On the way...: Mountains, mountains, mountains....

Tato, dużo zdjęciów widoczków dla Ciebie, ale opis tym razem po angielsku, bo poprzedni był po polsku, więc zagoń jakieś moje rodzeństwo do tłumaczenia i ciesz się zdjęciami :)

I was much more concern about second trek after experience from the first one, especially with my knees. That’s why I have made longer and in my personal opinion better preparation. As well I had knowledge what to take, what will be useful, how many clothes, gear etc to take with me. The first decision was to buy a trekking poles, which I got for 1400 RS(first price 2200 RS hehe), then knee support(two types), 3 different pain release gel’s, extra polar fleece, tea bags(to save up some money on the trek), ginger and few snickers bars. I wasn’t in hurry, so when planned departure day was coming I have met some interesting people the night before and I wasn’t up to carrying my backpack and long day bus rides the next day to move(Yes Dad, I was celebrating yours birthday :D). No problem, I have time so finally I started on 22.03 with breakfast which was 45 min delay, then taxi to local bus station and another 1,5 h waiting until bus will get full. In the bus I have met 2 british guys, Richard and Dave, father and son which later turns out to be my companions for the first week of trekking. After 8 hours in bus to Besi Sahar, with some breaks on the way(luckily seat more less in front so no problems with jumping around), we took a tea and second bus to Bhulbule(offcourse it stucked on the way for another 1:15h, but what to do). From Besi Sahar the dirt road has started, and as it was raining here before road was in really bad condition and really jumpy. We arrived to Bhulbule when it was already dark(around 7 pm) and took first lodge and still manage to get some food. We have also met 2 Kiwi’s Leith and Alex and finished evening playing cards.

Second day we started to trek all together, passing big construction side where chineese are building hydro power plant(and all electricity for next 30 years will go to China, great deal Nepal, congrats!), no many views but it was nice and green. We stayed a night in Ghermu, opposite to big waterfall which was making a lot of noise for whole night as well( I don’t know why someone didn’t turned it off for sleeping….)

Construction in National Park.....

First views of the valley, so green :)

This waterfall was working even in the night......... really noisy one....

Richard, me and Dave

Third day started with oat porridge(as usually for most of trekking days) and some driy fruits which I carried with me(1 kg at the beginning). We are crossing the river few times, joining and leaving the dirt road which pushes all the way up to Manang and in the middle of the day we are choosing to go steep up for lunch to Chamje, where in front of another big waterfall we’ve waited more then 1,5 h for lunch. Most of the groups went on the road, but we took trail and on many loose rocks started to climb up. Views were getting better and better. The most steep part was just in before Tal(1700m) village, but when we finally got there it was stunning. It was a big, totally FLAT valley with big river on the side and plenty of guest houses. Really stunning view after whole day climbing up. Reward? Gorkha beer at river bed, dinner and plenty of card games(which became a tradition for every evening).

Another example of water making a lot of noise.....

This how the Tal looked after long day of climbing. We were totally amazed.....

There is name of this gates, but I forgot. One in front of Tal.

On most the trekking days I was really afraid about knees, not because they were in pain that much, but my head was so much working on that. In the end they were surprisingly good, but still I was using everyday some gel’s in order to keep them in good condition as well as basic knee support on more difficult days.

Well, road pushed on right bank, so they needed to make a new trail on left bank. Boulder? No problem.

The whole group. From the left Alex vel. Frodo, Richard, me, Leith vel. Ron and Dave

Another waterfall, this time we got closer.

The next day started with the same breakfast, passing people which we were seeing on previous days on walking, lunch in Danaque and last steep part to Timang (2630m) we made on the road avoiding steps. It was actually really good decision as we passed two big waterfalls and slowly got for our lodging. Here we started to have first nice views of 8000 m, Mansalu has showed up, snow here and there as well, and first colder night. As well some dog fights over the night didn’t make it easier for me. The last day made effect on Alex’s knees, so he want a day break. We decided to make short day tomorrow.

Boulder on the way? No problem in Nepal.....

Mansalu

East side is the BEST !! Yoooo!!!!

More landscapes will arrive soon...... Tatku to dla Ciebie te tyle zdjęciów!!!!

Read the sign !

26.03 really slowly we started to wake up and slowly to move, some pictures here and there, passed 2 villages, took a tea in Koto and supposed to be 30 min to Chame(2710), but it tourns out to be only 10. We stayed in lodge recommended by one guide, which actually nice, with very warm dinning room(first and only time I was sitting there in T-shirt), room was free, Wi-Fi on paper and advertisements only, but next morning I managed to get password to wi-fi from neighbour’s lodge, so finally some contact with the world. As a day break, we need some lubrication for the knees, so big bottle of rum has disappeared between 4 of us. As I was between 4 native English speakers I wasn’t that talkative, but I was trying. In my opinion by now we had nice time together.

Chame....

27.03 was a day break, so I have managed to read “Are you experienced” book, which was about traveling in India. Nice memories and interesting to confront my opinion about India with authors story. For the night young Israeli group entered lodge and paradise of quiet and relax was gone. They are really loud, forgot about basic manners, arguing for every rupee and just stick to they own groups.

Relaxing during the day....

Leaving Chame

The next day started with amazing breakfast swiss rosty(kind of big pancake made of cut potates, onion) with two fried egg’s on top. Heavy, filling but really tasty. We started to walk, a bit steeper part around noon before Dhuku Pokhari where we took lunch, then some walking to Upper Pisang(3310m) where we decided to spend night. Village looks like abandoned, times has stopped here 100 years ago, almost no people on small, narrow streets, houses built from stones only, but different then ones which I have seen earlier. Sometimes an old person shows up walking and praying, but as soonest noticed me she walks faster trying to avoid any contact. Over the village there is monastery and the views on the other side are amazing. We are getting really close to mountains and what to say. Amazing.

We don't want picture, but we want your candies....

Interesting? Read a bit more....

How the tourist take picutre...

How the local takes picture...

I am under rock if someones asks.....

Landscapes are changing a bit

Crossing the river again and again

Another side....

Here I am......

Richard....

Mountains

Which you would choose?

29.03 started with Cat Porridge made out of real cat ! Hehe, nepali English sometimes can surprise, well it surprise you every day. Morning started with photo session from monastery, then walking through forests and many, many pictures on the way. Then really step part to Ghyaru(3670m) which took us some time, but the views were just getting better and better(apart of electric line built just in the middle of view point, again congratulations!). Here was really good view point, local (really good) samosa, and push further. Lunch in Ngwal and we pushed to Bragha(3470m). We passed big Buddhist school, some old small stupas. Really long day walking with difficult parts. I was afraid of descending after long day of walking, but it turns without problems. I don’t need to say that views were amazing….. I think I am feeling in love in Himalays more and more….. In Bragha we tried for the first time Yak meat in burger, was good(at the time when I was eating it even amazing, but later I tried it in different places and I can tell that they could make it better). We also got here filter coffee and fresh products from bakery.

I don't know for what they have those ones, but you can find them around monasteries