How To Prepare A Boodle Fight

Photo credit - Kenny Cheung

WHAT IS A BOODLE FIGHT?

Boodle Fight was inspired by the military style of eating. This is a kind of feast that is meant for sharing, sharing all the food. Whilst the food is served and spread on some banana leaves in a long table. Other than banana leaves, you must use your bare hands to eat. Utensils are strictly prohibited as a sign of respect of following the old traditional Filipino culture. 

Boodle Fight does not mean it's a food fight unless of course, you want to go into that kind of level and test your friendship with your friends. However, Boodle Fight is supposed to be a friendly type of feasting and not something you stress on. 

BOODLE FIGHT RULES

Here are some of the basic yet important rules of Boodle Fight. It's not very hard, in fact, it is quite simple and straightforward. 

• No using of utensils. No spoons. No forks. No chopsticks!
• Only use your bare hands to eat
• Must finish all the dishes presented on the table 
• No toilet breaks until food are all done
• Must try all kinds of dishes, except for those who can't eat certain dish 

THINGS YOU NEED FOR BOODLE FIGHT

• Banana leaves - We use banana leaves as a traditional way on how to prepare a Boodle Fight
• Aluminum foil - We use the foil underneath the banana leaves, to avoid any food or sauce spilling onto the table
• White plastic bags - Alternate for the foil, if you are on a budget then using white plastic bags will be more ideal
• Long rectangular table - The best way to have a Boodle FIght and easier to make food arrangements, however, using circular table could also work nicely
• Chairs - Be sure to have enough chairs for everyone to enjoy their meal by not standing up, however, if you want to be spontaneous then you may do it on the floor by placing a low rectangular or circular table and by sitting down on the floor with some mats 
• Tissues - This is a must to have during the Boodle Fight
• Wet Tissues - This is also good to have while eating 
• Containers for sauces & spices (Bowls or Tupperware) - It will be nicer to have an individual cups for sauces for everyone but it could work nicely also for sharing

Bagoong Alamang Sauce

Food ready to be served

Frying the yummy Bangus (Milkfish)

A must have sauce

WHO TO INVITE FOR BOODLE FIGHT

In case you are wondering who to really invite for your Boodle Fight, then here are some tips for you. 

THE BIG EATERS

Take note that Boodle Fight will be filled with many delicious dishes, which means all of these dishes must be finished. So inviting your big eaters' friends or families would be a perfect choice. This also means that you don't have to worry about wasting food and having too many leftovers.

WILLING TO EAT WITH HANDS ONLY

Boodle Fight means strictly no spoons, no forks and definitely no chopsticks. We use our bare hands to eat the food on the table. Make sure to pick people who are open to using their hands for eating and also make sure that they all wash their hands before starting the feast. 

PEOPLE WHO ENJOY TRYING OUT NEW DISHES

Boodle Fight is not only for the Filipinos, it is welcome for everyone to try this feast, most especially the ones who are culture friendly and who are certified food lover or what Internet would call them - "Foodie". 

BOODLE FIGHT FOOD ESSENTIALS

• Plain Rice/ Java Rice/ Garlic Rice - Rice is a must and must not be forgotten
• Grilled Bangus (MIlkfish) - A must have and best to marinate it days before
• Fried Tilapia - A famous Filipino fish dish
• Tortang Talong (Egg Omelet) 
• Adobong Manok/ Adobong Pusit - Very essential and Boodle Fight will not be complete without it
• Salted Eggs - Everyone love to have at least 1 whole piece of egg on the side
• Pinakbet - This mix stir-fry vegetables is simple but delicious and colorful
• Mangoes, Pineapples - Best fruits to pair with the food 
• Blanched Vegetables (Okra, Spinach, Tomatoes, Kang Kong/ Morning Glory) - Something healthy
• Buttered Shrimp - Something a little bit fancy
• Bagoong Alamang Sauce - This sauce is best paired with most of the dishes
• Pancit Bihon/ Pancit Canton - Noodles for long life!
• Grilled Isaw - Something grilled and unhealthy wouldn't be too bad for a night 
• Garlic, Calamansi/ Lemon, Soy & Spicy Sauce - The typical sauce for a big Filipino feast
• Shanghai Lumpia - This dish is best served with some chili and sweet sauce
• Beef Steak - Probably the only beef dish that is essential in a Boodle Fight

MORE FOOD TO INCLUDE (OPTIONAL)

• Sinigang with Salmon Head - Sour soup base with Taro (Gabi) plant, best served with a piece of Salmon head
• Tinolang Manok - Chicken soup and one of the best soup for a boodle fight
• Bulalo - Soup with beef shanks and beef marrow, very delicious but take a long time to prep and cook
• Clams - Clams can be served boiled, hot pan stir or grilled
• Ampalaya with Egg - Sliced bittermelon mixed with eggs
• Paksiw - Tilapia fish in vinegar, black pepper, and chili sauce
• Palabok - Alternate for Pancit, however, prep and cooking time may take longer
• Fried/ Grilled Chicken - Delicious and can always buy and cook it the very last minute
• Grilled Squid - Alternate for Adobong Pusit
• Suman/ Biko/ Bibingka - Some options for dessert, something sweet and light
• Grilled/ Boiled Corn - Something to fill you up

My overall Boodle Fight experience was great. Oh did I mention that this is actually my first Boodle Fight in my 27 years? Yes! I have never done this before and so far my first experience went smoothly. My best friend, Diana and I planned our first Boodle FIght together at home. I cannot wait to organize another one and invite people from different cultures to introduce them to Boodle Fight. 

The picture below is the before and after pictures of our Boodle Fight 

BEFORE

AFTER

And here are the best people who were present in our Boodle Fight

My friend, Kenny is too full

It's his first Boodle Fight by the way

I take Boodle Fight seriously

Not really, It's just my resting face

I hope this blog would be of any help in planning your Boodle Fight. Good luck on your Boodle Fight and If you happen to have any questions, feel free to send me a message. I will be more than happy to help.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

New Year's Resolution

Have you done your New Year's Resolution for 2018 yet? If not, then this blog is just perfect for you to get started. I have included some tips on how to write a New Year's Resolution, what to include and what not to include on your list and when is the right time to write your resolutions.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

New Year's Resolution is a list of things you write about the things you want to change and gain in the coming year. Resolutions are there to motivate you to become a better person and to achieve something big in your life. I believe that everyone should set up their own goal and plan something good. 

If you happen to fail to achieve most of your resolutions, don't worry as there is no punishment (not that I know of). However, it will be quite a disappointment if you didn't much or at least more than half of it from your list. That is why you must pick your resolutions carefully and something that you know you can possibly do. Anyways, resolutions are not supposed to be easy, it's all about challenging yourself and see how far you can go to achieve what you want in your life. 

WHEN & WHERE TO WRITE ONE 

Writing a list of your resolutions can be done anytime you wish, even if New Years has already passed, you may still grab the chance to create one for yourself. It is never too late and what's more important is that you are willing to do something good for yourself. Also, remember that your resolution expires after the year ends and you got plenty of time to create one. 

I would suggest taking down some notes via a piece of paper to write down all your resolutions. For me, this is the safest and most convenient way to create a list of resolutions. You may easily keep the list and have a look at it from time to time. Another option would be, creating one via your computer or laptop. This is for people who use and keep most of their files in digital. 

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR RESOLUTIONS

• Think of absolutely anything positive and something that will make you happy
• Include a lifetime goal, for example, make a two year or five-year plan and you may also include some strategy on how you are going to achieve it. 
• Set a deadline if you really want to achieve your goals
• Always include your family and loved ones in your resolutions 
• Try to be creative 
• Make a goal on your savings, money is one of the most important things
• Make sure to include goals for yourself and not just for other people
• Include some places you always wanted to visit if it's possible

WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR RESOLUTIONS

• Try to avoid writing too many resolutions. I think 20 should be good enough as writing too many may just complicate your whole resolutions. Keep it simple.
• Do not include anything too sensitive, just to keep it real
• Never put something about revenge or plotting something that you might regret later. You may include some redemption plans but make sure that it won't harm anyone.
• Never include wishing anyone bad karma, resolutions are supposed to be positive and refrain yourself from any negative thoughts.

MY 2018 RESOLUTIONS

Here are my 2018 Resolutions, hope this would be of help. I try to focus on my personal life. In the past few years, I've been pre-occupied mainly with friends and helping others. I focus too little on myself and this 2018, I want to change that and I believe that it is time for me to focus more on myself and what I truly need. 

Goodluck on your resolutions and hope you achieve them all. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Benefits of Waxing

Are you tired of shaving? Have you ever consider on stopping shaving at some point? Shaving is probably the most convenient way to get rid of your hairs on your legs, underarm and on your private area. However, shaving comes with a lot of disadvantages. To find out why you may proceed reading this blog to know more. 

Waxing can be rewarding in many ways but can also bring you pain in the process. Just imagine, your hairs are being pulled out straight from its roots. With that being said, the results can be very rewarding though for most people. There are also a lot of precautions to follow strictly before and after waxing.

"Beauty comes at a price but I believe it will be worth it."

 

FIRST OF, WHAT IS WAXING?

For those who are not very familiar with waxing or want to know more about it. Here is a simple explanation of what waxing is all about. Waxing is a therapy specializes in semi-permanent hair removal while maintaining a smoother skin. It is affordable and easy to book an appointment in any waxing salon, you may also do waxing in your home too! Waxing allows you to treat yourself to a nice and smoother skin and to be completely hair free for at least 1-2 weeks. 

 

TYPES OF WAXING METHOD

HOT WAXING

This is the most popular waxing method and it is not super hot by the way. It is quite warm. Hot waxing is a lot easier to pull out some stubborn and even those shorter hairs. This is good for the intimate area and it would be less painful. Hot waxing is more effective than cold or pre-made wax strips. It is also much more comfortable than the others, plus you have a therapist to do all the service for you. 

PRE-MADE WAX STRIPS OR COLD WAXING

Pre-made wax strips can be found in any convenience or health care and beauty stores. The strips come in a package with a few sheets inside. It is quite easy to use as there is a list of instructions to tell you how to do your waxing. It is advisable to ask someone to help you wax instead of doing it by yourself especially when waxing your underarm and private areas to be safe. 

 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WAXING

• Bikini/ Brazilian waxing - There are some options whether you want your hairs in your private area to be all off (Hollywood), Bikini line wax only or something artsy, The Love Heart.

• Underarm waxing - This is probably the least painful one of all and can be relaxing too

• Legs or Feet waxing - There is an option whether you want it all off (Feet + Legs + Thighs)

• Eyebrow waxing - This is mainly for people who have tattooed their eyebrows

• Chest or Back waxing - This is mainly for the men

 

BENEFITS OF WAXING

There are plenty of benefits that waxing can provide and will let you enjoy from being hair free for at least a week or two. The process can be painful but the results can be rewarding. 

1. WAXING ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE A SMOOTHER AND SOFTER SKIN

You should know that your hairs are being pulled out straight from its roots, so there won't be any patches of hair left on your skin except those teeny tiny bits and really thin hairs that are not possible to be taken off with the hot wax. Once your hairs have been taken off, you will start to feel that your skin is very soft and smooth. Do enjoy this for at least 1 or 2 weeks before your hairs start to grow again. 

After waxing, your skin will feel not only smooth or soft but it is almost like your skin is brand new, like a newborn baby. Furthermore, you must moisturize or exfoliate the waxed area to maintain the smooth and to avoid any chances of ingrown hairs. 

2. WAXING IS CLEAN

Waxing is clean if you go to a good waxing salon. Always make sure that your waxing salon is clean and their materials and tools are new especially the waxing popsicles they use to gather the hot wax onto your skin. To maintain the cleanliness after waxing, you must moisturize or exfoliate your waxed area and make sure that your waxed area is clean and must be moisturized at least before your hairs start to grow. 

3. WAXING CAN GET RID OF INGROWN HAIRS

Waxing can help you get rid of those ever annoying ingrown hairs.

WHAT ARE INGROWN HAIRS?

Ingrown hairs are hairs that grow back and curled up down from within your skin or near the skin surface. The hairs move sideways instead of straight out from your skin. This happens when your hair breaks off in the middle by waxing, plucking or shaving, 

Waxing can eliminate your ingrown hairs and these annoying ingrown hairs are not a permanent thing, so there is nothing to worry about. Unless you stop waxing or if you are the type who wax every after 3 months or more. Furthermore, not everyone suffers from ingrown hairs. It also depends on how you take care of your skin. The more care you give the fewer problems you'll have. 

4. HAIR FREE FOR AT LEAST 1-2 WEEKS

Your hair only starts growing after 1-2 weeks. Being hairless for at least 1-2 weeks is probably a great news for everyone who goes waxing. During those hairless time, you may enjoy doing some outdoor activities and you are free to wear anything without feeling embarrassed especially about your underarm hairs. 

On the other hand, the longer you wax, the amount of hair growth will be lesser. I heard from my therapist that when you continuously wax for more than 3 years, your hair may begin to grow out after 3 weeks to one month. Of course, this will also depend on your genetics. If you are born hairy then it will take more years to enjoy this privilege. 

5. WAXING CAUSE NO CUTS THAT WILL LEAVE YOU SCARS

Waxing does not include a blade or a razor, which means you won't suffer any cuts that may leave you some scars. Waxing, however, may be painful especially for those who are more sensitive. But having no scars is definitely a good news. 

CONS OF WAXING

Waxing may offer some rewarding result, however, waxing also has its cons and it may not be 100% beneficial to all. Different people have different types of skin and to some, waxing may not be the best choice for them. Therefore, it is important to have a good knowledge about the disadvantages of waxing and not just the good parts. 

1. WAXING CAN BE PAINFUL

Waxing is never easy and relaxing. It is painful and sometimes it can make you scream especially when it comes to the intimate area. Just imagine, your hairs are being stripped and pulled out straight from its roots for at least 5-20minutes, depending on which body part you are waxing. The pain is tolerable though, however, for some people who are much more sensitive may not be able to hold their screams. 

2. WAXING CAN CAUSE INGROWN HAIRS

The chances of ingrown hairs after waxing is quite high. However, this only happens when the hair breaks off in the middle while pulling the hot waxing strip. Fortunately, you may get rid of those ingrown hairs once you are back to the waxing salon for your next session. 

To avoid ingrown hairs, you must moisturize or exfoliate your skin especially onto the waxed area to avoid any ingrown hairs. You must moisturize or exfoliate until your hair starts to grow. 

3. REDNESS AND SORENESS

During and especially after waxing, your skin may suffer from redness and soreness. This happens simply because your hairs have been pulled off and it is pretty normal to suffer from this, but worry not as this only last for a few hours and a day being the maximum. If your redness and soreness continue after 2-3 days or if you notice that it is getting worse, you must pay a visit to a doctor to have it check. 

4. PORES AND ALLERGY REACTION

After waxing, your pores will start to open up as you are hairless and the chances of having your skin infected are quite high but this doesn't happen to all people. But don't worry as you may still avoid this by moisturizing and exfoliating your waxed area. Make sure that your waxed area is not sweating so much and make sure that it is washed and clean until your hairs start to grow back. 

Waxing may also cause some allergy reaction in some people. To avoid having to deal with this, you must make sure that waxing is really suitable for you and follow the steps of before and after waxing. 

5. WAXING IS EXPENSIVE THAN SHAVING

Unlike shaving, waxing cost more than a piece of a set of blade or razor. Waxing is also more expensive when doing it in a waxing salon. You need to pay for the hot wax, the salon's services, and your therapist. However, the result may be worth it despite the cost.

6. WAXING CAN'T GUARANTEE YOU 100% HAIR FREE

Take note that waxing is only done by pulling your hairs straight from its roots. So it is not a permanent thing that your hair will be forever gone. Unless it is in your genes to have less hair, but your hair will not stop growing, not unless you go for laser hair removal or IPL. 

Nevertheless, you will still enjoy being hairless for at least a week or two. 

7. MUST DO IT IN A WAXING SALON

It is highly recommended to do waxing especially hot waxing in a good and reliable salon with an expert therapist. The reasons behind this are that you can put your trust in your therapist's hands and you don't have to worry about doing it wrong. 

On the other hand, you may also do waxing at home but make sure to have someone experienced or a family member who works in a salon to perform the waxing therapy for you to avoid any complications. 

PROS AND CONS OF SHAVING

Now let's talk about shaving. Shaving is always available whenever you need. It is easy to buy a shaver in any supermarket or convenience stores. It is very cheap and it is also disposable. It is very convenient as you may use that anytime you need to get rid of your hair. Plus, you don't need to book an appointment to shave, all you need is a razor to shave in the shower. 

However, there are more cons than pros on shaving. While I was writing this blog, I have come to a conclusion that shaving is really bad for our skin and the usage of shaving needs to be minimized. 

 

HERE ARE SOME OF THE DISADVANTAGES OF SHAVING:

1. SHAVING MAKES YOUR HAIR LOOK THICKER AND GROW FASTER

Shaving only cuts the hair on our skin area and the hair is not taken off from its roots, therefore the hair will grow much faster and looks thicker compare to waxing. Everyone has different types of hair and it depends on your genetics too. Normally for most people, the hair will start to grow after a day or two after shaving, which is not very helpful as you will need to keep shaving every day. 

2. ROUGH SKIN AFTER SHAVING

After shaving, your skin will feel rough and not very smooth as you only shave your hair off from the surface and not from its roots.

3. SHAVING CAN CAUSE ITCHINESS AND RASHES

Shaving can cause itchiness and rashes on your skin. The reason behind this is that if you use the wrong shaver or if not used properly, it can cause some complications. This happens when you press the razor too hard onto your skin while shaving or using a very blunt and old razor blade. 

4. POSSIBLE BLEEDING AND WOUNDS WHILE SHAVING

Shaving can cause bleeding and wounds too. Why is that? First of all, you are doing it alone and you can't really see the area where you are shaving, the intimate area in particular. Careless shaving could result in bleeding and wounding your skin and trust me it is not a good thing wounding your skin with a piece of sharp blade razor. 

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO WAX?

THE BEST TIME TO WAX

• A week after your monthly period is over

• Do it whenever you feel like you are ready for it

• Make sure to make an appointment in the waxing salon, so you will feel more obligated to go

• Do it in the first week of the month right after you've received your monthly salary, so you won't end up spending your money for your waxing just in case

WHEN NOT TO WAX

• Do not wax when you are in your period

• Do not wax days before your period, your skin is more sensitive and it can be very painful

• Do not wax when you are dealing with some infections on your skin

• Do not wax when you are short of budget, it can wait

• Do not wax when your hairs are still very short, it is advisable to grow your hairs at least 1/4 of an inch

ASK YOURSELF WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME

You should definitely ask yourself whether you are ready to switch and try waxing for the first time. Everyone has their own tolerance for pain and no one else knows your pain tolerance better than yourself. Another way to help you decide is to ask the people you know, perhaps one of your family members or friends who have already tried waxing and ask questions about it. It will sound more convincing hearing the experiences of the people you personally know. 

DO's AND DON'Ts BEFORE WAXING

This is the first step that everyone should know before having their first wax. Believe me, I had searched about waxing many times before making my first appointment in a waxing salon. It's better to be safe than sorry. 

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO BEFORE WAXING: 

• Do not shave at least 2 weeks before your waxing appointment. Leave the hair be.

• Do not wax a week before your period starts as it will be a lot painful when stripping hairs from your skin.

• Grow your hair as long as possible (around 1/4 of an inch long should be okay).

• Workout or sweat as much as you can before waxing as you are not allowed to sweat after waxing for at least 48 hours.

• Try to relax and stop over thinking before and during your waxing session

• Research about waxing, everyone has its own ways to find things out.

• Check with your dermatologist if you have any skin problems to see if waxing is suitable for you.

• Hydrate yourself before and even after waxing

• Wear something comfortable and not tight clothing before heading to the waxing salon. Wearing tight items of clothing will suffocate your body to sweat.

• If you are sensitive to feeling any pain, take an aspirin 30 minutes before your waxing appointment. Aspirin can help ease the pain but always check with your doctor before you take any medications.

 

DO's AND DON'Ts AFTER WAXING

After all the stripping and pain from the salon, you may see the results right away. Your skin will feel a lot softer and smoother, maybe a little bit of redness or soreness but that is very normal as it will go away eventually. However, there are some precautions to follow after waxing. It is important to follow it to avoid any possible pain, side effects or even swelling. 

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO AFTER WAXING:

• Do not do anything active after waxing for 48 hours. No workout, no running and avoid any sexual intercourse too. Your skin (waxed area) needs to be dry for 24 hours.

• Do not wear any tight clothing after waxing

• Drink plenty of fluids, try to avoid any alcoholic drinks. Detox yourself for at least 48 hours.

• Moisturize or exfoliate after waxing (24 hours later) to maintain the smooth on the waxed area in your body.

• Use moisturizer to avoid having any bumps, ingrown hairs or pimples on the waxed area.

• Do not wet or shower for 24 hours after waxing. The waxed area needs to remain dry.

• Do not go to the beach for tanning for some time as the sun damages your skin and especially on your waxed area. Avoid the heat completely if you can.

 

HOW TO FIND A GOOD WAXING SALON

Finding a right and reliable waxing salon is very important. Knowing how clean and updated the salon is very important. 

TIPS ON HOW TO FIND A GOOD WAXING SALON:

• Make sure that the salon is clean in and out

• Read their customer's feedbacks to have an idea of what kind of salon it is

• Check the prices and make sure that it is not too cheap. The average price should be around 45-60 USD ($350-500 in HKD) for a session of Brazilian waxing.

• Check if the salon is recommended by the media or in the magazines

• When you reach the waxing salon, normally clients will be given a few minutes time to change before starting the waxing session. Take this chance to check their tools and types of equipment on the counters. Check whether the tools are new, especially the waxing popsicles that they use to gather all the wax. If it is clean and you feel safe, then go on to your waxing session. By any chances that you are in doubt, you can change your mind before it's too late or you may ask questions with the salon for some clarifications. Afterall safety should always come first.

MY WAXING EXPERIENCES

I have thought about whether or not I should ditch shaving and open myself to the waxing world for many years. It took me years to make a decision because I was scared of the pain first of all and just imagining the process always back me out. Another thing is that I was not willing to spend so much money on this. It was a long and careful decision that I have dealt with. 

Anyways, I started waxing in 2016 and I am still continuing it. After finally getting rid of shaving, I finally realized that waxing is more effective. It makes my hair a lot thinner and the length are almost aligned together. I felt cleaner and better with waxing, although the pain can be unbearable at times, however, it is all worth it. 

I have tried 3 waxing salons in Hong Kong before settling into a permanent one. I am currently having my wax done at NUDE WAXING BOUTIQUE. This salon is very reliable and I love the service of my therapist, Ilhaam. She is very professional and she does her waxing very well. Nude offers reasonable prices and the machines, tools, and types of equipment they use are clean and safe. I will highly recommend this place to anyone. 

I would definitely also recommend people to try waxing and quit shaving for good. Honestly, those razors aren't good for our skin and it is also nice to treat yourself to a waxing salon. Forget the pain, just focus on the good results. 

I hope you find this blog useful and it answers your questions. Feel free to message me or comment below if you have any concerns or questions, I will be more than happy to help. 

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

The Mardi Himal Trek

As mentioned in my "Discover Nepal" blog, here is my blog about our Mardi Himal trek experience. I was very hype on writing this blog and i hope that the resources that i have provided in here would be useful. 

This blog contains information about the trek, routes, requirements, weather, best season, food, lodges, teahouses, the do's and don'ts, things to bring, what to expect, my personal experience and the ups and downs during the trek. 

A SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT MARDI HIMAL

Mardi Himal is located at the east of the ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) and facing front is the Macchapuchhre (Fishtail). Mardi Himal has been open since 2011 and every year, more and more trekkers are beginning to discover it. Mardi Himal is a very peaceful and not very crowded area compare to other major treks in Nepal such as the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit and ABC (Annapurna Base Camp).. Mardi Himal is surrounded with many beautiful flowers and plants. There are also many buffalos, donkeys, chickens around the trail and yaks/ naks can be seen at the Mardi Himal Upper View Point/ Base Camp. 

The highest point of the Mardi Himal trek is at 4,500 meters (Mardi Himal Base Camp). The minimum duration for Mardi Himal trek is 4 days and 6 days being the maximum. There are plenty of camps around the Mardi Himal route that trekkers can stay and also have their meals. 

THERE ARE 8 CAMPS IN THE MARDI HIMAL ROUTE:

• Australian Camp (1,650 meters) - Plenty of lodges and teahouses are available in this camp
• Pitam Deurali (2,100 meters) - Plenty of rooms for trekkers to stay and very nice people
• Kokar Forest Camp (2,600 meters) - Plenty of rooms available and nice food
• Babal Dada Low Camp (3,150 meters) - The best view of the Mt Machhapuchhre in the trek
• Middle Camp - More lodges and teahouses are being build and should be ready by next year
• High Camp (3,600 meters) - Limited space but more lodges are being build at the moment
• Base Camp (4,500 meters) - No lodges or teahouses, need to bring your own tents
• Sidding (1,750 meters) - The most beautiful lodge in the Mardi Himal route

WHY MARDI HIMAL

They are a lot of mountains in Nepal but why did we chose Mardi Himal? The reason is very simple, it is because Mardi Himal is probably the newest trek. It is also because we want to have a glimpse of the Annapurna South and the Mt. Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail). Machhapuchhre is a holy mountain and no one has ever climb that mountain. Mardi Himal is also not very crowded. It is definitely a perfect place and a good start for our first trek. 

HOW TO GET TO MARDI HIMAL

There are 4 options on how to get to Mardi Himal, from booking through an agency to doing it yourself. Do your research to know which of these options suits you best.

OPTION #1 - BOOKING A PACKAGE TOUR THROUGH ONLINE

The good thing about booking your trek online is that it is convenient and everything is arranged accordingly. There are plenty of online trekking agencies for you to choose, which also give you enough time to pick the right one.

Package tours include a set of an itinerary, a mountain guide, porter/s, food, accommodation and permits. Prices start from $700 up to $1,500 per person. Prices also tend to increase during peak season. 

However, booking through online can be very expensive. It is the most convenient option but expensive. 

OPTION #2 - BOOKING A PACKAGE TOUR IN NEPAL VIA TREKKING AGENCY

Booking a package tour within Nepal is a lot cheaper than booking through online. If you have extra days in Nepal, you may take some time to go and inquire about trekking packages around Pokhara and Kathmandu. Another good thing about this is that you get to talk face to face with the agency yourself and it is much clearer to deal with the trekking details in person. Plus, you will meet your guide in person and to confirm everything before starting your trek. 

Package tours include a set of an itinerary, a mountain guide, porter/s, food, accommodation and permits. Prices starts from $500 up to $800 per person. Prices also tends to increase during peak season. 

OPTION #3 - BOOKING A MOUNTAIN GUIDE ONLY VIA TREKKING AGENCY

Booking just a mountain guide can save you a lot of money. As the money that you pay for goes directly to your mountain guide and of course a bit of commission to the agency. This is a lot cheaper than getting the package tour. The good thing about this is that you can do the trek your way. For example, making your trek shorter, hence you pay your mountain guide a lot lesser. 

However, you will need to find and bargain your own room in the lodges and order your meals during the trek yourself. I mean, this is not hard as communication is quite easy. All the food and drinks menu are all in English and the lodge owners speak fair English. On the other hand, if you treat your guide nicely and if you try to build a good relationship with your guide, then the chances of your guide helping you out during your trek would be likely. 

Prices starts from $20 up to $50 per day, depending on how experienced your guide is. Your mountain guide should be paying for their own accommodation and meal throughout the trek. Be sure to discuss this clearly and agree on the terms. Also, make sure that your guide has a proper insurance and it is still valid. 

Aside from your guide ffee, there will be an additional charge for getting a trekking permit when booking from a trekking agency. I would really recommend people to try to book their mountain guide from an agency because it is safer and most of the guide are legit. Remember that your guide will be with you for a few days. 

OPTION #4 - INDEPENDENT TREKKING

If you are an experienced trekker/ mountaineer, then doing an independent trek to Mardi Himal is possible. This is probably the cheapest option to complete the Mardi Himal trek. You only need to pay for the permits, your insurance, transportations, food, water and accommodation. The trail in Mardi Himal is quite stable and you can ask around the mountain people about the trail in case you are in doubt. Independent trekking allows you to challenge yourself and achieve something. However, there are a few cons doing an independent trekking. 

THESE ARE THE CONS OF INDEPENDENT TREKKING

• It is more challenging and the chances of getting lost is high
• It may be harder for you to communicate better without a mountain guide
• There might be some information or updates about the trek that you may not know of
• It is not safe when you are doing it alone
• In case of any accident, nobody is there to help you

HIRING A PORTER

Getting a porter for your trek will be good during the trek The best thing about it is that you don't need to carry your own backpack and you can relax more while trekking. It is less exhausting having somebody carrying your belongings. 

Please be reminded that if you are hiring a porter, remember not to put too much stuff in your backpack and don't take advantage of your porter. Try to pack light and be kind to your porter. The price for hiring a porter should be lower than what you are paying for your guide. 

But of course, if you are the type who likes challenges and hard work then you shouldn't consider hiring a porter at all. Nothing else feels better than achieving something without the help of anyone unless of course you have a health condition, then taking this challenge is just a bad idea. 

WHICH OPTION DID WE CHOOSE?

We chose option #3, which is booking a mountain guide only via trekking agency. Honestly, I think this is the most reasonable and the best value out of all the options. We booked through "Plan Himalaya" and we got this amazing mountain guide. Everything was settled smoothly and professionally.

Chandra, the owner of "Plan Himalaya" is very professional and he took time to meet us before we leave Kathmandu to Pokhara and quickly brief us about the trek. He have also given me advices and information about the Mardi Himal trek over the phone. He helped us arranged our trek and everything went perfectly. I would definitely recommend Plan Himalaya and I will book my next trek with Plan Himalaya again. 

Our mountain guide, Kapil is originally from the Mt. Everest Region and he has been a mountain guide for many years. He has plenty of experiences not just in mountain trekking but he also knows a lot about the nature, health, religions and the economy. He is very outgoing, open-minded and professional. I would definitely look for him when I do trekking in Nepal. 

HERE ARE THE CONTACTS OF THE AGENCY AND OUR GUIDE IN CASE YOU NEED IT:

TREKKING AGENCY - PLAN HIMALAYA

Website - www.planhimalaya.com

Contact - Mr. Chandra GT (Managing Director & Owner of Plan Himalaya)

Contact number - +977 985 1105516

MOUNTAIN GUIDE - KAPIL MANTHERBU KULU

Contact number - +977 982 3397547 OR +977 984 9501441

Meet our mountain guide, Kapil. He is a very kind and friendly man.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS

TREKKING PERMITS

Trekking to Mardi Himal would require you to obtain some permits. You need trekking permits for ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and a TIMS card (Tourism Information Management System). You can easily obtain these permit from any trekking agency and if you have are booking your trek from a trekking agency, then the permits should be already included in your package, 

On the other hand, if you are going for an independent trekking. Trekking permits are also available at the Nepal Tourism Board official offices in Pokhara and Kathmandu

If you have hire your own mountain guide, he/ she can help you to arrange your trekking permits. 

GET AN INSURANCE FOR YOUR TREK

it is highly recommended to buy an insurance for your trek. You should find an insurance that can cover you up for 5000 meters above sea level, if you are doing the Mardi Himal trek. 

I got my insurance at World Nomads. The price is reasonable and it covers emergency evacuation, medical insurance, travel insurance and many others. I would really highly recommend World Nomads as it is worldwide and one of the best insurance for trekking in the world. 

Click this link "World Nomads" to find out more about the packages. 

PHYSICAL & MENTALLY PREPARED

There is no need to be super fit in order to do this trek. I would say, you should just be fit enough to do it - No heart conditions and if you don't get fatigue very easily. If you also suffer from a regular stomach ache, then you should consider seeing your doctor to see if he/ she can prescribe with some pills to avoid any diarhhea.

You should also be mentally prepared for this trek as the trek last for 4 to 6 days. The weather might weaken your body and mind or the food might upset your tummy and affects your mood. If you are not used to being around nature/ forest/ mountain area, then this may require you some time to adapt to it. 

It is important to know if you are really prepared for all the things you will have to encounter during your trek, so you will be fully aware and prepared for it in case some circumstances comes up. 

DO's AND DON'Ts

Even though you are going to be in the mountain area, there are something that you must know about the Do's and Don'ts. It is good to be aware, so you can avoid offending anybody just in case. 

DO'S

• Greet everyone you meet in the trek
• Be friendly to your fellow trekkers and try to help when you can
• Safety always comes first! If you feel like you are unwell, take a break for a while
• Only order sufficient amount of food that you can finish
• Turn off the electricity in your room whenever you don't need it
• Drink Ginger Lemon Tea and Garlic Soup to avoid having altitude sickness
• Take care of the nature, do not destroy them
• Have plenty of rest and sleep before trekking
• Have a good breakfast before starting your trek
• Chat with your mountain guide and get to know him/her better
• Always wash your hands and mouth before eating your meal
• Close your door and windows at all times to avoid having any insects (moths, butterflies, flies) to come in your room especially at night time. 

DON'TS

• No PDA (Public Display Affection), this is strictly prohibited and should be respected 
• Do not throw rubbish anywhere in the mountain/ forest
• Do not shout and talk too loudly, contain your volume
• Do not go trekking with an empty stomach
• Do not waste food and do not order too much food when you can't finish it
• Do not bring a lot of things. The ideal weight for one backpack should be no more than 10kg.
• Do not consume anything unusual. Trust me you do not want to trek with an upset stomach.
• Do not waste electricity, try to save as much as you can
• Do not swear too openly, try to swear in your mind
• Do not bargain for something unrealistic
• Do not harm any animals, try to conserve them or just leave them alone
• Do not drink water from the tap, only drink from a water bottle or boiled water

 

WHEN IS BEST TIME TO GO TREKKING TO MARDI HIMAL

Knowing when is the best time to do the Mardi Himal trek is also important as your entire trek will depends on how good the season is. If you are not aware of when is the best time to go, your trekking trip might end up into a disaster. 

FIRST BEST SEASON - OCTOBER TO EARLY DECEMBER

October to early December are the best season to go trekking to Mardi Himal as the skies are clear during these months. This is also considered as the busiest months and peak season in Mardi Himal. As October is the start of the Autumn season, the weather will be chill and you can experience a lot leaves falling down from the trees. November to December will be the coldest months and there is a possibility that some trail may be covered with snows, which will make it hard to trek. 

SECOND BEST SEASON - FEBRUARY TO APRIL

February to April will be the second best season to go trekking to Mardi Himal. Around this time the dry season is almost over and it is not super cold anymore. The snows by then will be gone and the trail will be easier to trek. 

THIRD BEST SEASON - MAY TO JUNE

May to June will be the third best season to go trekking to Mardi Himal. It is the summer season and if you enjoy the sun, then this is probably the best time for you to go. Take note that by June, it will be the pre-monsoon season and occasional rain may happen during the trek. On the other hand, flowers are starting to bloom beautifully during these months. 

NON-PEAK SEASON - JUNE TO EARLY SEPTEMBER

June to early September will be the non-peak season to go trekking to Mardi Himal. The reason why it is the non-peak season is because this time around is the monsoon season. The chances of rain and thunderstorms are very likely and very high during this period. Also, this is also the time that leeches comes out as it is the wet season. Remember to wear long trekking pants, long sleeves, long socks and wear ankle trekking boots to avoid those tiny teeny leeches to get into your skin. 

THE LODGES/ TEAHOUSES

The lodges and teahouses around the Mardi Himal route are very basic and simple. The mountain people are very friendly and welcoming. As you enter a teahouse, you will automatically feel at home. Staying at the teahouse and lodges is very laid back and relaxing. I also felt that time is actually slower in the mountain area. 

FOOD AND DRINKS

Both food and drinks are available in the teahouses. There are quite a lot of food selection in the menu - both meat and vegetarian options are available. The food are quite delicious and the portions are big. I find the vegetables very fresh as every teahouses grow their own crops. The prices for both food and drinks increases as you get higher to the top. 

ACCOMMODATION

The rooms in the lodges are very simple and decent looking. Most of the rooms are made from woods or stones. Every room has a decent mattress with nice bed sheets and pillows. Small rooms (good for 2 people) and big rooms (good for 4-6 people) are available in most of the lodges. However, trekkers will need to share the toilet and most of the lodges only have 1 toilet available to use. There is, of course, a place for you to wash but there is no hot water, so that means you will have to wash with cold water. Hot water is available too but you will just need to ask the owners/ staff to boil you some hot water. There may be some extra charges for that. 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE TREK

It is important to know what to expect before starting your trek. It is a must that you are aware of the possible circumstances you might experience during your trek. 

THE WEATHER

As we all know that the weather is very unpredictable and it changes all the time. Make sure to have your raincoat packed in your backpack and as well as jackets/ ponchos, thick socks, legs warmer and beanie/cap to protect yourself from the cold weather. Even though you are going to trek during the hot season, the weather in the mountain is different. The higher you get, the colder it gets. 

THE LEECHES, BEES AND OTHER FLYING INSECTS

During wet season/ monsoon time, there will be plenty of rain coming down, which means there will be a lot of leeches. This is the prime time for leeches to come out and find some people to hang on and have a taste of their blood. The good news is that leeches have their weakness too! You can throw some salt at them whenever they are on your skin. Another way to avoid those annoying leeches to get onto your skin is to wear something tight and cover up your ankles - wear ankle trekking boots, long sleeves, long pants and long socks.

There are also some bees and other flying insects. They are super annoying and they are just everywhere you go! Well, except when it is raining but once the sun's out then they are also out. As much as you hate them and their annoying buzzing sounds, you shouldn't really do anything to them. Do not try to fight with them or even try to hit them with something. Just simply leave them be and continue walking as if like they don't exist. 

THE DONKEYS AND BUFFALOS FOOTSTEPS

During the wet season, the trail will be very wet and muddy, which means the donkeys and buffalos will definitely ruin and make the way even more complicated to walk. It is quite difficult for us to get through the muddy paths. We had to find and make our own way to get through it. Just be careful and try not to fall in those muds.

POSSIBLE SICKNESS (ALTITUDE SICKNESS, FEVER, COLD, DIARHHEA)

Yes! This should be included in your top priority as staying healthy during your trek is a must because once you start to feel ill, then it is quite impossible to proceed to your trek. You should always watch out for any a headache or if you are feeling a bit of nausea, even a minor headache. When you feel that you are having any symptoms, then you should take some pills right away to eliminate any altitude sickness, headache or fever. Taking ginger lemon tea and drinking garlic soup could also help you a lot. 

MEAT SHORTAGE IN TEAHOUSES

For some unforeseen events, meat shortage may be possible around the mountain area while you are trekking. Running out of chickens and buffalos meat is possible especially during the non-peak season. On the other hand, there are vegetables and canned Tuna available if there is no meat available. Trying to be a vegetarian for a few days doesn't sound that bad. 

WHAT TO BRING WHEN TREKKING

In case you are wondering what you really need to bring when trekking. Here's a guideline for you to have an idea on what to bring and what not to bring, 

Take note that this is a "backpack travel", so trying to minimise your belongings would help you a lot while trekking. 

"Light packing should be always in your mind!"

ESSENTIAL THINGS TO BRING WHEN TREKKING

• Trekking Pants
• T-Shirts, Long Sleeves 
• A set of sleeping clothes (use only for the sleeping time)
• Quick-dry towel for body washing
• Towel for sweat
• Underwear
• Sports Bra/ Bralette (for girls)
• Waterproof and Windproof jacket
• Raincoat (get the one that can cover your backpack as well)
• Trekking poles/ sticks
• Socks (bring some thick and some thin socks with you)
• Trekking shoes (better get ankled trekking boots to avoid leeches and sprains)
• Slippers or Crocs 
• Sunglasses (with a good UV protection)
• Cap (getting a waterproof cap would be ideal - for sweats and in case of rain)
• Medicine kit (tablets for cold and fever, Betadine, band-aids)
• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, powder, cologne, alcohol, mosquito repellent, comb)
• Sunblock lotion
• Tissues and wet tissues 
• Flashlight/ Torchlight/ Headlight (bring some spare batteries)
• A travel journal or a small notebook and a pen (to write down your travel diaries)
• Plastic bags (for putting rubbish)
• Camera and charger
• Adaptors (for charging)
• Some protein bars/ energy bars/ Digestives (for snacks)
• Trekking map
• Hand gloves (if you have sensitive/ soft skin)

OTHER THINGS TO BRING WHEN TREKKING (OPTIONAL)

• Playing cards (for pass time and free time)
• Books to read when not trekking
• Bum bag (to put all your important stuff like phone, wallet, passport, etc)
• Water bottle (1L) or you may simply re-use a plastic water bottle to refill water
• Duct tape (in case any of your stuff breaks)
• Karabiners (for hanging wet cloths)
• Padlocks (to lock away your bags, but most rooms in the lodges have locks already)
• Shaver (It's not a long trek, so I'm sure you can let it grow a bit more)
• Water purification tablets (in case you want to purify your own water)
• Laundry powder (for washing of clothes/ underwear)

THINGS YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING

• Hair dryer
• Your whole make-up and cosmetic sets (I mean you're only trekking!)
• Ipad/ Laptop (you are there for nature and don't let electronics get in the way)
• Pillow, blankets (the lodges will provide, so there's no need for that)
• Kitchen utensils (the teahouses will provide)
• Pieces of jewelry/ accessories (you don't really need that)

 

WHERE TO BUY YOUR TREKKING EQUIPMENT

Yes! Don't forget to add this to your list. People often forget the simple things like making a checklist of what equipment you need to bring for trekking. Find a time to do a shopping checklist first to see what you already have and what you are missing. 

Don't buy cheap quality equipment, especially when buying some trekking poles, jackets, trekking shoes, backpack and safety/ medicine kits. Remember that buying cheap quality would only bring you some problems and not solutions. There are no trekking shops in the mountain areas, so make sure that you got everything ready before starting your trek. 

BUYING TREKKING EQUIPMENT IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY OR ONLINE SHOP

Buying your trekking equipment directly in your home country or online shop should be a good idea. It gives you enough time to think about what you need and what you are missing. If you are the type who likes everything to be in order and ready to go, then this is definitely what you should do. 

BUYING TREKKING EQUIPMENT IN NEPAL

There are plenty of trekking shops in Nepal. As Nepal is filled with mountains, it is very possible that you can find all the equipment you need for trekking anywhere in Nepal, except the mountain area. Buying your equipment in Nepal could be a lot cheaper and in nice quality too. 

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK DURING THE TREK

Knowing what to eat and drink can guarantee you a healthy and comfortable trekking endeavour. You need to watch out what you eat and drink while trekking as if you don't take good care of your diet then your trip might end up horribly. Trust me, you do not want to upset your stomach and having that while trekking in the mountain is not a good thing.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO EAT & DRINK PROPERLY: 

WHAT TO EAT AND NOT TO EAT

• Eat a lot of greens and vegetables
• Eat chicken for protein
• Don't eat too spicy food (especially if you are not used to it)
• Don't eat cheese (if you are suffering from Lactose Intolerant)
• Eat energy bars and Digestives for snacks
• Don't skip any meal, eat 4 times a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea time and Dinner)
• Eat more during Breakfast time

WHAT TO DRINK AND NOT TO DRINK

• Drink garlic soup to avoid altitude sickness
• Drink Ginger Tea/ Ginger Lemon Tea/ Honey Ginger Lemon Tea to avoid altitude sickness
• Drink plenty of water (only drink from water bottle or boiled water)
• Never drink water from the tap
• Drink some vitamins to avoid any possible cold
• Drink Ibuprofen (if you are feeling sick due to altitude sickness)
• Try to avoid drinking any alcohol/ beers to avoid any possible hangover or headache

 

MARDI HIMAL TREK DIARIES

During our trek, I have written down things we did during our trek and the circumstances we had to face while trekking. We trekk for 6 days and I made sure that I wrote down all the details during this unforgettable experience so that I will be able to share it to people. 

TREK DAY 1 - NOT A LONG TREK BUT A GREAT START

On our first trekking day, we left our hotel at 7:00am. We rented a taxi to bring us to Kande, where we start our trek. We ate our breakfast while we were in the car as we didn't had any time to eat our breakfast in the hotel. The car ride took us 1.5 hour to reach Kande. 

Left - In the car while admiring the Mt Machhapuchhre view

Right - Mt Machhapuchhre

When we started our trek, we were already feeling very excited. The weather seems very nice and clear. We met this male dog on our way and he followed and sort of guided us for hours. We decided to name him Blackie, the dog guide. 

Meet our dog guide, Blackie

We stopped at Australian Camp and Pothana after 2 hours and we submitted our permits at the registration area. Yes, trekking permits are required when trekking Mardi Himal. Please refer back to "What are the requirements?" to know more about it. Australian Camp was named after the Australian mountaineers arrived the camp area. It has plenty of lodges and teahouses. The camp looks nice and decent. 

Australian Camp

Registration are at Pothana

After the registration, we continued to hike up to PItam Deurali for 1.5 hours. The trail was very stable and we saw a lot of plants and flowers. It was such a beautiful day for trekking. When we finally arrived at PItam Deurali, we stayed at "Trekkers Inn-Lodge". We were the only guest at that time as it is not the peak season yet. We occupy a room with a dining table outside the room. 

The lodge owners are very welcoming and very nice people. We got to go inside their kitchen and watch them cook our meal live in action. Thanks to our mountain guide, Kapil as he happen to have a very good relationship with the lodge owners. The food was very delicious and fresh. 

Although, we didn't trek for long hours today but it was a great start. I thought to myself that we will definitely be trekking for longer hours in the next 5 days. Today was a relaxing trek and we perfectly enjoyed it. 

Trekking Route (in order) - Kande, Australian Camp, Pothana, PItam Deurali

Total hours of trekking - 3.5 hours

Total hours of car ride - 1.5 hour

Highest Altitude - PItam Deurali (2,100 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Trekkers Inn-Lodge (Deurali)

 

TREK DAY 2 - A LONG WAY UP TO LOW CAMP

On our day 2, we wake up early to start our trek to Forest Camp at 7:00am. We have been told by our mountain guide, Kapil that there is no camp around the forest area, which normally take around 4-5 hours to reach the Forest Camp. We had packed some energy bars, so we can eat that when we get hungry. There are many different types of plants and flowers around the forest and Kapil was very generous to share us his knowledge about the plants and flowers we saw on our way. 

Left - Direction to start trek to Forest Camp from Deurali

Middle - Small pond around the forest

Right - More uphill

After that exhausting and dry forest trail, we finally arrived at the Forest Camp after 5 hours. We had our lunch in one of the teahouse. There are plenty of rooms available in the lodges and it seems like Forest Camp is where most trekkers go for overnight stay. There was no meat available, so we ordered all vegetables dishes. It's not really a big deal for me, since I love eating vegetables but I can see that Ryan wasn't very happy as he is a meaty person. But the food were delicious and that was the best lunch we had so far. 

The Forest Camp

We continued our trek at around 1:30pm. The trail started off well, a bit of steep and muds. Then suddenly rain started pouring. We all thought it's just a small rain but it's actually getting heavier and we struggled real hard. While trekking and suffering at the same time, we met some tiny sticky creatures, the leeches! There are everywhere around our raincoats, pants and shoes. This is our first time encountering these tiny little creatures and we definitely dislike them. We stopped over at the Rest Camp to cool down for a bit and wait till the rain slow down. The camp is very small and there is no lodges, mainly only for resting for trekkers, guides and mountain people.

As soon as the rain has settle down a bit, we continued our trek to Low Camp. It was very challenging ascending to Low Camp. It is very muddy and slippery. Our shoes are all wet and full of muds in and out and leeches kept biting and drinking our blood on our ankles. We were all tired and we just want everything to be over. 

After trekking for 4 hours, we finally arrived at the Low Camp. We quickly settle down into our rooms. We dry and wash ourselves. We had to wash our shoes with freezing cold water because our shoes was very muddy. The temperature at the Low Camp obviously dropped especially it was raining. It felt like it was 10 degrees up there. 

Hotel Machhapuchhre

Trekking Route (in order) - Pitam Deurali, Forest Camp, Rest Camp, Low Camp

Total hours of trekking - 9 hours

Highest Altitude - Low Camp (3,150 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Machhapucchre (Low Camp)

 

TREK DAY 3 - ALL IS WELL UNTIL WE START TO ASCEND TO HIGH CAMP

On our day 3, we woke up very early to have our breakfast. The sky was very clear and we were fortunate enough to have seen the Mt Machhapuchhre in clear view while having our breakfast. It was the best breakfast experience ever! 

We left Low Camp at 8:00am sharp and we ascend up to Middle Camp first. The trail was stable and not very muddy. When we arrived at the Middle Camp, we took some time to take pictures with the spectacular "bed of clouds" view. The sky was very clear and nice. The phone and internet connection at the Middle Camp is quite stable, so I took some time check my messages and update my family and friends back in Hong Kong about our whereabouts. There are also a few lodges being build and it should be ready by early next year as Mardi Himal has been attracting more and more people.

"Bed of Clouds"

Middle Camp

On our way to High Camp

On our way up to High Camp, the trail started steep followed by plenty more of steep trail. It was challenging and I actually slipped once because I stepped onto some clay soil. I swear, those clays are traitors! Do not step on those! We have also seen plenty of buffalo and they stopped whatever they were doing and was just staring at us. The buffalos in the mountains are not very used to people and seeing them frightens them. 

Everything was going well until suddenly out of nowhere, some raindrops started pouring down. Everything happened very quickly but we manage to get our raincoats out just in time. It's a shame how we were just 30 minutes away to the High Camp and it was a pity that we all had to experience getting wet again and of course we had to deal with the leeches again. The trail are muddy and slippery once again. 

When we finally arrived at the High Camp, we saw some teahouses and lodges being build. I have a feeling that Mardi Himal will soon be filled with trekkers. We quickly settle down into our room and dry ourselves while our lunch meal are being prepared. As the rain didn't stop, we decided to postpone our plan to ascend Upper Viewpoint in the next morning.

Trekking Route (in order) - Low Camp, Middle Camp, High Camp

Total hours of trekking - 4 hours

Highest Altitude - High Camp (3,600 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Trekkers Paradise

 

TREK DAY 4 - ANOTHER RAINY AND FOGGY DAY AT HIGH CAMP

On our day 4, we woke up at 4:30am and it was still pouring outside. We were planning to ascend to Upper Viewpoint but the weather was just really bad. The rain and fog are just surreal. It rained all morning till afternoon. We were somehow loosing hope but we still decided to stay one more night at High Camp and plan to go to Upper Viewpoint the next morning. 

So, we spent the whole afternoon at High Camp in our room and at the dining hall. We played cards game and chat around. The rain somehow stopped for some time, so we walked around and hike up a bit for 30 minutes. Then, the rain came back! It comes and it goes. 

Left - Inside our room, just chilling and resting

Middle - Directions at High Camp

Right - It's going to be a long way up to Upper Viewpoint

We met a few trekkers who manage to get to the Upper Viewpoint. We asked about how the trek went and as expected, there was no view. It was all fogs and the weather didn't really cooperate. However, they had a rare Yak farm experience, which made their trek a bit better in spite of the rain and fogs. It's good to know that there's something else good in there. 

Trekking Route - High Camp

Total hours of trekking - 30 minutes

Highest Altitude - High Camp (3,600 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Trekkers Paradise

 

TREK DAY 5 - FINALLY CONQUERED OUR QUEST

On our day 5, we wake up super early at 4:00am and our guide, Kapil went to check out the weather situation and he came back with a great news that we can head on to Upper Viewpoint. We left High Camp at 5:00am. It was still very dark and we have to use our torchlights and headlights in order for us to see, of course! It was very cold and a bit windy but we warmed up after some time. While ascending, the weather started to get clear followed by a few fogs. It was drizzling a bit but not too extreme. 

We reached Upper Viewpoint after 2.5 hours and out of nowhere the sky became foggy again. We still try to head on further at the Viewpoint. We waited for some time. We can see that the fogs are eliminating but then some more fogs are on its way. 

While waiting for our luck, we stayed at the Yak farm and drank some fresh warm yak milk. It was a good experience and this is our first time seeing and being close to the yaks and naks. Yaks are male yaks while Naks are female yaks. I'm not so sure why people call it yak milk, i guess it's because it's a lot easier for people to say it, 

After waiting for some time, we decided to head down to High Camp before the weather worsen. Although, we didn't get to see what we came for, which is the Annapurna South and Mt Machhapuchhre view, but at least we reached the top at 4,200 meters above sea level and the breakfast at Low Camp with the breathtaking Mt Machhapuchhre view are already good enough. There is always a next time. We would definitely look for a better season when the sky are much clearer. We manage to see the Annapurna Base Camp but it was still covered with some clouds and it was pointless to try to take a picture of it. There is always a next time. 

Descending back to High Camp is very challenging. The trail are steep and plenty of rocks and stones. Most of the big rocks are actually moving when we step onto it. There were times that I though I would fall but Thank God none of us did. As soon as we arrived at the High Camp, we packed our belongings, had a quick breakfast/ lunch and descend to Low Camp. 

It was still drizzling when we left High Camp and it was very muddy everywhere. Everything is wet and slippery. The trail are harder to cross and we had to take more time to find another path that is safe to walk. It was horrible to be honest. We felt very dirty and we just didn't care about those muds getting into our shoes, all we wanted is to not pay too much attention on the muds but to just finish the trek. We had enough of rain and being wet for 4 days straight. The tiny and annoying leeches are of course in our way and it didn't failed to spoil our mood even more. But this this time we had our weapon, some salts. Yes, leeches are afraid of salts and they become weak after splashing them with some salt. 

After 3 hours of descending, we finally arrived at the Low Camp and as usual, we cleaned ourselves up and we took some rest as we are super exhausted. It was a long day and a wet one too.  

Trekking Route (in order) - Upper View Point, High Camp, Middle Camp, Low Camp

Total hours of trekking - 6.5 hours

Highest Altitude - Upper View Point (4,200 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Machhapuchhre (Low Camp)

 

TREK DAY 6 - LAST GOODBYE AND A TOUGH DESCEND

On our day 6, we woke up at 7:00am, we had a quick wash up and packed up all of our belongings. It was our last breakfast at Low Camp with the Mt Machhapuchhre view. We had apple pancakes and ginger lemon tea for breakfast. I'd say this is by far the best apple pancake I ever had in my life. 

We left Low Camp by 8:00am and started our trek down to Sidding. The trail was a bit dry, since the rain had already stopped. There are still some trail that are a bit muddy. We were so glad that the leeches had finally stop attacking us. Unfortunately, we had encountered many donkeys in the way. They were delivering supplies up to the high camps. They totally ruined the trail, while making it extra harder for us to pass without stepping into muds. Anyways, we still made it and found our way down. Descending down is not very easy. It is actually quite tough and tiring. The donkeys made our trek longer because we need to find another way to walk. It feels like we have been descending forever. 

After 3 hours of trekking, we finally reach Sidding. We saw a lot of donkeys assembling and ready to hike up to the high camps to deliver supplies, such hardworking donkeys! The lodge in Sidding is probably the most beautiful and modern looking lodge in the Mardi Himal route and they have a decent toilet. We had our lunch at "Hotel Trekker's Home Nepal" while waiting for our jeep ride to bring us back to Pokhara. 

Left - The most beautiful lodge in the Mardi Himal route

Right - Entering our last stop in the Mardi Himal route

Left - Donkeys assembling 

Right - Some buffalos dipping in the water

We left Sidding at 2:00pm and we arrived to our hotel in Pokhara after 3 hours. The ride was super bumpy and the roads were not very even, especially coming down from the hill. We had some mini adrenaline rush while inside the jeep. It was a rare experience and it was quite fun quite frankly. We also passed by the Mardi River. The water drop from the Mt Machhapuchhre. The jeep ride cost us 10,000 NPR but we had other people inside the car, so we sort of shared the cost. We paid 3,500 NPR for 2 people. 

Left - Some waterfalls while we were inside the jeep

Right - The Mardi River

Right after we arrived at our hotel, we quickly freshen up. I think I spent more than 30 minutes in the bathroom. I have never felt this good taking shower before. Just imagine 6 days of no proper shower. We also unpack our belongings and we bring out our dirty clothes for laundry. After that, we went to the Lakeside to celebrate for conquering our Mardi Himal trek together with our awesome mountain guide/ friend, Kapil. 

Trekking/ Jeepney Route (in order) - Low Camp, Sidding, Lumre, Pokhara

Total hours of trekking - 3 hours

Total hours of jeepney ride - 3 hours

 

A LIST OF OUR COST IN THE MARDI HIMAL TREK

* The prices indicated below was during September 2017 and it is good for 2 people

1. Mountain guide and trekking permits via Plan Himalaya = $240
2. Food and drinks at teahouses = 20,920 NPR
3. Lodges (overnight stay for 5 nights) = 2,540 NPR
4. Taxi ride from Pokhara to Phedi = 2,000 NPR
5. Jeepney ride from Sidding to Pokhara = 3,500 NPR
6. Tips for our mountain guide = 5,000 NPR
7. Tourist Bus from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu = $28 (roundtrip)

Total in US Dollars = $268

Total in Nepalese Rupees = 33,960 NPR

Total Spending (for 2 people) = 60,760 NPR ($608 US Dollars)

We were genuinely happy with what we have spent. The money that we spent was super worth it and this is probably where most of my travel savings will be placed on. 

THE PRO'S AND CON'S ABOUT MARDI HIMAL TREK

There are some good things and some bad things during our Mardi Himal trek. Well, there is no such thing as perfect isn't it? Every goal comes with a price, hence the consequences. 

HERE IS A SUMMARISED LIST OF THE PROS AND CONS OF OUR AND SOME OTHER TREKKERS' EXPERIENCES IN THE MARDI HIMAL TREK:

PROS

• The teahouses and lodges are in good shape
• The food is made freshly and the teahouse owners grow their own vegetables
• You can charge your electronics in some of the lodges
• There is WIFI available in some lodges but connection might be limited and slow
• You get to spend more time and get to know the nature even better
• There is hot water available for shower, all you need to do is ask the owners
• You get to sleep early and wake up early for 4-6 days straight
• An opportunity to meet new people and socialise 
• Good for meditating

CONS

• There are no internet and mobile connection starting from the Low Camp area
• There is only 1 toilet room in every lodges/ teahouses, so there might be some queue at times
• The chances of having to deal with leeches during wet and rainy season is very high
• The muds and unstable trail while trekking
• Time is slower and you need to find things to do for pass time
• It is very cold especially during night time at the High Camp
• The weight of your backpack stays the same throughout your trek (if you don't have any porter). It doesn't get any lighter.
• You may need to wear your clothes repeatedly (if you are packing light and smart)

Overall, my Mardi Himal and my first trekking experience has been great and I will always cherish these memories with me. The things I have gone through during the trek are not something I can find in my daily life. I challenge myself and even trained very hard at the gym to make myself fit enough. I did what I thought I couldn't. I proved to myself that I am capable and strong enough to take on this challenge. After this once in a lifetime experience, I will surely be craving for more. 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email. I will be more than happy to help.

 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

This is a very good question, what's next after conquering the Mardi Himal trek? As this is my first trekking experience, in which it turns out very well. Sure, I had some bad experiences too during the trek but i'm not going to let this stop me from doing what I love to do. 

My next trek would probably be still in Nepal. Why? I fell in love with Nepal and I want to see more of its beauty. I am thinking of trekking to Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp next. Let's see how things goes. Stay tune!

Yours Truly, 

Michelle Chan

9 Ways To Get Organised

Have you ever felt disorganised lately? Have you thought that maybe you should start to be more organised to get things done easier and efficiently? Have you ever wonder when and how to start? Here are some ultimate tips for you to have an idea of how to be organised.

Before that, I want to share something first. In case, some of you might wonder why I created a blog like this. Well, the simple answer would be because I am a very meticulously organised person and I like to have everything - small or major things organised as I hate being messy and not being able to find my things whenever I want to. It is also because I dislike getting late for work or gathering simply because I can't find that one or two particular things.  So I decided to create this blog, hoping I can be able to help people who want to be more organised but don't know how and what to organise. The tips below are in no particular order. You may follow my suggestions, or you may also do a DIY according to your style or convenience. 

TIP #1 - SORT OUT YOUR FILES IN YOUR LAPTOP OR COMPUTER

I am pretty sure that no one wants to see a complicated and messy looking desktop screen in your laptops or computers, but I know quite a ton of people who probably have this problem. It would be nice to spare some time for at least an hour to sort out your files. Make sure to separate your data into different categories. For example, sort out your Movies, TV series, Documents, Music, Personal records, Work or school stuff and other stuff you may want to add into separate folders. How to do that? Here's a sample in the picture below.

Left picture - Sample of how to sort out your files in your laptop/ computer.

Right picture - Sample of how to sort out your Movies or TV series files when you have too much of it.

Another tip, I update my files every 2 weeks and I also back up all of my files into a hard disk.

TIP #2 - LABEL YOUR STUFF

You should consider putting labels onto your stuff to make it easier for you to find things. This method is highly recommended when you keep a lot of boxes, plastic containers or mini drawers.

There are three ways on how to make labels. You may buy a label machine from the stationery shops. Then, you type down your name, then click the print button, a piece of sticker will come out. Cut and stick the label to your designated container. Another way is to use your laptop to create a file by using " Microsoft Word". Then, type your name, and then you may print them out using sticker papers or an A4 size paper to stick it to your containers using glue or cellotape.  

I label majority of my stuff. I find it easier to find my belongings, to be honest. 

TIP #3 - GET A PLANNER

Keeping a planner, in my opinion, is extremely useful. Not only it helps you to be more organised but also to help you keep track of the essential things. Keeping a planner is highly recommended, especially for people who have a hectic schedule and precise tasks that need to be done with specific deadlines. You will be surprised at what and how much you have accomplished when you look back at your planner. Always find a time to work on your planner. You can spend less than 15 minutes to sort out your weekly plan; 15 minutes is not a lot of time. No more excuses!

I find it so helpful using a planner. I write down everything that I need to do, and I make sure I do the tasks that I have written down. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything, simply because I keep track on my planner every other day. 

I have used quite a few planners in the past, but I had only stuck with one excellent planner just three years ago. I would highly recommend "Passion Planner" because they have fantastic layouts, and there are many things for you to write down to help you organise yourself. This planner is legit, I promise!

Check out their website to find out more about their excellent planner www.passionplanner.com

TIP #4 - SEPARATE YOUR CLOTHING IN DIFFERENT WAYS

I would highly recommend everyone to sort out your clothes into different types of clothing. For example, organise your tops, bottoms, undies, outerwear, outdoor wear, sportswear and socks separately inside your wardrobes or drawers. Trust me on this, and it will make it easier for you to look for your desired clothing whenever you need them. There is also another way of maintaining tidiness and cleanliness of your clothes by storing them in good condition. I have experienced myself to have a messy wardrobe, and It is a disaster. 

TIP #5 - MAKE A SCHEDULE TO TIDY UP ALL YOUR BELONGINGS IN YOUR HOME

Try your best to find some time to schedule a time to tidy up and re-organised your crap; I mean your belongings! Nothing else feels better than to have your stuff stored in an ethical and tidy condition. Just don't be lazy and start sorting out your belongings. 

TIP #6 - STOCK UP

There are a lot of things you can stock up in your home. For example, buy some spare toothpaste, toothbrushes, toiletries, first aid kits, food supplies, essential home tools, emergency kit and anything else you may need. Stocking up things into your house is good as you never know when you might need them and if you have a busy lifestyle, it is smart to say that you should never leave your cupboards empty. 

TIP #7 - STORE YOUR LEAST ESSENTIAL THINGS IN BOXES

What are the least essential things exactly mean anyway? To put it in a shorter form, It is the "things you frequently use or never use". I can't name any particular least essential things as everyone has different preferences on the things we use and don't use. I would suggest making a list of the things you don't frequently use or even need at all for the time being. Once you're done making up your list, then you should be able to know what are the things you most likely need. After you are done sorting out, you can store your least essential belongings in boxes or plastic containers. There is no need to keep those things around in your home when you barely touch or even look at them. It can save up a lot of space, and it can also make your home look nice and clean. 

TIP #8 - CREATE A BUDGET FILE IN YOUR LAPTOP

Keeping a budget file concerning your money would be a good start to keep track of your money, including your savings and expenses. You will be able to see how much you have to spend for the month and how much you are saving. 

Let me share something. I was having a lot of difficulties to budget or to even stop myself from spending. So one day, I created a personalised budget file by using "Microsoft Excel". Ever since I started, I manage to decrease my spending and save more money. I think everyone should keep track of their money. I think this is just very essential to everyone. Just make sure that no one else has access to your laptop or computers. Make the file or the folder private just in case you lost your gadget.

Here's a sample template of the budget file that I had made. Feel free to download the file if you need it.

If you wish to download the Budget Plan template, feel free to click this link - Budget Plan to download the file to get started on your budgeting. Hope you find this is useful and Good luck! 

TIP #9 - ALWAYS PREPARE YOUR STUFF IN ADVANCE

Please take note that this is not an act of uber crazy or even close to being OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). I would call this "Saving precious time". I believe it is best to prepare your stuff in advance. Take this as an example. There are plenty of times when you always find it hard to leave home on time for work or doing other personal errands. The problem could be you may have taken such a long time looking for your outfit, jewellery to put own or so on. It could also be because you woke up late and there is only less time for you to prepare before heading out. It is always the best choice to prepare your stuff for the next day, one day ahead or the night before. Don't worry about what other people would think, remember this all the time "Saving precious time". 

I hope you find these tips useful and effective. Please feel free to leave me a comment below or email me at michellesochan@gmail.com for any further questions you may want to ask. I will be more than happy to help.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan