Thought you were all due for another installment of my travels so here goes (its the first chance I have had since we got back from the trek). I think I left off in Kathmandu so we said our goodbyes to Kathmandu (Nepals capital) after unforutnately only being there for two days and headed to Pokhara where we would start our trek from. The bus journey there was very entertaining as Im sure most of you can imagine. Im sure there must have been a maximum of about 10 screws holding the bus together and we definately came a bit too close for comfort to the edge on several occasions. But I loved every minute of it. However, it wasnt all fun and games on the way there as we were actually involved in a bus crash. In Asia I think the drivers think as long as they use their horns they are invincible!! We were coming round the corner at the same time as another bus and they both misjudged how close we both were and BOOM the other bus crashed into us and smashed the window where hellie and hannah were sitting. Us three and another guy were the worst affected but fortunately noone was seriously injured but there was glass everywhere! Poeple were having to pick it out of our hair and clothes. It was a tad scary but it was kinda cool because it was definately something to spice up my journal entries!

Pokhara is very different to Kathmandu with alot less traffic and business and is set by a gorgeous lake. We started our trek upto Anapurna base camp (4130m) the day after we arrived in Pokhara. We rode in style on the bus to the place where we should start the trek by riding on the roof...it was wicked!The views of the mountains on the way there were amazing!However, we were obviouisly too engrosed by the scenery as we missed our stop! so ended up going to another one to start the trek...oops! The trek took us only 7 days when they say it usually takes between 9-14 days so we were very chuffed! The Nepalis were all well impressed! They were also all very amazed by the fact that we all carried our rucksacks including sleeping bag and down jacket upto the top without the help of a porter or guide. They would all ask 'where porter' and we would relpy to their amusement 'we are the porters!' We treked for about 5-6 hours a day taking breaks at the guest houses along the way for chai. We met some awesome people along the way who we played cards with and sat chatting over chai and Dal baat (Nepali food). We passed many porters on the way who were all carrying such huge loads...their ability to carry sucvh heavy stuff up the mountains never failed to amaze us!Everyone was so friendly on the way up too all saying Namusti as we passed by. They would all ask where we were from/which country is suffering without you madam? and when we replied england they would tell us how nice it is, however it beat me as to how they knew this as none of them had actually ever visited!

We got upto base camp in the afternoon and found out that there was no space in any of the lodges (they always get full in peak season apparently). However, there was noway we were heading backdown again so we told them that we were happy to sleep ANYWHERE. So that night we found ourselves sandwiched in amongst 30 Nepali porters and guides! They had about 4 to each single bed and about 6 on the table as well as many in the kitchen! It was hilarious!!! However, I have never been in so much pain in my life as we literally had to remain in one position for the whole night! so as you can imagine no sleep was had by any of us! After no sleep we all got up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise over the Annapurna mountain range! It was all made worth it at that very moment! The mountains were absolutely stunning! It didnt feel real to be there!

Since being back in Pokhara we have spent the time chilling out. We met up with three of the Nepali guys we met at base camp and went for a meal with them, and then yesterday we spent taking a boat out on the gorgeous lake here as well as some late night shopping!

When we got back one of the Nepali guys told us that there had been an earthquake (5 on the richter scale) in Kathmandu on that same day we arrived back from our trek. Its really bizarre because when I used to live in Nepal we also experienced an earthquake in Kathmandu (which I actually managed to somehow sleep through!) and according to the newspaper it is the first time since that earthquake in 1989 earthquake that an earthquake of this magnitude was felt in Kathmandu.

I am absolutely loving Nepal! Its amazing to return and see the country where I was born and lived for four years. This country definately lived upto its expectations...The people are all so friendly (however maybe some of the men are a little too friendly..one guy actually came chasing us down the street shouting I love you, dont break my heart!), the scenery is beautiful and the food is to die for!

We are staying one more night here before heading upto chitwan national park to do an elephant safari where we can also hopefully get to bathe with the elephants! Cant wait! And then it is off to Goa for sometime relaxing on the beach! So I will catch up with you all there! Hope you are all doing great and thanks loads to all of you who have sent me messages...they are TOTALLY appreciated! So keep them coming.

Miss you all!