This morning we got up early to climb the hill behind Namche and hopefully catch our first views if Everest. The village has developed around a horseshoe shaped valley and the sound of construction, of new lodges, can be heard all over the hillside.
Just over the ridge there she was: Everest in English, Sagamartha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan. In any language it's a breathtaking sight. Obviously I was using a zoom for this shot.
Since I was here last year they have built a great monument to Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who along with Sir Edmund Hillary, first conquered Everest in 1953. Everest is to the left of his ice axe and Lohtse to the right.
There is also terrific memorial to recognise the friendship between Nepal and Israel
It has a stone from the top of Everest and a stone from the Dead Sea; pretty cool.
We also visited the Everest museum that had photos and newspaper clippings of many of the notable summiters e.g. the fastest ascent (22 hrs) the fastest descent (16 hours) the youngest, oldest etc. The craziest was a guy who lasted 1min 10 secs at the top without a shirt!!
On our way back to the village we had a look at the Buddhist Monastery. Unusually they let us take photos inside
Prayer wheels all around the outside. If you spin them clockwise they send your chants/prayers upwards and cleanse your sins. Think I'll be here all day!!
Back to the lodge for some dahl batt (rice & lentils) and then off for the afternoon trek.
No comments:
Post a Comment