Blue Bird Pokhara

... via Throng La pass 5416m
Left for the pass at 5am, we were one of the last to leave but it was still dark and freezing cold. The head torches went on as we started to climb up to hight camp. The stars were so bright and the views of the mountains were amazing in the moonlight. Chris was really struggling at this point and we were already getting left behind with people overtaking us! Was so difficult to breathe we were stopping all the time ...

... br>The ride from the airport to my accomodation in the hotel shuttle was amazing. Not scared at all because I had confidence in the driver. He controlled the vehicle through everything in the path with unlimited talent. They can fit a car in very little space.

I delivered the gifts (donations) for kids to the VIN (Volunteers Initiative Nepal) office
and was warmly greeted by Bhupi. A group of 8 new volunteers were learning some Nepali
Kathmandu - Day 1 - October 15th, Nepal 66days

... First impressions of Pokhara were breathtaking as Phew Tal - the lake, is the most beautiful thing we have ever seen, hopefully the pictures do it justice as it really is amazing.

First thing we did was arrange to go paragliding for the next afternoon then had a wander around Lakeside, it is the second biggest city in Nepal but it is so different to Kathmandu. It's a hell of a lot cleaner, less traffic, less ...

... it matter?

Anyway, we made it down from the Peace Pagoda. Alive, leech-less and with ankles intact. Later we met John and Ian at the Busy Bee.

Sept. 11
Sue and I took the bus back to Ktm. Thanks again to Sahara Travel & Tours for awesome service and for booking via text message, a bus ticket for Sue to sit beside me on the bus.

Raju met us at the bus park to see us off (and because he lives beside the bus park).
We made it incident free ...

... Day 05. Trek to Chamje (1410M) - Approx 5/6 hrs- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 06. Trek to Bagarchhap (2080M) - Approx 5/6 hrs- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 07. Trek to Chame (2720M) - Approx 5/6 hrs- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 08. Trek to Pisang (3060M) - 4/5 hrs- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 09. Trek to Manang (3440M)-3/4 hrs- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 10. Rest/Acclimatization in Manang- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 11. Trek to Yak Kharka (4200M) - 4/5 hrs- Lodge (B/L/D)
Day 12 ...

... were leeches dropping from the trees and landing on us!!!!

Yes LEECHES! The kind that get into your skin and suck your blood and leave big black marks on you!! Yeah so after the first little critter was crawling into my skin I freaked out... the slimey little thing was so hard to see and you could barely feel him but he was a long one. We started to cover up completely but those leeches still kept dropping on us! I ended up finding and killing ...

We get an early start and follow the trails through this amazing Rhododendrun forest. Unfortunately, they are not in flower as that happens in April but it is still wonderful to look at and it is a wonderful trail right through to Ghorepani. So far the guide has been good and is pacing himself to my walk and we have frequent breaks but steadily climb and make our way to Ghorepani and get there mid-afternoon. I was hoping that we would have clear ...

... get off the ground and the pilots somehow threaded their way between the walls of the worlds deepest gorge, with Annapurna itself (8021metres) on the east wing and Dhaulagiri on the west. With the valley floor up to 6km below these two peaks and at most a distance of 30km between the summits it was a fascinating plane ride with hills appearing to pass only feet underneath and thankfully clear skies to see the mountains around us. After only 30 minutes we touched down in Pokhara and ...

... by bus from Pokhara and going clockwise and ascending steeply to Gorepani and dropping down to the beautiful village of Tattopanni with a hot spa then making our way to the village of Ghandruk and back down to the starting point. After about 1 hours walking we realised the benefits of having a guide because thanks to my poor navigating skill we were actually doing the trek in reverse. We kept our spirits hi though although as a result we had a huge stair climb to the ...

... surrounded by towering snow covered giants clear against the blue backdrop. It was one of the most spellbinding sights I have ever experienced. Then, suddenly, the clouds rolled up from the green valley below and within seconds the magic show was over, the vista was gone.











As I lay snuggled in my thick down sleeping bag that night I heard the eerie, distant ...