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DAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10
A 'modern Sherpa'. Apparently there is this Sherpa who lives in the Everest region who lifts a maximum of 175kg of load as his daily routine. A friend of mine once told me that he saw a porter lifted 2 huge fridges up a mountain. Back to that 'powerful' Sherpa in Everest region, my guide Rishi tried to describe the Sherpa's body structure to me, and I thought he was describing a Yeti, a mythical monster creature of the high Himalaya.
"Have you seen a yeti?" I asked. "Yes, I was kicking football with one at the Annapurna I expedition's base camp." What a silly joke my guide cracked this morning.
Back to the 'Lord of the Rings' trail again, I wonder if Peter Jackson cast a scene here before. I was hoping to see a Hobbit but tough luck.
Yes, the poisonous leaf (name unknown). Its tiny thorns won't stay in your skin, but will cause inflammation that stays for days. I hurt my right hand on my last day when I rested near a bush. The feeling was simply sensational, I dare you to try! Nevertheless, locals use the leaves as herbs; Gurung women will patiently remove every thorn before boiling the leaves, and it gives better nutrition than swallowing a dozen eggs.
The tiny pitcher-plant-like flower again, this time it turned itself purple.
High-altitude rose. Guys, give one to your partner and she will say 'I do' to your marriage proposal instantly.
We hardly saw well-dressed kids, but here's one. Perhaps it was because the Dasain festival (like Hindu's New Year) was near. He returned a 'strange look' to his mother who was scolding him.

We are at Sinuwa now, it was also the time when I discovered that a leech had stolen a pot of blood from my right hand. The tiny creature could have crawled up my hiking stick without me noticing.
The lower part of Chhomrong. Our trail would climb up the slope soon.
The infamous 4,000 steps of descend and ascend from Sinuwa to Chhomrong. I wept all the way, so did everyone who was as unfortunate as me.
These are horses, not donkeys. The stone-paved steps were filled with their wastes, which in a way forced us to take a bigger step, hence increased our pace.
Beautifully and professionally baked pizza at Chhomrong.
Tuna momo, which resembles the Chinese dumplings. Its skin is rather thick.
Apple fritter. Some say the apples in this region are planted at Ghorepani (see Day 9), while Chhomrong is the importer. In essence apple filled desserts are more delicious at Ghorepani.
Share with you how we order our meals every day. The consistent menus in all the lodges are controlled by ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project), including the prices. ACAP also sends their best chefs to train the lodge owners on world cuisine preparation. If you crave for Korean food, no worries, they will serve you your Shin noodle in no time.
Khukris on sale at Chhomrong. Rishi my guide told me it is a Nepalese curved knife every Nepalese man must carry all the time, but he didn't have one to show me though.
DAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10