ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP, DAY 2

Yoga mornings at Chomrong

Locals drying corn around the villages

Our superhero porters!

DAY 2
Weather: Sunny

I woke up this morning in Chomrong to clear blue skies. The whole place was surrounded by snowy mountains. It was just a beautiful sight to behold. Reminds you what a gorgeous place the earth is. No wonder the aliens want to occupy us.

The hike today was from Chomrong to Bamboo, passing by the main village of Chomrong, perched around the mountains, connected by thousands of staircases. The village was just breathtaking. Imagine small houses made with slate roofs, vegetable patches, dogs running around, free range chicken, cows and people just going about doing their daily business like farming, schools, or just sitting around saying hi to each passer-by.

Speaking of people and animals, the people in the mountains are strictly vegetarians. They are devout Hindus and Buddhists, and you’ll find that none of the items on the tea house menus serve any type of meat. The foods are simple, and I had my first taste of the famous dhal bhat, which is a rice dish served with a few types of broiled, blanched and stewed vegetable and beans, finished with of course, a bowl of dhal or lentil curry. It’s pretty good after you’ve done all the treacherous hike.

I didn’t carry my own luggage, with the exception of my back pack with the necessities I needed for the day. Our clothes and other stuff were carried by porters. Their names were Suresh, Bhaval and I can’t remember who the other name is, although I’ve asked him about 3 times. They told us that they aspire to eventually become Sherpas for the great Everest expeditions, and I hope they make it! They are such hard working boys, carrying luggages up and down the mountains for a living. One of them even looked like he just stepped out of an Amitabh Bahchan movie where he’s the hero.

Must remember to tip them extra when I'm finished.

There’s also a weird tingly sensation on my face today. What is this? Hopefully it’s nothing serious.

I underestimated: Sunburns. I look like the chicken I left in the oven for an extra hour.

I overestimated: My kneecaps. Apparently they are traumatised by the amount of uphill climb I’m doing today (where is the damn minyak angin cap kelapa when you need it??)

Tips: Wear sunscreen! Not only is sunburn hideous, they hurt. And you’re bound to get bad ones at this altitude.

Retired here for the day. I WANT MY OWN ORGANIC VEG PATCH

A local with her home-grown produce

Gurung bread - a typical Nepali breakfast. Tastes like kuih cakoi.