'Pay Close Attention To What Is Happening In Africa'

As a departure from our historic travel to Europe, my wife and I decided to do something different this year. I suggested Nepal as an alternative, which was instantly accepted. My choice was mainly because the last visit to Nepal was marred by the unfortunate earthquake in April 2015; the horrors of which remain etched in my memory.

- By Rakesh Wahi

That year, I had taken 12 members of our university team in Dubai on a team-building exercise to trek up to the Everest Base Camp (EBC). Sadly we had to abandon our trip as the earthquake struck a few hours after we landed in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The devastation from this natural disaster stayed fresh in my mind: we had seen numerous bodies being pulled out of the wreckage as we tried to navigate through the rubble and debris without shelter or food for two days before we could fly back home safely to Dubai. EBC had remained on my mind for all these years and owing to work commitments and family pressure, I was unable to plan another expedition. More than anything else, I realized that I could not risk the lives of younger team members who have different responsibilities than an old man who is now hobbling through the last lap of his life.

One of the reasons that I wanted to get away for a few weeks was to begin writing my second book (the first, Be a Lion, was published in November 2016).

I have always found myself to be at my creative best in quiet and cold environments. Previous choices, while writing my first book, were Montreux (Switzerland), Edinburgh (Scotland) and Prague (Czech Republic).

Kathmandu in January seemed like a consistent choice.

With over three decades of travel around the world, our experience in Nepal was one of our best. Kathmandu is not without its infrastructure challenges; nor can you miss the ugly sight of excessive and dangerous electric cabling dangling all over. What makes up for some of the challenges is the weather, the breathtaking scenery and more than anything, the warmth and hospitality of the Nepalese people.