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Take a trip with Grannies à Gogo

Nepal and Vietnam are the focus of discussion for travelogues hosted by Grannies à Gogo
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Virginia Dansereau photo Trekking guide Indra pours morning tea during a 13-day trek of the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal, part of the Travelogue presentation by Virginia Dansereau for Grannies à Gogo May 5 at 7 p.m. at the People Place.

Susan Fenner/Special to The Morning Star

John Steinbeck wrote: “We do not take a trip; a trip takes us,” and the public is invited to see and hear the presenters of two fascinating trips and learn where their trips took them.

Grannies à Gogo will be presenting two evening travelogues: on May 5 it’s “Nepal: A Pilgrimage in Diversity” by Virginia Dansereau, and on May 12 it’s “Vietnam – Fascinating History, Scenery, People and Cuisine” by Carol Schroeder. Both PowerPoint presentations are scheduled for 7 p.m. at the People Place, downstairs in Room 006.

Dansereau’s trip takes her on a Nepal pilgrimage, first to Kathmandu where The Monkey Temple, the Boudhanath Stupa, Bhaktapur and the Durbar Square are highlighted. Then to Pokhara and an amazing 13-day camping trek on the remote Mardi Himal trail in the Annapurna Mountain region of Nepal.

With their guide Indra, they begin a route that dwindles from narrow to constricted, from somewhat smooth to rugged, eventually to nothing but pathways and steep slopes. Along the way she crosses moss-entangled jungle, rice paddies, and grassy plains populated with yaks and boy shepherds herding goats and donkeys. At an altitude of 4,100 metres she witnesses the glorious rising sun on the snow-capped Annapurna Mountains.

The following week Schroeder’s trip takes her on an exploration of Vietnam, feasting on its fascinating history, its friendly people, its beautiful countryside, and of course its fabulous food. She explores the ancient capital city of Hanoi with the history of Hoan Kiem Lake, the Temple of Literature from the time of Confucius, the Water Puppet theatre, the Women’s Museum, Hai Lo Prison and modern-day city life.

Schroeder treks the mountains of Sapa and views the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, a UNESCO heritage site. Through her stories and photos of Ancient Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), she will touch on her enchantment with the people, the food and markets, and the variations between tranquility and hustle-bustle.

Let “the trip take you” as we share adventures of enthralling places and faces. Whether you are an appreciative armchair traveller or scouting for new travel adventures of your own, you’ll enjoy the view from here. All presentations will be held at the People Place, 3402- 27th Ave., lower level, at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door and all proceeds directly support AIDS-bereaved “gogos” (grandmothers) in South Africa. For more information about Grannies à Gogo: the Vernon - South Africa Connection go to www.granniesagogo.com or e-mail granniesagogo@gmail.com

Susan Fenner is publicity rep for Grannies à Gogo: the Vernon - South Africa Connection.