Up then down, down, down 3200m to 1200m

So we did it. We walked the entire way. Our last day we encountered some rain but managed to stay fairly dry. We are not driving toward Phokara in a taxi. It wasn't much more than the bus as we are splitting it three ways and will go directly to the hotel rather than the bus station. 

View from poon hill

Prayer flags. They are everywhere. 

We started the day with a pretty good climb up poon hill where we had incredible views of the sunrise over the mountains. The valley was covered in a blanket of clouds. It really was epic. 

From there it was back to the hotel for muesli and hot milk. It's become a staple with porridge on the trip. From there we started our descent. It was harder than expected. It's tiring after than many days an the downhills tend to remind you of all you aches and pains. 

We stopped at a tea house for lunch. It was good but nothing special. And kept going down. 

We made Naya Pul by 4 where we found a taxi to take us the remainder of the way. 

Pack mule with donkeys. One of many hazards on the trail. 

Our taxi. These are the taxi of choice here. 

I am super excited I did it. It was a terrific experience. I would do it again in a second and had I more time I would have probably combined this one with another trek. 

The villages and the people are just incredible. The views majestic and company superb. I had tons of fun getting to know Declan. We talked everything from religion, relationships to politics. Met some really great people along the way. We will hang out until I leave on the 26th. He's a great trekking partner and better friend. 

Here's my plug. Nepal is incredible. It's on my list of places to come back. I look forward to the time I have left and from a trekking standpoint it's great. They really make it easy for anyone to do it. 

Up, up, up. Ghara to Ghorepani

We have had a big climbing day today. It's been really nice. We have been going through these really nice villages. A few stops for warm drinks and I had some yak cheese. It was good. It was really mild. 

A village on the hillside

A tea house

A couple more hours and we will be in Ghorepani with some time to rest. 

We stopped for lunch in Chitre. A nice town high on the hillside. We still have another hour and a half to Ghorepani but it's only noon so we will have a short day. We do still have 500m to climb. 

Just got to Ghorepani and took a hot shower and feel really clean for the first time in way to long. Warm clothes and lounging in the lodge now. It's rainy outside but we somehow managed to miss it for the most part. Our hotel is right on the top of the hillside and our room has a really good view down into the valley. It feels good to rest. One day left. It's kind of crazy. This trek has really been incredible. It's weird to think it's almost over. 

Kathmandu part two

I am on my way back to Kathmandu which is kind of sad. I really enjoyed Pokhara. I was really lucky though. I am sitting next to a Nepali women who just spent four years in London and comes from a very well to do background. I am lucky because she was able shed some light on Nepali culture. Nepal has a caste system which consists of 4 main castes and 36 sub-castes. She according to her is from the highest caste. She is really well educated is heading to Australia to study further. She told me about arranged marriages still vein common and herself being in one. She likes her husband but said she would continue the tradition. Her husband has his masters in computer engineering from a school in the UK. 

The city from the bus

The bustling streets

A street shrine. Thy are everywhere in the city. 

The bus ride went well largely because of the friend I made. I got into Kathmandu and got to

My hotel and then went out to explore. I ended up in some hole in the wall restaurant which is really saying something for Nepal. The food is cheap an looks good so no complaints. I think we are under a building though. For this meal chicken biryani, a sprite and chapati for less than two dollars. It's fun being back in Kathmandu. It really is hectic and would get tiring but for now is fun. 

I am having fun wandering grouch the city. We got some rain so I ducked into a cafe for a treat and get out of the rain. 

I went back to Durban square and it was really cool. Last time I went on a Saturday so it was really busy. Today was cool though. I got to see more of te square because last time I was there so early. Went up the nine storied palace and through some museums. It was nice. 

One of the cool squares off the road

Most of The squares pagodas like this. 

View from the top of 9 story palace

The wood working

There is a bike there somewhere. 

Coming Down. Lete to Ghara

We are making Good time today. What looked like a 7+ hour day will probably be more 5 of trekking. The sites have been nice. We are losing altitude quickly. Just to put a bunch back on tomorrow. No complaints. It's easy hiking through pretty country. 

Our hotel last night

Sunrise 

Giving kids candy in ghasa

Shrine outside ghasa

One of many suspension bridges we passed

Plowing the fields

We made it to totapani and we will keep walking. We have 1600m of climbing planned for tomorrow but we might try to get some of that some today to lessen the load tomorrow. 

Hot springs. Super relaxing after days of trekking

Archery event

Hike from tatopani to Ghara 

Trail 

We made it to Ghara today which was 500m higher which makes a much easier day tomorrow. We went 25km today we dropped 1300m got in some hot springs and relaxed. Then we climbed 500m. We have two days of trekking left and we will go from 1700 to 3200m and end at 1070m. We have up until now hiked 188km and will hike 210km or 128 miles. It's crazy to think about how much we have seen and how much ground we have covered. 

Hotel in Ghara 

My room