A short trek to Poonhill - DAY FOUR
Day 4 could have incorporated the visit to Tatopani nearby but everybody was busy snoozing, especially the boys. Tadapani offered us a crystal clear remarkable sight of Macchapuchre and Annapurna once again that looked gigantic as it was even closer. The sun rays made the snow sparkle like they were made of tiny shiny diamonds.
On the contrary, that might not charm all. A friend in our group chose his nap over the view with a silly remark that he could see sunrise from his home in Kathmandu every morning. We probed him to find a better excuse. The foreigner Mama and Maiju, as the guide named them were from Argentina. Standing beside a German guy, a gentleman from Russia was smiling at every conversation of ours though I'm sure he didn't understand a thing. Doesn't sun rise in their country? Sure, it does but this exquisitely carving the shapes of the Himalayas. No.
Five hours of downhill, hunger, low energy level, spirit still high, basically we fulfilled all the necessary requisites for trekking though it was short to be called a real trekking.
We even got lost, but isn't that the whole point of travelling?
The sun shone brighter, making the white disappear and greens and browns and blacks reappeared. The more we descended the less snow the branches held. With the slated roofs of beautiful dwelling Ghandruk in sight, snow was out of it. We were still accompanied by the Himalayas as we traced our way back leaving the trails and hitting the bumpy jeep ride till Nayapul that found its continuity till Pokhara.
THERE AND BACK AGAIN (no hobbits included*)
Ask me for travel tips, please do. I suggest to negotiate the costs wherever you can.
In average, the charges are NRs.200 for breakfast, NRs.300 for lunch/dinner, NRs.200 per room at Tea-houses.
Plus conversations, laughter and stories around the fireplace-Absolutely FREE.
Do not litter, there are rubbish bins at regular intervals though they were filled with snow when we passed across them. Travelling in a group is always fun, plus, you can split the expenses.With pocketful of memories, here's one last terrific tip that I can think of: Make your time. Pack your bags. Go Explore.
(Published: ESSENCE Magazine, Year 4, Vol. 01, January 2015, Unleash.)
