Trek Diary - Not as young as I used to be!

Day 11 – Sunday 23^rd September 2012

Chhomrong to Syali Bazar

A beautiful morning in Chhomrong

Chhomrong, winding her way down the many steps to the river is such a beautiful village,

 So glad we got to see it in all its splendour. Sunshine makes such a difference.

Well, thank heavens for that! Today’s walk is over! I am bone weary, dog tired and totally knackered. Coming down out of the mountains is harder than going up! No I am not as young as I used to be! Left foot, right foot, keep moving. Much of the day has been in full sunlight. We have been walking along ridges or through farmland much of the day and it has been  very hot.

 Just over the ridge from Chhomrong we finally got to see Tadapani, in the distance, in sunlight.

 

The tired feet tramped up out of Chhomrong, down to Jinu (rumour had it that there are no hot springs to soak in due to the heavy rains so we did not stop), down to the river, up the other side. Keep moving. The physical challenges did not heed our tired feet and aching muscles – a minor landslide, a mud slide, a creek to walk down, uneven rocks, stairs up, stairs down.......... However, as they presented themselves we surmounted them and what is there to complain about when the vistas are so sublime.
 

 

Cool spot. Time for a rest and a cold drink.

 

Lunch at New Bridge

Goats in the kitchen were not appreciated but that did not stop the cheeky fellows from trying their luck.

  

Nice hair-do, Billy!



I think we covered around 15 kilometres today if not more. After lunch it was another 4 hours before we reached Syali Bazar, our rest spot. 8 hours including an hour for lunch.

Why weren't all river and creek crossings like this?

The terrain changed as we gradually descended and we returned to village life and farms. In one small village we passed about 15 new born kids- all trying to get under our feet, vying for attention and trying to eat the walking sticks.There were also lots of ducklings! and chicks - cute as!

This gorgeous farmhouse was the home of the numerous kids, ducklings and chickens.

About an hour from our destination we came onto a dirt road, the first sign that we are heading back into civilisation.

 School's out for the day! 

Our room tonight is up market. It has an ensuite!
 

Not too many ensuites with a view like this!

The dining room at our lodge

 

The kitchen and looking up the road at Syali Bazar

 

Is the cat helping with the washing up?



 

Last day tomorrow – just a short 2½ hour walk to Naya Pul. Will need to use the umbrella if it is as sunny as today. Despite repeated coatings of sunscreen we are both burnt. Too hard for an umbrella today. I still had to use both sticks.

 

Day 12 – Monday 24th September 2012

Syali Bazar to Naya Pul

 Morning Syali Bazar

 

 

 

This was our last day. Once we had returned to Naya Pul it was a one and a half hour taxi ride back to the View Point in Pokara. 

Today was a leisurely walk along the country road. There were no steps or boulders to scramble up or down.  There was still a landslide to negotiate, creek crossings and mud. It was a beautiful morning. I had the brollie up and enjoyed strolling through the local villages, witnessing the day to day activities of country life.

 

The road to school has many obstacles!

And in the western world where we have footpaths?

They go in cars!



We checked ourselves off the mountain at the final checkpoint and headed to the road to wait for our taxi.

While waiting we watched the new arrivals disembark from their transport ready for their adventure. The numbers on the track had dramatically increased in the last three days. Tourist season has arrived! 

Thank you Ram and Raj – you made our trek complete! Four musketeers! What an experience! Yes we were tired at the end but every aching muscle and sore toe was well worth it. We trekked through some of the most spectacular scenery that either of us has ever seen. The climax was, of course, Annapurna Sanctuary. It is very special place and definitely a fitting home for the gods! It is guarded by the majestic Annapurna Ranges, the princes of the Himalayas and their king ............ Machapuchare ( or Fish Tail), Nepal’s Holy Mountain. 

The old adage holds out – no pain, no gain. We feel blessed!