2018 Trip

Brutal.

During the ascent I kept thinking of adjectives to describe what I was experiencing. I kept coming back to brutal. I may have been the only one thinking this though as averyone else seemed to spring up the path like mountain goats.

Brutal can also be applied to the journey from Pokhara to Hille, where we were dropped off. I had previously been told this was a road but my senses were telling me different. Respect to the bus drivers and busses that make this trip on a regular basis.

Our first experience on the “hill” (I’m using quote marks there because although this looks like a hill, our overnight accommodation is at an altitude that is already 50 percent higher than any mountain in the UK) was a steep climb to get to the lunch stopover. As with pretty much every other meal we’ve had since arriving in Nepal it was excellent. Coffee and fizzy drinks are banned so water and black tea were consumed.

Then the brutality. 650metres of ascent over a liner distance of about 600 metres sounds insignificant but I can tell you that those 2.5 hours were hard. Not the hardest thing I have ever done, but one of. The payoff is the tantalising glimpse of a giant hiding behind the foothills. We will see them in their full glory in 2 days time. I’m sure it will be worth it.

I arose at 6.30am, just in time to see the rafters leaving the hotel for their 3 day adventure. At 7am we went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. After a delayed start we left at 8.20ish on the 3 hour coach ride from Pokhara to the Himalayas where our own adventure would begin.

The coach ride was as bumpy as can be expected from an endless path of rocky terrain. Towards the end of the coach ride xxxxx needed to use the toilet depsperately but we were told to hold in because we were close, but of course we were not as close as expected but everyone was able to hold it in (for the most part).

When we got off the coaches we were told we would be walking up roughly 3000 steps. Although this already seems like something out of a nightmare it still gets worse! The steps were made out of slabs of rock and stone and so were uneven. This made it very difficult to get into a rhythm and maintain a good speed. After nearly an hour of walking we reach a small village on the side where we stopped for lunch. From where were eating we had an amazing view down into the valley with a waterfall that dropped down into a clear blue pool.

After lunch we continued our tedious climb up the stairs towards the top of the mountain. I regret not searching for the mini market to buy some snacks because the extra energy can be really helpful.

The climb was made much more bearable by the stunning views, both down into the valley and up toward the mountain ranges. It was the most incredible thing I have ever seen.

After the long, long, long clump up the mountain I finally saw everyone at the accommodation we had for the evening. (I was taking up the rear, making sure people didn’t drop anything, or if any falls being and the the sort) and am enjoying the pleasantries of a warm building and a comfortable chair.

Although it was a long and challenging walk it is a great accomplishment that we all made it safe and sound.

Since arriving in Pokhara yesterday, it is very clear that there is a massive contrast in Nepal with how people live. I found that the people were very happy and interested in everything we did while we stayed in Meghauli, whereas in Pokhara most people are really busy and trying to get on with their lives as there is a lot of competition for business. Meghauli was tiny compared to Pokhara, which is full of tourists running around to all of the tourist attractions like the lakes and temples that Meghauli didn’t have. The hotel is very grand and even has a swimming pool which is extremely different to what we were staying in Meghauli as the tents allowed water to go in the inside which wasn’t very fun at all and some of the host family homes were not like anything anyone had experienced before.

Today we climbed up to a temple in the mountains called World Peace Stupa and this gave us a brilliant view over all the snow capped mountains as well as the whole city and lake which we had a boat ride on. On the other hand with Meghauli we were in the jungle which was a very isolated village that didn’t have the fast changing landscape of Pokhara which goes from flat land in the valley into the vast Himalayas.

Overall, in my opinion I think that Pokhara is unlike any other city due to its beauty and terrain. Although Meghauli was very impressive with the way it has developed over the last few decades, Pokhara just stands out as the best city I’ve been to as I’ve never visited somewhere that is so different to what I am used to yet so impressive.

There is a large contrast between Pokhara and Meghauli. Pokhara is a much more tourist town with many people coming for the lake and Peace Temple, which we visited today by taking a boat across and then hiking the 1000+ steps to the summit where the Stuka is located. Due to the tourist nature of the town we have had a break from the much more simple lifestyle in Meghauli with restaurants showers and even a pool!

Meghauli however is quite out of the way allowing for a more realistic look at life in Nepal – especially with our homestays. As we visited a very rural area we saw much more animals and natural beauty. Pokhara is much more focused on more man-made attractions. However Pokhara isn’t without natural sights with the snow topped mountains in the background and the lake surrounded by wood-covered hills.

Overall Meghauli was much more personal as we had the chance to get to know the locals and local area, which was amazing and informative. In Pokhara we aren’t here to run an event so we have more of a chance to relax. Both experiences have been brilliant just in different ways.

As the week in Meghauli draws to a close looking back and reflecting on my time in the small town I can honestly say that it has been unlike any other trip abroad I have ever had. The hospitality of the people who have so little and live such humble lives I think affected all of the people on the camp. The host for my home-stay was very kind and shared his home with me very graciously, I felt truly welcome. Holding the camp for people of all economic and social backgrounds and watching them working and playing together was very impressive to see, holding the camp really hit home the work that the Clinic Nepal does for the local community. I have seen things I never thought I would and done things I never thought I could (as cheesy as it sounds) I have enjoyed every moment and been utterly spell bound by how welcoming the people have been and the work that Hari does to ensure that the people of Meghauli have a safe and prosperous future.

I found the week we were in Meghauli an enjoyable experience, overall. The people were welcoming and weren’t shy to engage in conversation. It seemed to be the girls and young boys who I got along best with personally. They all had good English so the language barrier was never a problem and you can learn about their culture and how they interact with each other just by watching them. In my opinion, the Jamboree was a success. Although it started out rough with the organisation of everything, we eventually learned how to handle hyperactive kids and we all enjoyed being together for the few days the Jamboree lasted. Everyone at the camp were all so nice and welcoming to us and they did such nice things from pitching our tents to cooking every delicious meal. I was sad to leave it all today.

We woke up early, had another good breakfast then visited the Clinic. You can see how much work they put into the scouting they do and how much it has changed people’s lives. Finally we set of on a very long coach journey from about 9am-5pm. It was long but we took the time to chat and sleep and we got through it. Now we’re in Pokhara and everything from the atmosphere to the living space is already welcoming. I’m quite tired from all the work we’ve been doing this week so I’ll enjoy a days rest tomorrow.

John and David

Jungle Jamboree 2018 has been a resounding success, as the week progressed the interaction between the Nepalese and BRISTOL scouts increased with many firm friendships being made

We believe the success of the camp was due to the effective planning and organisation by Rob and Hari.

Sirjana (Hari’s wife) supervised all the meals which were varied and of the highest quality, everyone ate well.

Timings of activities was in Nepalese time so there was a little time spent hanging around, We all were able to go on an elephant safari, visit local schools and kindergartens and most importantly see the Water Tower that provides Meghauli with clean fresh water. All the local projects have been developed by clinic Nepal

It has been a privilege to be here with the scouts who have all been a credit to Bristol

David and John
Ps. All in good health

Matt T

It was the least comfortable night of my life. My host family were really nice – they were charming. Basically I slept on a table in a barn. I had a coughing fit so didn’t sleep. They gave me lots of food and presents.

Amina B

I slept in the same room as the rest of the family sharing a bed with my host. The mattress was thin but I was tired so slept well. The toilets were gross and so I didn’t go! It was cold in the night so I had to wear my jumper. That’s a lot of negative things but there were more good things than bad. It was really fun – I would do it again.

Ben P

I didn’t hate it. I didn’t find it great. My host was nice but we didn’t talk much. We shared a room and his brother generously gave me his bed. We went to slept quite early and had dahl bat for breakfast which was quite tasty.

Phoebe D-S

I was nervous but Nissa spoke really good English so that helped me a lit. Mine was only round the corner form the camp. We met up with her friends and other delegates and played cards – teaching them new cards games. They gave a second dinner at 10pm. It was really tasty – not too spicy. I had a room to myself and thin mattress on the bed so slept quite well. It was really good – like visiting old friends

James R

“On my homestay I was shown around the local area including their suspension bridge, tribal village and parks. A group of locals, scouts and me went to a local eco park where there are many murals celebrating the local wildlife and culture. Later in the evening after a meal of curry and potato eaten the local way (with hands) I took part in a celebration of the end of the festival period with a few other scouts whose hosts were friends. This involved a lot of dancing to the local music and eating traditional foods. My host family were very warm and welcoming and I had a great time with them.”

Ed S

“I loved it – one f the best parts so far. I stayed with a very nice kid called Avi. Ben P was 10 seconds away also staying with someone called Avi. There was lots of spicy food. I slept on a wooden bed (no mattress) with my sleeping bag and a blankets. It was surprisingly comfy.”

Oli A

“It was alright – they had very little. It puts into perspective how much we have. They treated us like royalty and gave us everything they could which was very nice.”

Ben B

“My family was very nice. They gave me duck and buffalo for dinner. After dinner we went for a walk and say rhino on the other side of the river. In the morning I gave a gift that I had brought from England. ”

John A

“I left early to get to my host’s house as it was a long way away. On the way we bumped into his friend who we also met latr that evening and went out for noodles in a small restaurant in another village. They asked me if I liked chillies and I said “yes” – they were the hottest noodles in my life! Their house was tiny and 5 other people slept in the same room with us. ”

Anna L

“I was nervous going but as we went with other people it was easy meeting them as a group. We walked around the village and went to the eco park where volunteers where helping the locals how to farm. I had my first motorbike ride! I was taught how to eat the Nepalese way (with my hands).”

James B

“I felt very welcome and they fed me loads of foo. We went on a walk in the evening and saw 2 rhinos. I slept on a wooden bed in my sleeping bag – I suffered from a lack of sleep! In the morning we joined up with some others and went for a walk.”

Matt F

“It was pretty good but stressful. Looking back it was a wonderful experience. They taught us a new card game and I lost 5 rupees to a 14 year old! There house was very nice – I had my own double bed with a thin mattress. They wake very early – at 6am. We went for a walk and saw lots of interesting things.”

Lexi P

“It was fabulous. The family were very nice. Hey spoke little English but we got on well. We had a lot in common and they were very funny. I just had a really good time.”

Today was the final day of the jamboree. The day started with a group of 8 going on an elephant safari very early in the morning to have the best chance of seeing wildlife: we ended up seeing 4 rhinos, deer and many different types of bird. For the rest of the group the day started with Nepalese PT and flag break. Bases then began with my group running the lazy river (floating downstream in tires) which the Nepalese scouts really enjoyed, especially the younger ones.

Bases continued into the afternoon when the closing ceremony began. The Nepalese and English scouts exchanged camp songs before there was a presentation of certificates and thanks to all those who helped. The camp flag was lowered and presented to Hari for safe keeping. Most scouts have now left for their homestay leaving those who have already gone around the campfire. Before people left there were many goodbyes to all the friends that have been made on camp.