Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal - Days 27-30

Where We Be

We paused at this pleasant patio before the final push uphill to Ghandruk

Water buffalo cool off in the river

Robin heads confidently towards the last steep climb of the trek

The last climb involved lots of switchbacks to ascend about 430 meters (1,400 feet)

Then we reached Ghandruk. The elevation is lower here
(1,940 m / 6,402 ft) and the town is larger than most.

The traditional stone construction in Ghandruk dates back 400 to 500 years

We stayed for an extra day at the highly livable
and utterly peaceful Milan Lodge in Ghandruk

Milan Lodge's flower-filled courtyard was a pleasure. There are mountains nearby
but we only caught glimpses of them through the haze that's so common in April.

The Nepalis surpass even the Incas of Peru when it comes to
building seriously impressive stone trails that go on for miles

It was all downhill from Ghandruk to Naya Pul
(1,010 m / 3,333 ft), past increasingly agricultural scenery

Just after this photo was taken Robin got knocked off the trail by a donkey! A train of donkeys was coming up the stairs and the
last one knocked Robin off with its oversized pack. I saw her topple over the edge -- yikes! -- but luckily she was okay, other than
bruising her knee and her ego. So remember, when you see a donkey train, always move to the inside (away from the edge).

This is Birethanti, the last town before Naya Pul. Only half
an hour to go! We enjoyed a relaxing lunch by the river.

We saw this sign throughout our trek. "Save caresses for the private moments." You never see physical affection in public between a Nepali
man and woman -- not even hand holding or a simple arm around the shoulders, even if the couple has been married forever. But you'll often
see two Nepali men in public holding hands or with their arms casually thrown around each other -- but here that just means they're good buds.

Returning to Pokhara felt like a return to civilization, so it seemed like
the right time to go to the barber's and shave off my "trekking beard."

Home

Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepal (Days 27-30)

Thirty days is a long time to hike. Even with our
high tolerance for this sort of thing, the idea of
not having to put a pack on our backs and start
hiking at the crack of dawn each day was start-
ing to sound pretty enticing! It was about time
to hang up our boots and kick back for awhile.

Of course we enjoyed gorging on pizza and
chocolate cake again during our repeat stay in
Chomrong. And we also enjoyed a bonus rest
day in Ghandruk. Both towns are pleasant: the
food is great, the temperatures comfortable,
the towns lovely, and the people friendly.

Our last real hiking day was from Chomrong to
Ghandruk, when for the last time we climbed
steep stairs to reach our destination. The hike
was harder than it should have been simply
because I wasn't feeling that great -- but I
made it. From Ghandruk to Naya Pul, where the
trail meets the road, was an easy downhill hike.
From Naya Pul we took a 1½ hour taxi ride to
Pokhara. We got settled into the same room at
Sacred Valley Inn, ordered beers to celebrate,
and began the serious business of relaxing
and doing absolutely nothing for a week.