Chumling to Lamagaon 30 October 2019

Breakfast in the dining hall Our crew Not part of our crew Our luggage ...heads off up the trail
Now it's our turn to leave Past the mani walls A langur in the fields Along the valley wall First section was down
Mingma leads the way Millet field Local bovines At one point we came close to the river In the forest
Approaching the end of the flat and the start of the up, a brand spanking new lodge A map showing a high route (yellow) that would require camping Another hanging bridge IMG 3937 Starting up
It's an exposed trail - don't trip! A bit overcast as we arrive in the upper Tsum Valley Stocky horses graze along the side of the trail Mani walls and 6000 m peak Top of the climb and our lunch spot
The wide valley ahead of us We were told that this was the best food in the area Lunch break starts off looking at our feet ...went on for quite a while The porters and the guides wait, too because they can't eat until we are served
The village of Chhokung Paro Still waiting for lunch Nico product IMG 1625 IMG 8149
Finally, a pizza arrives and a spring roll and momos. We couldn't figure out why this all took so long (an hour and 45 min). Later we get clues... Lunch over, we head through the village IMG 1629
Long beautiful mani wall Better light for the mountains IMG 8158 Local women taking a different path, parallel to ours ... a substation of great interest to Brigitte
Through a chorten ...onward Tamed and untamed nature Spinning while they walk and talk chorta
whisps of blue sky above the high peaks, larch on the slopes Coming into view First , mani walls inscriptions IMG 3949
a yak calf Finally, near the village of Lamagaon, we make out a brand new monastery and eight stupas Larches are now part of most of the forests above the wide flat valley Such steep valley walls above the monastery Brilliant
Field, forest and mountain IMG 1634 We arrive at our lodgings for the night IMG 3954 Horse in courtyard having a snack
Your boots stay outside the rooms The neighborhood IMG 3958 IMG 1637 Inside a chorten
IMG 1639 Visiting the new monastery Gilded roof A periphery of prayer wheels IMG 7170
IMG 7305 Spectacular entrance IMG 7304 Vacant courtyard Where is everyone?
IMG 3962 IMG 8169 Interesting reading... "Freed from the bonds of stinginess"! Tthe physical intrudes via Italian Buddhists
Lovely artwork at the entrance to the building Finally, a person with the keys lets us into the sanctuary IMG 3970 IMG 7180 The statues are huge an the artwork exquisite
what is the metal? gold? Amazing 3-D constructions IMG 8163 back outside IMG 8161
A traveling trunk IMG 8168 We got closer to the eight stupas outside The paint could have still be wet these were so fresh Each has its own diety
IMG 7317 IMG 7187 IMG 1647 The Stupa of Turning the Wheel of Dharma the Many Doorways of Auspiciousness The Lotus Blossom Stupa of the Buddha's Birth Liberating whoever sees it, touches it, hears of it or remembers it
Valley walls ... in the mountain vastness Satellite dish, solar power and heating with dung Around the woodstove IMG 1686
...in the dining hall at Lamagaon