October 11, 2013
Dear Friends and Family
Wow... three days of waiting in the airport for the clouds to part and let us fly to the Everest Region, was in vain. We actually took the flight to Lukla, but had to turn back at the last moment, as the clouds closed us out. We decided to reroute and head for Annapurna the next morning. While disappointed, we were eager to make lemonade and embrace our next adventure.
The travel by car to Pokora- (a city 200 miles west of Kathmandu where we launch) was harrowing and sweat-ridden for seven nail-biting hours. The two-lane windy, steep, and traffic-jarring road (the largest east-west road of Nepal) is usurped by all ( buses, jeeps, old jalopies, goats, farmers, dogs, and all the rest of civilization) as their own private way. Constant honking, yelling, and "urging" was the norm with near disasters at every moment, it seemed. Thank the gods (Hindu, Buddhist, etc.) for our safe arrival! We got there unscathed, where the lakeside was inviting and the Annapurna mountain range in the distance was spectacular, We decided an late afternoon bike ride was a good way to explore the city before our early morning departure to our trekking trail head. Our 4 scavenged sets of questionable wheels wobbled us down bumpy roads through city streets and neighborhoods, finding delightful people to chat with along the way. Larry's bike decided to sever in half, followed by a taxi ride home on his own. Bob's flat tire needed air along the way as we wove our way back to our abode for a last night of town life.
The trekking into the Annapurna region led us up thousands of stone steps to our 11,000 foot perch where we had glorious views of the range. While we were disappointed not to put our feet on snow and glacier, we were pleased to be in the mountains. Along the way, we were assaulted by thousands of goats (and herders ) heading down from the Mustang region to the markets for the Dossain Hindu holiday, donkeys carrying goods from village to village, farmers taking in the rice harvest, craft sellers hawking their wares, friendly trekkers from around the world, and welcome greetings (Namastes) from porters and guides up and down. Larry had knee problems, and had to succumb to horse ride up the second day and a slow trek down with a porter without us. We met him several days later- we were glad to be reunited! Our guide, Phurwa Sherpa and porter, Nima Sherpa (an ethnic group sharing the name) were good company and quite entertaining, with songs, tree climbing, and water fall leaping, to keep us smiling. We were in good hands.
Now, back in Kathmandu for our last Nepalese night before heading for China, we scurry to do heaps of laundry, shave scratchy beards, and eat our last Dal Bat dinner, before heading to China. What a time it has been.
Love,
Carolyn, Bob, Larry, and Joanie
Dear Friends and Family
Wow... three days of waiting in the airport for the clouds to part and let us fly to the Everest Region, was in vain. We actually took the flight to Lukla, but had to turn back at the last moment, as the clouds closed us out. We decided to reroute and head for Annapurna the next morning. While disappointed, we were eager to make lemonade and embrace our next adventure.
The travel by car to Pokora- (a city 200 miles west of Kathmandu where we launch) was harrowing and sweat-ridden for seven nail-biting hours. The two-lane windy, steep, and traffic-jarring road (the largest east-west road of Nepal) is usurped by all ( buses, jeeps, old jalopies, goats, farmers, dogs, and all the rest of civilization) as their own private way. Constant honking, yelling, and "urging" was the norm with near disasters at every moment, it seemed. Thank the gods (Hindu, Buddhist, etc.) for our safe arrival! We got there unscathed, where the lakeside was inviting and the Annapurna mountain range in the distance was spectacular, We decided an late afternoon bike ride was a good way to explore the city before our early morning departure to our trekking trail head. Our 4 scavenged sets of questionable wheels wobbled us down bumpy roads through city streets and neighborhoods, finding delightful people to chat with along the way. Larry's bike decided to sever in half, followed by a taxi ride home on his own. Bob's flat tire needed air along the way as we wove our way back to our abode for a last night of town life.
The trekking into the Annapurna region led us up thousands of stone steps to our 11,000 foot perch where we had glorious views of the range. While we were disappointed not to put our feet on snow and glacier, we were pleased to be in the mountains. Along the way, we were assaulted by thousands of goats (and herders ) heading down from the Mustang region to the markets for the Dossain Hindu holiday, donkeys carrying goods from village to village, farmers taking in the rice harvest, craft sellers hawking their wares, friendly trekkers from around the world, and welcome greetings (Namastes) from porters and guides up and down. Larry had knee problems, and had to succumb to horse ride up the second day and a slow trek down with a porter without us. We met him several days later- we were glad to be reunited! Our guide, Phurwa Sherpa and porter, Nima Sherpa (an ethnic group sharing the name) were good company and quite entertaining, with songs, tree climbing, and water fall leaping, to keep us smiling. We were in good hands.
Now, back in Kathmandu for our last Nepalese night before heading for China, we scurry to do heaps of laundry, shave scratchy beards, and eat our last Dal Bat dinner, before heading to China. What a time it has been.
Love,
Carolyn, Bob, Larry, and Joanie
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