The sound of the river rushing nearby was both soothing and unsettling, and the thought of a tiger lurking in the shadows crept into our minds. Sleep eluded us that night, our bodies weary from the day’s trek and our minds restless with the sounds of nature.

In a burst of spontaneity, we set our sights on Pokhara, our hearts yearning for the wild allure of Kapuche. Our bags were hastily filled with snacks, each item a promise of the adventure that lay ahead. As we arrived in Sikles, the fresh, crisp air enveloped us, inviting us to breathe deeply and savor the symphony of nature around us. Laughter echoed through the hills as we gathered around a sizzling barbecue, sharing stories that forged our bond anew. Every bite was infused with the joy of the moment, and our excitement ignited the spirit of exploration.

Holding our trekking poles awkwardly, we started our climb as beginners on rough trails. Each stride became a heartbeat of adventure, reminding us that, just as the SA node orchestrates our pulse, even the most challenging paths can lead to unforgettable experiences. We encountered flocks of grazing sheep, their gentle bleats a soundtrack to our adventure. Here, we met other travelers, including one who shared their struggles and had leg pain. She wisely suggested that we carry painkillers, a lesson some of us learned too late. I, too, struggled, my pace slowing as the daunting vertical cliffs triggered my fear of heights. Despite the fear, the experience was humbling, drinking fresh water from cascading waterfalls and feeling a deep connection to the land.

As we pushed further along the trail, exhaustion set in, our legs aching from the relentless journey. Arriving at our campsite, we felt a strange mixture of awe and trepidation. The sound of the river rushing nearby was both soothing and unsettling, and the thought of a tiger lurking in the shadows crept into our minds. Sleep eluded us that night, our bodies weary from the day’s trek and our minds restless with the sounds of nature. To add to our anxiety, an earthquake shook the ground beneath us, amplifying our unease. Some of my friends were ready to turn back, haunted by the memory of a landslide points we had on the way up.

Even with the physical challenges, there was a magical feeling in the experience. Nature’s grandeur unfolded around us, the camaraderie of friends glowed like a campfire, and the thrill of the unknown carved itself into our souls. As you embark on your journey, pack a trusty travel health kit filled with cough suppressants, decongestants, Pepto bismol, laxatives, motion sickness and pain medicine etc. for when you need a gentle nudge. Check out these travel health kits that have all the important items you might need for different trips, helping you stay healthy and comfortable while you travel.(1)

And of course, bring along your eco-friendly companion to reduce micro-plastic waste while keeping you refreshed! Mohamed Nor et al. said median intake of micro-plastics are 883 particles/capital/day, 553 particles/capita/day by children and adults respectively.(2)

We face rising exposure to micro-plastics through air, soil, water, and daily activities, including food and skin contact.(3)

Furthermore, it should be noteworthy that numerous pathogenic bacteria like Bacillus, Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas bacteria rapid colonization to gastric mucosal epithelium in mice, adhered by micro-plastics are resistant to antibiotics, leading to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.(4)

Before we set off on our adventures, it’s important to be mindful of these factors. However, the journey took a serious turn when one of our friends developed enteric fever (typhoid), likely caused by drinking untreated water from a local source and have to be hospitalized for 1 month. This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder to all future travelers: always be prepared.

In retrospect, our trip to Kapuche was not only an exhilarating adventure but also a learning experience. The raw beauty of nature, paired with the unpredictable challenges, left us with stories to tell and lessons we won’t soon forget. Despite the hardships, it was a journey I would gladly take again—only next time, we’ll be little smarter.

References

1. Pack Smart | Travelers’ Health | CDC [Internet]. [cited 2024 Sep 18]. Available from: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart
2. Mohamed Nor NH, Kooi M, Diepens NJ, Koelmans AA. Lifetime Accumulation of Microplastic in Children and Adults. Environ Sci Technol. 2021 Apr 20;55(8):5084–96.
3. Zhu L, Xie C, Chen L, Dai X, Zhou Y, Pan H, et al. Transport of microplastics in the body and interaction with biological barriers, and controlling of microplastics pollution. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Apr 15;255:114818.
4. Guo X pan, Sun X li, Chen Y ru, Hou L, Liu M, Yang Y. Antibiotic resistance genes in biofilms on plastic wastes in an estuarine environment. Sci Total Environ. 2020 Nov 25;745:140916.