Ghap to Lho Gaon 5 November 2019

The next morning, the rains had passed Christine was ready to try a breakfast of Tibetan (fried) bread with honey and peanut butter The coffee ritual was captivating to some, critical for others We are a joyful bunch in the morning... Ditto
But when the sun hits and we are ready to leave, we are a little puffy but all smiles The guides ready to push off The towering peaks above us Off we go from Ghap Buddha greets us
We could've stayed here last night, but we wanted to get out of the rain fast Much construction along this trekking route Kids and cats Kids Cat
An improved stove A course that we missed Beasties in the trail Mani wall Some impressive tress
IMG 1938 Climbing higher Bri at Namrung We arrive at the Four Seasons!! Lots of scrumptious-looking baked goods for sale
Cinammon buns, chocolate muffins, apple pie...wow! some of us decided to patronize the local culinary artists by buying a chunk of apple pie The Four Seasons looked very different from the other lodges of the valley IMG 4147 Espresso!!
and some strange but colorful architecture and stuff to buy and have the porters carry At 113 rupees/dollar, these coffee prices were pretty reasonable Other services were available And of course the German Bakery
More inscribed Buddhas along the trail A huge field of barley on a river terrace Apparently a communal field IMG 8246 We stopped at this dog's place...
...for lunch It was a sunny spot with great views And marigolds and a black dog and marigolds and an old bench And neck-stretching views
Waiting for lunch selfie POne of the most common sights when trekking The exit into our lunch restaurant from the main thoroughfare Chillin' though Christine is feeling "feisty" for the first time in a while Christine's big plate of noodles
Bri's plate of potatoes A colorful pack horse getting its own lunch Pretty spiffy beast IMG 1971 Prayer wheel emplacement
Checking it out after lunch Climbing to Ligaon with its beautiful temple Door art Temple art Ligaon IMG 4157
IMG 1979 Prayers The central feature was the enormous prayer wheel Can't someone please decode these symbols for us? Little calves in front of newly constructed buildings built purported to resist earthquakes
Nasturtiums and cabbages alongside the path Building materials, in the background someone was playing a drum Flower art Perhaps inside a chorten IMG 1985
Our luggage takes a break Happy to be here! A much more settled upper valley Breughel-esque Bringing in the harvest
Two different Nepals Pastoral Funny decor Getting closer to Lho Gaon, Christine not feeling well. Someone takes her pack Coming into Lho Gaon
Our choice for the night, overruling the guides Lho Gaon was a large village with lots of culture In the warm common space