BASANTA LODGE - DHAMPHUS,
1700 METERS, 5570 FEET
Up for another breakfast buffet - waiting for the restaurant to open at 6:15. Checked out of the Hyatt and left some things behind for when we return after the trekking portion of the trip.
1700 METERS, 5570 FEET
Up for another breakfast buffet - waiting for the restaurant to open at 6:15. Checked out of the Hyatt and left some things behind for when we return after the trekking portion of the trip.
Sree was there to transport us to the airport and we went through the much less stringent security procedure to board our Buddha Air flight to Pokhara.
Ready to board Buddha Air flight
25 minutes later we landed and were met my Rich's friend Raju. Raju works for Ker and Downey, the company that does treks in Napal. Rich and Gayle went on a trek with Raju 2 years ago and liked it so much that they promised to return with their friends. And here we are.
 |
Pokhara Airport Terminal |
 |
| Loading up the bus at the airport |
First view of the Annapurna Range from gate of airport.
Briefing with Raju plus porters and Shyam for the first time at Ker and Downey offices in Pohkara. Our porter Bharat is the head over Shyam's shoulder.
Raju ready to hand out our "stuff".
Bus took us to the Ker and Downey office where we were briefed about what we would be doing. We transferred the things necessary for the trek into duffle bags supplied to us. Extra baggage with things not necessary for the trek are left there. Each person got a hat and scarf to sop up the sweat that we would keep as a souvenir.
We met our porter Bharat who would tote Connie and my duffles in a basket the entire trek. He's a pretty small guy and he lugs our two duffles as well as his duffle in this basket. The basket has a cloth strap that Bharat places on his forehead to support the weight. My neck hurts just looking at it!
Across the street from Ker and Downey office in Phokara
Drove in the bus up the road to the place for about an hour to where we would start to walk. A lunch was supplied to us which we scarfed down and then the walking begins.
First box lunches - ready to be distributed
Let the trek begin. This was the first little stairs we walked up. MANY more to follow!
Looking back to where we started. The blue building was near where we had lunch. Probably the last time we cared to see where we had been. Focused on where we were going!
Local on a swing - way up there!
Ready to try out a swing - NOT way up there, believe me.
The Australian Camp was the high point of our first day's hike. Named the Australian Camp because Australian's used to camp here in the past. Getting ready to try a swing. From this point it was pretty much down hill to Basanta Lodge
Just off the bus - ready to eat lunch and then walk!
First box lunches - ready to be distributed
Let the trek begin. This was the first little stairs we walked up. MANY more to follow!
Looking back to where we started. The blue building was near where we had lunch. Probably the last time we cared to see where we had been. Focused on where we were going!
Local on a swing - way up there!
Ready to try out a swing - NOT way up there, believe me.
The Australian Camp was the high point of our first day's hike. Named the Australian Camp because Australian's used to camp here in the past. Getting ready to try a swing. From this point it was pretty much down hill to Basanta Lodge
Fish Tail in the clouds. Constantly twisted backpack.
Porters enjoy the view.
Sound of Music moment?
Resting at the top
Pokhara is way off behind the lake in the distance. That's where we started out today
The old (Annapurna South) and the new (satellite dish on home) near the top
Soccer pitch near Basanta Lodge
We made it to Basanta Lodge
Welcoming lemonade. I look a little deranged after the walk!
Inside the dining room
1st "Happy Hour". Delicious spicy Indian flavored potato appetizers
Pretty strenuous trekking and we are only carrying a supplied back pack with a camera, etc. The porters are lugging the rest of our stuff. We walked for about 4 and a half hours up about 1500 feet and then back down to the Basanta Lodge. Really steep rises with rock stairs. Really steep! Can I say that again? Really steep. The altitude at Basanta Lodge is 3500 feet and the views of Anapurna and FIsh Tail Mountains are SPECTCULAR!!!!!! The road only came this far about a year and a half ago. So in 1996 when this lodge was built all building materials were carried up here by hand! Simply amazing! We were all pretty tired just walking - I can't imagine the effort it took to build this place. The rooms are pretty great - each room has it's own water supply heated by solar panels. They told us to shower when we arrived as the water would be warmer then.
First sunset on Fish Tail!
Watched the sun set (spectacular) and then happy hour and another fine meal. We sat around a fire place in a common room for the happy hour. Bear, mixed drinks water all free to us. They brought is an amazing potato appetizer! Indian spices, pretty hot for some but amazing! We talked about the day and then dinner. We had a typical Nepalese meal. Soup (tomato and potato) rice, vegetables, spinach (which tasted like mustard greens to me) with curried chicken and lentils to pour on the rice. Perhaps the best piece of carrot cake I have ever had for dessert. All produce is grown organically right here in their garden. Pretty great meal. Off for some well earned sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment