Date:  24th October 2010
Camp: Shantanpara
KM walked: 7
Diary entry: Taragh and Mark
India wow!  Day 1 6am start followed by a painful 4 hour bus ride.  It’s our first real glimpse of the country and the beauty has us all in awe.  The Indians are really making us feel welcome, every encounter starts and ends the same, a look of confusion, curiosity and at last a beaming smile of welcome it’s just wonderful.
As for the trip, first impressions do count for a lot and so far, Concern, Action Challenge and the local crew all rock!  As for the fellow trekkers, too much laughing to really form an accurate opinion which for me is the best first impression there is!!

Date:  25th October 2010
Camp: Lakeside
KM walked: 14
Diary entry: Rebel and Sheena
After a restless night, trying to work out which tents the snoring came from, Sheena’s alarm and Ed woke us at 6.30am.  A breakfast curry started the day and much amusement as we put on ‘leech socks’ then Ed (sporting the Gaff hat) and Aidan lead us in a fun warm up.  A stunningly beautiful walk through the ‘cardamom plantation’ was made even better as Ed tried a fresh chilli from a bush and was surprised when it was hot!!!  We kept up a great pace and made the 10km journey in great time.  Highlights included a slip and fall in the river by – yes Ed again and Taragh honestly thinking a fresh chilli was an ‘Indian Strawberry’ – brilliant! After a hairy jeep trip back to camp (with breathtaking views of the mountains/lake and tea plantations) we made our way to our lovely new camp!
Our new campsite was set against stunning mountain views.  After a quick freshen up and a fab meal of naan bread, bananas and rice we set off on our last trip of the day to visit the local school and give them the gifts we brought from Ireland.  As we approached the school we were greeted by excited and smiling locals and children.  They excitedly greeted us by singing us a song and in return we sang them ‘Molly Malone’.  Larry gave a welcome speech and then we all went outside to play with the children.  This was one of the highlights of the trip so far, watching them excitedly jumping up to burst the bubbles we brought them, and watching their excited faces as they learned how to use a skipping rope and make a puzzle.  We were told by their teacher we made them ‘very happy’ today!  After this wonderful experience we took our last walk of the day down by a beautiful river with stunning views of the Indian countryside where we took pictures and discussed x-factor, while Susan surprised us all with some Cadbury’s chocolate.  Back at camp after another amazing dinner we were treated to a night of entertainment by the local dance group.  A group of young Indian boys preformed an amazing dance with fire, set against the backdrop of our campfire; it was a great way to end the day.  Larry thanked them by lighting a Chinese lantern which after a bit of a wait floated up into the night’s sky to a big cheer from the group.  The local dance group were so excited by this sight it was a great way to end a brilliant day.  The gaff of the day had to be awarded to Taragh for his Indian Strawberry moment that day!  So Ed handed over his hat with much relief.  Another brilliant and memorable day in India.  Our new team name was formed ‘The Red Hot Strawberries’

Date:  26th October 2010
Camp: Korangini
KM walked: 11.5
Diary entry: Larry and Michael
We awoke to glorious sunshine and another fantastic breakfast.  We headed off at 8am by jeep on a kamikaze ride to the world’s highest tea plantation at almost 3000 meters.  After a tour of the factory we headed off on our decent through leech infested forest with a bit of panic for those who hadn’t worn their leech socks.  Evelyn was christened the leech magnet and tick chick and screamed every time she saw one.  Rebel said this was a piece of cake nothing compared to Oz!  It was a tough day with the guides using a machete to clear the trail.  Before reaching the camp site we passed through a small village named Kerangani where we spent some time with the villages and their children.  As always so friendly.  A short walk uphill to camp where Susan discovered she had been carrying a leech  on her back, blood everywhere, hope it didn’t affect the chocolate but maybe that’s what the leech was after.  We didn’t impress the camp crew with an attempt of the Siege of Ennis round the campfire!  Everyone went to bed by 10.30pm – nervous about he climb ahead.  Another memorable day in India.

Date:  27th October 2010
Camp: Top Station
KM walked: 18
Diary entry: Ciara and Julie
This morning we woke to the sound of Indian music – little too dull our apprehension about the day ahead.  We presented 3 of our chefs with well deserved tips before heading off on our 10k uphill climb to top station, not to be underestimated!  Fantastic scenery, great craic, legs of jelly and a few leeches later (7 hours) we arrived at top station just ahead of the rain.  Another great campsite which was quickly turned to a mud bath with torrential rain, thunder and lightning.  After a scrumptious dinner it was early to bed, not before slipping and sliding on an adventurous trip to the long drop!  We think tonight was another aspect to the term ‘challenge’, but what a fantastic day and can’t wait for tomorrow.
PS: Very important climb.  Today was a 1km vertical climb and as we write this the rain is pounding on our tent and the thunder is deafening.

Date:  28th October 2010
Camp: Rhodo Valley
KM walked: 14
Diary entry:  Evelyn and Susan
The day started with breakfast at Top Station campsite and one spectacular view that I don’t think anyone will forget for a very long long time!  We started out on our trek towards Rhodo Valley through the tea plantations and of course we were soon covered in leeches!  Yuck!  So the usual screams of ‘leech, leech, there’s a leech’ , ‘argh there’s one on my leg’ were being shouted out every couple of minute (mostly all coming from me, Evelyn!) but I am pretty sure it kept me moving at a decent pace!  I really think this was definitely one of my favourite days, probably for about 4 reasons (other than amazing breathtaking views).  Firstly, I managed to overcome one of my GREATEST fears (to be a very new one) touching a leech!  Now others may tell this story slightly differently but the way I see it, I came to the rescue of one of our guides just in the nick of time and managed to pull the leech off his leech sock when it was making a b line for the nearest vein!  The next highlight of the day had of be our incident.  ‘Rambo’ aka Roheen decided he would give us a display of ‘off piste’ trekking and leaping over branches he managed to propel himself onto some branches of dead fallen trees only to find that the branches weren’t exactly able to support himself and the machete he was using to clear his way leaving him in a …. Upright position which I found quite amusing!  After this little incident I found myself walking behind Ed, our Action Challenge co-ordinator, thinking of course this was a very safe position to place myself.  Little did I know, that Ed was going to end up nearly falling off the side of the mountain with one near fatal footing error – oh dear!  But the sight of Ed up-ending himself had me so concerned I broke into nervous fits of laughter!  Ok so maybe I wasn’t so concerned, and more hysterical!  So I thought all the fun you can possibly fit into one day was over but Gerry still had a little slip up in store for us ….. as he fell over the tent ropes and covered it up by going straight into some impressive push ups!  There were so many giggles, thrills and spills that day I never noticed the 14k we walked.

Date:  29th October 2010
Destination: Cochin
KM walked: 11
Diary entry: Evonne and Alison
Following a really cold night, we woke to hear Ed telling us to wrap up warm (even though we were sweltering within an hour!)  At breakfast we were treated to a semi-naked rendition of ‘Patricia the stripper’ by Larry (photos available by request) which got us in good spirits for the day ahead.  We left Alison at camp to levitate for a short while!, and then set off for our last days trekking.  While we were on our way Ed had an ‘Ed moment’ and lost his camera and had to spend ages looking for it.  We reached the Meesapulimala peak in really good time and thanks to Juile and the Irish flag waiting for us when we reached the top.  Once photos had been taken and hugs and well dones had been exchanged we took some time out to sit quietly and reflect on things which was really nice.  We then met up with Alison again, collected lunch and headed down the leech ridden hill.  The end is near and we can see the bus and our finish line banner.  We stopped off at a really nice restaurant for our dinner on the way to the hotel.  The hotel is so luxurious, half the guys hit the showers and bed and the other half to the bar where we sat till after midnight, what a fantastic experience.  Thanks Concern.

Final thoughts on the challenge:

Donal:  20.30pm on last part of flight home, leaving London to go to Ireland – yeah!  Great trip. Very challenging both physically and mentally.  Got through it through the help of fellow trekkers, Zoe, Ed and guides.  Everyone’s spirits was good.  Attitude was excellent.  We shared highs, lows, leeches, everything.  One of the better ones!

Aidan: Today we returned home from our trek in Kerala India.  We reached our goal which was to climb the second highest peak in the Western Gats called the Meesapulimala peak. As individuals and as a group we have achieved something that will always be special to us. We have experienced some pain, a lot of laughs, seen some great sights,
Eaten the best of food, and made some new friends from around the world. We can take inspiration from this achievement and set ourselves some new challenges for the future (both large and small). We are an example to others to stop dreaming of the person they wish to be and waste the person they are.
                                                          
Go gcoinne dia thu

On behalf of Concern we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone for their amazing fundraising and support.  This challenge would not have happened without your dedication to Concern.  We would also like to thank Action Challenge and Kalypso Adventure for the amazing itinerary and professional support throughout.  The laugh and giggles were the icing on the cake!