In our campaign to prevent a prematurely early end of this trek ( and get our money's worth!), we also had a late start today. The plan was to get to Nauli Khola in time for lunch, not a very daunting task considering that the other way around we got as far as Dobhan. It was warm and slightly breezy as we walked through Khorlabesi village, wading through local and international traffic.The high season was not letting up despite all the disasters in the news. Those hydro-mules were almost non-stop today, across the wavy high passes leading to Machakhola.
Salted buffalo meat left to dry at Machakhola
After the river bank beach path we took a break at a temporary looking village where boys were scrapping around a little rubber ball in a game of improvised football. We crossed paths with the Aussie / Canada crew that we dined with last night several times . Two of them moved faster than the other two but the faster ones had the patience to wait at intervals since they got along well (they met at a trekkers forum!). They were the group just behind the ill fated French group that 2 weeks ago lost one member to the flooding river. The dude from Vancouver Island pointed out the exact spot where it happened.
Doughnuts to go with ginger tea (mmmm...)
At Machakhola we stopped for ginger tea. Amir bought a roasted beans and peas hot mix and shared it out. Machakhola might as well be called a town. It seems to be the go-to place for school, work, home, clothing etc. supplies. They even have a '4 Seasons Hotel' for crying out loud! At the top floor of one building racks of dried meat were stacked up to face the sun. The trekker highway was still buzzing.
Nauli Bridge
An elderly group wearing cliché khakis, wide brimmed hats complete with neck protection strolled through. For the first time we saw the Nauli waterfall unobscurred (it was covered in fog when we last crossed the day after that horrid storm) from the large bridge though the mule trains created a bottleneck here. Out old friend welcomed us back at the Nauli Khola guesthouse. Finally a spot to wash our cakey, filthy clothes and then enjoy more chicken and beer!
Essential for the first aid kit
No comments:
Post a Comment