Ang Kalatas February 2018 Issue | Page 6

TRAVEL FEATURE
As one who belongs to a family of keen travellers , Ronald Manila encourages friends to explore the world and learn many things . # TeamManilaTravellers still dreams of seeing the Northern and Southern lights . Here is one account of a trek to the heights of the Himalayas .

Reaching for the sky on a mountain range

TO MOUNTAIN climbers , the 8,848m Mt Everest , the world ’ s highest peak , is the ultimate destination .
By RONALD MANILA In the first person
For trekkers and hikers , the 5,364m Everest ( south ) base camp ( EBC ) is indelibly stamped in their bucket list .
Mt Everest is visible from EBC on a clear and sunny day .
Just as EBC is the “ ascent point ” to the summit , Namche Bazaar , the main trading center of the Khumbu Valley , is to EBC .
The Khumbu Valley Trek , a climb to either Mt Everest or the EBC , usually starts from Lula Airport , considered the “ world ’ s most dangerous airport ”.
Its singular 725m runway hosts several morning flights coming from Kathmandu , the capital of Nepal .
We arrived in Lukla ( 2,860m ), greeted by blue sky at around 8:15am after a not-sobumpy 45min ride .
Our tour group of nine and two expedition guides went to a designated teahouse for our breakfast where we met the rest of the hiking team – four young porters , three of them Sherpas , and one Tamang .
Our luggage for the trip was not to exceed 10kg and our carry-on no more than 5kg .
After breakfast , we started our initial trek towards Phakding ( 2,610m ) navigating dirt roads and crossing a few suspension bridges . We shared the trails with fellow hikers , donkeys and dzo - a crossbreed between yak and cattle - carrying merchandise for delivery up the mountains ( we initially avoided stepping on their poo ), and human porters carrying loads as heavy as 120kg .
Along the way , every time we passed Buddhist “ prayers wheels ”, we would spin them counter clockwise – as instructed by our chief expedition officer – as “ a sign of mantra for good luck ”.
After four hours , we reached our initial accommodation : Shangri-la guest house owned by a Sherpa who worked in the US for
LOVE IS IN THE AIR
As part of February being the ' love month ', AK NewsMag asked four known personalities in the Fil-Aussie community their responses to : What does Valentine ' s Day mean to you ? How are you going to celebrate Valentine ' s Day ?
June Young , Woongarrah
For me , Valentine ' s Day is a time of the year to reflect how much your love for somebody is and to express this through sharing life and love together on this special day .
My amazing husband and I met when I was touring with my Canadian band in Indonesia . We got married in Ormoc City , Leyte where I was born . Although I didn ’ t grow up there , I promised myself I ’ ll get married to the place where I was born . We have been married for 16 years and blessed with a wonderful daughter and a son .
15th February is my son ’ s birthday so we would normally combine a family dinner and VD . So I will spend as much time with my husband and children as I believe VD is an opportunity to show my love to all of them . Perhaps when the kids are all grown up I can then have my husband all to myself again hahaha ! •
Jo-Ann Magno-Tabuzo , Blacktown
Valentine ' s Day for me and my love Banggeh ( Evangeline ) is our “ Just Us ” time . Our time out from our daily routine to spend a very quality time together away from work and house chores .
Since we got married on 7 Feb . 2010 in Vancouver , Canada , days before Valentine ' s Day we normally dine out together with friends to celebrate . And on VD just us for dinner and a movie . Since Banggeh is working after hours now and VD happens to be on a weekday we can ’ t go anywhere but meet at Blacktown Station after our day job then she ’ ll drop me home before she goes to her after hours job .
She ’ s a very loving person . She told me that we will still celebrate our 8th year and VD in between . Yes she promised to take me to the Shen Yun Musical on Sunday , 11 February . We ’ d love to get married again now that it ’ s legal here in Australia as all our friends hope to be part of the celebrations . •
Obet Dionisio , Quakers Hill
VD means " Victorious Day " for me as it was Feb . 13th when I attained " VICTORY " and got that elusive " Yes " from my the girl I was courting .
As we always do , we celebrate Valentine ' s Day one day in advance because of this . Of course , I will celebrate Valentine ' s with my wife of forty seven years , Espie Camara Dionisio . " Never let a day go by without saying " I love You ". Do you know that sometimes I say " I love you " to my wife TWENTY TIMES A DAY , and not less than TEN TIMES A DAY ."
We met at work and got married ; We have been blessed with five daughters and 3 grandchildren - 2 boys and 1 girl .
We will celebrate Valentine ' s Day with just a lunch or dinner with just the two of us , saying " I Love You " to each other . Nothing Fancy . •
Rod Dingle , Blacktown
Valentine ’ s Day – is the day of love ! Honestly , everyday should be a day of love ! I know it ’ s a cliché but this world revolves because of love ! If you really look at it – Valentine ’ s Day should not be only for lovers – but for all who are capable of love and loving ! My partner Danu and I met via internet in late 2010 . Danu , a Sri Lankan and I have been living with each other since 9th June 2016 .
It ’ s very likely that he will be at work ( he works as a Chef ) so our Valentine ’ s Day celebration will be a bit delayed – and celebrated when he is free . Knowing him , he will very likely surprise me ! He maybe cooking me a special meal ( which he does so nicely ) or take me out somewhere ! He likes to take lead in these situations – and I will be the very obliging follower ! I like to be surprised now and then . I think it is very sweet and shows how much he cares ! And what will I do in return ? That will also be my surprise back to him !! •
06 FEBRUARY 2018 | AK NewsMagazine , Vol 8 No 5 www . kalatas . com . au