| DateLocation
Altitude |
Diary
entry |
Photos |
|
Mid November 2005
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
Having
recently returned from an exhausting climb
up Ama Dablam with my crazy red headed Aussie
mate, Andrew Mitchell, I feel pumped but
in need of some rest. Will take a few weeks
off to help the body regain some body fat.
Beer and pizza should help. |
|
December
2005
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
To
get back some of the “superman”
like strength of the old days I intend
to focus on Core Body Strength for the
coming weeks. Will do a heap of chin ups,
sit ups, skipping etc. The festive period
is upon us and so regaining that weight
hasn’t been difficult. |
|
3rd
December
Nepal |
Maoist’s
have extended their cease fire for one more
month (making it a total of 4 months). A
positive step for Nepal and its tourist
industry. Helpful for me as I am the Security
Officer for WFP in Nepal. |
|
1st
January 2006
Bed
1310 metres |
Hungover.
Last time for a long time, I promise!!! |
|
3rd
January 2006
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
 Focusing
now on aerobic activities. Running and riding
are the two easiest options in Kathmandu.
The streets are a mess with people, cars,
bikes, trucks etc. Have to get out into
the outskirts of the valley before fresh
air and open roads can be found. Bloody
hassle in the mornings as the fog is quite
thick until 07:30 to 08:00. |
|
14th
January
Kathmandu Valley
1300 metres |
Maoist’s
attacked a number of police posts and Government
buildings on the outskirts of Kathmandu
Valley. These are the very places where
I have and still intend to do my training.
Thanks a lot boys!! Forecast doesn’t
look bright on the political front. The
Royal Governement is intending to hold elections
on the 8th of February. Lot’s of disturbances
(ie demonstrations, strikes, attacks by
Maoist’s) are expected until mid Feb.
|
|
18th
January
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
The
Government slaps on a curfew for all residents
in Kathmandu Valley between 21:00 –
04:00. Have they done this to keep me from
the bars of Thamel? Probably not. It is
a sign that things are getting worse though
and training could be problematic in the
coming months. Just what I need!!! |
|
20th
January
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
The
Government has gone right overboard this
time. There was a daytime curfew between
08:00-18:00. This was to stop a planned
demonstration against the King and the current
Government. How am I supposed to train in
these conditions? Today I did a lot of pushups
before running to the pub at 1800 for some
moral beers (still had to be back before
the night curfew of 21:00) |
|
24th
Jan
Hattiban
1600 metres |
 Rode
the old faithful mountain bike out to a
hill top resort called Hattiban. Bloody
cold start with frost covering the road
in parts but soon warmed up as most of the
journey out was uphill. This is a standard
route I’ve been using lately but this
time I dragged out my true blue “Aussie
Sheila” (Partner). Ingrid came along
to take a few snaps and check the sunrise
over Kathmandu. Thanks for the photo’s!! |
|
26th
January
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
Australia
Day!! Woke up with a smile on my face, not
only because it is my countries day of celebration
but also because the streets were completely
empty of vehicles. The political parties
(ousted from government by the King in February
2005 i.e. Royal Coup) had declared a nation
wide Bandh (strike). This meant all shops
had to be closed and no motorised transport
could be used. So I rolled out of bed and
went for a 1.5 hour run around the streets
of Kathmandu (usually impossible due to
the pollution and chaotic traffic). |
|
2nd
February 2006
Kathmandu
1300 metres |
Headed
out of Kathmandu proper at 6am to get a
decent run under my belt before next weeks
inevitable mess. Yesterday the King made
a nationwide address (exactly one year to
the day after he carried out his Royal Coup),
and confirmed that the disputable elections,
to be held in a week, will go ahead as previously
announced. In turn, this means that the
nationwide Bandh (strike) declared by the
Maoist's will be enforced. WHICH ULTIMATELY
means I will have a week where training
in the valley is limited, if not impossible.
I ran for an hour and a half which was hardly
difficult as I thought of the famous words
from Muhammed Ali: "The fight is won
or lost far away from witnesses - behind
the lines, in the gym, and out there on
the road, long before I dance under those
lights." |
|
5th
February
Hills South East of Kathmandu
1800 metres |
 Day
1 of the week long Maoist declared Bandh.
Holy Moly, when are the attacks going to
begin?? No one drove and only a few shops
were open, a great chance to thump up the
road to hit the surrounding hills. Ingrid
and I headed high. Away from it all and
sweating like pigs (thanks to the ever warming
sun) we had a flaming ripper of a time until
one of the back tyres decided it was time
to release some pressure. |
|
