The Cowie's Nepal trip

Jeff, Eliana, Eli, Becky and Lucas gave a great talk about their recent family trip to Gokyo, Nepal.

The family spent two weeks trekking in Nepal with friends earlier this year unsupported, as each member of the family carried what they were able to in large back packs. Eliana and Jeff did this trip 15 years ago and were excited to take the family to experience this.

Eli was first up to describe her highlights of the trip, being:

• Durbar Square, Kathmandu where they learnt about the damage done during the 2015 earthquake and the restoration works. Eli noted that the square was lively and very beautiful.
• Monkey temple, Kathmandu where they enjoyed listening to local musicians and had an opportunity to show off some dance moves,
• Gokyo Valley – amazing views after several days trekking. They saw the longest glacier in the Himalayas and some beautifully coloured lakes,
• making new friends in the communal dining areas around the warm stove where they played games and had lots of fun,
• meeting the ladies and weavers who made hats etc which the girls are wearing in the photograph.

Eli explained that they all kept a diary during the trip so they could record their travels.

To wrap up she showed a photograph of them filing their water bottles at a Rotary water fountain.

Becky then gave an entertaining summary of her highlights, being:

• religion, the beautiful temples with the artwork, statues, bright colours and many offerings,
• a visit to a monk at the monastery where they were invited to have tea,
• ascent to Tengboche fuelled by chocolate eggs from the Easter bunny,
• stop at a German bakery for hot chocolates and chocolate cakes and incredible views,
• summiting Goyo Ri where they had beautiful clear views of Everest, the glacier and the lake.

Becky explained that she was the group's motivator, telling stories all the way up, from Shakespeare to Sherlock Holmes to help keep everyone going.

The highlights from the girls were accompanied by a great slide show and videos coordinated by Lucas which really brought their trip to life.

Having had such a successful experience, the family are already planning their next trip to the mountains.