Nepal Himalaya Trek - Some Highlights

my favorite shot from my trip
That's one of the peaks of the Annapurna in the Himalaya,
shot from the bus on the way to Nayapul from
Pokhara for the first day's trek

It's been 1 or 2 weeks now since I got back from my trek in the Himalayas. Things kept me busy on the home front since my return, with family visiting from other countries and us going on another vaca while they were here.  And then finding out that my old laptop keyboard has gone bust the day we got back home.  What's a girl to do?  hehe.

Anyhow, this trek was my first weeks-long trek anywhere.  We took the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trek, not the Everest one.  Hearing the name Everest alone sort of makes a newbie trekker like me hesitate to undertake one's first long trek.  Lol.  However, just because the Annapurna Base Camp trek can also be for newbies doesn't mean it's any less challenging.

One thing's for sure, if you're not fond of taking walks or have a pretty serious problem with your knees (I have no knee problem but ended up having to wear knee support to be on the safer side when the right knee started feeling weak/sore... still managed to carry my daypack everyday though) or aren't really into the outdoors, trekking in the Himalayas isn't for you, including this one -- Annapurna or not.  But if you're like the Hong Kong residents who typically walk fast or Westerners (mostly Europeans) we encountered on the trek who are used to hiking and have similar terrains back in their hometowns, it probably would be a breeze for you.  And maybe I'll blog more about this in another post.

This is the itinerary we chose to undertake:
On the way --

Binondo Church

My last shots of Binondo Church before I left Manila, using my Olympus XZ-1 point and shoot:

no effects, cloudy white balance

used art filter mode, dramatic tone (possibly my favorite option from the said mode.. hehe!)

Cat on the Table

just a shot of what's on the table at a hamburger place nearby, where 

I had dinner last week, while waiting for our orders.

coke bottles by the tables

my dinner.. was really hungry after a day out and about.. hehe!

Current Phone

while installing the Skype app

Just got myself a new phone plan, and it came with a free Google Nexus S phone.  It seemed to be the best deal so far with many unlimited features (including unlimited international texting) and the phone was a bonus.  I deliberately avoided choosing plans with Blackberry units or Nokia with Symbian OS (we all know where both are headed I think. hehe! :P ).

Wasn't really planning on an Android phone but needed a new mobile plan asap and it just so happens that the Samsung Google Nexus S is the best with the offer so far, since Apple's iPhone 5 is not yet released (tsk...).  I've been waiting for the iPhone 5 but need a mobile phone service asap so this free Android phone that came with the plan will do for now.  After all it came free when its actual cost is 400-500 USD thereabouts.  Gosh.  hehe!  Wasn't even aware of this model 'til I started looking around in shops for a new mobile phone plan the day before I got it.

So far so good.  Been like bringing a pocket PC with me with this smartphone.  hehe.  I just hate the apps running in the background when you don't need them.  And one big caveat?  My Macbook Pro with Lion OSX (yes I replaced my 5-year-old Mac with the striped feline OS) can't read the thing when I connect it via USB.  Gaaah!!  What's up with that?  :(   So might really switch to an iPhone 5 later once it's available.  Good thing I didn't shell out any cash for this free Android phone.  *sigh*

Design - I Like Some Felines

 my shot of one such feline at a teahouse in the Himalaya, Nepal

I've been liking felines and it's only now that I've realized it.  I like Sanrio/Hello Kitty.  I like my different Mac OSXs (a striped one, and my current roaring feline... skipped the one in the snow).  And I like Puma since 2007.

These words from my Puma's shoebox too made my day:
"Re-cyle

1. As a doll's house, for a small doll.

2. As a container for useless stuff you really should have chucked out by now.

3. As a place for private photos you can't store on your hard disc."

And I was even thinking to keep the shoebox for actual photos (not necessarily the private kind) am packing, before I read those words on the box package when I got home.  Lol!

Am removing old photos from their photo albums instead of packing the albums and having those taking a bigger space in a moving carton.  Then put back the shoes into the box once am at my new destination.

The box also has a guide on shoe sizes where it compares some selected sizes to real life items. Case in point: If your shoe size is a France size 47, it's as long as a "party blower blown", or if it's a US men's size 16 and 1/2, they're as long as "a gangster's gold chain". hahaha! Crazy Puma!

The barcode's kinda funny too.  

screenshot from http://martin318is.blogspot.com/ website

To know more about Puma's re-inventing the design of the shoebox as we know it: click here.
(Indeed it'd be great if several other shoe companies follow suit.)

To read a rather funny and cool story about this shoe company: click here.
(No wonder I like this feline then:  I liked its sibling's shoes, too, before this feline's revival).

Yeah... I'm definitely not gonna throw out this old box yet! hehe! :P