28th March - day 2 Trekking

Tikhedunga - Ghorepani 1250m climb

We left at 8am. Had a good sleep. The walls are like paper in the tea house and it was very noisy but by 10pm there was total silence! The joys of trekking!

So, today was the tough day. We set off and were straight into the uphill struggle. Unlike yesterday, when the steps rose at a slight incline, this was pure uphill...like that horrible stepping machine in the gym!

After 3hrs we got to Uliri. I was so happy to see the sign!!! We stopped there to rest for about half an hour, then continued on towards Ghoropani...another four hours uphill! They call this part of the trek the 3000steps which sounds bad..then we talked to a local person who told us its actually 3700..so....its the 4000 steps!!!

We reached the top of one hill and turned around to see our first glimpse of one of Annapourna's peaks. We couldn't believe our eyes. It was like it was placed there to spurr us on. It shook the exhaustion away and made us focus on why this would be completely worth it!

stopping for a break..about to pass out!

..and then we turn to see this and don't feel so bad any more!

After a couple of hours we entered the forest which gave some much needed shade. The climb was still bloody hard though! We met the porter Ablias (Aston) from yesterday and walked with him for the last two hours. We stopped for a rest and Luke asked Abilas if he could lift his bag. Luke struggled and guessed it weighed about 50kg which is RIDICULOUS!!! I have NO idea how he was doing it.

Luke carrying Abilas's bag

We continued walking uphill and eventually reached Ghoropani..it was a total relief!! Trekking is definitely tough. Abilas keeps telling us to 'slowly' move forward whenever we meet so I have adopted a new mantra which I say in my head with each step, "slowly, slowly, moving, forward." It really helps to get into a walking rhythm.

We just finished the best noodles I have ever tasted...might have something to do with how little we ate today (two slices of toast and a snickers!!) Not sufficient energy fuel really!

　

Tue 27th march - day 1 trekking

Nayapul - Tikhedhunga   3.5km    500m climb

We left Pokhara at 9am. Couple of hours on the bus and we arrived at Nayapul, the starting point! We were dropped at the side of the road (there are no bus stops in Nepal) and we made our way down through a hill side village until we reached at ACAP checkpoint.

crossing the brige into trekking land!

Today we're going to Hile which is a 3hr trek. We leave and pretty soon I am breathless..we are in the mid day heat at this stage. It's really tough...then we reach the beginning of....the steps (its funny cause I wrote this in my notebook at the time and now transcribing...I had no idea of the word 'steps' at this stage!!!!! Anyway, whatever rhythm I could keep before was gone out the window with these randomly placed, randomly shaped rocks.

We got talking to a porter. The porters are Nepalis people who are paid to carry trekkers luggage, if they so wish. He was a tiny guy, a bit like Aston from JLS , for comparison. He was carrying a huge load on his back and it made me realise that I really could not complain!

carrying food up the mountain!

We reached Hile, but Aston, real name Abilas said that Tikhedhunga was just an hour away and it would be worth trekking on as it's an hour less tomorrow.So, I put my head down, as much as I didn't want to and continued pounding the steps until I looked up and we were there!!!

I stopped to talk to Abilas, ignoring the sound of bells, next thing I knew I was knocked to the side by a donkey carrying supplies, followed by about seven more. * Note to self: bells are a warning noise, duh...
I pinned myself to the wall and waited for them to pass!

This is our tea house

Tikhedunga is a tiny village consisting of about five tea houses. We checked in to one, 200ruppees for the night , that €2! Had some nice food, shared a beer now off to bed.

luke relaxing in our room!

Tomorrow is the tough day....I'm scared!!!!