Back from Annapurna Sanctuary

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Where I stayed
Himalaya Star Hotel

Flag of Nepal  ,
Sunday, November 8, 2009

After finishing the Annapurna Base Camp trek, I'm back in Pokhara, relaxing by the lake, and taking long walks along the many, many souvenir stalls.  Today we rented a boat, rowed out into the very middle of the lake, and spent a long while swimming and sunning while watching the paragliders sail off the high hills above us.  Little colored birds in the sky.  My friend from trekking did his washing on the stern of the boat and then laid out all his trekking clothes to dry while we swam laps around the drifting vessel.  It's been an extremely relaxing few days and I find myself often daydreaming about the past few weeks up in the mountains. 

The second part of the trek, up to the sanctuary, was a totally different experience.  I have to admit that the circuit was a more rewarding trek as we passed through hundred year old villages and witnessed routine daily life.  The teahouses along the sanctuary trek have popped up soley to accommodate the tourists and everyone up there is just waiting for your business
goat friend.
goat friend.
.  Plus, the hike has only one in and one out so you retrace your steps, which is not as exciting.  All that said, it was amazing to reach the base camp and be so close to the mountains.  We were surrounded on all sides by the Himalayas and when we arrived it was snowing.  After lunch we started out all wrapped up in our down and took to the ridge above the buildings.  No one else was out and we sat way up high and watched the clouds changing, continually exposing different swaths of peak.  The silence of the snow falling and the whipping of the prayer flags was the only sound until a loud rumbling indicated something was happening.  I looked up and saw an avalanche coming down one of the high peaks...far away, but not far enough to see how quickly it was gaining speed.

Things were a bit more relaxed these last few days of the trek as it was just me and my friend Kris.  We allowed ourselves to sleep in past 6am, loiter over breakfast, stop for morning tea, and take all the pictures we wanted.  We went star gazing at night, monkey hunting during the day, and were elated to soak in hot springs early in the morning of our final day trekking.

I don't think I'm finished with Nepal, but for now it's time to travel into India.  Varanasi and the burning ghats await and within two days I will be having my first experience in Indian train travel.  Luckily I have a friend to cross the border with...someone to acknowledge my eyes as they grow wide with excitement and hesitation.  I don't know exactly what India holds for me, but I'm definitely ready!


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