Day 5: Acclimatisation in Mende

After a breakfast of porridge and toast we set off at 8:15 for a days hike to the monastery at Thame. The first 45 mins followed a narrow rocky ledge that traversed the mountainside; with a sheer drop all the way, I have to admit that my knees wobbled in a few places!
Prem mentioned that the trail we were following is the main trade route from Namche to Tibet, used by many Tibetans who take their goods to be sold at the market in Namche. When I asked how long it took them to do the walk, Prem said 'Oh only about 5 to 6 days' as if that were nothing! Being a route used mainly by Buddhists we saw many mani stones and gompas along the way

As with all our treks, there were many steep ascents and descents, providing spectacular scenery. Looking down we could see several isolated villages with their terraced fields.

 Entering the village of Thame we saw a pair of women planting potatoes
This is a regular job for the Sherpa wives, as their husband are away either guiding treks or helping summit teams.

A quick cup of tea at a Tea House (where else?!) and it was steeply uphill for 30 mins 
to the Monastery

The monastery is 600 years old and one of the 4 oldest in Nepal. At 12,927ft/3,940m) it had the most amazing views across to the mountain of Thamsurku.
As with all Buddhist monasteries the inside was a riot of gaudy colours, with all the ceilings, walls and doors covered in paintings depicting the life of Buddha. It might be remote, it might be cold but it seems to be agreeable to this 96 year old monk!

Back down in Thame we had lunch at a Tea House that was owned by Apa Sherpa. Apa has summited Everest an amazing 21 times - he now lives in the USA, presumably to stop him trying a 22nd time!
After we arrived back at the lodge in Mende, Dave checked his GPS ap which recorded that we had climbed 3,290 ft/1,003m and descended the same; so acclimatisation mission completed.