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Annapurna Circuit - Day 3 - Himalayan Waterfalls
Entry 10 of 45 | show all | print this entry |
Day 3: Syanje (1100m) - Jagat (1300m) - Chamje (1430m) - Tal (1700m)
A very long hot day's trekking constantly up and down and occasionally following the construction of the Manang Road.
Picture a V - river at bottom - steep hillside either side and that is where they are trying to build a road. Child labour looks to be in full swing as kids sit - one holding a cold chisel while the other whacks it into the rock with a huge sledge hammer. Dynamite is then placed within the said hole and used to blow out large sections of rock which are then used to build reinforcement walls bound together by wire. A very lengthy process indeed.
Our trail followed the path through all the destruction. People stopped work to let us pass, the trail sometimes turning into a narrow sandy path, the width of your shoe, with nothing but a sheer drop standing between you and the crashing river and rocks below. The slightly unsettling thought of knowing that if you slip you've pretty much got zero chance of survival occasionally popped into our thoughts but was quickly ejected.
Having survived the above we met up with some fellow trekkers - a Danish couple in their late 30's/early 40's, a middle aged Germay lady and 4 Israeli's in their early 20's who had also enjoyed the roof busride from Besisahar. Our four groups continually passing each other on stops throughout the day. They, like the river, would become our companions for the next 9 or 10 days the Danish for the duration.
Nearing the end, after trekking up a mammoth hill and over a ridge into the Tal Valley, we crossed the boarder from the Lamjung district and into that of Manang. The differencs were striking and instant, mud and thatch houses gave way to stone buildings, the once narrow gorge and thundering river opened up into a massive valley and river bed. Even the vegetation changed, going from being subtropical to fir and pine trees. All in a matter of metres.
The village of Tal itself resembled that of an old wild west town. Big dusty main drag with donkeys tinkering around and saloon type hotels/guest houses on either side . There wasn't a sole around when we first entered but as we walked through people stuck their heads out offering guest houses "with hot water" - Don't believe them - and other delights such as western cuisine etc.
Our hotel faced a massive waterfall. After dumping our stuff we, or rather I, decided to go check it out and drag Oliver with me. We couldn't find a path so just ended walking up the river. The closer we got, the colder it became, but as I had never been under a Himalayan waterfall before I wasn't about to let the opportunity pass me by. Stripping off my long pants, cardigan, fleece down to my bikinis I donned a sarong and ventured it. It was bloody freezing!!
Oliver took video of me then when I rushed out after no more than a few seconds, he said "Oh no I didn't get a photo - can you go back in". So me being the stupid idiot that I am agreed. I swear the second time froze my brain. Oliver of course was just laughing "I can't believe you went in twice" as he stood there all nice and warm in his woolies. Nice, at least I had a nice hot shower waiting for me at the hotel....at least that's what we were told. When we got back, me shivering, we were given half a bucket of hot water for our "showers". Yes that's right half a bucket for TWO people not one!!
Tip of the Day: Check the hot water situation before freezing under a Himalayan waterfall.
Where I stayed:
Tibetan Hotel
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| 10. | Annapurna Circuit - Day 3 - Himalayan Waterfalls - Tal 1700m, Nepal Feb 29, 2008 |
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