Mia's Blog

Croatia – family Kokic & Skoric reunion!

Mia — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:02:00 +0000

I was back in Split, Croatia once again this year – this time to surprise my parents, brother + his son, who were on a vacation, and our family-friends Skorice who live there!!!

Superb time as always!! Sunny days, swimming in the Adriatic, celebrating and having fun with fam and friends… good food, great conversation, good wine… fun fun fun!

"What’s Going On" … short update!

Mia — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:21:00 +0000

yup, you are right, she’s listening to Marvin Gaye (What’s Going On) and updating her travel itinerary… many of you have been asking and wondering ‘what’s up’ and ‘where next’… so, here’s a short update!

But, before I start with the update, I just wanted to THANK YOU my dear fam and friends for your continues support, love, and encouragement!! I appreciate and love your emails!! It means a lot!!

(my mom is def winning!! nobody can beat 3 emails per day. MOM – I love you! you are great!

I’m in Dubai right now, chillin’ in my girl-friend’s apartment – catching up on email, sleep, reading books, watching movies, doing yoga, working out… i.e., preparing for my upcoming adventures, mentally and physically.

Next week I am off to Europe for a couple of days (it’s a surprise trip so I can’t really talk about it publicly:)

On the 20th of June, Sneska and I leave on a short girly vacation to exotic Oman! ) Beach, bikinis and fun in the sun!

After Oman, I go to Egypt for 4 days. And finally after Cairo, I fly to Tanzania. I will be in Moshi on the 4th of July and will start my Kilimanjaro trek on the 5th of July!!!

I will be climbing Kili via Umbwe route by myself (including 2 sherpas and a cook) for about 6-7 days.

After that, I go to Nairobi where I’ll be meeting up with a group of 20 people to start a 28-day land adventure through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zanzibar!! Should be a lot of fun!!! We are traveling on a custom made sport-utility truck. The truck has built in chairs on top so we can “be outside” and enjoy the trip and take lots of pics.

Among other things, we will also be climbing Mt. Kenya, exploring Victoria Falls (there’s a booze cruise scheduled there! white-water rafting, bangy jumping… visiting Serengeti and Masai Mara (great animal migration!), etc.

We are again sleeping in tents - hippie style! Hooray!! I will be so ready for Burning-man this year in Nevada! )

A full itinerary of my Africa trip is posted below if you’re interested to read more

And…. here’s a sneak-preview of “Best of ’09 – Mia’s Travels” … Enjoy!

Mia: Best of ’09

Kili Climb – Umbwe Route

Mia — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:46:00 +0000

My Kili climb is scheduled for July 5th. I am hoping to meet up with KJ and his sister somewhere in Moshi the day before for tea/coffee. They will be coming back from their trek and leaving to southern Africa…

I will be climbing Kili by myself with 2 sherpas and a cook.

Here’s the itinerary for the trek:

This route is the hardest but most spectacular and direct way to reach Uhuru Peak. It follows a forested ridge to the moorlands, then traverses below the Southern Icefields to reach the Barafu Route which is followed to the summit. An early start is made on the summit day to reach Stella Point, on the Crater Rim at dawn. Uhuru Peak lies a further 40 min. along the rim.

Day 1/ 4 July Arrive at hotel.

Day 2/ 5 July Drive to the Umbwe Roadhead at 1800m. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers. The first campsite is in the forest by some rock overhangs at 2940m, (5-6 hours walking).

Day 3/ 6 July Shortly after leaving the camp the forest ends and the path continues along a narrow spectacular ridge. Above, the sheer 1000m of the Breach Wall appears and disappears as the afternoon mists roll up the Great Barranco. From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco Hut and our camp in the valley floor at 3900m, (5-6 hours walking).

Day 4/ 7 July Scramble easily to the top of the Great Barranco and then a traverse over screes and ridges to the Karanga Valley camsite (3h, 4000m.), beneath the icefalls of the Southern Glaciers.

Day 5/ 8 July After climbing out of the Karanga Valley the trail ascends a ridge to the Barafu Hut, a bleak location with little vegetation at 4600m, (3 hours walking).

Day 6/ 9 July An early start for the ascent to the rim of the Kibo Crater between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers, (4 hours); the last section before the rim can sometimes be snow-covered and an ice-axe or ski stick is useful for balance. From here a further hour leads to Uhuru Peak, from where there are often fine views of Meru to the west and the jagged peak of Mawenzi to the east. After a short time on the summit you descend to the Barafu Hut for a rest and lunch before continuing on down to camp at Mweka Hut in the giant heather zone on the Mweka route. Those with energy on the summit may wish to descend to the Reutsh Crater and visit the dramatic ice pinnacles of the Eastern Icefields.

Day 7/ 10 July A 3-4 hour descent through beautiful forest brings you to the Park gate and your waiting transport. Drive back to the hotel near Moshi.

Day 8/ 11 July Leave hotel after breakfast.

Then… off to Nairobi to start the 28-day land adventure!!!

http://www.footprint-adventures.co.uk/

African quote that carried me through life

Mia — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:35:00 +0000

This is the quote I pretty much grew up with (Carpe Diem was another one my mom often used…:)) and maybe it is because of this quote (and the movie Out of Africa) that I carry so much love and excitement for this country!

“Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle… when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”

the Dream continues… hello East Africa!

Mia — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:31:00 +0000

Hakuna Matata – what a wonderful life…..

I scheduled my African tour today with Footprint Adventures, Sandra and Georg, from London! I met Georg, and his friend Bill (in the picture) while trekking in Nepal. Georg and Bill were coming back from the Langtang region, and Tanji, my sherpa and I were starting our 4 day trek around the valley.

Georg’s been climbing for over 30 yrs, been through most every trek in Nepal and on many many many other adventures around the World!!! The stories he shared with me and Tanji and another couple at Chisapani were beyond inspiring and awfully funny!!! )

Anyway, he started Footprint Adventures some 20 yrs ago: http://www.footprint-adventures.co.uk/

So……..back to Africa…… here we are, the final face-off: Mia vs. Kili ))

I am SO SO SO excited about this trip!! Check out my itinerary – it is amazing!!!!!!!

Footprint Adventures.co.uk

Email: info@footprint-adventures.co.uk

Web: http://www.footprint-adventures.co.uk

#1 Kilimanjaro Climb via UMBWE Route - 8 days

#2 Nairobi to Dar es Salaam (Zanzibar) Overland Adventure

WEEK ONE - Leaving Nairobi we stop at a scenic lookout 8,000 feet above sea level, overlooking Mount Longonot and Lake Naivasha. We pass the dramatic landscape of the Rift Valley to the highlands and spend our first night in Eldoret, you can end your day sipping beer in a tree house at Naiberi River Campsite.

We have an early start, crossing the Ugandan border at Malaba. The scenery changes to tropical rain forests and tea and sugar plantations. We catch our first glimpse of Lake Victoria on route to Uganda’s capital city, our overnight stop.

Stopping for photos as we cross the equator, we continue southwest to Kabale town, gateway to the Mountain Gorilla reserves. We spend this evening camped on the picturesque shores of Lake Bunyonyi the deepest crater lake in Uganda.

Climbing through lush terraced hills to Kisoro, there are panoramic views of this unique Ugandan landscape on every turn. From the road we have outlooks over three countries – Uganda, Republic of Congo, Rwanda; and the Virunga Mountains – ‘Mountains of the Moon’ the home of the rare mountain gorillas.

Kisoro is situated under the peaks of the Mufumbiro Mountains, and makes a stunning base for the next two days, which are set aside for trekking the famed mountain gorillas.

In groups of 6 to 8 people with two guides we trek deep into the forest to find one of the gorilla families. The trek is an experience in itself, following your guides as they cut a path through the thick vegetation. The guides track the gorillas almost every day but even so, sometimes it can take several hours to find them. You will be rewarded though by the sight of these human-like giants playing with their young, feeding, grooming and staring curiously back at you. We spend an hour observing these amazing animals – remember to bring plenty of camera film.

As the groups going to the gorillas are small, it takes a couple of days for everyone to do the trek. Whilst others are searching for the great apes, you can take in the local markets; walk to the nearby mountain lakes, or enter the Mgahinga National park for a day hike up a volcano or a guided nature trail.

Still on a high from our time spent with the gorillas, we meander back to Lake Bunyonyi meaning “place of little birds”. Known not only for its water birds but also for its fresh water crayfish population. Lake Bunyonyi is a great place to relax, or for the more energetic you can canoe to one of the many islands dotting the lake, swim, or take in the scenery on mountain bike.

WEEK TWO - We return to Uganda’s capital. Kampala is a modern bustling city leaving you no shortage of things to see and do. You may wish to visit the National Museum, the Kasubi Tombs of the Baganda people, or arrange a day trip via Entebbe, to Lake Victoria’s Ngamba Island, sanctuary for rescued chimps.

Crossing the Owen Falls dam we arrive at Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria. Our campsite for the next three days above Bujagali Falls is a welcome reprieve from travelling, and we have a lazy afternoon to put up our tents on the grassy terraces overlooking the Nile River.

Spend an action-filled day white water rafting down the Nile. As well as grade 5’s, this river has a lot of bird and wildlife to view while relaxing between the rapids. The rafting is rounded off with a sunset BBQ and drinks, then back to camp to re-live it on video.

There is no shortage of other activities in Jinja. Head off on a quad bike, bungee jump, fish on Lake Victoria, take a guided village walk; or give up a day of your holiday to volunteer for the local community education project.

Leaving Uganda, we head back into Kenya and onto Nakuru Town, the capital of the Rift Valley Province. We spend the next few nights at Kembu Camp, a working farm. Visit the local weavery and school, take a tour of the farm and put your order in for farm fresh milk.

We spend a full day at Lake Nakuru, viewing game in a park famous for its soda lake surrounded by thousands, sometimes millions of pink flamingoes. The park is home to over 400 species of bird, and we may spot leopard or black and white rhino amongst the zebra, waterbuck, impala, giraffe and many more.

WEEK THREE - Not far from Nakuru in the Rift Valley is Lake Naivasha. We camp on the shores of the lake where hippos often come to graze in the evenings and black and white Colobus monkeys turn up in the early morning.

Close by is Hell’s Gate National Park where you can hire bikes to take you around the park and see the herds of zebra, buffalo and antelope. There is some spectacular scenery here, red cliffs, grassy plains and rock towers made of hardened lava, the remains of ancient volcanoes.

Also on the lake is Elsamere, once the home of Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion of ‘Born Free’ fame. Elsamere is now the centre of the Born Free Foundation and you can find out more about their work, watch a video on Joy’s life and take afternoon tea in the gardens

Wander the predator free reserve amongst African game with a guide on Crescent Island. Take a boat onto Niavasha or explore the Green Crater Lake.

We head west to the Masai Mara National Reserve, camping on the edge of the park . The sweeping plains evoke a picture of East Africa that most people hold in their minds and they are rarely disappointed when confronted with the real thing. Great game viewing is assured all year round here, the Mara offers us everything, amazing scenery and abundant wildlife including the ‘big five’.

From here we return to Nairobi with the chance to feast at the renowned Carnivores Game Restaurant.

WEEK FOUR - Into Tanzania we arrive in Arusha where you take a trip to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorogoro Crater or you can wander the markets in town.

A days drive from Arusha brings us to Dar es Salaam on the Indian Ocean coast. Over the centuries trade between Africa and Arabia has resulted in the blending of Arabs and Africans into a beautiful Swahili (coastal) culture with wooden sailing dhows crossing the ocean, coconut plantations and fishing villages with mosques on the beaches.

From Dar es Salaam you can take the ferry to Zanzibar Island. Here is the old stone Capital of the Omani Sultanate, sandy beaches, spice tours, snorkelling, diving and trips to other nearby islands. Zanzibar is a fascinating place to visit – you have a day or two here at the end of the trip but we would recommend a longer stay for a really good look around.

Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon 2009

Mia — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Tenzing Hillary Marathon 2009

Mia — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:11:00 +0000

Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon is an International High Altitude Adventure Sports Event being held at Mt. Everest Base Camp every year on May 29. criss-crossing the Highland Sherpa Trails of Khumbu Valley, to commemorate the historical ascent of Mount Everest by Late Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.

Bev (Canada, 50) & Mia (USA, 31) came in as #1 Foreign (Western) Female Marathon Runners!!!!!! Booya!!!! Congrats Bev – what an amazing event! I had so much fun running with you and competing in such an amazing environment! The whole thing now feels so surreal – but I guess we have medals to prove it ))

http://www.everestmarathon.com/

http://www.everestmarathon.com/race_result_2009.htm

Back from the Himalayas!

Mia — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:46:00 +0000

…If you can imagine a hidden place, tucked safely away from the world…. concealed by walls of high, snow-capped mountains. A place rich with all the strange beauty of your nighttime dreams… Then you know where I was (may 2009)…
(quote from ‘seven years in tibet‘)

Nepal, May 2009

What I love about climbing is the absolute simplicity.

When you are climbing – your mind is clear… you have focus and suddenly the light becomes sharper, sounds are richer, and you are filled with deep, powerful presence of life.

The Everest trek was a real source of energy and inspiration for me, as I think for most in the group! It was a true adventure where one’s physical and mental abilities were tried and tested to the fullest. It was the place where nothing mattered and where everything mattered. It was the place where you couldn’t hear the outer civilization breathing down your neck and where you could hear every little voice in your own head. It was the place of solitude… the place of humbleness… peace… and happiness…

Motivation

Mia — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:31:00 +0000

“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.”

Edmund Hillary

Tyangboche – Dingboche – Lobuche – Gorakshep – Kala Pattar (18,200 ft) – EVEREST BASE CAMP (17,500 ft)

Mia — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:20:00 +0000

Day 6: Leaving Namche Bazar… to Tyangboche – Dingboche – Lobuche – Gorakshep – Kala Pattar (18,200 ft) – EVEREST BASE CAMP (17,500 ft)

A few people in our group have been sleeping all day, feeling a little sick, a bit stressed.
Some people were training.
And some of us took a day of rest (washed laundry, showered, and played table-games: scrabble, sudoku and cards).

The moral is high despite the altitude that is trying to knock us down.

We have a funny and skilled guide, Damche, with us who keep reminding us that: It is not about the altitude as we go higher up, IT IS ABOUT ATTITUDE!!! ))

We leave tomorrow Tyangboche – 6 hours of trekking… thiner air ) awaiting us there.

See you in 2 weeks! We are off to Mt. Everest Base!! )

And here’s a bit of inspiration:

“The first question which you will ask and which I must try to answer is this, ‘What is the use of climbing Mount Everest ?’ and my answer must at once be, ‘It is no use’. There is not the slightest prospect of any gain whatsoever. Oh, we may learn a little about the behavior of the human body at high altitudes, and possibly medical men may turn our observation to some account for the purposes of aviation. But otherwise nothing will come of it. We shall not bring back a single bit of gold or silver, not a gem, nor any coal or iron. We shall not find a single foot of earth that can be planted with crops to raise food. It’s no use. So, if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won’t see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for.”
George Leigh Mallory, 1922