Leaving Kagbeni there is a cold wind blowing into our faces, but soon the sun is warming us making for a pleasant walk down the Kali Gandaki River towards Jomsom.
Though at one point a landslide of 10 or more rocks the size of basketballs came crashing down seconds after I passed. That’s not at all common, here or anywhere else for that matter.
Though there are a few jeeps, it is mostly quiet until I pass a Chinese guy riding a donkey. Behind him are two porters carrying 2 each big metal pieces of luggage that are supposed to be rolled. Fortunately, that is another rare occurrence.
In Jomsom, many trekkers opt to fly to Katmandu or take a bus to Pokhara but I am content to continue walking through beautiful countryside and interesting villages engaging with friendly locals.
Ended up in the medieval village of Marpha with a Monastery up the hill from the river. Chatted with a 7 year old trainee monk in the middle of a stone throwing fight with some kids on a nearby rooftop. Fortunately they were too far from each other to cause any harm.
Returning to Hotel Paradise, I took a hot shower in my private bathroom, the second of this trek, and the first with a sit down toilet. Luxury.
Meandering up to the rooftop to catch a few of the last rays of today’s sun, there were some guys making sausages and drying them in the sun.
For dinner chose a spinach and mushroom burger. Nice change of pace as the food on this part of the Annapurna is surprisingly varied.
2019 March Trek