging me to visit Nepal and to do my virgin trek with Divine International and Rinji! It was a trip well worth it and no regrets at all!
Warmest Regards,
Sherilyn
Sherilyn Chua (Singapore)
15 Days Jomsom Muktinath Trek and Paragliding, Nepal
7 – 21 Oct 2009