after trek

[daras]

Hi,
we back after the trek (EBC,KP,Gokyo); although we start very early (end of Sep) - there was crowds ;-( ... and rain/snow.
We was in Lukla 08.10 - .... sad day.
After trek - short jungle safari (Chitwan) and a few days in KTM.

now we have to prepare some photos and movies for our website... - please be patient ;-)

I you need any latest info - do not hesitate contact me

daras

[Lars]

I you need any latest info - do not hesitate contact me
Tell us something about the general feeling in Nepal now with the Maoists in
the government. Have they stopped harassing trekkers out on the trails now?

I know that many locals out in the hills where terrified of the Maoists, that they
would just show up and move in, demanding food and money etc. Has that ceased?

[daras]

Hi Lars,
There was no problem with Maoist on the trails. In Phakding is the gate (with red flags, hammer and sickle) - "Welcome to NEW NEPAL".
There was some places where trail was "rebuild". 4-5guys with spade and pickaxe TRYING to repair/rebuild the trail .... and a big poster for donnation to help rebuild the trails. As we spoke with guides - it was Maoists with a new methotd for donnation.
There was no any additional "meetings" with Maoists.

The day before our arr.KTM there was some demontration. The new gov.(Maoists) wanted to stop any donnation for festivals (hindu/buddist).
After demostration (20 and 21 Sep) - the gov. backed out of this idea.
In KTM we met a lot of people satisfied new situation and new goverment, in mountains (on trails) .... only a few.

Last time we visited Nepal in 2006 (Sep/Oct). Now we found a lot of changes:
- many peoples with mobiles (even porters on the trail!!)
- electricity in (almost) all lodges
- much more trekkers (Sep2006 -ca.1200; Sep2008 ca.2400 - SagharmataNP)
- many new cars/motobikes in KTM
- many young people leave Nepal (during last 4months - over 43 000)

daras

[Lars]

Now we found a lot of changes:
- many peoples with mobiles (even porters on the trail!!)

In Calcutta last winter a friend of mine saw a beggar being interrupted in his
begging from a Japanese tourist when his (the beggars), cell phone started ringing.

Progress is everywhere!

Thank you for your report. I like to stay in touch with everyday goings on
in Nepal even when I am not about to go there anytime soon.

[yakshaver]

Thank you Daras, this is good stuff!

[daras]

Hi again,
One more matter - regarding Yeti crash in Lukla.
It was really foggy day. The plane crased 4-5m before airstrip ... and start burning. There was not professional firebrigade in Luklas's airport. Due to a big fire there was no possibility to pull out passengers from aircraft.
This day, after accident nobody talk about this situation, it was tabu. Only all internet cafe (with queue) was full of trekkers sending information to families...

The remainings of Yeti was (maybe are still?) visible from airoprt (or from the "street" to airport); when we taked off next day (by AGNI) we saw a big pieces ... really few meters before airstrip.... only few meters....

PS. There was over 40 accidents/crashes from 1975 in Nepal.