| Friday April 5th Walked down from Dughla to Pheriche (about same heigth as Dingboche) and then to Pangboche (3900m). I felt still weak. Everybody told me that after going up to 5545m , going down would feel like flying. It didn't. I was really out of energy. My stomach also had some problems, after eating someting, I felt nauseous and didn't want to eat that meal again (which will become a problem after a while with a limited menu). In the end I think, some kind of bug suddenly got me, because this feeling lasted all the way to Lukla where I finally also got diarrhoea (a bit). Well, almost everybody got sick, going up, so it's only fair that I would get some of it too. Pangboche was our last night together. The rest (except Matthis and me) will go up to Gokyo (other valley with more superb views). We had some pizza and beer to celebrate. Saturday April 6th In the morning we said our goodbyes and Matthis and I took off. We reached Tengboche monastery (this time without any clouds) and got to enjoy the good views. After this (and picking up a book Avril had left) on to Namche. 750 m down and then 350m up. We reached Namche tired, but had the best shower of our lives!!!!!! nice and hot! First time I saw my body again after a while. Hasn't changed much. bit skinnier maybe and a bit more hair in certain places. I had hoped they would have found my towel (I forgot it on the way up), but they didn't. So I bought the ugliest one I could find (looks chinese, pink with flowers). We went to the ' german' bakery where they have all kinds of dutch bread advertisements hanging on the wall. Sunday April 7th Great sleep. That's the big difference with being at high altitude. More oxygen means: better sleep. Stomach still pretty upset and still no energy (just a few more days to go). On the big downhill after Namche we ended up between about 25 army guys on patrol. I didn't feel safe at all (what if someone decided it's time to start shooting). We waited a while so they could go ahead (pass a bridge). We didn't walk all the way to Lukla today, just taking it easy and stopping halfway in Phakding. At night, for the first time I got fed up with always having people around me. Unfortunately, Matthis had to suffer my cranky-ness (sorry for that Matthis!). Hopefully it wasn't too bad. Next day we would go our separate ways anyway. He walks down to Jiri. I take flight from Lukla. Monday April 8th Mood was better in morning. Said goodbye to Matthis and needed about 2.5 hrs to get to lukla. First time since descent that I actually feel bit stronger. In Lukla, I checked into the Himalaya lodge. It was recommmended by someone in Kathmandu because the owner can arrange that your ticket is changed (I wanted mine changed from the 10th to the Ninth) . Weather wasn't too great so I sat around, reading book. talking to an Israeli guy who forgot his insurance (and was trying to call home). My ticket got changed and at night, it was only me and a Korean woman who had been in Nepal 14 times already. the owner joined us and then we watched the Everest IMAX movie on video. Bit bad quality, but fist time I actually saw how an ascent of Everest goes (instead of just reading about it). Cool ending of trip. Tuesday April 9th Woke up in middle of night and had to run to toilet. I guess my stomach problem has moved to the bowels. Slept ok rest of the night. Need to check in for flight at 6.45 a.m. Decided to take some medicine to make sure I wouldn't get cramps on the plane. At airport (2 minutes walk from lodge) it was crazy. Turned out that all planes come at same time (small 16 seater ones). I got a boarding pass for flight 'T'. Then I had to wait a while. After flight B and E, it was our turn. get in plane. All the engines on high!!! And racing down the hill, hoping to have lift-off before the runway (60m) ends. Wasn't too bad, because we got away just fine. Then a scenic 40 minute flight to Kathmandu. Phew. I made it. It was a super trip. Nice people, beautiful surroundings!!!! Nothing like stuff I've ever done before. I can recommend it to anyone. Back to Main Nepal Page |