DAY 20 : NEPAL : Chame (2670m ) - Lower Pisang ( 3200m) - 6 hour walk

Our destination today was Lower Pisang. We are gradually climbing higher and will be acclimatising to be able to cross the Thorung Pass in 5 days' time.  

 

  Our tea house in Chame. Hot springs around the corner - unfortunately in a rather precipitous part of the river. Dying for a hot shower...

The impressive chorten as we leave Chame.

One of the colourful manis (prayer stones) near the chorten.

As we left on the road - soon to be connected to a major route from Kathmandu - we chatted to a local farmer who was taking her cows away from her wheat crop, where these recalcitrant had been feasting. She deftly guided them by throwing stones ahead of them to keep them on the right track.

Massive landslides along the route - a nightmare for road builders.

The new road, which is the widened original walking track.

 A dusty road now that it has become a major thoroughfare but there are still some striking features like the Way to Heaven Rock. As Glenis said it would be hell to get there. A sheer, sloping rock form.

  A monk with a sense of humour!

Entry to Lower Pisang. There is a warning that this is the altitude (3200m) that might set off altitude sickness.

A family in Pisang . Women wear Arabian-style pants with a kurta top. Men dress in western style. This town, despite being in a poor agricultural area, was given respite when a previous Nepalese king, Mahindra, impressed by this community's positive reception to him organised for representatives of the commercial sector to study business in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. Now some are so successful that they have businesses and residences both in the town and in Kathmandu.

One such businessman donated this magnificent mani wall, with its exquisite prayer wheels and stylised artwork.

Our accommodation tonight is a local tea house. Satish is concerned about the dust, wind and cold. There are also limited camping possibilities. It is definitely getting colder and we welcome his decision, particularly having a dining area to meet together and keep warm. -We are feeling well and showing no ill-effects of the growing altitude.

M&M

mm_smith@bigpond.net.au