BELIEVING IN THE BIGGER PLAN

While we were having breakfast this morning, we heard the most amazing sound in the near distance. Can you guess what it was…? No, not the ice cream truck… It was a propeller plane starting up its engines! And no, it wasn’t amazing just because these things excite my engineering side, but rather because it meant that we were flying today!

Looks like my studying, reflection and soul searching yesterday paid off; the universe had answered our prayers and decided to clear the skies for us to proceed on our journey. Eager to get going, we scoffed down our breakfast (even though my previosuly rumbling tummy was suddenly no longer thinking about food) and sprint walked to the airport to catch our much anticipated flight to Lukla. So, slight delay with the starting of our trip but we eventually got to Lukla after a quick 15 minute flight.

Fun fact about this airport we landed at (Tenzing-Hillary Airport) – it has been documented as the most dangerous airport in the world! And once I saw it, I completely understood why they are so strict about having perfect weather to fly.

The run way is just under 530 meters long and it is situated in a valley between two mountains. So, the pilot needs to have full view of the airport and it’s surroundings in order to ensure a safe landing or take off.

Day 1 Trekking:

Lukla (2840 masl) to Phakding (2610 masl) – 2 to 3 hours, 6 to 7 km.Phakding (2610 masl) to Monjo (2840 masl) – 2 to 3 hours, 8 to 9 km. So, after we landed, and after gaping in awe at the scenery around us, which honestly looked like it was from a movie set, we had some fresh, hot ginger tea at one of the local tea houses and we were on our way up the mountain… Or so we thought. Interestingly enough, the first day from Lukla to Phakding actually takes you lower in altitude!

3 hours, about 6 km, and a couple suspension bridges later, we arrived at our first village stop, Phakding, and lunch was served. During lunch, our guide, Mohan, asked us to consider if we would be okay walking a bit further today to a village called Monjo, which would make our day 2 trek shorter; a good suggestion given it was still just after lunch time and day 2 is known as a tough and long day, so, any way we could reduce that would be helpful.

So, after a short digestion session, we were on the trek again. It was another 3 hours, 8 km, some more suspension bridges, and a few very impressive waterfalls before we arrived at Monjo and checked into our room. To see a hot shower and a flushing toilet makes me so happy after any day, but especially happy after a day of trekking. These facilities, which we call basic and therefore always take for granted, are tremendously missed and appreciated when you have to do without them.

Time for Small Talk

I’m currently lying down and working on this post entry. It’s about 5 pm and I’m very much looking forward to our dinner at 6 30. I also want to take this opportunity share some information about our guide, Mohan, so you can get to know him too. He is originally from Lukla but is currently living in Kathmandu with his wife and two kids; his son is six and a half and his daughter is a little over two years old. His main reason for moving there is so that he can provide his kids with the best education and opportunities that they deserve (*awweee* yea, I know). Growing up in Lukla, he started working as a porter for Everest Base Camp treks at the age of only 15 years old and eventually climbed the ranks to become a guide. We asked him what his current number was (how many times he has trekked to base camp and back), and he couldn’t tell us because he lost count years ago… But he was sure to say that it was well over a thousand! Safe to say we’re in good hands.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow, instead of the 7 hour, trek to Namche Bazaar, we will only need to do about 4 to 5 hours. But, even though the time and distance is reduced thanks to our extra push this afternoon, it is still a relatively steep climb and significant altitude gain as we break the 3000 masl altitude mark.

Another reason I’m glad we kept walking is because I didn’t have great signal at Phakding, but Monjo seems to be better. I’m uploading this one from my phone (as opposed to my laptop) so apologies if it looks different or not as easy on the eyes. But I’ll keep posting updates for as long as I can and I also really want to take this opportunity to thank every single person who wished us well and is supporting us on this journey; it means so so much and is extremely appreciated.

Bye for now, friends.

Sending peace, love, happiness and good vibes from the Himalayas to you all.