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Nepal 2024 via LA & Singapore
  • Debra Kooy
  • Debra Kooy

Nepal 2024 via LA & Singapore

Un’avventura di 36 giorni di Debra Leggi altro
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  • Inizio del viaggio
    25 settembre 2024
    Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Rich tea made of tea dust & condensed milk & Samosa
    Jempung Jempung cake which translates to welcome welcomeKampong Glam Village. All shops connected by the long corridor1Sultan's MosqueOld & newMaureen & daughter, Chloe1Ian called this the steamed rice "contraption"A HostelLittle India marketIndian dishes and saucesThe view of where we had walked to the tenement building1Signified the hard labor the Chinese men enduredChinatown, SingaporeChicken & Rice dishes in Chinatown12Anthony & Ian1

    LA to Singapore layover

    29 settembre 2024, Singapore ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We left a very rainy Vancouver and landed in Sunny Los Angeles to meet Chloe and Maureen. We enjoyed the sunshine exploring the coffee shops and some antique shops in the Fullerton District where Chloe lives. On the 27th, with our combined 7 bags, we flew 17 hours to Singapore. The flight length didn't seem too bad surprisingly. We had an 11 hour layover so we checked our bags into a secure locker area then hopped on the train to the city for the start of our Food and Cultural Walking Tour.
    Our tour began on Arab St. With Ian. 1st stop we sampled rich tea made from tea dust and condensed milk. The coffee would originally have been mixed with butter and sugar. We tried Jemput Jemput which translates to welcome welcome. It was like a dense donut made of mashed banana,flour, water and sugar. The other pastry was similar to a samosa. Singapore was established in the 13th Century and consisted of clusters of villages which are now 80% highrises. We walked through Kampong Glam ( type of tree with bark used as calking material for boats) Village with 18th Century Architecture. We walked past the Sultans House and Mosque on Haji Street, Singapore's oldest Street. Haj means pilgrimage. We tasted Putu Piring, a steamed rice and shredded coconut layered on caramelized sugar. Ian brought us through one of the older Chinese tenement buildings. He shared that people from the same cultural Heritage have to live in the same area, mainly apartment complexes and if you want to sell you have to sell to someone of the same culture. The highest population in Singapore are Chinese, then Malaysian and Indian. Residents are expected to learn and speak their mother language. Later they introduced English in schools which is considered neutral. Next we tried 3 Indian dishes in Little India. We took the train to Chinatown, where we sampled grilled & boiled chicken on rice, rice dumpling cakes & rolled rice noodles in sauces. We took the train back to the airport for our flight to Kathmandu. A perfect layover tour. In Singapore we were 15 hours time difference and in Nepal we will be 12 hrs 45 min. difference.    Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Our Homestay in Kathmandu
    A standard room, very comfy sleepThe sitting area on our floorLittle touches on the deck1Breakfast view1Power poles, yikes!!Prayer flagsOur first walk through the streets this amTraffic was chaotic, so many motorcyclesNice bike, not sure how he would fit into the flow of traffic!First monkey sighting running along the wiresPacking his items! Check out the head strapThis little guy was trying to sell us his kleenex. He comes across moving traffic.Chaos w everyone flying outOur pile of bags. The Ikea bags from Amazon cover & protect our packs w extra room for purchases😉2Our plane to Pohkora

    Kathmandu 1 night, fly to Pohkora

    29–30 set 2024, Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We had a 5 hour flight from Singapore to Kathmandu. We got our 30 day visas, bags all arrived and our taxi was waiting. All smooth thus far. In the morning we enjoyed breakfast on the upper deck of our Homestay. We walked to exchange our $ to rupees. We headed for the airport and that is where the chaos started. Flights were delayed because so many people are having to fly due to local flooding and landslides which closed the roads leaving Kathmandu. We stood for 2 hours and we moved to the ticket counter and they gave us an earlier flight, closer to our original time, however we were delayed 6 hours total. All flights were delayed due to the Prime Minister of Nepal who returned from the UN meetings. Our trek guides are trying to get through on the roads so we are waiting to hear if they can get through. The flight itself to Pohkora was 30 minutes. Our group members and Hotel owner came to pick us up. The drive to the Lotus Inn was interesting as roads are quite rough and two way traffic loosely structured to say the least and we had no seatbelts😬 our group members greeted us. We were so happy they made it safely.The hotel is nice. We got organized then walked for a meal of Chicken Pad Thai and Chicken & Vegetable Korma. It was so delicious 😋. We walked back to the hotel and on the way we stopped to purchase trekking poles and our SIM cards. Ready for our trek starting tomorrow.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Rice fields
    Colorful homesLandslide...the roads were steep, narrow, lots of rocks had fallen from above, potholes😬Lots of motorcycles, busses & trekking companies1Our group just before we started the climb todayVimal, our main guide. He is lovely🥰1Bom, far left, is our porter. He must have had between 80-100 lbs he carried for 4 people + himselfStairs were 3/4 of our dayThis is what the locals go up and down regularlyA view to the valley and we had just started!Our lead man paced the group and stopped regularly for restsOne type of rock/mud house1Namaste welcome from friendly localsYup, more stairs1Our first look at Dhaulagiri, 7th highest in the world at 8167mA small temple amongst the rice

    Pohkora to Beni w trek to Bas Khorka

    1 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We started our day with a group & guide breakfast. Our guides drove in at midnight and we were a go to start our trek. They shared the devastation of the landslides from recent flooding which caused many deaths. Over 200mm fell in 24-48 hours, which broke records.
    We loaded into the van and drove 3 hours to Beni. The drive was so beautiful and at times so incredibly scary. We were so high up and with rough potholes, large rocks on the road that had fallen from above, recent landslides and narrow roads. Our driver was very skilled thankfully. We had lunch and 30 min. later started the trek straight up natural rock stairs for most of the day. We passed many homes all the way up the mountain and very friendly locals with Namaste greetings 🙏. Our leader set the pace and it was very comfortable. We stopped regularly, as did our porters, for breaks. We were close to 8 km w 740m elevation gain....a gentle start. We stayed at a village Homestay and had a group meal and bedtime shortly thereafter.    Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    1Dhaulagiri at 6am
    Beautiful gardens at the Homestay. They greeted us with mini flower bouquetsOur Homestay11Pit toilet, a good leg workout. We wash waste down with waterOmelet with buckwheat bread ( pancake) & potatoesOur roomPorters readying the bags for transportOur Homestay hosts2Up we go, the start of our day...oh look, stairs!I love their baskets. They attach a strap to it and carry it around their forehead1Today was mainly stairs like thisWe started way down in Beni yesterdayWe marvel at these proud men3This is what we love to see. Such majestic beauty1We had a big, slippery downhill in one section todayChitra explaining why this site is sacred1

    Bas Kharka to Dandaketari Trek Day 2

    2 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    We woke early to the beauty of the Dhaulagiri Mountain Range and a hot cup of tea from our hosts. We are staying at a Community Homestay. The trek we are doing is very remote and unpopular compared to Lhang Tang Valley, the Annapurna Circuit & Everest. We are the first group to trek following the monsoon season. We packed up and had a breakfast of omelet, buckwheat breads ( pancake) with honey and potatoes, onions & tomatoes & tea. Vimal briefs us for the day and what to expect. He brought out the map to show us our full trek route. Today is a trek up til noonish and then we will do some volunteering. We started straight up from the village on the stairs built by villagers years ago. They are overgrown with vegetation which is another clue this is a remote trek. Vimal was saying that he has invited the Lonely Planet people to come and see it, which may change the popularity.
    We had just under 5 km with so many stairs, some dense forested trails, and one suspension bridge. Chitra paces us slowly to acclimatize as we climb, ensuring the group rests Nangi is a beautiful village. We were welcomed by the "Mother Group" ( they look after each other, volunteer, make the welcome marigold wreaths and ensure other women are safe from abuse, etc. They will stay until man leaves if he is abusive) with beautiful marigold wreaths. It was very special.
    Two elders  or representatives from each family come together. This cooperation is strong here in Nangi. It may not be in other villages.
    They provided tea & lunch before we were shown to our Homestays. We are across the mountain from Our lead, Chiktra's, home village of Ramche.
    The homestays have showers (cold)and pit toilets in outbuildings which are standard. Each room consists of 2 twin beds. We sleep using our sleeping bags and mosquito nets surrounding us to protect from mosquitos, spiders and other insects.    Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Our Homestay in Dandatekari w smooth mud walls. Rooms divided by a thin bamboo wall.
    4Our roommate😻2The sun is shining on the school we will be visiting tomorrow...plus a rainbow🧡🩷Dhaulagiri pesking through the clouds2Welcome ceremony receiving our marigolds made by the Mother Group31Homemade barbellLooking back on Bas Kharka3Community men and our guides and porters started the support project by ICO to build a solar showerCarrying rocks for foundationMaking the concreteCosmos were beautiful in this village2Annapurna South4A local carrying grass3Dhaulagiri range

    Bas Kharka to Dandaketari Part 2

    2 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    More photos!! We worked on one of our projects which is installing a solar hot shower for the Community hall. For future income for this community, they will charge trekkers a small fee for a hot shower. It was amazing to watch the skills each villager and our porters used to come together and build the foundations. The elders direct the young men. A technician will come tomorrow to help with set up. Innovative Communities.org sponsors these projects through donations and fundraising.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Morning view of the Dhaulagiri range
    The Solar shower ICO Sponsored Project w Annapurna South in the background2Putting in the screwsMore screws1Corn dryingSuvas, our guide in training who assists and stays near in case we need help. He is 22This man is carrying charcoalA local woman cutting and collecting grass2Looking back on where started the day2The local school kids walk this same route daily to get to the secondary school in NangiHeading down to the bridgeSuspension bridge1Stairs leading to the village, all hand placedThe welcoming Mother Group2Receiving my Namaste welcome and flower wreathAnthony's welcome

    Dandekateri to Nangi Trek Day 3

    3 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Today we woke to the stunning views of the Dhaulagiri range. We had quite a trek to the bathrooms last night. I've been getting up 3-4 times in the night and manage the steps in the hill!! This morning we walked back up to the community hall for a breakfast of millet pancakes, omelet & potatoes. The millet is grown locally and the honey is made locally😋😋. We then watched the technician and locals put the solar shower together. I was feeling foggy ( lack of sleep, intense sun??) this morning and it worried me. It thankfully disappeared before we started our 2 hour trek to the next village of Nangi. We had a nice meander through the community to a suspension bridge and followed a road at times similar to our logging roads and they call this flat here! We saw resting spots built by families where the remains of their loved ones are placed after cremation. They plant a female and male tree on top. Some are more elaborate than others. But it provides a place for family and friends to come and contemplate and reflect. Sometimes they build a water hole for animals to drink or bathe. Coming into Nangi we stopped to see a sacred community forest. The locals have planted the trees. No one is allowed to cut trees down. They have a Full Moon Festival in August where people come from other villages to celebrate nature and the sacred trees that the locals planted. We were greeted by the Mother Group women with beautiful flower wreaths. We had a luncheon of Dal Bhat. We got settled in our rooms then walked to the school where we made paper with the Mother Group. The paper making was so fun and the women so supportive. We all made a sheet of paper then purchased some of their beatiful journals.
    Our lead guide took a 3 month paper making course and came back to Nangi and taught the women how to make paper. They now have a source of income. The paper is beautiful and the quality is high because they use pure Daphne plant grown locally, unlike the cities that use fillers. We then went to the school to make a presentation of Jersie's and a soccer ball. We met with Kirsch who, teaches math and computers, and the school accountant. We were able to ask questions of Kirsch. At the end I asked if he could teach us to count to 10 in Nepalese. We went outside and I made a few basketball shots with some locals and our porters. It was so fun. Kirsch showed us his computer lab then the local clinic where an 18 year old lab tech and a 22 year old paramedic are working 6am to 6pm. They were only going to be there 6 Months and are going on 2 years. They have to refer patients to the town of Beni,where we started our hike, if they can't help or have the skill or resources. We walked back to our rooms, showered then enjoyed a dinner of potato and garlic soup, momo's ( dumplings) with sauce, and a full plate of spaghetti. Their portions tend to be the same for everyone. Often we can't finish and feel bad.
    Bedtime came early at 8:30pm.    Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Meeting the Headmaster from the Secondary School
    4Annapurna South1Teerta is one of our porters. He always dresses so nice. Day 1 he was in dress pants2Porters, Bum (prone. Bom) and BarinderPorter Min1The Fang to the left of Annapurna 1 or South. It has several peaksUp we go1Dhaunyabad means thank youA burial plaque with moon and sun symbols1Into the forest today11Chitra is showing us a Himalayan Yew which is used to treat cancer and TBStart of the alpine meadows1Clouds moving in2Lunch spot

    Nangi to Mohare Danda Trek Day 4

    4 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Today was an early start for 7am breakfast of omelet and buckwheat pancake and milk coffee ( this is what they call it). We met the local schoolmaster who came to say Namaste. I chatted with him for awhile about teaching. He wanted me to come back and volunteer at the school🥰. We were on the trail by 8am. Today was our longest trek yet. We climbed 1100m today up through dense forest much like home, alpine meadows with beautiful flowers and along steep ridgelines. You hsd to watch where you placed your right pole as the path was narrow and straight down at times. The lead guide paces us so well to keep us acclimatized and not out of breath. We had no trouble with altitude at 3309m approx. We ate lunch at 41/2 hours. A local village member comes to the lunch spot in time to prepare the food. Our porters and guides helped serve We arrived in 71/2 hours. The weather was hot in the sun but we were in cloud in portions and they move in fast. We got some group photos then had hot water or tea then were taken to our rooms, a new wooden structure. We settled in and walked back up to the hall for dinner. Prior to dinner we played Dutch Blitz with our main guide, Vimal. Dinner was potato and garlic soup, spring type rolls and potato w cumin seeds and Broccoli. We had good conversation and enjoyed some popcorn then to bed by 8:30.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    1
    21These peaks extend to Kathmandu5What beauty we woke up to1Dhaulagiri w sun starting to rise1This is called machhapuchhare, also known as the fishtail1Omelet and sweet bread1Our group about to start our trek for the day5Scan in to see the leech1Rhododendron Forest22Us with the Mother Group. The leader is 2nd in on the right1

    Mohare Danda to Tikot Trek Day 5

    5 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today was an epic hike downhill approx 19 km, 1000m to the village of Tikot. We woke at 5:30am to watch the sunrise on the Himilayas. This morning we could see the Dhaulagiri range that goes into Tibet, the Annapurna range that extends to Khatmandu with approx 29 peaks. It was stunning.
    Right now there are 10 expeditions getting ready to climb Dhaulagiri and 25 expeditions ready to climb Manaslu. We enjoyed omelet and a sweet bread that was to die for. We started our day through forest and then onto enormous Rhododendron forests & trees. They all bloom in the Spring. We crossed little creeks here and there and had to watch for leeches. They are awful and numerous and can go through certain boots & socks for sure. They did not get through ours thankfully. We ended up on a road that the government of Nepal made that goes nowhere and covered the existing hiking trail. Such a waste of money when so many people are needy and the shape of the used roads are so bad. When we arrived in Tikot we stopped at the school to present the Headmaster & 3 teachers with jersies, a basketball & volleyball. They are down to 55 students. Numbers have been on the decline. We then walked into the village and were welcomed by members of the Mother Group with Fulcomala lays. Ful is round and mala is marigold. We had our usual choice of hot water or black tea and cookies. Then we were taken to our Homestays. This village has so many stairs and Anthony & I were at the bottom. Our homestay hosts are so nice & our room very comfortable. We had a regular toilet and a hot shower in a fairly big room which is rare and is in a separate outbuilding. Two of our porters came and got us and walked us up to the community hall for dinner and a musical traditional dance presentation. Dinner was our first family style where we got to serve ourselves by taking the amount we wanted. Most times the portions have been to large so we sometimes share a plate and then the porters get more.We had spaghetti with vegetables, momo dumplings and sauce. After dinner we were treated to their Traditional Ancestral Dance and the Headmaster & teachers we met earlier were part of it. 3 are drummers and drumm a 22 beat rhythm and 3 men are dressed as women & dance. This would typically last 3 hours at Festivals but they condensed it to 30 minutes for us. The Mother Group sat in a circle off to the side and sing as accompaniment. It was truly amazing to witness. They asked any of us to join them afterward to try the dance. We all got up and danced for 10 minutes or more. Following the dancing we had a chance to talk with the Mother Group. Jen and I sat with them and asked what types of things they do & any projects they are working on in the community. They make paths in & around the village which are lined with marigolds. They help with any needs in the community and school, they are the welcome committe for the village, they cook and plan festivals and mentor the young girls. In this case, the youngest woman in the Group volunteered to be the leader. It changes regularly. We presented them with a donation from friends. The donation will go a long way to help this community.    Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Leaving Tikot
    One of the Mother Group members wishing us safe travelsMom & Daughter climbing3Clenching those buttcheeks 🤣Family life1Annapurna Fang2Gold taps, very unusualA local checking us out2Close up of the FangA Grandfather taking his granddaughter to pick squashI loved how the rock path matched the layers of rock in the house & the locals as wellCarrying leaves for cattle, composting the fields or for burningCorn dryingThe bridge before the climb up the ridgeThe sounds of the cicadas

    Tikot to Swanta Trek Day 6

    6 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we were up early again as today is to be another long day with lots of uphill climbing & some downhills. We had morning views of Annapurna South, The Fang ( Annapuna 1) and Nilgiri Himilays. Our Homestay host brought us tea before we climbed all the way up to the community hall for breakfast. We enjoyed omelet on a buckwheat bread( pancake). We headed out for our hike and walked back down through the village, past our Homestay and the tiers of vegetables they grow. We walked through a second village before arriving at the bridge at the valley bottom and climbing up the other side to a ridge even, then higher than Tikot village. We saw a.type of plant ripped out by a bear & some leopard poop🫣 We had lots of leech areas we walked through and so many of them clinging on today...yuck😝 We had to avoid the nettles which burn. The antidote plant is always close by and a few of the group needed it. Our lunch of Dal Bhat was the best yet. We had some open landslide areas to get through, more villages and then our final climb up stairs to Swanta was unbelievable. We must have climbed straight up 2 to 3000 stairs. We arrived to a teahouse and had our own private double room this time and private bathroom (luxury). We had dinner and promptly all excused ourselves following Vimal's debriefing of our day and what we can expect for tomorrow. We were wiped.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    Dhaulagiri
    2Kramer 1 & Kramer 2!!!Porters setting off ahead of usSwanta Village1BeehiveSlate tableBamboo bench1Handmade

    Swanta to Dan Kharka Trek Day 7

    7 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Today we had a sleep in and had breakfast an hour later. We left by 9am and today was mainly ascending up 750m over 8 km. We hiked on trails today through forests and past waterfalls and past one power station to generate power from the river to the higher communities. It was hot today and were thankful for shaded forest sections. We had lunch of veggie fried rice at a beautiful spot. We had a hot shower when we arrived to our Lodge. A tough, but great day.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    1Start of our day, applying sunscreen, getting our packs & snacks in order
    The kitchen, a bit blurryUp we go w Chitra1Yup, feeling the breathing today2We are headed for the ridgeWe trek way above this waterfallRest stopAt the Full Moon Festival in August, locals trek to Khayer Lake & tie ribbon for safe travels alon1This root is used to make tea for constipationWhere we started from this morningAbove the treeline2

    Dan Kharka to Khopra Trek Day 8

    8 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    We woke up at 7 am. It was colder last night close to 3000m. We played Phase 10 by the fire last night, so much colder without the fire this morning. We started our 660m ascent over 4.5 km at 9am. We saw so many more trekkers today coming down from Khopra and one group we leap frogged with up. It was an unbelievable climb. Our guides paced us so well. We stopped for many short breaks. One of our breaks we were the same elevation as Mohare Danda. So the rest of the climb was new territory with elevation. We all did well because they walk us very slowly to acclimatize. No medication needed. The guides showed us plants for medicinal purposes along our hike. We saw flat slate rocks layed out where the locals feed their goats salt from. The Buffalo, oxen, yaks, & goats climb up and down what we have done throughout the trek w the herders. The temp change was significant from start to finish. We enjoyed an amazing Dal Bhat today with soybeans that were so tasty. We are continuing after lunch to climb slightly higher so we acclimatize even more when we come back to the lodge. We have decided to do the 10-12 km over 8-9hrs to Khayer Lake tomorrow. It will be a 900m elevation climb difference tomorrow. We hiked up to just over 3800m (over 12,000 ft) after lunch and found the herd of yaks. There were only about 15 males and the rest females (gnaks) and babies. They sell the male babies, the tails and their hair is used as well. When we got back the sun opened up on the Fang and Annapurna South for a few minutes. They are so incredible this close. We are early to bed to get up at 5:30 am for a quick breakfast and start our long day for 4 of us doing this last hike. Some are opting to stay and relax or go for a shorter hike.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    1Early morning start
    Sheep herder barking at us to stay clear11Lots of cairns on this trekThe red lodge in the distance was where we started1Vimal says he never tires of the HimalaysChitra at one of our breaks3I thought the rock sticking out on the left looks like a bear1My throne! Vimal called me the Queen when I Sat on it & that I have to look after this land2The FangAnnapurna South4

    Kohpra to Khayer Lake Trek Day 9

    9 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    4 members of our group, our 3 guides and all 3 porters were up for a 5:30 breakfast and we were hiking by 6:15am. Vimal set the pace quite fast because we were 15 minutes late leaving. He wanted to ensure we made it back before dark. We soon settled into a better, slower pace. We were greeted by the morning Himalayas and the goat herding dogs who took their job seriously! This hike was by far the most challenging we, and for sure I, have ever done. We trekked 19.5 km return in 11 hrs with an elevation gain of 1192m reaching 4656m. This was mainly stairs that were so steep. Coming down was equally challenging. None of us experienced any altitude problems. Locals will make the pilgrimage to sacred Khayer Lake in August during the moon festival. They leave red & white ribbon along the way and once at the lake make wishes & set intentions and touch the water. We were so happy to have accomplished this trek, especially after all the tough hiking we have done in the 8 days prior.Leggi altro

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  • Debra KooyNepal 2024 via LA & SingaporeViaggiatore
    2The last high altitude view of Annapurna
    Our room in Khopra11Still a pit toilet😆Ready to head down the mountainCommunity Lodges are what our Trekking Company is promoting so the community benefits1Into the clouds12Yaks are brought up the mountain to grazeGroup restStairs being redone in this section. In the foreground, Suvas is helping Moe & keeping her safeThe financiers steps forward to offer support through this section2Looking down on the tiers as we are descending to our lunch spot

    Khopra to Pauduwar Trek Day 10

    10 ottobre 2024, Nepal ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Today we hiked downhill on stairs 1600m. Our calves were screaming a bit from the day before. The stairs were being replaced in parts by one local man and the man who financed the project was overseeing. He dug out the area and hand placed each stone. We came back to the treeline of Rhododendruns and alpine flowers. We had a beautiful lunch spot hosted by a family with a cute kitten. The view was amazing. As we came into the village of Pauduwar ( pronounced powder), the gardens, flowers and old Stone buildings were prominent. It is Festival time and we could hear the music and celebrations all the way down the mountain. The locals paint their houses white at Festival time and one lady was covered head to toe in splattered white paint! We saw some ladies separating soy beans, and another 90 year old woman tieing off the corn husks for cattle. She was so beautiful with the nicest smile. Once we got settled and washed up, we had our hot drinks and then walked to the school just below us where lots of the local girls and women were playing volleyball. Our Porters usually join in and so they played too. We went into the school to meet the Headmaster. She has been Headmaster for 10 months. She was teaching prior and is local. They have no money from the government for resources. They rely on community donations. One of our group members presented her with some new basketballs. We then went to meet the local cheesemaker. He collects the milk from locals and other villages and makes the cheese from cows milk. He then sells it to hotels in the bigger centers. He pays himself and one employee and the rest goes to the local school. We bought 2 kg from him and we all split it. It was so delicious. We had our dinner and then our lead guide, Chitra made us a cake made of buckwheat and millet. It was really good. A nice way to end the day. A bit of info about the Festival time here in Nepal:

    2024 - October 3 - 12 Dashain is the most important festival to Nepalis, and stretches over 2 weeks with various stages and events. It is a celebration of good prevailing over evil, and most families offer male goats, ducks, chickens, eggs and coconuts to the goddess Durga. They also smash pumpkins or watermelon if they dont want to offer a goat    Leggi altro

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