This morning I sadly ignored the six o'clock call from the monks to join in their chanting ceremony but did manage to get up for our 8 o'clock wander around the village. The night had been cold but with layers of duvets and warm clothes I woke up roasting. We walked up a path to the local nunnery where young girls learn to be buddhists and from their balcony we saw the mountains and declined an invite to see the nuns bedrooms. Further up the hill a hindu temple stood tall and proud where not long ago 2000 animals were sacrificed. On our return the sleepy little hollow had turned into a hive of activity. Animals were escaping their bedroom shelters and beginning to look for food, women were beginning their daily chores like washing, cooking and sewing. Men were leaving their homes and children were playing. After pancakes and honey and a specially made omlette just for me we hit the road. Back down the bumpy road onto the new Nepal Tibet highway which has taken more than two years to build probably slowed down by the quake as the epicenter was not far from here. I have never seen so much dust. Vehicles covered from top to bottom, shop keepers must have despaired as each day clothing, drinks, food and household goods get their daily coating. Over the saddle we drove and down into a steep greener valley where most of the road was sealed. Strangely it reminded me of driving in some of the pretty French countryside where villages perched on cliffs and shops adorned the roadside.
Driving is a skilled task here. Our bus driver has given me the confidence he knows what he is doing as trucks pass each other on blind corners but boy do some vehicles get close. It isn't a place I would contemplate a cycle trip. We meandered down passing more villages, swing bridges, and terraces of fresh vegetables (caulis, wheat, carrots and peas) and fruit (bananas). Stop! It felt like the middle of no where. Leaving our large bags in the care of our helper for the night we carried our over night stuff and wandered across a long and strong swing bridge. It was built to take a number of people and their loads across which is good as we saw people carrying incredibly heavy concrete slabs, fire wood and other things I couldn't easily identify. We wandered past a number of homes (single storey but pre quake was two I am told). This tour company never ceases to amaze me about the little gems they find. High above the river are bougainvillea lined fences and the cutest little cottages. Doors are locked with enormous padlocks and have a great view of the river. We wandered up to the primary school and onto a village celebrating a hindu festival where a young boy was being welcomed into hinduism. Alison wasn't feeling too well so we left the others and followed our footsteps back. Well almost. Somewhere we took a wrong turning and ended up on the wrong side of the stream. Reasonably confident we wouldn't get lost if we could see the stream we continued on our path and found a wonderful water fall before finding a familiar bridge. Tonight was a great buffet of noodles, rice, vegetable balls and the best rice pudding (I was certain it was a cream Brule). Tomorrow is an early start. It is going to take us 4 hours to do 35 kilometers. And the road is closed every day from 10.30 to 3.00 so can't be late getting across the start line.
Driving is a skilled task here. Our bus driver has given me the confidence he knows what he is doing as trucks pass each other on blind corners but boy do some vehicles get close. It isn't a place I would contemplate a cycle trip. We meandered down passing more villages, swing bridges, and terraces of fresh vegetables (caulis, wheat, carrots and peas) and fruit (bananas). Stop! It felt like the middle of no where. Leaving our large bags in the care of our helper for the night we carried our over night stuff and wandered across a long and strong swing bridge. It was built to take a number of people and their loads across which is good as we saw people carrying incredibly heavy concrete slabs, fire wood and other things I couldn't easily identify. We wandered past a number of homes (single storey but pre quake was two I am told). This tour company never ceases to amaze me about the little gems they find. High above the river are bougainvillea lined fences and the cutest little cottages. Doors are locked with enormous padlocks and have a great view of the river. We wandered up to the primary school and onto a village celebrating a hindu festival where a young boy was being welcomed into hinduism. Alison wasn't feeling too well so we left the others and followed our footsteps back. Well almost. Somewhere we took a wrong turning and ended up on the wrong side of the stream. Reasonably confident we wouldn't get lost if we could see the stream we continued on our path and found a wonderful water fall before finding a familiar bridge. Tonight was a great buffet of noodles, rice, vegetable balls and the best rice pudding (I was certain it was a cream Brule). Tomorrow is an early start. It is going to take us 4 hours to do 35 kilometers. And the road is closed every day from 10.30 to 3.00 so can't be late getting across the start line.
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