MyPhotoAlbum

Nature's Bouguets

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:25:22 -0400

I never get tired of walking through Nature's flower gardens in the mountains, hills and fields. The colours and forms are amazing. The Master Gardener seems to have no problem combining all these species, colours and forms and they grow despite the harsh environment! Maybe I look after my garden too well! I'll never be able to match the beauty of the ones shown in the following pictures that come from two sides of this wonderful world of ours. Hope you enjoy the show.

Beautiful Canadian Rockies

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 00:09:20 -0400

I'm fortunate to live in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies - just an hour's drive to Banff National Park. Over the years my feet and my camera have covered a great deal of these magnificent mountains. Although not as high as my beloved Himalayas, they are, nevertheless, spectacularly beautiful and attract visitors from all over the world in both summer and winter. Despite the many people who visit one or more of th six National Parks in the Rockies it is still possible to find wildnerness and hike all day without seeing anyone else.

Upper Mustang & Tiji Festival in Lo Manthang May 2007

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 20:31:20 -0400

All of the photos in this album were taken by Senior Trekking Guide (and Company Director) Ramesh Dhamala, Ecological Treks & Tours (P) Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal, and have been used with permission. The Upper Mustang region is a fascinating part of Nepal. It is located north of the Annapurna Range of the Himalaya and is very similar to the Tibet in culture and environment. Originally part of Tibet, the ruler of the Upper Mustang area voluntarily agreed to sign a Treaty with the King of Nepal - more than 200 years ago. In return, Nepal agreed to protect the culture and traditions of the Loba people of the Upper Mustang region by restricting access to their territory. The region was opened to a limited number of foreign visitors in 1991 and remains a controlled area requiring a special permit to enter that costs US$700 per person for 10 days - more if you wish to stay for 13 or 16 days! The present King, a direct descendant of Ami Pal, the original monarch, will be the last of his line by terms of the treaty. At his death the area will become simply another District of Nepal. The annual Tiji Festival celebrates is a colourful celebration of the triumph of Good over Evil.

Family and Community Health Awareness Project

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:13:29 -0400

In April, 2007, in partnership with the Nepali NGO, Ecological Protection Forum and under the sponsorship of Medical Mercy Canada, we launched a new program in a test area of Dhading District. Focus Groups and Health Awareness workshops were scheduled with participants that included Community Health Workers, Health Teachers, Community Health Volunteers, Municipal Leaders from all political parties and Representatives from Village Mother's Groups. The 178 attendees discussed Health and Environmental challenges in their region and shared ways and means to address the problems they faced. Workshop presentations included "Preventing the Spread of Communicable Disease", "What is a Balanced Diet?", "Improving our Environment", "Personal Hygiene and Sanitation" and other subjects critical to gaining and maintaining a healthy family and community. The workshops were preparatory to mobilizing Community Health Teams. Each team's objective will be the development and implementation of educational programs and community activities to increase knowledge of the preventative measures that can be taken to improve individual, family and community health standards. Each will address problems specific to their community. The overall message to be conveyed is that "I am responsible for my own health and well-being, then the health of my family members and finally the general health of my community by helping to maintain a healthy environment. The responsibilityof others begins when I have done all that I can to help myself." Team Leaders are now conducting a house-to house survey with an objective of visiting 85% of the 5000 families in the test area over the next four months - teaching basic health/environment concepts, observing and assessing specific needs where community action may ultimately be required to assist families.

NEPAL - Land of Contrasts....More than Mountains

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:42:54 -0500

Put yourself in these pictures! The cultural and scenic diversity of Nepal is difficult to describe and hard to imagine until you see and experience it firsthand! Picture travelling from the sub-tropical jungles of the Terai region on India's border to the foot of Mt. Everest in a space of approximately 140 km! In that short distance you can ascend from about 70m above sea level to the highest point on Earth (8850m). From its ancient capital of Kathmandu, through the mountains and down to its sweltering lowland plains, it is one of the most compelling and awesomely beautiful countries in the world. A must see for Adventurers or those who simply love history, people and beautiful scenery. You don't have to be a mountain climber to enjoy the Himalaya or the country and Nepalese people...the following photos answer one of the questions of "WHY?" travel in Nepal. Are you interested in Nepal travel, volunteering your skills or giving other support to village projects? Please contact Elsie James at stilltrekkin@hotmail.com