Go, yak, go!
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
In the States, I would be a little wary if I came across a bull, but here they seem to be used to people, and they keep to their side of the trail.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Trekker and porter
Trekker and porter
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Trekker and porter on the trail. I passed a lot of trekkers carrying a small daypack or nothin at all, while the porters carried several huge bags tied together with a strap around their forehead. It looked like a painful way to carry stuff, but this is how they did it. The vast majority of people had guides and porters for this trek. I suppose that helps if you're doing the whole Annapurna Circuit and have to go over the 5400 m Thorung-La Pass.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Quick update
Sorry, I am a few weeks behind in updating this site. Just to let you know, I went back to Kathmandu after a week on the Jomsom Trek, and spent another week in Kathmandu, getting my Indian visa and exploring the sights there. I went to visit the Chitwan National Park last friday and spent three nights outside the park. Two nights ago I arrived in India. I'm in Varanasi now, relaxing, and hopefully getting up-to-date on my webpage. If you are anxious see the photos, you can see most of them, unlabelled and what-not, at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whereruericliu/
I completely forgot about Thanksgiving (I was on the trail). Hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season. No sign of Christmas here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whereruericliu/
I completely forgot about Thanksgiving (I was on the trail). Hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season. No sign of Christmas here.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Dal bhat
Dal bhat
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Bottomless plate of dal bhat -- rice and lentil soup with vegetables and pickles. I ate this stuff exclusively on the trail as it was what the locals ate (so they didn't need to use more gas or wood to cook) and it was full of energy for the hike. They keep offering you more and more until you burst. Delicious!
Indra Guesthouse in Tikedungha (1577 m)
Indra Gueshouse in Tikedungha (1577 m)
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
After starting at noon, I arrived at Tikedungha around 4 pm. Exhausted, I checked into this guesthouse for 50 Rs (about 66 cents). The deal with guesthouses on the trail is that you have to eat at their restaurants (where they make all their money). I was able to get free filtered water (to refill my waterbottle) too. This place had scalding hot showers, which was great as the evening was cold when the sun went down.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Old bridge
Old bridge
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
This was the old bridge at Naya Pul. The planks were loose, and I hoped that the rest of the suspension bridges weren't as old.
Naya Pul
Naya Pul
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
After two hours on the bus, I was dropped off at Naya Pul, or "New Bridge", the start of the Jomsom Trek. I wasn't too sure which path was the trail, but I read that there was a 1000 m climb, so I headed up a trail on the mountain to the left. After an hour and a half, I reached the top, and asked the locals for directions to the supposed next town. They shook their heads and pointed down in the valley. Oops! Anyways, I still managed to get to the right place (Tikedungha, four hours from Naya Pul) despite the little detour.
Boats for rent on Phewa Tal
Boats for rent on Phewa Tal
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
I rented a rowboat for 150 Rs an hour. Not as exciting as it sounds, but it was good to get out into the middle of the lake.
The Annapurna range behind the haze
The Annapurna range behind the haze
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
You can barely make out the smallest snowcapped peaks on either side of the hill in the center of the photo. To the right is Machhapuchhare "Fish Tail" (6997 m) and to the left is Annapurna South (7273 m).
Lakeside tourist area in Pokhara
Lakeside tourist area in Pokhara
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
Pokhara sits on a lake, Phewa Tal, from which you can view the Annapurna mountain range and Dhaulagiri. The skies were pretty hazy while I was there, so I only saw glimpses of the peaks on one day. Pokhara was nice and warm, but the tourist area was a few kilometers from the main town, by the lakeside, so I didn't like it so much.
Tourist bus to Pokhara
Tourist bus to Pokhara
Originally uploaded by bastchild.
We left Kathmandu to go to Pokhara, about 200 km away. From there, we could start the Jomsom Trek, a week-long hike with stays in guesthouses, on the western side of the Annapurna mountain range. Trekking is by far the most popular activity done by tourists in Nepal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)