Trekking in the Annapurnas

Back in Kathmandu after a brief trek from Nayapul to Ghorepani and back down through Ghandruk and Dhampus in the Annapurna region. Needless to say, it was gorgeous. A few days of rain and a few leeches but those just added to the adventure. Lots of sunrises were witnessed as this was the best time of day to see the mountains. Afternoons tended to be cloudy, but not chilly! We sweated profusely on the uphills and were feeling it in our knees on the down  – and there were precious few flat sections! A few highlights:

- Discovering wormy chocolate in our stash and then being asked to contribute it to a pair of pet rabbits

- Hiking Poon Hill before dawn and being rewarded with a stupendous panorama including Machhapuchhare, Annapurna South and Dhaulagiri

- Watching goats on the trail eat the spiniest plants ever

- Sweating it out on more than 3,000 stone steps straight uphill

- Arriving at our lodge in the evening and drinking delicious chai with digestive biscuits

- Observing our guide eating an appetizing looking dish and then discovering that it was cooked goat’s blood from the recent Dasain goat sacrifices. Yum.

So great to have visitors. I get both friends and family all in the same week.

This week includes house hunting with Mom and preparing for another trek – this time into the Everest region. More pictures soon.