A good guide and Good Company gives the trekking a special touch. At our first visit to Nepal, in 2002, we were supposed to trek from Jomsom to Muktinath and then turn back to Jomsom again, to follow the river Kaligandaki down to Nayapul. But because of me getting the altitude sickness we have to turn some hours before Muktinath to get down and cure the altitude with garlic soap and some rest.

In spite of this, our guide Ram Sapkota, who we got in contact with on recommendation, helped us to make the ten days a fantastic and very interesting time. Our wildest wishes were fulfilled and Ram was very good in adapting the trip to our needs and possibilities. His great cultural, historical and social knowledge gave us the opportunities to get to learn a lot about the Nepalese society and the Nepalese people. In the evenings we sat in the tea-houses, eating a good dhal bath and talking about what we had experienced and about life in Nepal.

Ram also had the patience to walk slowly or even to sit down for a while, when I wanted to examine some of the rare birds we saw almost every day. And he was very good on choosing the right tea-house for the night. He also helping Lisa-Linnea to choose the right soup for lunch – not too strong but warm and tasty. Dan and Ram were taking photos all the time and I will never forget when Ram carried my rucksack the late afternoon when we climbed
the last 1000 steps to Ghorepani. I was exhausted, the sun had went down and I was so hungry and just wondered what in earth I had to do up there in the Himalayan forest. Then Ram took my rucksack, carried it on his belly and told me that it would be just fantastic next morning when I wake up and would be able to enjoy the marvellous view of the Annapurna peeks. And he was right, of course!

Lisa-Linnea returned to Nepal in a youth-exchange in 2003. Between her work in the Watabaran cooperative, she was making a short trek with Ram together with a Swedish friend. Dan and me will return to Nepal in the autumn 2004 and for sure make a trekking in the Himalayan mountains with Ram Sapkota and
his company Mountain Delights Treks and Expedition. I think it will be Langtang this time and maybe a camping-trekking.

Ewa, Dan and Lisa-Linnea Söderberg,
Sweden
 

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