The Very Big Adventure...Revised

We're not going to Mera Peak anymore. The company we chose to go with no longer operates out of Australia and their Kathmandu office never replied to our queries....so now, we've signed up with Peregrine Adventures to attempt Island Peak, or Imja Tse. It's 6,189m high, so a little shorter than Mera, but technically harder (so we've been told!). We're really excited about it cos it means re-visiting Gokyo (and another attempt for me to get to the top of Gokyo Ri), crossing the Cho La once more, up to Everest Base Camp, over the Kongma La (which we missed in 2003 cos of heavy snow), through Chukkhung and onto Island Peak Base Camp.

So, the whole adventure is now: a trip to Tibet, going to Tibet-side Everest Base Camp, then onto a pilgrimage around Mt Kailash; around Annapurna Circuit, with side trip to Tilicho Lake; and Island Peak. 3 whole months away! And only 158 sleeps to go.....

Tibetan Flag Flies Over Caboolture

Friday 10 March marked the 47th anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against the Chinese invasion, which ultimately led to the fleeing of the Dalai Lama into exile. The Tibetan flag is outlawed in Tibet. The Australian Tibet Council approached local councils around Australia asking if they would fly the Tibetan Flag on March 10. The council I work for, Caboolture Shire Council, was one of the few that agreed.

For more information about Tibet and its struggle for independence see Australia Tibet Council's website www.atc.org.au, Free Tibet Campaign website www.freetibet.org and the Tibetan Government In Exile website www.tibet.com