Today we started day 1 of our 6 day trek. The morning started with me realising I had left my sandals in Bandiphur and then the bus leaving without us! Had it not been for the group noticing myself and room mate Jo, weren't present we would have spent the next 6 days in Pokhara!! Now, considering I thought that by now we were all used to Nepalese transport and roads, this trip was a shock to the system. Picture the pimped up American cars that have hydraulic suspension so the whole car shakes, and then apply that to a bus, and you have our ride. It was also well pimped - if I were to describe it, it would be a Nepalese version of the bus from Scooby Doo (Mystery Machine?) lots of bright colours and patterns with curtains! We stopped on the way to see our first view of the Himalays which was breathtaking.
Arrived at our starting point in the early afternoon, those who had back problems before the journey were all fixed, and those who didn't, needed an osteopath!!! The porters loaded up with 30-35kgs worth of our luggage and the food/camp equipment each (as a comparison to our 2kg) and set off up the mountain. The walk was, lets say......a challenge, no, let's say one of the steepest, hardest challenges I've done!! We climbed 7 miles and 3455ft (mostly very steep) in 6 hours, in hot temperatures. Now, considering I haven't climbed anything too difficult since The Great Wall last July, my "I don't need to do too much in the gym" now seems a tad stupid!!! Amazed me every time we got to each camp, to think that the porters walked the same trail we did with 35kg on their back (one of them was well over 50, and bypassed us a couple of times!) The walk itself was amazing, everyone we met was friendly, the group, great company, and the scenery beautiful - we were able to see across to the Gurkhers village at one point, as you can imagine it is well built and provided for! On arriving at the campsite, the camp was set up already, with tea and biscuits on arrival. The villagers had also set up a tuck shop selling beer, fizzy drinks and chocolate! Dinner was fantastic (cooked by our own chef don't you know). Definately a great feeling of achievement at bedtime....