I have written about my trip to Nepal and India.

I arrived in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, on 30th Sept.
Spent two days exploring the city.
Climbed the hundreds of steps to Monkey Temple and wandered around the small humid streets dodging the cars and bikes. 
After two days of exploring met the rest of the Intrepidtravel trip members 
- nine men and two other women - from the UK, Norway and Aus (one couple were even on their honeymoon).
Early on the 2nd Oct flew from Kathmandu to Lukla, the views from the plane were amazing.
It felt strange to be flying above the Himalayas at 3000 metres knowing that
our trek would take us more than 2000 meters higher ・yikes!
Lukla had a runway about 200 metres long going uphill.
Landing was an experience, tried not to think how we would take off on the way back.
Walked for three hours from Lukla to Pakding.
The weather was fairly mild initially ・t-shirt and shorts in the day was alright
BUT NOT FOR LONG!
Our nights were all spent in tea houses ・basic accommodation, sometimes with electricity and a hole in the ground (toilet).
Our group had four guides and four sherpa痴.
If I had to carry my own bag I do not think I would have made it
or I would have taken nothing with me and risked freezing to death!
Spent the next day walking to Namche Bazaar and stayed there the following day to acclimatize.
Namche is known as the Las Vegas of the Himalayas.
There are shops and electricity so lots of lights in the evenings. 
Whilst trekking to Tengboche the next day, the hills came alive.
From beyond the green the snow capped mountains started to loom up, way way up.
Amadablam mountain was visible by the side of us as we walked and appeared to stay there for days.
It was a huge mountain.
Visited Tengbouche Monastry and the Sherpa Heritage Foundation Museum. 
Dingbouche the next day took us well above the clouds.
Did a day hike to acclimatise the following day staying again in Dingbouche (to acclimatise you climb high then sleep low).
Loubouche the next day brought us even closer to the goal.
It really was a whole new world above the clouds.
Breathing was fairly rapid and shallow by this point due to the lack of oxygen.
It is very important not to rush, regardless of fitness level, to reduce your chances of altitude sickness.
It noticeably took a lot more effort to take each step higher up.
Day 8 was the day I will remember for the whole of my life.
Walked very early morning to Gorakshep (5140 metres).
Had breakfast and then hiked to Everest Base Camp.
Scrambled over rocks and glaciers.
Tough but worth every second.
Absorbed the feeling at Everest Base Camp.
Nothing much to see, two crashed helicopters, glaciers and the snow path leading up to Everest痴 summit.
Saw a mini avalanche.
Arrived back to Gorakshep late afternoon fully exhausted but so proud that I had made it. 
It was freezing cold and that was tough.
One night it had been minus 15 degrees centigrade and if you walked before the sun rose it was so cold.
But still so so worth it J 5am the next day climbed Kala Pathar (the mountain opposite Everest).
It was 5545 meters high.
It took about two hours to climb.
It was so cold that the water in my drinking tube froze and icicles formed on the top of my bobble hat.
Seeing the sun rise and shine on Everest and the other snow capped mountains was awesome, 
I cannot explain how I felt but yes my eyes filled up (must have been the coldness, not the fact I am a wimp ・honest).
At the top of Kala Pathar, just standing there feeling on top of the world absorbing every inch I looked at.
Took heaps of photos, none do justice to the actually being there but just capturing a fraction of the moment was amazing.
After an hour of elation made our way back down the mountain.
Stopped a lot to keep admiring the view, I knew that I may never come again, 
nothing would beat this experience and although my employers are good, 
asking for four months off to climb Everest would not be an option.
Walked to Dingboche later in the afternoon and then to Namche the following day.
Now we were on the way down, alcohol was allowed.
Clubbing over a mile high was an experience.
Namche had a club ・well smallish room with a pool table and a space for dancing.
The sound system was a discman hooked up to large speakers.
The music was very out of date but it was a fabulous night.
Spent the final night in Pakding again.
Runway experience was good, massive engine rev and then downhill then up up and away ・Thank God!
Celebrated our achievement with a meal and dance in Rum Doodle痴 a famous restaurant for trekkers.
Signed our names on a wooden foot and nailed it to the wall along with Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay signatures.
It was an amazing trip. No altitude sickness thankfully and fantastic people on the trip.
Thoroughly recommend it.
With half of my trip over it was time for the more relaxing part.
With the Gecko痴 company (mainly comprising of Aussies), 
had a tour in auto rickshaws (motorbike with a carriage) of Kathmandu on Oct 16th and 17th.
Visited Durbar Square (Temples, monasteries and shops) and Bodnath Stupa (biggest Buddhist shrine in the world).
Saw my first funeral pyres burning on the ghat (sort of platform) in the temple alongside the river edge.
Watched the ritual for the ceremony.
Rather disturbing a bit how they prepare the body and then set it alight, but interesting.
Travelled next to Chitwan National Park ・a must for anyone going to Nepal.
During the two day lodge stay, went on elephant safari to find crocodiles and rhino.
Went on a canoe ride and to the elephant orphanage.
Best thing of all though that I did was washing a elephant.
It was more that it washed me though!
I climbed on its back in the river and the elephant started squirting me.
It was great fun for both of us.
After crossing the chaotic Nepalese Indian border we spent a day travelling and then a day in Varanasi.
The City is situated on the banks of the Ganges River, so we saw lots of pilgrims whilst on out early morning boat ride,
bathing in the holy waters. 
Wandered around the back lanes and crowded alleyways of the city long with the boar, cows, goats, dogs, chickens and donkeys! 
Went by overnight train to Agra where we visited the Agra Fort and then the awesome Taj Mahal. 
Had my photo on the famous Princess Diana bench ・of course, 
I am such a tourist! Spent the next day in Bharatpur and went on a bird watching trip in cycle riskshaw痴.
I must admit, I actually found the bird watching quite exciting, and sunset that evening in  the bird sanctuary was amazing.
The next two days were spent in Jaipur.
Visited the stunning Amber Fort and looked around the bazaars.
Spent the last two days of the trip in Delhi ・seeing both the Old Delhi and New.
Visited the Great Mosque and saw a light show in the Red Fort explaining the history of India ・now that was different but really good.
Nepal was a lot more touristy than I thought it would be, it was very cheap and the people were friendly.
India was fairly filthy and you got hassled loads by men and beggars,
including in the temples.
But the whole trip was very cultural and worth every second.
So many experiences and wonderful memories.
Flew home on October 31st ・day after the Delhi market bombings, feeling ready.
Had my graduation Nov 4th that was really nice to look forward to.

I have attached some photos.

Let me wish you again a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Keep in touch,
Love Pamela x