Back from Heaven

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We are back from our trek to Poon Hill (we'd like you to remember it's 3210 m (10,500 feet) and here in Nepal you call it mountain only from 7000 m and peak from 4000 m) and are absolutely proud of it! Being real beginners it has been quite hard, especially for me (Alice). We have trekked for 4 days mainly up and down quite high steps. The third day especially was very strenuous. We woke up at 4am to start the trek at 4:30 for Poon Hill to see the Annapurna range at sunrise. The scenery from there was spectacular and moving. I think there are no words to describe it so please enjoy the pictures.

The Annapurna range was mostly visible, although there were a few clouds since the rainy season will start soon here in Nepal. That day we walked for 10 hours (a total of 21 km), we would have never thought we could walk for such a long time but surely the beautiful landscape and Dipak and Sujan (pronounced Susan!) our great guide and porter made it all a lot easier and enjoyable. Thanks again guys, we will never forget all your attentions and kindness! We will recommend First Environmental Trekking to everybody!

The other three days of trekking were shorter, 4 to 6 hours, but still quite demanding. We have slept in teahouses in the villages and shared thoughts and experiences with the other trekkers while eating daal bhaat tarkari (lentil soup, rice and curried vegetables) but also basically any food you wanted...unbelievable if you think all the food is carried by men, women and donkeys up to 4000 m...but that's also the fascination of Nepal.

Every day the landscape was different. The first day from Nayapul to Tihkedunga we saw big valleys with rivers and children jumping from the rocks into the small pools and many villages one after the other. The second day from Tihkedunga to Gorepani we were mostly in the forest/jungle with lots of oak trees and ferns. The third day from Poon Hill to Gandruk we marvelled at white mountains and red, purple and pink rhododendrons, really huge ones! The fourth day going down from 1900 m to 1100 m back to Nayapul we mostly enjoyed life in the villages and beautiful rivers. Our eyes are so full of these images and we feel really peaceful after these 4 days in the mountains, away from everything.

We are already dreaming of our next time in Nepal, maybe trekking up to the Annapurna basecamp! NAMASTE Nepal! A.

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Comments

[renata]

wish i was there
I'm so very proud of what you both did and a bit sad cause I wasn't with you to share all those moments. I have to say I really miss you guys. A lot! I wish I could jump on an Aerarran flight (i wonder why they don't fly to nepal...) and reach you easily to participate more closely to your life experiences at tyhe moment.love you loads

[Tommy]

Silly billy misses you!
HI!!!! We finally have internet and can enjoy your travel! We received one of your post cards just today and everytime we get so excited. Tommy silly billy is getting worried... where are they? How can we explain that you are around the world climbing mountains? In 3 weeks he'll be 4 and we just can't believe it!! He is now talking like a real Irish and keeps saying "I'm Irish mum"; well, he's probably right. We give you a huge hug and keep us updated.