1 00:00:07,133 --> 00:00:10,453 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast 2 00:00:10,573 --> 00:00:11,693 Speaker 1: from News Talks. A'd be. 3 00:00:12,813 --> 00:00:17,293 Speaker 2: Mike Hardley is our travel correspondent on Saturday Morning's Good morning, sir. 4 00:00:18,253 --> 00:00:19,213 Speaker 3: Good morning Jack. 5 00:00:19,373 --> 00:00:21,013 Speaker 4: Oh it's so good to hear your voice. 6 00:00:21,893 --> 00:00:23,853 Speaker 2: I thought this morning, you know, I thought it's gonna 7 00:00:23,853 --> 00:00:24,693 Speaker 2: we're gonna have to flip a. 8 00:00:24,693 --> 00:00:25,653 Speaker 4: Coin to see whether or not. 9 00:00:25,773 --> 00:00:27,813 Speaker 2: Given all of the events in Nepaul this week, we 10 00:00:27,813 --> 00:00:30,133 Speaker 2: wo've been coming through to us. But fantastic to hear 11 00:00:30,573 --> 00:00:33,053 Speaker 2: you're doing okay, just to just talk to us, first 12 00:00:33,093 --> 00:00:36,253 Speaker 2: of all, about your personal safety. 13 00:00:36,253 --> 00:00:37,893 Speaker 4: You've had no issues over the last week. 14 00:00:37,813 --> 00:00:41,853 Speaker 3: Or so, none whatsoever. I come to you without a 15 00:00:41,893 --> 00:00:45,973 Speaker 3: flak jacket. It's been the most extraordinary week or so 16 00:00:46,133 --> 00:00:52,013 Speaker 3: in Nepal. And I arrived what last Saturday, exactly this 17 00:00:52,053 --> 00:00:54,213 Speaker 3: time last week. I was just about to arrive. I 18 00:00:54,253 --> 00:00:56,653 Speaker 3: was at Chinga airport when I spoke to you. Yeah, 19 00:00:56,693 --> 00:01:00,733 Speaker 3: And I just think back to, you know, the old 20 00:01:00,733 --> 00:01:02,853 Speaker 3: saying about a week and politics is a long time 21 00:01:02,933 --> 00:01:06,093 Speaker 3: man alive. What a week, cat naan do They've They've 22 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:10,133 Speaker 3: gone from like forty eight hours of gen Z protests 23 00:01:10,253 --> 00:01:16,693 Speaker 3: that turned to rioting, violence, mess death, mass destruction, to 24 00:01:16,773 --> 00:01:21,693 Speaker 3: a state of an interim government with a curfew which 25 00:01:21,813 --> 00:01:26,413 Speaker 3: lasted about forty eight hours. Then too, the fruition of 26 00:01:26,453 --> 00:01:31,293 Speaker 3: a new dawn of peace, calm, stability. I just it 27 00:01:31,333 --> 00:01:35,373 Speaker 3: was a head spinner last week. So what a lightning 28 00:01:35,413 --> 00:01:37,613 Speaker 3: fast revolution. I don't know if the world seen one 29 00:01:37,653 --> 00:01:38,133 Speaker 3: so quick. 30 00:01:38,413 --> 00:01:41,173 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was crazy, right, just to see how much 31 00:01:41,173 --> 00:01:43,173 Speaker 2: things have changed. So just to be totally clear the 32 00:01:43,213 --> 00:01:46,253 Speaker 2: situation now, we you as okay, the situation in Camp 33 00:01:46,293 --> 00:01:48,493 Speaker 2: Mand is okay, right, yes, yeah. 34 00:01:48,093 --> 00:01:53,133 Speaker 3: Yeah, very much. The curfew was lifted last Saturday night. 35 00:01:53,493 --> 00:01:56,493 Speaker 3: So I know that everyone I spoke to when I 36 00:01:56,573 --> 00:01:58,693 Speaker 3: arrived in Captain and that were really concerned about the 37 00:01:58,733 --> 00:02:01,333 Speaker 3: impact obviously it was having on tourism, which is, as 38 00:02:01,333 --> 00:02:04,333 Speaker 3: you know, Jack, a massive money spinner for the country. 39 00:02:05,053 --> 00:02:09,053 Speaker 3: So they were all really anxious to try and convince 40 00:02:09,093 --> 00:02:11,613 Speaker 3: me that no, please tell people to come here. And 41 00:02:12,093 --> 00:02:15,093 Speaker 3: I have to say there was absolutely no problems at 42 00:02:15,133 --> 00:02:18,853 Speaker 3: all while I was there in Nepal, and it was 43 00:02:18,973 --> 00:02:23,173 Speaker 3: like people had just dusted themselves off and got on 44 00:02:23,493 --> 00:02:25,933 Speaker 3: it with the fresh start with a new prime minister. 45 00:02:27,053 --> 00:02:29,533 Speaker 3: I mean, the corrupt old government has just been clear out. 46 00:02:29,573 --> 00:02:32,573 Speaker 3: It's just extraordinary the way it was done. I mean, 47 00:02:32,693 --> 00:02:35,093 Speaker 3: the one thing you do notice when I was there is, yeah, 48 00:02:35,293 --> 00:02:38,773 Speaker 3: a lot of buildings have been scorched, badly damaged, destroyed, 49 00:02:38,813 --> 00:02:43,613 Speaker 3: police stations just raised, and yeah, a lot of debris 50 00:02:43,693 --> 00:02:46,813 Speaker 3: on the road. But they were dealing to that real 51 00:02:46,893 --> 00:02:50,253 Speaker 3: fast while we were walking around, and the major, major 52 00:02:50,333 --> 00:02:53,093 Speaker 3: tourist areas were not actually affected. It was, you know, 53 00:02:53,373 --> 00:02:56,693 Speaker 3: very much like the political heart of Campman dou where 54 00:02:57,453 --> 00:03:00,293 Speaker 3: the focus was put by the protesters. But it was 55 00:03:00,333 --> 00:03:02,493 Speaker 3: interesting that, you know, some of the cronies attached to 56 00:03:02,533 --> 00:03:05,173 Speaker 3: the old government, they were targeted as well as like 57 00:03:05,213 --> 00:03:08,813 Speaker 3: the Hilton hotel, a hotel out of action because there 58 00:03:08,853 --> 00:03:11,253 Speaker 3: was delt too, because it was seen that's been way 59 00:03:11,253 --> 00:03:14,173 Speaker 3: too close to the crew up side of the old government. 60 00:03:14,253 --> 00:03:15,773 Speaker 3: So yeah, amazing time. 61 00:03:16,053 --> 00:03:19,173 Speaker 2: Yeah, oh gosh, Well, I'm glad that Euroka, I'm glad 62 00:03:19,213 --> 00:03:20,293 Speaker 2: that thinks they're a bit calmer. 63 00:03:20,333 --> 00:03:22,733 Speaker 4: And I always think it's amazing to travel to. 64 00:03:22,693 --> 00:03:26,173 Speaker 2: An interesting place an interesting time, you know what, you know, 65 00:03:26,293 --> 00:03:28,653 Speaker 2: Y's there's a real I mean, obviously it's a little 66 00:03:28,653 --> 00:03:30,493 Speaker 2: bit ropy, but there's a real kind of privilege in 67 00:03:30,493 --> 00:03:32,493 Speaker 2: it as well to be there and to experience history 68 00:03:32,533 --> 00:03:36,013 Speaker 2: as you have So anyway, when you were planning your 69 00:03:36,573 --> 00:03:39,773 Speaker 2: Nepaul adventure, I'm sure top of the list was Everest. 70 00:03:39,853 --> 00:03:43,613 Speaker 2: So in contrast to doing a hilary, what are the 71 00:03:43,653 --> 00:03:45,493 Speaker 2: easiest ways to see Mount Everest? 72 00:03:46,333 --> 00:03:49,533 Speaker 3: Yeah, a lot of people jack will lot for flight seeing, 73 00:03:49,573 --> 00:03:54,253 Speaker 3: a little scenic flight from kat Naand although to be honest, 74 00:03:54,253 --> 00:03:57,053 Speaker 3: Paul has a pretty average safety record when it comes 75 00:03:57,053 --> 00:04:01,573 Speaker 3: to small playons, so I was dubious about that. I 76 00:04:01,653 --> 00:04:05,293 Speaker 3: didn't do it. Option too. You can take this incredible 77 00:04:05,293 --> 00:04:09,533 Speaker 3: cable car ride just out of Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hill. 78 00:04:10,333 --> 00:04:13,733 Speaker 3: It was closed when I was there last week because 79 00:04:13,773 --> 00:04:17,533 Speaker 3: the base station had been torched by the protesters because 80 00:04:17,573 --> 00:04:20,613 Speaker 3: they were seeing as cronies of the old government. Yes, 81 00:04:20,933 --> 00:04:23,093 Speaker 3: Option three and I would have to say this is 82 00:04:23,093 --> 00:04:26,053 Speaker 3: the best of the lot. Is to really appreciate the 83 00:04:26,133 --> 00:04:29,293 Speaker 3: vastness of Nepal's high mountain ranges, you've got to head 84 00:04:29,293 --> 00:04:34,173 Speaker 3: an hour out of town to Naga Kot. So this 85 00:04:34,253 --> 00:04:37,173 Speaker 3: is about two one hundred meters high and you do 86 00:04:37,333 --> 00:04:41,253 Speaker 3: notice the temperature change straight away. But the thing about 87 00:04:41,333 --> 00:04:44,373 Speaker 3: Nagacot in that high country area is you just get 88 00:04:44,373 --> 00:04:49,933 Speaker 3: the most stirring panoramic views of all of the Himalayan ranges. 89 00:04:50,013 --> 00:04:53,573 Speaker 3: There are eight Himalayan ranges, so you will see lang 90 00:04:53,693 --> 00:04:58,173 Speaker 3: Tang Range, on Napurna Range and Everest Range, and that 91 00:04:58,253 --> 00:05:02,653 Speaker 3: really is a sublime sunrise spot. To increase your chances 92 00:05:02,693 --> 00:05:07,453 Speaker 3: of seeing the sunrise over Everest December January. I'm viewing time. 93 00:05:07,613 --> 00:05:10,253 Speaker 3: It's still very cloudy at this time of year, but 94 00:05:11,013 --> 00:05:12,533 Speaker 3: amazing countryside out there. 95 00:05:12,573 --> 00:05:16,173 Speaker 5: So basically you need a clear, unique clear skies in 96 00:05:16,253 --> 00:05:17,613 Speaker 5: order to be able to see it from there, right, 97 00:05:17,653 --> 00:05:20,173 Speaker 5: And I suppose the only other is to is to 98 00:05:20,213 --> 00:05:22,693 Speaker 5: just you know it, yeah, exactly, just boot up yourself, 99 00:05:22,773 --> 00:05:24,453 Speaker 5: make your way to base camp, start doing a few 100 00:05:24,453 --> 00:05:24,973 Speaker 5: missions up. 101 00:05:25,013 --> 00:05:27,333 Speaker 4: Yeah, right, so it would be you Jack. 102 00:05:27,973 --> 00:05:30,053 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm not sure my wife would be too pleased 103 00:05:30,093 --> 00:05:33,653 Speaker 2: about it. So if you're rising up from the Katmandu Valley, 104 00:05:33,813 --> 00:05:36,213 Speaker 2: are the mountain villages suitable for hiking? 105 00:05:37,293 --> 00:05:37,613 Speaker 1: Oh? 106 00:05:37,653 --> 00:05:40,693 Speaker 3: This was my highlight totally. Yeah. So from Naga Coot, 107 00:05:41,733 --> 00:05:47,573 Speaker 3: you've just got this cobweb of incredible high country trails 108 00:05:47,733 --> 00:05:51,773 Speaker 3: to strike out on and they sort of, yeah, stitch 109 00:05:51,813 --> 00:05:55,293 Speaker 3: together all these little mountain villages where time has stood still, 110 00:05:55,693 --> 00:05:58,773 Speaker 3: and you just like walk through these villages and all 111 00:05:58,813 --> 00:06:03,013 Speaker 3: the goats come sort of charging after you. You just 112 00:06:03,093 --> 00:06:09,053 Speaker 3: see sort of Nepal free spring. It is just gorgeous, gentle, innocent, 113 00:06:09,773 --> 00:06:12,093 Speaker 3: but it's quite funny though. There are an enterprising lot. 114 00:06:12,453 --> 00:06:14,613 Speaker 3: A lot of the kids in the mountain villages are that. 115 00:06:14,693 --> 00:06:18,973 Speaker 3: Oh those those tourists, they seem to have money. So 116 00:06:19,013 --> 00:06:21,613 Speaker 3: I was sort of like set up little when Promptu 117 00:06:22,253 --> 00:06:25,613 Speaker 3: craft stalls so that they can try and prise a 118 00:06:25,653 --> 00:06:27,453 Speaker 3: few dollars out of you. But yeah, it is just 119 00:06:27,573 --> 00:06:30,973 Speaker 3: the most magnificent area for a walk. And in the 120 00:06:31,053 --> 00:06:33,133 Speaker 3: last couple of years they've opened up this two hundred 121 00:06:33,173 --> 00:06:36,893 Speaker 3: and fifty meter long suspension bridge, the Runny Jeweler Bridge. 122 00:06:36,933 --> 00:06:40,573 Speaker 3: It is the most incredible sorry it's swing bridge, not 123 00:06:40,613 --> 00:06:45,253 Speaker 3: suspension bridge. Swing bridge, So just the most immassive bridge 124 00:06:45,253 --> 00:06:48,333 Speaker 3: to walk across high above the forest in the nagger 125 00:06:48,373 --> 00:06:51,613 Speaker 3: Court countryside. I just love that area. So you can 126 00:06:51,653 --> 00:06:52,333 Speaker 3: spend all day there. 127 00:06:52,413 --> 00:06:54,053 Speaker 2: Yeah, it sounds it sounds amazing. Did you find that 128 00:06:54,173 --> 00:06:56,493 Speaker 2: altitude issue because that's just over two thousand meters you 129 00:06:56,493 --> 00:06:59,693 Speaker 2: seed right, So was that you're passing or not too bad? 130 00:07:00,693 --> 00:07:04,013 Speaker 3: Surprisingly, I found it absolutely fine, no problems at all. 131 00:07:04,093 --> 00:07:05,933 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's about three thousand when they say 132 00:07:05,973 --> 00:07:09,293 Speaker 2: that that's the when the very start gain. 133 00:07:09,373 --> 00:07:11,653 Speaker 4: Yes, yes, should be right. Yeah. 134 00:07:11,693 --> 00:07:14,333 Speaker 2: So back in town, where should you focus your sight seeing? 135 00:07:15,373 --> 00:07:17,573 Speaker 3: Yeah, well too areas that were not affected at all 136 00:07:18,213 --> 00:07:24,253 Speaker 3: by the protests. Duba Square is the big show stopper 137 00:07:24,573 --> 00:07:30,893 Speaker 3: the central Nepal's commercial and political activity for centuries prior 138 00:07:30,973 --> 00:07:33,133 Speaker 3: to say, the last century or so. So this is 139 00:07:33,173 --> 00:07:36,453 Speaker 3: where you will find those fifty temples, and they Hindu 140 00:07:36,533 --> 00:07:39,373 Speaker 3: the Buddhist temples. They stretch back about eight hundred years. 141 00:07:39,493 --> 00:07:41,133 Speaker 3: I just love the fact that they all look like 142 00:07:41,373 --> 00:07:45,053 Speaker 3: wedding cakes and with the most ridiculous number of tears. 143 00:07:45,373 --> 00:07:48,413 Speaker 3: So there are like nine tiered temples. They are all 144 00:07:48,453 --> 00:07:52,653 Speaker 3: built out of wood. So that's truly magnificent to wander around. 145 00:07:53,413 --> 00:07:56,813 Speaker 3: And tamil Is that is the main sort of tourist district. 146 00:07:56,973 --> 00:08:00,093 Speaker 3: So whether you're looking for a Tibetan singing bowl, jack 147 00:08:00,173 --> 00:08:05,013 Speaker 3: tane or a bit of mountain gear or the street food, 148 00:08:05,253 --> 00:08:10,413 Speaker 3: I would says where you should really tuck into urban catman. 149 00:08:10,093 --> 00:08:12,173 Speaker 4: Do Yeah nice, how's the street food? 150 00:08:13,493 --> 00:08:16,853 Speaker 3: I absolutely loved it. It can be a little bit 151 00:08:16,933 --> 00:08:18,973 Speaker 3: dubious when it comes to hygien I would have to 152 00:08:19,013 --> 00:08:27,973 Speaker 3: say yeah, but that's the key. You're right. A couple 153 00:08:28,013 --> 00:08:30,013 Speaker 3: of things I would would really recommend you to check 154 00:08:30,053 --> 00:08:33,893 Speaker 3: out if you're there, chet pat, which are these flavorful 155 00:08:35,453 --> 00:08:39,053 Speaker 3: balls of like puffed rice with vegetables and spices, that crunchy, 156 00:08:39,093 --> 00:08:42,893 Speaker 3: that tingy. They're really good. They drinks, Oh you know, 157 00:08:42,973 --> 00:08:45,373 Speaker 3: I know you're a fan of sugar caneju They do 158 00:08:45,533 --> 00:08:49,213 Speaker 3: the most amazing freshly pressed sugar cane jes is so good. 159 00:08:49,453 --> 00:08:50,733 Speaker 4: Yeah yeah. 160 00:08:50,813 --> 00:08:52,733 Speaker 3: And the Lassie. The Lassie is sort of like the 161 00:08:52,773 --> 00:08:57,813 Speaker 3: smoke smooth sweet yogurt come condensed milk drink, which is 162 00:08:57,853 --> 00:09:00,453 Speaker 3: topped with dried fruits. It's so calling on a hot 163 00:09:00,533 --> 00:09:03,373 Speaker 3: day in cat Men do. And if you're partial to dumplings, 164 00:09:03,693 --> 00:09:08,133 Speaker 3: look out the momos. Momos are like tinder dumplings packed 165 00:09:08,133 --> 00:09:11,293 Speaker 3: with vegetables, light and savory. And if you want something 166 00:09:11,333 --> 00:09:13,213 Speaker 3: really hearty, and this is something I checked out a 167 00:09:13,293 --> 00:09:16,573 Speaker 3: Nugga court. The Mountain noodle soup is called thuck Pa 168 00:09:16,813 --> 00:09:19,293 Speaker 3: and it's got chicken and egg and vegetables, very nurishing. 169 00:09:19,373 --> 00:09:22,573 Speaker 3: It's like the ultimate Nipolese comfort food. So yeah, lots 170 00:09:22,573 --> 00:09:25,853 Speaker 3: of really nice treats to entertain the mouth. 171 00:09:25,973 --> 00:09:29,213 Speaker 4: Oh, that's so good. Oh man, yeah, that does sound amazing. 172 00:09:29,253 --> 00:09:32,173 Speaker 2: I've had a few momos over the years, some everyday food, 173 00:09:32,173 --> 00:09:33,213 Speaker 2: your momo is it? 174 00:09:33,253 --> 00:09:35,653 Speaker 4: But no, that's yeah, yeah, yeah, combined with a bit of. 175 00:09:35,613 --> 00:09:37,773 Speaker 2: A lassie or something like that, sounds like a tree. Hey, 176 00:09:37,813 --> 00:09:39,773 Speaker 2: thank you so much, Mike. We're glad that you're safe. 177 00:09:39,773 --> 00:09:42,973 Speaker 2: We're glad you've had an adventure. And yeah, I'm burning 178 00:09:43,013 --> 00:09:45,013 Speaker 2: with envy because Katmandu is certainly a part of the world. 179 00:09:45,053 --> 00:09:46,573 Speaker 2: I'd like to visit at some point as well. 180 00:09:46,933 --> 00:09:48,733 Speaker 3: Good stuff, man, yet, don't hesitate to go. 181 00:09:48,773 --> 00:09:51,933 Speaker 4: The people are lovely, fantastic. Mike Hardley with us this morning. 182 00:09:51,973 --> 00:09:53,213 Speaker 4: He's our travel correspondent. 183 00:09:53,773 --> 00:09:56,893 Speaker 1: For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live 184 00:09:56,973 --> 00:10:00,133 Speaker 1: to News talks'd B from nine am Saturday, or follow 185 00:10:00,173 --> 00:10:01,773 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.