October 29, 2008 Wednesday 12:15 p.m. Lunch at Kimrong Day 9 Yesterday was the 3rd Day of the Festival of Lights - the Day of the Cow. At dinner Dilman came to get us to show us the lighting of the candles at each doorway. After dinner some young women laid out 4 or 5 yoga style mats on the “patio”. Several young men had drums; the women sang, and then individuals started to dance. I took some pictures but it was all guess work, because it was so dark I couldn’t really see, and then there was a delay in [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 26, 2008 Sunday ABC Day 6 We woke up at MBC (Machhapuchhare Base Camp) at 6 a.m. for Bruce to take pictures. It was perfectly clear, not a wisp of cloud. Bruce got sunrise pictures. We had breakfast (rasti with 2 fried eggs on top - sort of like a large plate of hash browns with eggs) and left for ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) at about 8 a.m. The walk was easy - a climb in the beginning and then a gradual ascent. I was feeling the altitude and went very slowly, arriving at about 10 a.m. A little cloud [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 25, 2008 Saturday 12:25 p.m. MBC Day 5 We had a 2 ½ to 3 hour walk up the River Valley to Machhapuchhare Base Camp (which isn't really a base camp since climbing the mountain is not permitted). It was fairly steep in places; We took it very slowly, as it is getting pretty high here - about 11,000 feet. I did a walking meditation most of the way. The air is so clear, crisp. We arrived at the plateau where most of the lodges are - I was near front of the group with Jane and Vim. We are [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 28, 2008 Tuesday 2:15 p.m. Chamrong Day 8 We’re staying at Mountain View Lodge in Chamrong, Room 5. I’m sitting out in the sun writing with Jane and David, who we met when we arrived here). Yesterday (Monday October 27 Day 7). I had a very difficult night at ABC with altitude, headache and panic attack in middle of the night. Bruce gave me a diamox tablet and the headache calmed down. Bruce got up at 5:30 because he was awake and went outside. He came back immediately and told me that although dark all the mountains were sharp against [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 24, '08 Friday 7:10 a.m. Duvon Day 4 I’m waiting for breakfast. It was quite cool last night, good sleeping weather. Our wet clothing from the rain last evening is still damp, but not too bad. I think my socks will dry if I fasten them on my day pack. I took a hot “shower” last night. There was just a trickle of water, but it was nice and hot - gas heated. It was the first really hot shower I've taken since home!! Later at 3:25 p.m. in Deurali We left Duvon at 8:20 a.m. Fantastic Day. I t [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 23, 2008 Thursday about 7 a.m. Duvon Day 2 (Wednesday, October 22) Left Tolka at 7:30 a.m. after breakfast. Food is very good and filling. Went downhill for several hours, up and down, across small bridges. Then down, down, to New Bridge: which is a very long bridge. And then, up, up, up. I was quite pleased not to be nearly as winded as yesterday and experimented with the “rest step” finally deciding that it is essentially walking up, taking one foot at a time like a toddler walking up steps. (Except not actually resting 2nd foot on the step, [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 20, 2008 Monday 9:15 p.m. Pokhara We’re in Pokhara after a 6 hour drive. Very fun drive, not as scary as I was led to believe. For one thing, I’ve developed a lot of confidence in the ITrekNepal drivers. Crazy driving, but not really careless at all. And what can you expect with no lights, no stop signs, cars, trucks, bikes (motor and pedal), people and animals in the road. We did some shopping. I enjoyed it. Bruce went out after dinner to get a book (and probably a drink). We met with Dilman (our guide) for a quick orientation. [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 19, 2008 Sunday 1:10 p.m. Bhaktapur, Nepal We finally got plane at about 6 p.m. Our luggage made it fine. We were met at the airport by Shree from ITrekNepal and were driven to Bhaktapur Guest House, in Bhaktapur, NOT Kathmandu. We were given dinner on the plane, although we had also been given a free lunch at the airport because of the delay of our plane. We had a beer with Shree and Elizabeth (a writer researching Everest climbs and who left this morning for a 29 day trek to Everest Base Camp). She is traveling by herself and [View Full Entry]

---

---

October 15, 2008 Wednesday 5 p.m. At American gate A7, Philadelphia Airport. Hassle at check in because we have 22 hours layover at Delhi and no transit visa. Will take all of 22 hours to get our baggage and then get it on flight to Kathmandu. But the ticket agent was amazingly helpful and got us through. And Bruce and I were amazingly patient. October 17, 2008 Friday 7:55 a.m. Hong Kong We’re at the Hong Kong Airport waiting for flight to Delhi. Lots of long hours but nice people on flights. Hong Kong Airport is very pleasant, cool and air [View Full Entry]

---

---