Today we left the busy village of Namche, bound for Tengboche. True to the guidebook's word, it took 5 full hours to get there. We initially had to walk up and down, up and down for about two hours, then straight down for an hour, before crossing the river on yet another suspension bridge and then two hours straight up. We wanted start early so we got up at 5:30 and left at 7.

The hike was awesome! I felt so good, much unlike the other day's hike when I wanted to curl up and never move again. It was hard no doubt, but since we have acclimated a bit in the last few days and, I'm not as sick anymore, it was a great workout.

Unfortunately, now that we have started the ascent to EBC it is COLD. Snow scatters the land around, like discarded toilet paper (by the way, I have not mentioned how clean it is here. For the most part, trash is limited and there are many designated trash and recycling bins along the way) and it has been constantly snowing/sleeting since we got up high. The cloud cover, though it brings snow, also serves as some much needed insulation.

Our accommodation in Tengboche, Tashi Delek's Lodge, is nothing like the paradise that is Zamling Guest House. There is no electricity or heating, and our dining room is covered with mold on the ceiling and tables. The food however, is surprisingly delicious and I enjoyed my veg thali, plus seconds. The place is run by Tashi Sherpa (egotistical much?), and he is the husband of Cami, who runs Zamling in Namche. Cami told us in September she will move to Tengboche to run the tea house with her husband. I'd say she has her work cut out for her!

Tomorrow we will keep moving to continue our slow ascent and are planning to sleep at about 4100m. Since there is no electricity I won't be able to post. Hopefully there is wifi a bit further up.

At sunset the clouds parted and we FINALLY saw EVEREST. As it sits higher than anything else the sun shone on it and it was beautiful. Damo took some photos but I was a bit too cold to go outside to snap one myself. I hope the sun stays out for days to come!