TOM FARROW - Bishop Fox 2011
he first of my two trips was to the Himalayas in the Kingdom of Nepal. he aims
of the trip were threefold: to trek in the Himalayas, to complete some charity
work of some description and to immerse myself in the quite unique culture
of that part of the Indian subcontinent. As well as these I aimed to look at the
possibility of getting a commission in the Royal Gurkha Rifles in the future. I
trekked around the Everest Region in unexpectedly snowy conditions. I reached
both Everest Base Camp (5360m) and Kala Patthar (5550m) in the snow. he
Khumbu glacier and Ice Falls were spectacular and have certainly left me full of
ambition for greater things. he trek was great fun and the Sherpa people are a
fantastic tribe.
After the trek I
descended to Kathmandu where I explored this bizarre and
wonderful city further. I then met with the Nepali Children's
Trust, a charity who were opening a residential home in
Kathmandu. I worked at the New Life Centre for a month
and enjoyed my time with such incredibly resilient young
people all of whom had physical disabilities. I helped tutor
English, homework and played sports with the children.
I visited both camps in Nepal for the Royal Gurkha Rifles and
was interviewed several times. I spent a good deal of time with regular Gurkha soldiers and was questioned quite vigorously
by some of them. I was even allowed to play in the veterans versus brigade football match in Pokhara.
After working for several months I then began to plan a trip to South America with similar aims to that of Nepal. I began my
trip in Ecuador by exploring the country for two weeks or so which gave me the opportunity of brushing up on GCSE level
Spanish. hen I went to a volunteer station in the jungle where I helped with a rainforest conservation project. Our work
was based on keeping endangered plant species alive. I spent many hours working with
machetes, building a bamboo bridge, collecting seeds, harvesting cocoa and building
various structures in the jungle.
After almost a month in the jungle I left for Peru where I began to see Andean culture
and spent time on the famous Altiplano and Lake Titicaca - the world's highest navigable
lake. he Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu were other momentous experiences. he
western parts of Bolivia were not wholly dissimilar to Peru. La Paz, the highest capital in
the world was good fun and was the gateway to the rest of my trip into Brazil and the
Pantanal - the vast wetlands famed for their incredible wildlife.
he next phase of the journey was through southern Brazil along the beautiful coastline.
I have never been overly interested in beaches but Brazil's Lopes Mendez beach was
easily the most beautiful
beach I have ever set foot on. I
ended my trip in Rio de Janiero
after exploring the sights and
wonders of the city
I have learnt so much on both trips and have met amazing
people. I always find travel very refreshing with the idea that life is
a privilege and an honour to have and not something to which we
are entitled. I would love to thank all those who helped me plan
and execute both of my trips and those who took an interest when
I returned. Special thanks must go to the Michael Baker Trust and
Mrs Baker who gave me money towards my trip to Nepal and my
mother who encouraged and supported me.
At Kala Patthar - Everest in the background!
he Khumbu glacier
In the jungles of Ecuador
In Peru