Himalayan Bootcamp Diaries

For more pictures of our Oct boot camp in India, click here.

Boot Camp activities posted after Nov 1st due to limited internet connection. in the region we were in.

Saturday Nov 1^st – Saying Goodbye to new friends…

Finally it was time to leave and say goodbye to everyone, including the wonderful staff at Glenburn.

I will be expanding our website with testimonials, pictures and some podcasts of our adventures. Stay tuned! We have some amazing pictures!!!

Two beautiful pictures below…

Friday Oct 31^st – Tibetan Refugee Center and more…

This was an amazing last day of our Himalayan Boot Camp adventure!

Suspension Bridge to Sikkim

After about 20 minutes driving in the jeep we come across a suspension bridge that “waves” as the car drives across it. It was a little frightening but not too bad. We continue to drive until we get to the valley floor where we hike along the River Rung Dung for another 30-40 minutes until we reach the Manjitar suspension bridge, built in 1899 that crosses from the Glenburn property to the Royal Kingdom of Sikkim.

This suspension bridge is about one hundred and eighty feet across and two hundred feet above the River Rung Dung. Some of us had no fear and crossed it effortlessly while some of us (including me) were scared of heights, and slowly walked across, torturing ourselves by looking though the holes in the wooden slats on the floor to the rushing river two hundred feet below.

Well, we all made it, crossed over to Sikkim, visiting a little temple in the village of Manjitar then headed back.

Some of us opted to stay at the boot camp premises to relax and pack up while the rest of us opted for the following activities.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) and Darjeeling Zoo

After the Manjitar suspension bridge excursion, we took off to visit HMI where we saw some very interesting mountaineering items and information such as the Everest climb by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. We read about and saw boots, crampons, climbing equipment, ice picks, and more, including pictures as well as exhibitions of other notable climbers from around the world.

At the Zoo next door (there is one fee for both HMI and the Zoo) we saw the Bengal Tiger, Siberian Tiger, Spotted Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, and Red Panda among many other animals and birds.

Tibetan Refugee Self Help Center

This was one of the highlights of our trip. This center was started in Oct 1959 following the escape of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Tibet. During this time and after, displaced Tibetans began coming into India which created a need for rehabilitation and reliance on themselves in what they call the spirit of self help.

Thus a ten member committee was formed that organized and established this rehabilitation center. When the center started nearly 50 years ago there were only four workers. Today, the center is home to about 650 refugees. Center activities range from the creation of handicrafts and training for different crafts to the care of the sick and elderly and orphans.

We were able to see the residents create clothes, make sweaters and scarves, carpentry and more. There was a Shop that sold the local handicrafts that were made. We bought quite a few souvenirs here.

One of my favorites is a wall hanging with the following words:

A Precious Human Life

“Every day, think as you wake up,

Today, I am fortunate to have woken up,

I am alive, I have a precious human life,

I am not going to waste it,

I am going to use all my energies to develop myself,

To expand my heart out to others,

To achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings,

I am going to have kind thoughts towards others,

I am not going to get angry, or think badly about others

I am going to benefit others as much as I can”

(By His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama)

Thursday Oct 30^th – Hike to the River Rangeet

After our daily Yoga session and breakfast, guests started off on another hike. This time is was to the River Rangeet, again a steep descent down and a challenging hike back up. The entire hike took about four and a half to five hours round trip.

Everyone enjoyed refreshments and snacks by the river before attempting the hike back.

I was in bed with an upset stomach on this day and Gerry accompanied the guests and guide. He was totally wiped out by the time he got back. In fact, the hike coming back was so steep he decided to get a ride back on the jeep. The rest of the guests of course being die hard hikers all took the tough way and hiked back all the way. This day was much warmer than the rest and everyone was tuckered out by the time they got back to camp. So after lunch they all retired to their rooms for an afternoon of rest and relaxation until tea time.

I do want to say something about one of the salads served at lunch. Unfortunately I was sick and was not present so I did not taste it, but my guests kept going on and one about it. I found out that this was a leaf and flower salad of home grown arugulo rocket leaves, green lettuce, sweet basil, lemon basil and red basil leaves, parsley, chive leaves and flowers, nasturnium flowers and fresh watercress. This was served with a fresh ginger vinaigrette dressing.

Dinner that evening was a light Continental meal.

Wednesday Oct 29^th – To Hike or NOT to Hike. Maybe Kalimpong?

After our daily Yoga session and another full breakfast, we set out on one of the most challenging of our Himalayan Boot Camp hikes.

Some of the guests wanted a cultural experience so we split up with some guests deciding to go to Kalimpong while some stayed behind to do a minor hike with our guide and just generally rest in their bungalow.

For those of us who went on to Kalimpong, we drove about 33 Kilometers through again some of the most beautiful countryside. Guests keep mentioning over and over during boot camp week that they did not expect this type of terrain and lushness in India.

We visited the Durpin Monastery, a Hindu temple, and orphanage where there were 35 orphan girls and the Kalimpong open market – market day in Kalimpong is the day where all the locals bring their spices, vegetables, and different wares to sell and occurs twice a week on Weds and Saturdays.

The open bins of spices smelled heavenly and we enjoyed the experience, got some great pictures.

It was generally a wonderful, relaxing day where we enjoyed interacting with the local people and seeing a different part of the area.

We arrived back at boot camp location on time for happy hour and a Burmese dinner.

Tuesday Oct 28^th – The Toughest Hike (38 Kilometers)

After another full breakfast, we set out on one of the most challenging of our Himalayan Boot Camp hikes.

This is a tough hike from our boot camp location to Darjeeling which normally takes about 5-6 hours. We start out through small villages and forest paths up and down through the Tukdak tea estate, crossing the River Dung bridge and waterfall where we meander through beautiful tea bushes, literally crossing valley after valley as we head towards Darjeeling.

Once we cross the River Dung, we start the steep climb up to Darjeeling. This is where we really were challenged physically. After walking for a few hours, the climb up to Darjeeling is tough and takes a tremendous amount of willpower and physical strength.

This is a climb from 3000 feet to almost 7000 feet! Most of us clocked at least 4 hours of hiking while some hiked the entire 5 hours. What an amazing accomplishment for everyone.

After we got to Darjeeling, we went shopping! We came back with an assortment of souvenirs, beautiful Pashmina shawls, stone necklaces, Buddhist wind chimes to name a few.

The South Indian dinner was lovely, and because of the Diwali festival of lights, we were treated to a wonderful display of fireworks while we enjoyed the beautifully lit hills of the surrounding homes that were scattered all over the hillsides.

Monday Oct 27^th - Excursion to the river (8 KM)

Because of the weather conditions (Cyclone in West Bengal) which may affect our weather in Darjeeling, we changed our itinerary to accommodate this, so daily activities are not exact to what was listed on the website.

We start of the morning with our first one and a half hour yoga session on the balcony of our bungalow with Helena, our instructor. We did warm-ups, sun salutations/Bihar series, Standing poses/Balancers, Inverted poses, Forward bends, Backward bends, Spinal twists, Relaxation techniques and Pranayama.

After our showers and a hearty breakfast, we start off with a tea tour at the Glenburn factory. Sanjay, the estate manager taught us some absolutely amazing things about the manufacturing and drinking of tea. We learned about the different flushes (first, second, monsoon etc) as well as the delicate processes to get the best quality out of the teas, including how to drink it properly to make sure you are taking full advantage of all the antioxidants present in each cup. It was a fantastic educational experience. I will definitely never look at tea the same way again when I am at the super market.

After our tea tasting session, we all set out with our guide on a hike to the Glenburn campsite and river. This is a fairly steep downhill hike where we passed waterfalls, streams, tea bushes, and forests. The scenery was spectacular and we met plantation workers, playing children, and local people along the way.

We descended from 3000 feet to the river below where we enjoyed lunch picnic style while listening to the rushing water over the rocks.

We could not walk back up hill as rain clouds had gathered and it was starting to sprinkle. We got a ride back on the 4 wheel jeeps that had accompanied us.

Just a note that no matter where you hike during your boot camp, there will always be a jeep following you that is nearby in the event you wish to stop hiking and get a ride back.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing, enjoying afternoon high tea, a Nepali dinner and mingling with other guests. The green tea ices cream was especially decicious!

Since this was the week of Diwali (Festival of lights), we were treated with a cultural show where the local children came to the verandah of the bungalow during dinner time and performed Nepali dances.

Sunday Oct 26^th – Arrival of first Himalayan Boot Camp Guests

Our first Himalayan Boot Camp guests arrive. They were awed by the beautiful scenery and lovely rooms.

Glenburn just built a new bungalow and we were very fortunate to be the first guests at this new building. In fact, the yoga room downstairs and the two bedrooms were still in the process of being completed (by end of 2008). We did however get the entire upstairs that was completed.

Our interim plan was to have yoga every day in the front balcony with a view of the mountains.

Guests rested and refreshed themselves the rest of the afternoon, joined everyone for a local Tibetan dinner and went to bed.

The first day of our Himalayan Boot Camp was about to get started!

Saturday Oct 25^th – Boot Camp Preparation

The rest of the boot camp guests were scheduled to arrive on Sunday afternoon of Oct 26^th. Since this is our first boot camp, we booked a limited number of rooms with Glenburn and were sold out with 4 guests from the US, my husband Gerry and myself and my mom. My mom came to relax and just generally laze about as she is 76 years of age and not planning on anything strenuous, mainly read, relax and enjoy all the gourmet food.

We spent the 25^th and 26^th with the owner and manager of Glenburn going over the boot camp schedule for the rest of the week.

Every morning of these two days we enjoyed the sunrise and sunset over Kanchenjunga and the surrounding peaks. Nature appeared to be at one of its most beautiful here in this place.

Friday Oct 24^th – Drive to Boot Camp Location

We are picked up from the Mayfair by the Glenburn chauffer who drives us to the Himalayan Boot Camp location at the Glenburn Tea Plantation.

We pass through absolutely beautiful hills and valleys during our one and a half hour trip including multiple working tea estates. The rolling hills of tea bushes on the steep mountainsides were a sight to behold.

After an hour of driving, we were taken to a picturesque knoll on top of a hill where we were provided fresh tea and carrot cake by our driver.

The last four Kilometers of our drive is over a rough fairly steep road and we finally arrive at Glenburn. We were greeted with ginger tea and a welcoming staff, shown to our rooms where we rested until dinner time.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. We enjoyed the delicious dinner and snuggled into bed, exhausted and ready for some much needed rest.

Thursday Oct 23^rd – The Journey to Darjeeling (continued)

After a hair raising speed crazy drive, which included a couple of tea stops for the driver so he can stay awake, we arrive at the Gawahati train station and take an uneventful trip to New Jalpaguri where we were met by the driver for the Mayfair hotel.

Our next leg of the journey was a 3 hour trip to our hotel. As we drive out of Siliguri, we marvel at some steep mountains ahead of us in the Darjeeling area where homes are built precariously it seems against the very top of these very steep mountains. We ask the driver who mentions that the area is called Kerseong. Little did we know that he planned to take us this”scenic” route to the hotel rather than the more traveled main road to Darjeeling.

As we climbed higher, higher and higher up this windy, very narrow, steep road, even my husband who was not normally nervous was starting to sweat! It felt like our car was traveling on the edge of the precipice. Although we were a little petrified with the road, the scenery was absolutely stunning as we climbed up even higher for about 2 hours and left the clouds below. We finally arrive at the top and make our way to Darjeeling where we arrive at the Mayfair hotel.

Although I felt I was scared out of my wits I had a feeling that after the drive up I was completely cured of my fear of heights and steep curvy roads – the one we had just traveled up pretty much took the cake!

As we get closer to Darjeeling and rounded a curve we saw a sight we will never forget. Mt Kanchenjunga in all its glory in the afternoon sun. Words cannot describe how we felt. Here we are staring at one of the greatest mountains in the Himalaya range, it looked so close we felt as it we could touch it. Surrounding it were all the other snow covered peaks in the range, stretching across the horizon. I can only say that it was spellbinding, awe-inspiring, beautiful and majestic!

This view accompanied us for the rest of our trip to Darjeeling. We arrived at the Mayfair and was given a beautiful room overlooking the valley. We were looking forward to the next day where we were to travel to our boot camp location.

After having our afternoon tea, we set out exploring the surrounding area and shops near the hotel. What a wonderful day we had! Truly the start of an unforgettable vacation.

NOTE: Our itinerary is NOT standard for boot camp guests but we wanted to share our experiences with you. Normally Himalayan Boot Camp guests would arrive in Calcutta, take a flight directly to Darjeeling where they will be picked up and driven directly to the Himalayan Boot Camp location.

Guests will still have the opportunity to see the same Himalayan Range and Kanchenjunga during the more direct trip. In fact, this view is even more beautiful from our boot camp location.

Thurs Oct 23^rd – An “Amazing Race” Experience

At 1 AM sharp the alarm went off. We got ourselves ready for 2 PM pickup.

2:10 – No sign of pickup car, no response from driver

2:20 – No sign of the pickup car, no response from driver

2:30 – No sign of pickup car, no response from driver

By this time we were a little bit in a panic. Phoned our brother in law who came down with his car, he has a taxi but it is not licensed to travel to the Gawahati area We decided to go to the tourist area of town with the hope of getting one of the tourist cars to drive us to Gawahati.

This was starting to feel like THE AMAZING RACE – middle of the night transport issues, foreign country, train connection deadline challenges etc…

By 2:45 AM we were driving through the deserted streets of Shillong looking for transport. We get to the tourist car parking areas and see a few cars parked there with drivers sleeping in their cars who would be taking passengers the next day to different tourist areas. The bad news was that no one wanted to wake up and drive us 3 hours to Gawahati in the middle of the night. We could not get anyone to go. We started tapping on all the windows and after going through about 10-12 cars we finally found one who agreed to drive us. We got in with some relief.

Now the race was one… Can we make it there on time. This road usually has large commercial trucks traveling on it during the night and it is congested, windy and difficult to pass on these hairpin curves. We keep our fingers (and toes) crossed as we head down toward Gawahati and the train station.

Tuesday Oct 21, 2008 – Little Side Trip Enroute to Boot Camp

This is where we veered off the normal Himalayan Boot Camp itinerary and made a little side stop. Since I am from the city of Shillong in Meghalaya India, we were spending a whole month in India and we each had two suitcases so we wanted to drop the majority of the luggage at my mom’s house in Shillong before we headed off to our Boot Camp location.

Our intention was to spend one day and night in Shillong, leave the next day by car to Gawahati, rest up at a Gawahati hotel then take the Rajdhani train to New Jaipalguri and on to our boot camp (we had already purchased train tickets before we left the US).

We arrived in Gawahati and took the 60 mile trip to Shillong from the Gawahati airport which was about 3-4 hours over steep, hilly beautiful mountains.

Once we got to Shillong, I got online to check on available hotels in Gawahati, how hard can it be to get a room right? After all, it was a large town with many big hotels.

After numerous calls, including family members who tried to help out, there was not one room to be had – appears the president of India was in the area.

We were in a predicament as our intention was to go down to Gawahati on the 22^nd, spend the night and take the Rajdhani express train the next morning at 7 AM. We had already purchased the tickets a few weeks back so it was not an option to catch another train.

The backup plan was now to leave Shillong at 2 AM the early morning of Oct 23^rd, to get to the train station on time to catch the 7 AM train (remember, Shillong is about 3 hours away and we wanted to get there in plenty of time).

We arranged a car to pick us up at 2 AM and we were all set. Went to bed early, alarm clocks set for 1 AM.

Sunday Oct 19^th, 2008… and were off to India…

As Singapore Airlines takes off from San Francisco and the city disappears from our view, my husband Gerry and I cannot contain our excitement at this adventure we are going on.

The seats were a bit cramped in economy class but the overall trip was not bad at all. Singapore Airlines serves a variety of cuisine. I especially like the menus they bring at the beginning of the flights so we have an idea of what we will be eating.

After a long 14 hour flight to Hong Kong, another 3 hour flight to Singapore and an additional 4 hour flight from Singapore, we arrive in Calcutta at 10:35 PM on Oct 20^th. Immigration was effortless and as I headed to the currency exchange counter to get some Indian Rupees, I was met by the Oberoi representative.

I advise anyone who travels and can afford this chain of hotels to use them. They are worth every penny. After the Oberoi gentlemen introduced himself to us, he quickly took us to the hotel car that was waiting outside, and before we knew it the luggage was loaded and off we went.

The hotel itself was a beautiful oasis in the middle of the bustling city of Calcutta. The rooms were lovely, the service was superb, and the rain showers in the granite bathrooms were heavenly after a long trip.

The next morning we were escorted again by the Oberoi car to the airport where the Oberoi rep met us, took our luggage, checked everything through, secured our boarding passes and directed us to the security and boarding area.

We were now ready for the next phase of our journey.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008 at 10:59 pm and is filed under One Week Boot Camp. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.