Last word from Nepal

Dad's note:
It has been a real adventure in Nepal for the last two weeks with Ethan, he has walked over 100km at altitudes between 9,000ft - 13,000ft. One of the things I wanted to do was show Ethan Mt Everest, for him to see it with his own eyes.
Even more important than Mt Everest was the people and culture that Ethan got to experience, from the Sherpa children high in the mountains to the Nepalese people in Kathmandu. Ethan spoke, played and enjoyed meeting all these different people and I am so proud of him.
He may not remember this trip when he is older, but one thing is certain, is this trip will stay with him for ever.
Well done Ethan.

Last night in Kathmandu

Hi Everyone,
Dad and I went to see a living goddess of Nepal, "Kumari". She is a 5 year old girl who has been chosen to be the living goddess since she was 3 , she must 32 special qualities( big heart, big eyes, small tongue etc) she was chosen over many other children. She came to the window so we could she, she was wearing a red dress and makeup. She looked sad and shy.
I brought a very good chess set made of marble and I got a blue north face bag. Tomorrow we fly out to Delhi, Dad and I don't like Delhi Airport very much.

Kathmandu Finally

Hi Everyone,
This is Dawa she owns a lodge in Lulka called Paradise it is right next to the runway. I watched a plane take off this morning at 6.15am, I thought it was really cool but Dad was fast asleep and woke up. Dawa was very good friends with Sir Edmond.
We caught a plane to Kathmandu and checked into our hotel, then we went and saw Iswari and Sue, Dads friends. Then Dad and I went shopping and I brought a little wooden money box and a fold out box as well. We went for a big ride on a rickshaw, it was cool but very bumpy!

Lukla ready to fly to Kathmandu

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I said good bye to Rob, he is going back to Pangboche for a rest before he climbs Mount Everest again. I cried when I said good bye to Rob because it will be about a year before I see him again.
Dad and I walked down to Phakding, it took us about 6 hours from Namchee, where we stayed the night. The next day we walked for another 5 hours to Lukla where we are getting the plane back to Kathmandu.
I have brought two shiny metal eggs, the lady wanted Rs500 ($10NZ) but I talked her down to Rs400. I am looking forward seeing more of Kathmandu with Dad for two days.

Dad said we couldn't put a photo on because the internet is really slow.

Love Ethan

Last night in Namchee

Hi Everyone,
Rob finally arrived from Pangbohe and it only took him 2:50 min, usually it takes 6 hours from Pangboche to Namchee, he ran down. Rob is a Doctor and he is 34 years old and he is climbing Everest for his 6th time. He has grown his hair very long because he hasn't had a hair cut since July09.
Tonight we are going to have dinner and then I am allowed to bring my sleeping bag into the Tea house lounge and sleep while Rob and Dad talk about Mt Everest.

Namchee and fit now.

Hi Everyone, I have had two days rest now and I am feeling much better. Dad and I played heaps of chess and cards, but since we lost a day going back to Delhi and two days sick we don't have any time to go any higher. I am very happy that I got to see Mt Everest and Lhotse, which is the 4th Highest mountain in the world. Dad's friend Dr Rob Casserly is coming down from Everest base camp to see me, and he has climbed Mt Everest 6 times now. He is really nice and heaps of games with me, him and Dad climbed Mt Everest together 3 years ago together. Bye Ethan.

Resting in Namchee.

Dad's note: (having a few blog problems so you might of already seen this one)
Hi everyone,
This is a photo take of Ethan the other day, trekking back from Kumjung it is at almost 13,000ft. That is Namchee Bazzar below him, at night they play music from the monastry over a loud speaker to the village.
Ethan has a tummy bug so we are staying n Namchee and are going to see if he can shake the bug off.
He has made friend with the local Internet shop keeper, he lets him play flight simulator.
A interesting thing about the Sherpa's is that they are named after the days of the week that they are born.
Monday: Dawa
Tuesday: Mingma
Wednesday: Lhakpa
Thursday: Phurba
Friday: Pasang
Saturday: Pemba
Sunday: Nima
So "Mt Eden Primary" if you were a Sherpa what would your name be? I would be Nima as I was born on a Sunday and Ethan would be Mingma.
That's all for now Ethan will up date his blog tomorrow.
Ethan's Dad

Rest day in Namchee

Dads Note:
This is a photo from yesterday when we were coming back from Kunjung, it shows Namchee Bazzar the largest sherpa village in the Kumbu valley.
Today Ethan has a bit of a tummy bug so we are staying in Namchee for another day. At high altitude it is wise not to go any higher if your not feeling well.
Ethan has made friend with the local Internet store owner his name is Nima. (see other photo). He lets him play flight simulator sometimes.
Most sherpa's are named after the day they were born.
Monday: Dawa
Tuesday: Mingma
Wednesday:lhakpa
Thursday: phurba
Friday: Pasang
Saturday: Pemba
Sunday: Nima
So , Mt Eden primary kids, if you were a sherpa what would your name be? I would be called Nima. Ethan would be called Mingma.
Thats all for now, bye Mike and Ethan

Kumjung school visit and Yeti skull.

Hi All,

This morning I had two dippy eggs for breakfast, then started to walk to Kumjung school. The walk was very hard, we saw a air strip and I saw Mt Everest and Ama Dablam. The walk took about three hours but the school was closed because of a strike, so we went to a bakery and I had a milk shake and a hot chocolate. Then Dad and I went to a monastery and we asked the monk at the monastery if we could see the yeti skull. There was heaps of prayer wheels, and I like spinning them around. I also saw a statue of Sir Edmond Hillary at the kumjung school, he build the school in 1961 and I saw the first class room he built and we meet the vice principle.

Tomorrow we are trekking up to Pangboche maybe, dad says there is no Internet for two days.

Namchee... 12,000ft

Hi Everyone,

I am over 12,000ft high, its really cold. It took us two days to get here from Lulka where we flew in. The trekking is nice but a bit hard we crossed very long bridges along the way. The first time we went on a bridge I was scared. Then dad made me go on the next on my own, now I'm not scared.

Yesterday dad and I almost ran over by a Yak. A small sherpa boy was wacking it with stick and it took off straight for me and dad. Dad grabbed me and chucked me out of the way, the sherpa boy and his mum laughed heaps, dad laughed too.

It rained and hailed just as we got into namchee so we waited in the police station for it to stop. Dads friend Pasang-nuru is really nice and he has climbed Mt Everest 3 times. Now dad and I are going to have a little sleep just before dinner.