Homeward bound

We had a short two hour walk to the road this morning, where we joined the rat race once again and caught a taxi back to Pokhara. Suresh managed to guide us through the mountains without mishap. We were accosted by some Tibetans selling jewelry as we waited for the taxi, so no guesses for what presents to expect on our return.

We visited the international mountain museum this afternoon, just because we haven't had enough of the mountains. It is quite an impressive building with lots of information about mountain peoples and mountaineering. Then you walk outside and on a clear day can see the massive mountains beckoning.

Foregoing the boat ride to a temple (Suresh can't swim and I think he thought we would push him in), Ray went to a barber shop for a shave whilst Suresh and I made a beeline for espressos.

Our room has a view of the lake if you ignore all the washing hanging over balconies. Speaking of washing it will be good to get into some clean clothes after eight days on the road. We only took what we could carry, so no spare clothes. Luckily our trekking pants are quick drying, not that Ray washed his. Yuk!

We have an early flight to Kathmandu in the morning, and will be flying home late on Friday. After the perfect weather here (if a little chilly at night) I am not looking forward to the heat.  See you all back in Australia.

The dawn of the last day on the Poon Hill circuit. As usual, lines of mountain ranges cascade into the distance enveloped in mist and quite possibly smog.

This is what we have got used to. Forests, ice covered mountain peaks, deep valleys and the occasional precariously perched village and its associated rice and millet fields.

No, this is not New Zealand, but these are the real thing - sheep. These ones have not been long shawn and are following just like they are supposed to. That said, I did see a pretty small lamb deciding that it didn't really like the path that was being taken and being severely reprimanded by the Nepali shepherd. The lamb got poked with a stick as well. All sorted.

Corn cobs out to dry on a traditional 2 storey stone and mud house, all in readiness for flour making.

This is one village we didn't get to. Strung out across the hillside, villages like these are relatively self sufficient, although some now have roads to them. This one only has a trail snaking up through the crop fields on the left. They will all have a number of what we would consider ramshackle guest houses to service the trekkers (like us) who come through on their trip of a lifetime.

One of the more upmarket establishments on the trail. I think this one was at Australia Camp where we were originally going to stay, but a sudden rush of customers meant a change of plans and a night at pothana, 30 minutes up the track.

We've got to climb to the top of that mountain? I thought we were going home.