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Another rest day to aclimitize. We climbed the hill to the right of the lodge. We got over 5000 meters for the first time, Pheriche is at 4240 meters so quite a climbe but not to bad with out the backpacks. You can really feel the lack of oxygen now.

Waz did not get all the way up, his headache was really bad now. Later back at the lodge, he was really not a happy chappy. Manoj the guide said he should head back, but he could only advise Waz not force him. The decision was soly his, think for his own well being he made the right choice and headed back the next morning. Tough break couple of houndred dollars down the drain. But suppose it's not 70,000.00 odd his throwing ways like some of the people have to trying to clime Everest.

The trek to Pheriche had some blue skys for a change :) but only above the valleys not the mountains.

We got there way speedy 1hr quicker than we should have. Power trekking lol. The first place we tried was locked but apon proceeding down into the main town. A little smiley fella stoped us and opened the first lodge we were at. Not to many people on the route this time of year.. The quite season. So round about we went back to the first place.

By now I was starting to smell my self from not showering. And my cloathes were pretty well soiled. Well on my way to becoming a true mountain man.

Awoke again to more food, heavens! Packed the bag again, tripod ways the most in this thing. Some times I wonder about my priorities.

There were still clouds covering everything so all the supposidly wonderful views of the Himalayas were way out of touch yet again.

We left camp at 8:30 about 30 min behind the polish duo. Was a fair climb out of Namche but flattened out once over that. We covered 5-7 km easy going, then headed down hill to the river crossing. When ever those come up you know it's going to get bloody steep soon. At the bridge we had cought and passed the polskas.. Full steam a head captain.

Not much happened as it's was a rest day to actlimitize to the altitude in Namche bazar. Clouds were covering most of everything so no views were to be had. Some times was hard to see the building across the cobbel roads.

We played pool for a fair bit of the day up the road. Namche us pretty small little town although the second largest on this hike. The pool tables were pretty wonky but not as bad as you may think. Every thing gets carted up to these places via porters... Yip 1 times pool table on poor porter.

Sampled some of the loacally made rice beer and roxie. It's suppsed to be a wine but it's more like grapish tasting vodka and looks like it to. Roxie is also what our guide Manoj crissened our teams name, haha the drunken bunch. Ps alcohol is more expensive than a room for the night. Scoffed all day breakfast, lunch and supper sometimes you think it's all you do is eat. But told my self it was for the energy needed to ge up this monster of a mountain range.

Up at 7:30 had grub and started trekking at 8:15. Headed for Namche Bazar 3440m about 13km as crow flys. We would be spending 2 nights there acclimatizing. The American English pair (Ivana and Waz) left a little early as he was having some muscle pain in his leg +- 20min a head. So when Manoj and I left the pace was fast yet again, but was getting used to it.

Finally the following day after another 5am rise and shine. We got the plane to Lukla, was pretty cloudy and could not see Everest from the window. The landing was pretty violent on that short strip. Before you knew it had my day sak with 1 change of clothes and camera was off. You really appreciate just how small that landing strip is from above it!

Up early yet again, dunno how the hell my body is doing this. Ended up sitting at the airport untill 1pm as Lukla was clouded in being one of the most dangerous airports in the world. I was pretty happy they called it off.

Waiting around I found out from our guide Manoj (pronounced Manos). That we would not be going back from base camp via Gokyo. That was part of what I was sold and helped make me choose this. So pretty pissed off I walked back to the office after getting dropped back at my hotel.

The bloody boss man was not in, he only arrived at 6pm later that day. So wondered about Tamel a bit, had lunch at a wifi bar. Tried to get hold of family but the were busy. Headed back to Freak street or as the locals call it Freaky street.

Entering Nepal the faces changed, so different to the Indians. The manic chaos also died down. Spent the night at the border, bare basics kinda place. Up in the morning we got into a bus for a welcome change from the jeeps. Strange how we were still only a couple of meters above sea level. India was as flat as a pancake. Only as we were about 1hr out of Kathmandu did we start gaining some elevation. 

In Kathmandu, I left everyone behind as I was headed for a place in Freak street. Used to be a hippy haven back in the day, everyone else headed for the now more popular Thamel.

Last 2 days in Varanasi, was a little worried this morning as had been extending stay here. Could not get a room at the current places was staying at.. Begged and pleaded to no avail. Looked around the town to see if anything was available. Much fun as been more or less just winging the streets.. Now trying to follow this crapy map did not work to well.

Begged at a few other places, even yogi where Yvonne was staying but no no. Ended up shaking it with the two other saffer ladies on the floor for a night... Tempers were a little short at this camp so wanted to stay clear a bit. But now with no accomidation just had to hope they sorted their issue out.

Day 3 Varanasi woke up early again Shona and I hit the river on a boat at 5am. Was a great vantage point of the ghats and gedoentas. After the boat ride we wanted some tea, ended up having tea at the burning ghat (Manaikarnika Ghat).. Eary! Sipping tea over a barbie, only in India dose one end up in these truly arb situations.

Headed out to Saranath 10km outa town. Budda came here to give his first preaching after enlightenment. The bodhi tree was my gave thing to see, said to be transplanted from the original tree buddha attained enlightenment. Was so hot still Varanasi offered no repreave from the enssesent heat. The tuk tuk ride was hek of a bumpy over the cobbel roads, no suspension 2 be found in those things.