Langtang trek Oct 2011

After arriving in Kathmandu, our group met at the hotel enjoying the craziness of the city with dust, dirt and diesel. Only one day to enjoy a Himalayan Java coffee, a walk through Thamel, we weighed bags, and boarded the bus to Dhunche. The roads were still wrecked from the monsoons, which had only quit a week or so before. They were the worst I've seen in the 4 treks I have done into the Langtang. We had to leave the bus several times to allow clearance for the undercarriage from rocks as well as allow the driver to take a run at a couple of hills. A few looks out the window down the steep hills was enough to convince us to walk a ways.

The trails were not so busy early on, but toward the end of trekking, there were noticeably more French, Israeli, British and European trekkers on the trail. Walking through bamboo forests, along the Langtang Khola, we made our way to the Langtang National Park.

Our wonderful porters were the best - friendly, strong, helpful and a huge support to our trek in addition to Gyanu, our guide. The hospitality in all the tea houses was amazing, wonderful foods - Tibetan breads, dal bhat every lunch, Sherpa stews, soups, muesli and hot milk, dudh cha (milk tea), lemon tea, etc. We were well fed.

Some views of this year's Langtang trek..

Morning in Pokhara

This was the view from the rooftop of my hotel in Pokhara. Annapurna South (7226 m) is the left, Huinchuli next to it and the sharp peak is Machhapuchhre, the holy Fishtail mountain) It rained yesterday in the mountains and this morning was fairly clear. My ABC trekking group called this morning to say they had some great views in Landruk. I know they are in for many more amazing views of this part of the Himalayas.

More later,
Neil

TIHAR festival 2011

 
Yesterday was the start of a great celebration for TIHAR (the festival of lights, same timing as Deepwali in India) here in Pokhara with lots of lights (like Christmas) candles, local kids dancing for money, singing at all the businesses. Families got together to sing, drink and dance. Very festive. Even at the hotel, the owner's relatives came and danced in the courtyard for a few hours. They even made me dance with them, but fortunately did not make me drink rakshee, the home-made wine! It is like turpentine, awful stuff.
 
I went to the Blue Planet lodge yesterday to check out the new lodge where we will have 3 nights in February for the Yoga retreat. Had tea with Ram the owner, and Sabine (lady from Belgium married to him) invited me to a Tibetan singing bowl meditation. About 15 people showed up and it was to celebrate the new moon, setting healing intentions, etc. Walked home in the dark and past many mandalas with candles, more singing and dancing. I would have missed some of this if I was trekking. Sabine said there may be a chance to join the family festivities on the most important day tomorrow on a local mountain called Sarankot, provided there is room on the bus. 

A wee update for you. After trekking 12 days on a sore knee in the Langtang, I developed an inflammation and numbness in my left knee. Went to the Westerner's clinic and they xray'd, and with consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, suggested Voltarin, an anti-inflammatory drug, physiotherapy, exercises and not to trek for at least a week. I was most disappointed to not be able to go with the group, so I am waiting in Pokhara for them to finish trekking. The doctor said I have Yoga knee (similar to housemaids knee - I said it must be yoga knee, then! It results from overuse and of course being on my knees so much in yoga. It is slowly getting better.

Namaste,
Neil