Sonoma County is home to a diversity of golf courses - some 16 are listed here (every golf course in the county); we have personally visited 15 of them. Most are public, but some are private and a number are membership based. The private very prestigious Mayacama Golf Course is located just east of Windsor. Jack Nicholas (who designed the course) teed off on opening day in 2001 to many cheers from the on looking crowds. This private course was … [Read more...]
Nepal – Porters
Once you reach Lucla and step out of your plane or helicopter you will be greeted by many people, mostly porters. The porters will surround you and ask if you need some help in carrying your packs. Porters can be hired for a few American dollars per day. Sometimes they will request that you pay for their dinner at one of the many lodges scattered along the trail. I was surprised to see that the porters were quite short and wiry. I was also … [Read more...]
Nepal – Altitude
The heights in Nepal are not to be taken lightly. The high altitude can definitely be a problem for many people. Everyone adjusts differently to the altitude as I found out on our hike. Studies have estimated that 30 to 40 percent of all hikers on the Everest trail will develop some sort of altitude sickness. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is the most common form of altitude sickness. Out of the 16 people on our trek, I would say that only 3 or 4 … [Read more...]
Nepal – What to Bring
Besides the medication and medical kit there is quite a bit that the trekker can bring. If you are going to hire a porter, put what you can into your bag and worry less about the weight. If you are going to carry your own pack you must prioritize what is really important to you on backpacking trips, and consider weight as a factor. If you are not planning on backpacking this list will still help you in your packing. Some of these items may be … [Read more...]
Nepal – The Trek
This is a short story about a 12 day trek I took in the Himalayas. This was the trip that turned me on to International travel and was the direct inspiration for starting Dave’s Travel Corner, i.e., this website. Sometimes people speak of “a trip of a lifetime” – for me, Nepal was that trip. Be prepared to read – this is a long one! We were delayed in the Katmandu airport for some reason. Our guide speculated that someone had paid more money … [Read more...]
Nepal – Trekking Companies
Trekking differs from just a "hike" in that trekking is partly a cultural experience. While on the trail not only are you experiencing fantastic views of awesome scenery, but you are interacting with porters, meeting people from around the world who have come to hike in the Himalayas, as well as meeting the Sherpa people. Trekking can either be organized through established trekking companies or done solo. Expect to pay more for trekking … [Read more...]
Nepal – Katmandu
Katmandu, for all its poverty and dilapidated buildings, is a relatively safe city. In all my walks and travels through the neighborhoods I never once felt unsafe. In comparison, many times I felt unsafe walking through Bangkok, Thailand or even cities in California. The people in Katmandu were very friendly and easy going. This was the first city that I have ever seen that appeared to be crumbling to the ground. There were few paved streets, … [Read more...]
Nepal – Kathmandu Attractions
Swayambhunath or Monkey Temple is well worth seeing. This temple is located a short distance from Katmandu. The reason this temple is called the Monkey temple is that there are many many wild monkeys crawling around on the steps and buildings. Be careful not to have any exposed food with you because the monkeys will jump you and try to take away your food. There are 365 well worn steps leading to the top of the temple. These steps become … [Read more...]
Nepal – Bargaining
Bargaining was one of the highlights for me in Katmandu. Every where you walk in this crowded city you are surrounded by swarms of people trying to sell you something. They offer everything from the "best knives made in Nepal", to jewelry, to drugs, to women. Often we would be walking along and some shady character would come up to you and ask in a hushed whisper if you wanted to purchase marijuana, hashish, or coke. When we first arrived it … [Read more...]
Nepal – Pokhara
We did not actually visit this beautiful area which is west of Katmandu. The reason I include it here is that we were told but a number of people that it is a stunningly beautiful place to visit. Pokhara is actually at an elevation lower then Katmandu and is therefore more tropical. The valley that it sits in is home to forests and many lakes. This city is closer to the mountains than is Katmandu so you have beautiful views of Annapurna I to IV … [Read more...]