It May Not Be An Island Paradise but...

The Australian Board of Tourism is offering THIS: $150,000 for a six month gig. To roam the islands and come back with stories worthy of sharing with the world.

http://matadorpulse.com/wanted-employee-for-the-best-job-in-the-world/

While that position may not be in my immediate grasp, here are a list of California's 8 best treks with are all well worth the wear on your boots :)

Top 10 Travel Stories

Nepal trip '09 is still in the works. Unfortunately I am at the point in my life where I need to submit a request for vacation, which means it is more difficult to find friends who want to drop everything to go to Nepal for 15 days....

In the meantime, the New York Times posted their Top 10 Travel Stories:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/travel/31topstories.html

The nude vacations, and real Ireland stories are great...enjoy!

Great New Heights

I remember vividly telling one of my 7th grade classmates that I was going to climb Mt. Everest. I may not make it to the top on this trip...but I'm getting pretty darn close.

After careful consideration my brother, cousin and I have decided to forgo the 22 day pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash for a 12 day trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp. We plan to stay in teahouses in villages along the trek and end at base camp. From what I've heard base camp is quite a site, with internet, tv's, campsites with cooks and all the comforts of a 5 star hotel. This however, will not be our experience :)

If anyone has any advice on the trek I would love to hear it! I have heard that you can choose from a number of routes ranging from 2-15 days in length. I am still in the research phase, but fingers crossed that this puppy will be BOOKED shortly after the new year.

This article came out last week showing that brain swelling is to blame for most death's on Everest. http://tinyurl.com/4soxrc

Saga Dawa or BUST

The next trip is in the works! The plan is to head to Nepal/Tibet for some gold ole fashion trekking. It looks like my dad, brother, uncles, and two cousins are all going to be joining the trip which is going to make for the experience of a lifetime. We will partake in a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash and walk around the base of the mountain (at above 14,000ft) for four days. It will be far from a glamourous trip, but it should be an incredible journey. I am still learning about the terrain, and the festival itself but I am thrilled to have another trip on the calendar.

Training and other preparation details to come! If you have been for this festival drop me a line I would love to get the inside scoop.

Dear Loyal Readers (cough),

I apologize that I have been MIA for the last few months. Here's the quick update. Did the half marathon, started a new job, and went to Vegas. Now i'm focusing on the next race (North Face Endurance challenge December 6th), excited about the holidays and heading to Philly to see the fam. AND my best friend is moving back into town.

In more other more important news this was in today's New York Times and is worth a read. There are some crazy things going on in Congo http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/world/africa/16congo.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

If anyone knows more about the US bill that will require certification for minerals comign out of Congo...let me know I'm interested to hear more about it.