The loop visits are still in full swing this phase and we've been heading out to see all the teams. Una, our administrator, has just returned from Kerala where she caught up with Tango 5 on their rest day. Here's what they all got up to...
Trekking in the Cardamom country and tea plantations.
I've just got back from my travels to see the lovely Tango 5 trekking group in Kerala. The 12 hour journey was long and very picturesque. The Western Ghats mountain range comprises of tea plantations, cardamom fields and national reserve parks which contain rare wildlife and varying terrain. The group completed the impressive task of climbing Misappulimala at 8,333 ft, the second highest peak in South India, and double the height of Ben Nevis, on their first day trekking, something they should all be very proud of!
I met Tango 5 on their rest day at the Chaturangappara camp site which has a lake with swans and is surrounded by flowers and thick foliage.
They decided to make a traditional vegetarian Sambar curry as a local family that lives near to the camp offered to teach them how. During the day the group played card games and were busy reading and writing to their loved ones. We even found a lovely little chai shop that sold cakes and goodies to stop by as Phillip de Koning celebrated his birthday at the camp and we all sang Happy Birthday to him and ate a delicious piece of cake.
The group are having a lovely time trekking and have spoken of their enjoyment of pushing themselves to climb mountains, swim and wash in waterfalls and camp life.
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| The team of Tango 5 Back row L - R Sachin, Kieran, George, Daan, Elliott, Philip, George, Stuart (PM) Front row L - R Lisa, Clare, Susan (PM), Bryony, Lauren, Fieke, Anna, Ellie |
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| Susan and Stuart, the Tango 5 project managers enjoying a well earned rest day. |
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| Some of the group were invited into the camp gatekeeper's house to learn how to make sambar curry with his family. L - R Elliott, Bryony, Susan, Fieke. |
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| Philip celebrates his birthday with not one but TWO cakes! |
Thanks for that Una and we wish Tango 5 all the best for their last few days out in the wilderness of Kerala and look forward to seeing them all back at field base soon. I've just got back from an amazing trip to see Charlie 1 and Tango 6, also in Kerala so I'll be posting all the news from them very soon, promise...
Here are their messages to you at home…
To Penny Evans
From Clare Evans
Alice is applying to uni? I did not know this. To study what? Wish her the very best of luck from me. Trekking is amazing – the scenery is amazing can’t wait to show the photos. Animal sightings update: loads of monkeys, warthogs, water snakes, numerous kingfishers, eagles and a baby chipmunk. Poor Melly hope she’s ok give her a hug from me! I may travel on afterwards – I’ll email you in just over a week. Love, Clare xxx
From Ellie Burton
To Mother Burton
Hellooo! Just a quickie to let you know I’m surviving trek in Kerala so far, weather’s very humid, particularly in the thick jungle areas! Half expecting Baloo the Bear floating past us in the river! Climbed the 2nd highest peak in India (shock horror), views were incredible, the slide down on my bum was less incredible. Also built a raft seen kingfishers, showered in waterfalls and regularly get up at 4 am! Very wild. Miss you loads, hope you’re well xxx
From Anna Clarke
To Sebastian & Famille Clarke
Hello all! Trek is going pretty darn well. Had a touch of the Delhi belly on day one yet still conquered the 2nd highest peak in South India. Quite an achievement I feel. Scenery is absolutely breathtaking so my pictures are fairly epic. Can’t wait for you to see what I’m seeing. At a camp in the jungle today it’s pretty toasty so taking the opportunity to sort out the T-shirt tan. Sorry to hear about Bruney I’m sure he’ll have an amazing time whatever he ends up doing. Hope you’re all well, send my love to everyone. Lots of love xxx
From Biryani your wife
To Kathy Leeno
Hello gorgepot! Trek is amazing. I think of you a lot when I’m stood sweating my bodyweight in water, and think fondly of the times we attempted any sort of exercise (could I be any hotter?). I think about you a lot and think about the sticky turtle situations you get yourself into. It is the most beautiful place I’ve been to out here, but trekking is so hard. Can’t wait to speak to you properly. Miss you millions. Hope you and J have an amazing holiday and hope to God the patchy belly has made a comeback. Love you xxx
From Stu Vincent
To All
Hi all, now on trek through stunning Kerala, experiencing forests, roads and a number of mountainous areas. Hardest trekking I’ve ever done. Humid and backpack almost at breaking point. Good job I’ve lost about 10kg since being in India. Not been this light since school. Camp sites are amazing and a great reward after a days trek. Not long till back and catch up with everyone then. Take care Stu
From Lisa Akyol
To my fellow Akyols and mes amis
Allo allo everybody! I can’t believe how time flies out here, I’m already on day 8 of trekking through the jungle. The scenery is absolutely breath taking – especially the view from the 8,000 ft mother of a mountain we casually ascended on our first day. No biggie Pa, you would love our guide – he too is partial to wearing jeans whilst walking. Lol Timmy has prepared me well and all my D of E skills are defo paying off. All I’m missing is Cauth to recite a bit of hazza p to me as I saunter through the tea plantations and life would be complete! I’m so so excited to travel on afterwards now, but I am properly looking forward to my shower, bed and a cold glass of milk when I get back! Miss and love you all my lovelies, Lisa xxx ps M, will send you plans as soon as I get access to the internet, and it is sweltering J
From Bryony Wilde
To All the people I love
Hello! Having the most amazing time in Kerala – it’s the most beautiful place I’ve seen! Literally have seen the most fantastic scenes and sights out here, and the weather is amazing so the tan is getting pretty immense! So the actual trekking eek! It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I’m enjoying it so much! We conquered the second highest peak in South India (8000 metres) on our first day it was so intense. Since then we’ve averaged about 15 km a day, all over the shop, up amazing mountains, down again, through tea plantations, banana fields, cardamom plantations, jungle … the list goes on!! The camp sites each night are getting so amazing – we’ve had some fantastic spots – photos on my return! We get up at 2/3/4/ am each morning which is tough but means we get lots of trekking done in the (relatively) cool! Hope you are all okay and glad to know I’m still alive! We made rafts and rafted too and didn’t sink! It’s a dangerous game out here! Love you all and speak to you so soon, can’t believe there’s only a few weeks left! India love for one and all xxx p.s family you may have to pay my Glastonbury balance for me… I’m not sure when I have to pay the full balance ?!? Please can you check Marcus? Xxx pps Rosie Jones email me the campervan plannage, excited!!
From je liefste zus
To Willem Haak
Kleine!! Ben zwaar teleurgesteld date k geen blog bericht van je heb ontwangen…horde van pap dat je al berig bent me m’n welkoms spandoek. Maak hem dan maar extra groot en mooi! Kan niet wachten je wee rte zien…et zie je op schophol, geen excuus dit leer!! Xxx tot snel
From Philip de Koning
To de kline die dit leest
Hoiii heb het naar min zin hier. Trek is zeus zwaar maar ook erg leuk heb zojuist haart gegeten vooz min verjaardag wie over een paar uur begint. Spreek jullie gauw! X Philip
From Fieke Haak
To Familie Haak
Hee lieve fam! Ik leep nog! Det is echt het waste wat it coit heb gedaan, maar het is echt 20 leuk!! De tweede dag de 2nd highest peak van Z-India beklommen, was echt heel zwaar, maar 20ngoed gevoel toen we op de top waren en het eutracht was echt zoo mooi! Daarna twee rustige dagen gehad en vangag nu lopen we elke dag 10 km tot 22 km in de Bergen. Het is ock heel warm, gister 37 degrees du swat anders dan by jullie! Lik gaan ongeveer elke dag om 8 eur naar bed omop 2 n vroegst om 3 uur op te staan … Helaas na de eerstedag al blaren… En ek maak veel foto’s hoor!! Het nitacht is echt 200 mooi!! Hebook het pakelje met uitricht is echt zoo mooi!! Heb ook het pakelje met snoep ontvangen, dankje!! Helaas no geen brig… Dikke kus!!
To Clare Evans, Tango 5.
ReplyDeleteHi Clare,
Glad you're enjoying your trekking . Can't imagine it - I'm sure it would kill me (going on how I felt after climbing Snowdon)- although I bet the scenery's incredible. I've managed to change your return date (it cost more than you expected though!) Anyway you need to look at your email some time. Mollie now fully recovered and enjoying life, although boredom during her recuperation has had a dire impact on our garden (holes everywhere!) Jack's now home - sleeping most of the time! Alice is applying for nursing, but hasn't got an offer yet - she's got a second interview on April 15th. I'm busy planning to start teaching my Church History module to ministerial students - first session tomorrow evening (a bit of surprise to discover that their summer term started three weeks before the end of the spring term, so it's been a panic getting my act together!) All to do with Easter being too late apparently. That's all my news for the time being. Looking forward to seeing you again. Take care. Lots of love from me and the rest of the family, especially the animals. When Mollie sees you again she'll be uncontrollably ecstatic (going on her reaction to Jack's return!) Mum. xxx
To Ellie Burton Tango 5
ReplyDeleteIts soooo lovely to see you here looking so healthy and lovely and brown :-) xxx fantastic news that your long trek went so well. it shows how good it was with everyone happy and smiling xx Enjoy the rest of your trek and keep your eye out for those jungle book friends :0) Take care for now and enjoy the rest of you time my lovely xx
Big kisses and cwtches Debbie and Ian xxxx
To Wieger van Rinkhuyzen - Charlie 1
ReplyDeleteLieve Wieger,
Dank je wel voor het bellen, zo gezellig. David was super verrast en heel blij jou te spreken!Morgen gaat zijn toetsweek beginnen t/m volgende week vrijdag, dus wellicht dat je hem nog kunt helpen......
Was vandaag even op stap en heb een extra lang dekbed voor je gekocht. Langzaamaan wordt alles in gereedheid gebracht voor jouw terugkomst!!Herkennen we je nog wel??? haha. Zal toch wel gek zijn om weer in de geciviliseerde wereld terug te komen. Hoe was Ooty? Weer eens in een "gewoon" bed geslapen? En oude tempels bezocht. Het moet een mooie stad zijn. Geniet van de laatste dagen en tot heel gauw!! Heel veel liefs, Mam
To Florine Boer - Echo 4
ReplyDeleteLieve Florine!
Van harte gefeliciteerd met je 19e verjaardag:)
Heb je het daar nog een beetje kunnen vieren met currytaart ofzo;)
Hier is Goudkoorts losgebarsten en zijn de korte nachtjes slaap aangebroken. Gister heb ik goed op je gedronken hoor!
Nu even lekker uit eten met de commissie.
Geniet van je verjaardag, maak er een paar mooie laatste dagen van :)
Liefs Mat
to sean cullinane charlie 1
ReplyDeletehi ya sean how ya doing i suppose your still having the same weather(lucky you)its been showery here it's forcast wind and rain tonight(not to bad)everybodys asking how you are i tell them your having a great time,everybody back home is ok i'll keep sending messages bye for now xx
to fieke haak, tango 5. Ha lieverd, mooie fotos van de trek. Vandaag je brief ontvangen van x weken terug.Die voetbalwedstrijden die zijn bezocht door W en V.. ik weet er niets van!Druk programma als je terug bent. In mei musical E en daarvoor nog wat leuke weekenden! Tot volgende week, kuss mam
ReplyDeleteTo David Gutteridge Echo 4
ReplyDeleteHi Love
Glad to hear everything is going well with Echo 4. I am still working on the quiz for the Scouts next Saturday as usual i have left it rather late. My feet are still causing me trouble and the doctor just suggests pain killers no help at all.The news is all about Libya whoever expected the general public to be able to beat Gaddafi and his armed forces must be dim. However the foreign minister has defected to Britain. The police are facing big cuts in their budget and possible redundancies. As you must knoe India is through to the final of the cricket world cup.
Looking forward to seeing you next week
All my love
Mum
To Wieger van Rinkhuyzen - Charlie 1
ReplyDeleteLieve Wieger,
Gister uitgebreide brief van je ontvangen, dank!
Je schreef dat India een belachelijk groot land is. Ik las vandaag op Nu.nl dat er onlangs een telling heeft plaatsgevonden en dat India nu 1,21 miljard mensen telt. De afgelopen 10 jaar zijn er 181 miljoen bij gekomen. Moet je voorstellen!!!! Ook apart hoe een huwelijk daar tot stand komt, dat gaat bij ons wel anders. We vinden dat jij toch mooie kwaliteiten hebt als tekenaar, ook jij in het anderhalve stapelbed heb je goed uitgebeeld.....
Nog 6 nachtjes slapen................!!
Dag lieve schat,
Mam
to philip de koning tango 5
ReplyDeleteheeeee philip! goed te zien en te lezen dat je je verjaardag op grootse wijze gevierd hebt! Je bent een paar kilootjes kwijt, zie ik! Zie er naar uit je te spreken volgende week. liefs, xxx
Hello Darling Bryony Wilde tango 5 just about ended!!!! So lovely to hear your voice on monday and glad you have had an amazing trek. The photos are brilliant ,looking forward to seeing more on your return. Everyone sends their love and no baby yet,Jacquie has 3 hours to have her or it will be another April baby,perish the thought !!!! Bet Abbie can't wait much longer !!! Wishing you a few days well earned rest before you travel again. We will ring you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx MUMZIE
ReplyDeleteBryony Wilde 11a Tango 5
ReplyDeleteHi Bo Bo,
It seems to me that you are enjoying life and at last doing some exercise....rather than the soft option of the building site, it's an easy life isn't it?.When you say that you had washed in the river I was surprised, because you have never washed in our pond!.
I understand that you are going on to Thailand, are you the lucky one or what!. I suppose you will eventually end up on a beach sipping a sundowner, I wouldn't blame you...after all the toil.....some relaxation. Mum said that "Mutts" will check the Glastonbury status, and would you belive it....he's off to Cumbria with the trust for a few days and I'm taking Mum to the chip shop...so we'll all have had a break.
Hope to speak via phone soon, 'till then "keep on trukin'"
Love
Dad xxxxxxx
To George Hudson _ Tango 5
ReplyDeleteGeorge,
Juszt seen the pictures and read of your climb- impressive!
Hope you are well,enjoying the wildlife and not too much D and V important you get in touch over your plans ticket back etc.All fine here Dad has cold so at deaths door!Harry finished his viking project so a trip to vikingar on the cards.I spoke to the Black Bull Shona may not come back,Graham I Know so hopefully job when you return.I havn't heard whats happening as trying to book Rural meeting there. Seen Craig etc aboutLooking forward to seeing you Grandpa has written so hopefuully it will reach you.Take care love mum dad Haz and Wills
For Vieke Haack
ReplyDeleteHey Vieke, hoew gaat het? Bijj onz is het maar een zaaie boul. Jouw kaamer is al kaalrt, en we hebben de outo al gepakket voor de reis naar het vleigveld.
Toi dan, Dom
hahah pap ik heb even internet, zitten in een hotel voor vanacht en dan morgen fieldbase! tot woensdag vader, ben benieuwd naar mn spandoek! xxx
ReplyDeleteTo: Anne-Romee Coebergh - charlie 1
ReplyDeleteLieve Anne-Romee,
Bedankt voor je leuke brief! Super om weer eventjes wat van je te horen. Hoe gaat alles daar? Hoorde dat je even iets vervelends had, maar gaat volgens mij beter toch?
Vind het nog steeds zo stoer! Ik doe het je niet na hoor haha. Mis je wel heel erg hoor, verheug me dan ook extra veel om je weer te zien! Hier gaat alles nog steeds goed. Heb binnenkort mijn stage bij de Haëlla stichting, dat is een stichting waar tante Mance ooit werkte. Verheug me er heel erg op. Ik ga dan ook een week bij T. Mance logeren, dus dat wordt super. Verder gaat alles redelijk op school haha, nu alleen toetsweek dus eventjes bikkelen :( haha. Vind het super leuk als er iedere keer weer nieuwe foto's van je op de site staan, kijk iedere dag wel weer of er iets nieuws is. Heel gek hoe jij daar je leventje leidt en wij daar verder niet veel vanaf weten. Heb je al plannen gemaakt voor je trekking, hoor het zeker snel, want kunnen binnenkort uitgebreid skypen/bellen.
Nou AR super veel plezier op je trek met je vriendinnen en hoop super snel met je te kunnen skypen!!! Loveyou!
xxxxxxxxxxx
Emmeline
Bryony Wilde Tango 5!
ReplyDeleteHi Phry. Marcus here.
Soo proud of you for completing that trek! That's a brilliant achievement. Cant wait to see the photos when you return! Seen all the new photos on this site, looks like you have all been having fun! You will have to show us how to make a sambar curry :) How did the rafting go? What was yours made from? So the next raft race in Lynmouth is yours then !! Haha. Things are going very well at work at the moment, as usual really. I am leaving on Monday for 3 days in the Lake District! Looking forward to it, will be a good jolly up there! I hope to hear from you before I go! If not ill probably speak to you on the phone the weekend after.
We have untill 23:59 on the 7th of April to pay for Glastonbury!
Have you settled on a route round India yet? Any places in particular you want to see? Then its Thailand I hear! That should be amazing. Hope you have a brill few upcoming weeks left with Raleigh and in India!
Speak to you soon hopefully
Love you loads
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Marcus
To Georgia Brooke-Hitching, Tango 6
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you have internet again! Mind you it's hardly a gap year if you're not totally deprived of communications at some point? And how will you train up for the army without some deprivation?
I've realised I don't know what your uni decisions are and you must be having to give UCAS your choices some time soon. Let me know when you've finalised it all, is it still Durham you're set on?
Feet are in agony today after traipsing all around Berlin with Emily (from Oxford, not T-dog Emily) and seeing as much of the sites as we can. We went to the zoo (!) and watched the monkeys for ages, laughing our heads off.
My little puppy Chekhov is fast asleep on my lap, I bet you're wild with jealousy. He looks so adorable.
Love you more than ... I'm running out of these... love you more than words can say?!! Haha, Tilda xxxx
Hoi Daan,
ReplyDeleteWat een prestatie: die hoge berg beklommen in die hitte! Je hebt wel enorm veel meegemaakt en gezien in 10 weken en volgens ons steeds met heel gezellige groepen, zijn heel benieuwd naar je foto's.
Als je terug bent is hopelijk de Cruyf revolutie bij Ajax ten einde en zijn ze toch nog 2e geworden! liefs van ons 4
You've done it!!!!!!Be so proud of what you've achieved and the help you've given others! Smile, smile, smile!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Ruth and Graham xxxxxx
Lieverd, geniet van je laatste nacht in Raleigh, bel ons voor je vervolgtrip even, zoenen, Mamma, Hes en Jaap
ReplyDelete