.jpg) In the West Coast Temperate Rainforest
It is a magically beautiful walk from the Bear Cove Highway, near Port Hardy at the north east end of Canada’s Vancouver Island, to Storey’s Beach, Fort Rupert. I think the forests of British Columbia (BC), Canada must be my Spirit Home.
It was my first time to the north end of Vancouver Island, at the very west of Canada, but I felt right at home!
I was on a BC road trip, and was booked to take the long ferry trip north from Port Hardy, at the northern tip of the island, through the Canadian portion of the Inside Passage, to Prince Rupert on the mainland (watch this space!). After spending a few days in Sayward (see: Wet, Green, and Beautiful) towards the middle of Vancouver Island, I allowed myself an extra day in that little coastal town where the ferry terminal is.
With a local map in hand, and after a conversation with a resident, I decided to walk the Fort Rupert Trail.
The trail – which is also known as the Commuter Trail because it links Port Hardy and Fort Rupert – is listed by All Trails as being an easy 3.9 kilometres (2.4 miles) each way. I added a walk along Storey’s Beach to what was once the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post of Fort Rupert, and is now a predominantly Kwakiutl First Nation unincorporated community called Tsax̱is. By the time I returned to my car, I had clocked up 13 km (8 mi), was wet from the intermittent rain, and was tired but happy.
It is a beautiful walk from the highway, near Port Hardy, into lush West Coast temperate rainforest, past a lake, whose name I never found, and onto the tidal beach on Beaver Harbour. Wandering through the Kwakwaka’wakw (spellings vary) totem poles and other artworks in the community of Tsax̱is, and drinking a hot coffee from the Fort Rupert General Store before walking back, were added bonuses!
Join me for another walk in the woods:
.jpg) Fort Rupert Trail
The western end of the trailhead is clearly marked and easy to find along the Bear Cove Highway. .jpg) Misty Forest
The woods are a rich green mix of conifers – Douglas firs, Sitka spruce, and cedars – and deciduous trees. This is temperate rainforest, and mists or rains are never far away.  Little Bird
High in a tree – a western red cedar, I think – a little bird attracts my attention with its song. Bunchberry Dogwood – Cornus Canadensis
These ground-hugging perennial plants are named for the flowering trees they resemble. Salmonberry – Rubus Spectabilis
The shoots and berries of these brambles are a traditional food source for the local First Nations people. Into the Firs
The trail continues across a bushy hilltop and into another section of forest. Bunchberry Dogwood in the Boardwalk
The trail features a variety of terrains, including gravel paths, wooden walkways, and dirt and bark tracks. Unnamed Lake
A boardwalk section skirts a pretty lake … Yellow Pond-Lily – Nuphar Lutea
… which is dotted with patches of lilies in bloom. Western Bog Laurel – Kalmia Microphylla Around the Lake Path in the Tall Trees
The boardwalk finishes at the end of the lake, and the path changes to a soft dirt track into the tall trees. Winding Track
On some of the boardwalk sections, the trail is laid with a rough material to prevent people slipping on the wet wood. Red Alder – Alnus Rubra Amphibian in the Leaf Litter
In the leaf litter on the forest floor, small creatures are almost impossible to spot. I think this is a boreal or western toad (Anaxyrus boreas). Boreal Toad – Anaxyrus Boreas
Further along the track, I found another little toad that was much easier to see. Onto the Beach
The path finishes on Beaver Road, which runs into Fort Rupert. Like other walkers, I crossed it to access the harbour instead. Beaver Harbour Park (Storey’s Beach)
The beach here was named for the first non-Indigenous residents, logger George (Paddy) Storey and his wife Sannie. Paddy got a logging permit for the area in 1941. Waves in the Sand
It was low tide when I arrived; it’s about a twenty minute walk across the beach to the municipality of Fort Rupert – known to the local people as Tsax̱is. Nature’s Artwork : A Shell with Seaweed Rocks on Beaver Harbour
The snow-capped mountains of the BC mainland can be seen across the waters of the harbour and Johnstone Strait. Kwagu’ł First Nation Longhouse in Tsax̱is
Fort Rupert was established as a Hudson’s Bay Company fort in the mid-1800s. Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations People moved into the new community soon after to take advantage of the trading post. Cemetery
The community has a small, grassy cemetery, … Burial Poles
… which is home to some unique carved and painted burial poles, the likes of which I had never seen. Thunderbird
Thunderbirds, on the other hand, are represented across many Native American nations. This enormous bird is a powerful spirit – possessing the capability to protect humans from evil spirits. Wooden Totem
You see the thunderbird everywhere; this one on a weathered totem pole sits atop an orca, or killer whale. These, too, are frequently represented in West Coast Indigenous art; they represent the strength of love and the bonds of family. Fortified by my tradingpost sandwich and coffee, I followed the road back to the trailhead, and retraced the track back to my car.
What always amazes me is how different the same track looks from the other direction!
Even in the misty rain, it was a lovely walk, and I can’t wait to go back.
Until then,
Happy Walking!
Photos: 04June2022
Posted in Canada,Nature,TravelTags: animals,Canada,flowers,landscape,National Park,nature,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,Vancouver Island,walk
Crak de Montréal – Montreal Castle
High on a rock in Jordan, the ruins of a Crusader-built fortress sit on the eastern flank of the Holy Lands, overlooking historical trading and pilgrimage routes between Egypt and Syria. A Crusader castle? It didn’t feel real to me; it was as if the pictures in an old children’s storybook had come to life.
My visit to Shobak Montreal Castle – now known as Qal’at ash-Shawbak in Arabic (the nomenclature and spellings vary wildly) – caused me to take a deep-dive back into my vinyl collection to find my copy of Chris de Burgh’s Crusader (1979). While that set the mood, I still needed internet searches to flesh-out my scant knowledge of the history.
The Crusades were essentially religious wars focused on holy sites considered sacred by both Christians and Muslims. Jerusalem was under Muslim rule for hundreds of years, but when the Arabic Fatimid Caliphate lost control of the city to the expanding Oghuz Turkic Seljuq Dynasty in 1073, Christian pilgrims to the city started reported increased difficulties, and the Byzantium Eastern Roman Empire felt under threat.
Byzantine Emperor Alexios I requested military support from Western Christians in 1095. Pope Urban II, head of the Catholic Church responded by advocating an armed ‘pilgrimage’ to Jerusalem, and the First Crusade (1096–1099) began. By 1099, the Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Crusader state was declared, and was under Christian control.
Baldwin I was one of the most successful commanders of the First Crusade and the second Christian ruler of Jerusalem. Part of his strength was in his diplomatic skills, but he also consolidated and expanded his domain by building and/or strengthening a number of fortresses. These included Montreal Castle, which he built on a rocky, conical mountain near Shobak.
Finished in 1115, the castle secured Christian control of the caravan routes between Syria and Egypt until it fell to Ayyubid Sultan Saladin (Salah al-Din) in 1189 – after almost two years of siege. The Ayyubid Sultans held the fortress until it was stormed by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars in 1261.
The castle is mostly in ruins, which to my mind adds to its charm and sense of history. Remains of a curtain wall and two chapels date to the Crusaders. The Mamluks renovated and decorated towers and walls around the 14th century, and carved inscriptions can be seen on these today.
The castle is just 30 km (19 mi) north of Wadi Musa where we had spent a couple of days rambling around Petra, so the morning sun was straight into our eyes from the east when we arrived, ready to explore a very different period in Jordanian history.
The Old King’s Highway
The highway we are on follows the principal caravan route between Syria and Egypt and has been in use since time immemorial. The castle on the rock commands a view in all directions. It was originally named Mont Real or Mons Regalis (Royal Mountain) in honor of the King of Jerusalem Baldwin I and his contribution to its construction. Hills and Valleys
Known as Qal’at ash-Shawbak in Arabic, the ancient fortress sits at the eastern side of the Arabah Valley. Visitors Centre
The closer we are, the higher the castle looks. It sits at 1330 m (4364 ft) above sea level – but I’m not sure how far the valley drops. Textures
This dry and rocky terrain lacks a reliable source of water, so somehow the builders sank a well shaft down to a water vein inside the rock. Accessed by 375 steps, this allowed the castle defenders to retrieve water without being exposed to attack, and was one of the reasons it held out against siege longer than the nearby castle of Kerak. Once were Houses
Stone cottages blend into the hillside. Striated Hills and Ruins Castle Courtyard
Local handicrafts are on display in the outer courtyard. The Landscape Below
The dry land east of the River Jordan stretches out in all directions. Square Tower
The Arabic inscription on this tower built by the Mamluks refers to Sultan Husam al-Din Lajin (1297-1298). Fallen Arches Above
The delicate remains of vaulted arches are quite beautiful. Arched Entry
The ruins are an interesting mix of smoothly carved bricks and rough hewn stones, … Bricks and Rubble
… and they stretch out further than I first expected. Saladin’s Soldier
Men around the site are dressed as Muslim soldiers of the period. Portrait of a Medieval Soldier People in a Tunnel Tunnel towards the Light On the Ruined Walls Scorpion in the Sand
Three of Jordan’s fourteen species of scorpions are venomous; I stayed well clear of this one! Arches in the Crusader’s Church Break Time
Back at one of the arches, a soldier takes a break from his hot helmet. Looking out of the Dark
Another tunnel leads into a small room … The Baths
… that has been partly reconstructed, and once contained the baths. Wadi Dana
We leave the castle, and drive a half hour north to the Dana Visitor Center, where we can once again look back over that stark but beautiful landscape. The rule of the Ottomans continued over the castle until the Arab Revolt of 1916, when local sheikhs took control. Until the 1950s, the castle was the private residence of a few local families.
 Although various international and interdepartmental agencies have made plans for the restoration of the buildings, little has been accomplished.
I think I like it better that way!
Photos: 17October2019
Posted in Architecture,History,Jordan,TravelTags: architecture,blog,Christian,environmental portrait,history,Jordan,landscape,muslim,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall
Pancha Rathas
Carved out of a single pink granite outcrop, the five distinctive monuments in this complex resemble the wooden chariots (rathas) of their day. They have stood here since the 7th century, and have weathered two tsunamis and constant salt winds from the nearby Bay of Bengal. I’m not sure what impressed me most: the artistic beauty; the architectural complexity; or the mind-boggling age.
Mahabalipuram (Thirukadalmallai, Mamallapuram), one of the oldest cities in India, is a coastal town on the Bay of Bengal in Tamil Nadu, and home 40 ancient monuments and temples dated to the 7th and 8th centuries. UNESCO- listed as the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram since 1984, these buildings includes ten major rathas (temples in the form of chariots), ten mandapas (cave sanctuaries), two rock bas-reliefs, and three structural temples. Some of the structures were left unfinished, giving modern historians insight into how they were constructed.
Touted as fine examples of classical Indian architecture, these monuments were built during the Pallava dynasty. This dynasty existed from 275 CE to 897 CE, coming to major prominence in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. The Pallavas were noted for their patronage of Hindu temple architecture and for the fine abilities of their craftsmen. In the words of UNESCO: “The influence of the sculptures of Mahabalipuram, characterized by the softness and suppleness of their modelling, spread afar to places such as Cambodia, Annam and Java.”
I didn’t visit all 40 structures. But, with a tour guide and a small group, I did spend several hours exploring this magnificent collection of rock carvings. It was a complete contrast to Chennai, where we had been the day before (see: A Colourful Past and Present)!
Do join me:
Morning Sea Fog
Our first stop was at the aptly-named Shore Temple, built between 700 and 728 CE. You can just see the waters of the Bay of Bengal behind the fence. Family of Visitors
I love how so many Indians are willing to let perfect strangers take their pictures! Shore Temples
The three temples at the complex are built on the same platform; the larger two of these are dedicated to Shiva and the small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu. Pilgrims in Red and Yellow
Pilgrimage to sacred places is a cornerstone in Hindu practice – and Mahabalipuram is one of many Indian places on the target list. Visitors to the Temples
Pilgrims often wear auspicious red or saffron. Plenty of other local visitors – including school groups – are around as well. Shore Temple Roof
This is one of the oldest structural (as opposed to rock-cut) stone temples in Southern India, built with blocks of granite in the Dravidian architectural style. Indian Palm Squirrel – Funambulus Palmarum Shore Temple Repairs
Considered the finest early example of medieval southern Indian architecture, after standing by the sea for over 12 centuries, it needs some support and structural repair. Shore Temple Water Tank
From the water tank, we get a good view over the temple complex. Pancha Rathas
A short distance away, we enter a grouping of extraordinary monolithic structures: the Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots). They are generally believed to have been carved during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (630–668 CE), but some historians attribute the monuments to Narasimhavarman II (690–725 CE). Draupadi Ratha Doorway
This unfinished structure is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Durga; because they were never finished, the rathas were never consecrated, and therefore are not strictly ‘temples’. Nandi
As the sacred bull of the God Shiva, Nandi often makes an appearance at Hindu sites. Pilgrims at the Elephant
The site is lively with visitors and pilgrims. The beautifully carved two-storey, Vesara-style ratha next to the elephant here is Nakula Sahadeva, and stands almost 5 m (6 ft) high. Yudhishtir Ratha
Each of the five monuments in the complex resembles a wooden ‘chariot’ (ratha) – like the palanquins or howdahs used to transport people or deities. Where they are unfinished, you can see how the ratha and the plinth have been carved into a single, long granite monolith. Pilgrim Family at the Pancha Rathas Yudhishtir Ratha from the Side
Walking along the outer perimeter of the site, I got a whole new appreciation for the intricate designs. Bhima Ratha
The largest of the rathas, Bhima is 14 m (46 ft) long and about 7.6 m (25 ft) high and wide. Unlike the other buildings, this ratha has no inscriptions or sculptures. Kolam Lady
Outside the complex, I stopped to appreciated the rice-flour designs called Kolam, a traditional decorative art originating in Tamil Nadu. Every morning, women draw designs in front of their doorways to bring prosperity to their homes. Stone Carver
I also had a chat with a local craftsman – possibly a long descendent of those who created these impressive sites. Krishna Mandapa (Cave)
A short distance away, we find more beautiful carvings telling stories from Hindu mythology and showing scenes of everyday life in 7th-century Tamil Nadu. This complex and extensive rock-cut cave was completed in the mid-7th century. Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance
Considered one of the largest bas-relief works in the world, this intricately chiseled artwork covers two large boulders of pink granite and measures 15 by 30 metres (49 ft × 98 ft). It depicts the elaborate story of how Bhagiratha, a legendary king in Hindu literature, brought the Ganga River to earth to purify the ashes of his relatives, thereby releasing them from their sins. The Ganesha Ratha
Our walk around the property leads us past the back of another elegant ratha. Krishna’s Butterball
This boulder and the optical illusion it creates gives tourists some light relief. The name refers to Krishna’s favourite food; it is also called the Stone of the Sky God. Measuring 6 m (20 ft) high and 5 m (16 ft) wide, this precarious-looking rock has been unmoved by kings or earthquakes for as long as anyone can remember. Adi Varaha Perumal Cave Temple
The last rock-cut cave temple I visited is also the oldest. Dedicated to Vishnu and dated to around 650 CE, the strikingly beautiful and elaborate relief sculptures inside show the God in various different manifestations: here he is a boar, lifting Bhudevi – the mother earth Goddess – up from the sea. Goats in the Garden
Outside the caves, goats wander around the protected domain … Mahabalipuram Street
… and in the seaside resort beyond, modern life goes on.
It is a remarkable collection of monuments – truly an historic and beautiful legacy in stone.
Until next time,
ॐ
Photos: 20January2023
Posted in Architecture,India,TravelTags: architecture,hindu,hinduism,history,India,Photo Blog,sculpture,temple,travel,Travel Blog,UNESCO,Ursula Wall
View from the Kangarutha Walking Track
Being an island, Australia has no shortage of breathtaking coastal views, like this one near Tathra in the Far South Coast of NSW. I’m very lucky: I live in a region with a magnificent coastline, lined with national and civic parks which are criss-crossed by walking trails.
Even so, I have to be reminded to get out of my own immediate back yard from time to time!
That is why I am so pleased that my local branch of the National Parks Association of NSW facilitates bimonthly bush walks, providing the impetus to stretch out a little.
Tathra is a seaside town just 45 minutes north of me here on the Sapphire Coast. It sits on a stunning headland, nestled between two National Parks: Mimosa Rocks National Park to the north and Bournda National Park to the south. That makes it a good starting point for many hikes.
Our group met there last Sunday to walk along a section of the Wharf to Wharf Walk, a 27 kilometre coastal walk between the historic Tathra and Merimbula wharves. Officially opened in June 2021, the walk links pre-existing trails that run through public coastal reserves, flora reserves, beaches, and across the varied terrain in Bournda National Park.
The track took us south from Tathra Headland to Boulder Bay in Bournda National Park, following part of the Kangarutha Track and a small portion of the Wharf to Wharf Walk. It is generally considered a moderately challenging 7 km (4.3 mi) route, with a lot of steps up and down, but the views are glorious, and provide a good excuse to stop and catch your breath. Still, I have to confess: three days later, my calves still hurt!
It was a real contrast to the last walk I did with the group in this locality: an easy 4.7-km out-and-back trail near Tanja, from Middle Beach to Gillards Beach in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Mind you, that one was in the middle of summer. As high temperatures can make any walk more difficult, caution is always advisable.
Join me for two, distinctly different walks in the same general area.
Middle Beach
It is a short from the car park to Middle Beach, … Walkers on Middle Beach
… where our walk takes us across the sandy beach that borders the Pacific Ocean. Nature’s Artworks : Driftwood Rocks on Middle Beach
Looking south along the rugged coastline, we can just see Tathra on the horizon. Lacy Patterns
Wind, water, and time have worked into the rocks, … Patterned Rock
… leaving behind wonderful designs. Jagged Rocks at the end of Middle Beach At The Lookout
We take time to enjoy a last look over the beach … Twisted Grey Mangrove – Avicennia Marina
… before heading into the forest between the ocean and Middle Lagoon. These beautiful, twisting trees are the most common mangroves found along the mainland coast, and the only ones that thrive in these cooler climate zones. Pied Oystercatcher
Oystercatchers look for food in the saltbush on the shore of the lagoon. Views from the Tathra Headland
The other, more recent walk started further south in Tathra itself. The Wharf to Wharf Walk
This section of the Wharf to Wharf track hugs the cliff edges, … Boulder in the Grass
… giving us views over the lichen-covered rocks that have tumbled down. David Gallan
These wild places remain – and have been made accessible – because of volunteers and activists who lobby on behalf of our natural spaces. National Parks Association of NSW member Dave updates us on current issues. Walkers in the Tea-Trees
Much of the bush up here on the sandy cliffs is melaleuca (myrtle – myrtaceae) mixed with the coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia). Towards Kianinny Bay
Looking south from above Kianinny Bay, the coastline is pretty spectacular. A sailboat, tiny in the offshore waters, enjoys a different perspective to ours. Kianinny Boat Ramp
As we round the bend and before we drop back down to water-level, the boat ramp comes into view. Sea Urchins
While most of the fishermen off the Kianinny Boat Ramp are recreational, there are some commercial operators taking advantage of these beautiful waters. Goanna – Varanus Varius
Not far from the Kianinny Bay picnic area, a sharp-eyed walker spots a large lace monitor lizard – or goanna. Nature’s Sculpture – Tree Roots Stairs Up
On the other side of the parklands around the Kianinny Boat Ramp, we finally meet the Bournda National Park. Here, the relatively-new Wharf to Wharf walk picks up the long-standing Kangarutha Track. Blue Stars – Isotoma Axillaris
Flowers are a good excuse to take a breath-break after a difficult uphill section! Into Boulder Bay
After all the up-hill, we have a steep drop into Boulder Bay. Rounded Boulders
It is easy to see how the bay gets its name! The rocks and boulders are smoothed by years of tidal action. Back Up!
Although we have walked the whole 9 km (5.6 mi) track before (see: Walking the Kangarutha Track), on this occasion, we lunched at Boulder Bay and then retraced our steps. Echidna – Tachyglossidae
Although commonly quite shy, we managed a good look at this echidna in the shadows off the track. Coastal Views
When we are almost back at the carpark in Tathra, I continue to admire the coast – and to take virtually the same pictures as I took on the walk out.
This coastline is always beautiful – and walking it in good weather is hard to beat!
Until next time,
Happy Walking!
Photos: Mimosa Rocks National Park 17January2021 and Bournda National Park 19March2023
Ponies in the Rain
The Ghorepani Circuit is rocky and steep; unfortunately for us, it was also wet! (iPhone6) “Life is a journey, not a destination.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance
They say that getting there is half the fun and that the journey is more important than the destination.
That may well be true, but it helps to keep the destination in mind when you need the motivation to keep going on a hard slog!
We were walking around the Ghorepani Circuit in the Annapurna region of the Himalaya. This typically five-day trek is one of the easiest that Nepal has to offer.
Cautionary note: ‘easiest’ does not mean easy! I had walked the circuit before when I was younger and fitter (see: Heaven and Hard Work), but had clearly forgotten how hard it was.
I was struggling.
Mind you, it is normal for me to have difficulty on even a slight incline – and then make it up on the flats or downhill. Unfortunately, in the Himalaya, there are no flats! What was more alarming was that my husband, who was usually a slow but strong and steady walker, was also battling. Fortunately for us both, most of the other walkers in our small group – coordinated by photographer Gavin Gough under the local guidance of Angfula Sherpa – were in our general age-bracket, and no one was in a hurry.
Our walk was made more challenging and uncomfortable by a drizzling mist – or actual rain – across most of those first two days. Many times, I was so tired, wet, and uncomfortable that I relied on my old iPhone6 rather than pulling my cameras out from under their water-proof covers.
But, Nepal has to be one of my favourite places on the planet, and a hike in the Himalaya is worth the wet, the cold, and the fatigue.
Preparing the Bags – Nayapul (2070m)
Spare a thought for the porters! As heavy as my cameras and day-pack felt, it is nothing compared to the bundle of overnight bags that the porters carry for us along the same route. Still, conditions have improved markedly, and everyone with us was equipped with proper clothing and footwear. (iPhone6) Toddler in the Doorway
This is one of the most popular trekking routes, and the locals are used to tourists. Even so, people watch for their doorways and windows as we pass. Modi River
I had clear memories of the stretch alongside the river: that’s how I realised we had done the circuit the other way around last time! The First of Many Steps!
It is always reassuring to know you are on the right track. Mind you, from this year, international visitors will not be allowed to trek without a licenced porter or guide (see: No More Solo Treks). (iPhone6) The Group
Our trekking registration cards – complete with photos – had been duly stamped, so our little group of six visitors and two Nepali Sherpas was ready to enter the Conservation Area. Waterfall on the Bhurung(di) River
Rivers criss-cross and tumble: fresh, foaming mountain water is everywhere. Buildings in the Rice
The Annapurna Conservation Area was established in 1985 and seeks to balance the needs of humans – especially those who have lived here for generations – with environmental protections. Buildings in the Terraces
Homes and gardens cling to the steep and terraced mountainside … Rocky Valley
… and rivers rush through the rocky valley below. Shelter on a Hill A Wet Walk
Spring is ‘pre-monsoon’ season, and it is not meant to be rainy! Clinging to the Hillside
Small villages like Tikhedhunga (1520m) dot our path. The infrastructure and accommodation is vastly improved since I was here last. (iPhone6) Prayer Flags
A bridge takes us across the Bhurung Khola (River) … (iPhone6) Over the Bhurungdi River
… and gives us a great view of the waterfalls far below. (iPhone6) Goat
We pass plenty of livestock as we continue to make our way to our first overnight stop. (iPhone6) Breakfast
After a welcome sleep in Ulleri (2020m), we set off early. Locals are still eating their morning breakfast and drinking their morning coffee. White Bricks and Blue Doors
Since my first trip to Nepal, I have associated this blue with the region: it is the most common paint colour and found everywhere. Buffalo Hoofs
We come across a group of villagers butchering and distributing parts of a slaughtered buffalo. A plastic sheet serves as an abattoir. Blue Roofs
The path continues to rise to Banthanti … School Children – Banthanti (2210m)
… where the children are setting off for school. Rhododendron Arboreum
Our path takes us through a forest of oak and rhododendron. Native to the High Himalayas, the rhododendron is Nepal’s national flower. Another Hill – Another Guesthouse Small Waterfall – Large Boulders Another Small Waterfall
I lost count of the waterfalls – large and small – that we passed. Pebbles in the River
The waters are crystal clear. The Little Hamlet of Nangge Thanti (2430m) Always Up! Houses in the Mists Rough Shale Steps
Thank heavens for my hiking pole. By this stage, I could barely lift my feet! Welcome to Ghorepani (2860m)
This is a scene I remember from the last trip: traders have long watered their ponies in Ghore (horse) Pani (water). As we – thankfully – reached our evening accommodation and dried our socks around the fireplace, I still had the destination in mind: the next day we would climb Poon Hill (Watch this space!), from whence, if the weather cooperated, we would have stunning views over the Annapurna Range.
Once I was showered (the availability of hot running water is another improvement in the region since my last visit), and seated with a glass of wine and a bowl of surprisingly-good pasta, I was happy.
For all my grumbling along the way, it was a beautiful walk.
I’d say: “I’d do it again!” but I’m truly not sure I could.
Photos: 19-20March2017
Posted in Landscapes,Nepal,TravelTags: architecture,blog,environmental portrait,landscape,National Park,nature,Nepal,Photo Blog,travel,Travel Blog,Ursula Wall,walk
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