... Annapurna Base Camp

You may not know but Annapurna stands, 8,091 m high, in the heart of the Himalayas, Nepal.

 It is among the biggest mountains in the world and I trekked my way up to the base camp!

Day 1 - I packed as light as I could: I was to carry the backpack. Got my walking sticks and joined my little guide – Tek, tiny slim dark coloured ageless man with the energy of a teenager – in the petite agency on the beautiful town of Pokhara (if you go to Nepal you must visit!).

 I set my mind for a 7 day journey with nature and tiny Tek who spoke 3 works of English! We got along great, I would say something and he would nod, just like a gal wants it!

Tek and I jumped on the first bus to Naypul, a 2hour ride in the middle of the mountains, from Pokhara. By the time we got to the register (they register everyone that treks in those mountains) it was 11 am, we walked for 3hours before stopping for lunch. Then, up on your feet, and 4 more hours up the snaky rocky mountains through little villages and cereal fields.

When we finally arrived to where we were to sleep, I noticed something spongy stuck to my hand – IT WAS A LEECH. Oh, by the way, Tek forgot to tell me to be careful in shaded and moist places where there are hundreds of them. Then again, this was not my first....

Days 2, 3 and 4 were filled with climbing half destroyed stairs, going over landslides, being attacked by crazy donkeys and their own set of leeches, stopping at local “food houses” to have beans, rice, cabbage and bread for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and meeting all sort of different people along the way.

Then, the air began to feel heavier: it was not so easy to climb anymore.

By the end of day 4 we arrived to Annapurna Base camp, I made it! I was on the top of the world surrounded by the biggest and most impressive rocks that I ever saw. It was foggy, I couldn’t really see a thing, so I had to wait for the next morning hoping it would be clear enough so I could enjoy the view!!

It was so much cold that I had to sleep with all the clothes I had, dirty or not. On top of it, there was no hot water so I didn´t shower either. It was a stinky adventure!

The next morning began at 5.30 am. It was bright and sunny, and obviously cold! There are no words for what my eyes could see, and the emotions that overwhelmed me, so I’ll just leave you with some pictures to tease you...

 Now that I reached the top, I had to come back down. And so it began the ride back down the mountain! I felt completely energized and so made it to Pokhara in just two days. In hindsight, I reckon that I should have done it an extra day, since my knees were killing me afterwards!!

 

Despite the swollen knees, holes from the leeches, the lack of any modern comfort (and by this I mean proper bathing!), and all the cold I could stand: it was a journey of a life time!!




Key object of the trip: 

B.