A new adventure awaits me and I haven't finished writing about my previous one.
To wrap things up I've decided to reproduce some of the emails I sent on the last leg of the journey.
There are quite a few gaps in the story that deserve filling in. Maybe someday.
(My Nepalese counting song - based on the Macarena.)
Ek Hima Dui Hima Tin Himalaya
Chaar Hima Panc Hima Chha Himalaya
Sat Hima At Hima Nui Himalaya
Oh... Himalaya
Chaar Hima Panc Hima Chha Himalaya
Sat Hima At Hima Nui Himalaya
Oh... Himalaya
Well it turns out I managed to shake off most of that cold and it didn't slow me down much.
I had a wonderful time travelling up through the glorious amazing mountains.
Two days ago we woke up at 3am to trek up through the Thorung Li high pass at 5600m.
I totally conquered the mountains but I was exhausted at the end of the day.
I feel like most of the trek is over and I am just walking home now.
A brief internet stop in Jomsom.
I've Still got another 5 or 6 days of trekking to go. I really am losing track of the days out here.
Wish you were here
I miss you all.
Travelling along the Kali Gendaki
A very woolly looking pony.
Travelling along, Prem teaches me a verse of one of the popular songs we have heard on our journey
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Manang gungko
Taurau ni
Sarai rum row
Roichi ni
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Manang gungko
Taurau ni
Sarai rum row
Roichi ni
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Om mane padme om
Today I am at Kalipani, tomorrow I go to Tatopani and the day after Ghorepani.
these village names are literally black water, hot water and horse water.
Three more days of trekking and I will have completed the Annapurna circuit.
I day in Pokhara, 1 day in Kathmandu and 1 day in an airplane.
Back in Melbourne on Monday. Back to work on Tuesday.
Today.
I am at the Kalipani guest house. It is ten to six in the evening.
It is dim inside the restaurant as the power is off. Under the long table is a small pit in the floor where the proprietor has poured burning embers.
It is too stuffy and noisy so I go outside to the flagstone courtyard and grab a light brown painted wooden seat from the outdoor dining setting. I ineffectually shake off some of the rainwater and take it under cover. A wet seat is a small price to be able to breathe the fresh air and write my journal in peace.
there is a light rain and a consistent rumble of thunder. There is a light smell of ozone in the damp cool air.
An old man wanders out on to his roof top across the road. With his hands behind his back he surveys the area. In the mountain villages it is common for the buildings to have a thick flat roof topped with a layer of hard packed dirt.
There are several buildings across the road on the slight slope which lead to a forest of fir trees about 300m away. The trees climb sharply up a steep hill. Behind the hill a series of craggy mountains of barren rock rise and rise to snow capped peaks that are about 45 degrees inclination from where i sit.
The old man slowly completes another circuit of his roof.
A man walks past on the road with a large wire cage of chickens strapped to his back.
A large headband runs across the man's forehead and is tied to the sides of the cage below the man's shoulders. This supports a good part of the load.
It is starting to get colder so I stand up to go to my room to get warmer clothes.
As I turn to the right there are more snow capped mountains in front of me.
As I turn to the right again another range of mountains stretches out to my right.
I am familiar with these mountains because a week ago I was walking on the other side of them.
The last few days I have been walking along the Kali Genducki river. Fierce winds pick up in the middle of the day. I hung out my washing the other day unsure whether it might be blown away to Tibet.
Tomorrow at Tatopani I visit hot springs.
Travelling well.
Feeling healthy and more than a little tired.
Take care
Daniel
We finished the trek yesterday.
We decided to come back to Pokhara last night instead of staying at Bhantipur because there is a general strike all over Nepal today.
Hopefully no riots.
8.45 am
Just had a $3 shave and haircut. Heading back to the hotel for breakfast.
Katmandu tomorrow. Aeroplane the next. Back on Monday.
Cameron is picking me up at the airport.
Namaste.
Sunrise from Poon Hill
No comments:
Post a Comment