70.15 Nepal: After some illness, attempting to reach Shanti Stupa via the jungle, returning down through the villages.

  Another delightful experience was had by two fortunate people! We are always surrounded by magnificent beauty, variation of scenery and the obvious challenges of reaching the high and tricky points. Unfortunately, we both had suffered with sore throats, bad colds and headaches. Other than that, we were just fine, if that's possible. After having to put off the hikes for nearly a week, but for low level walks, we attempted this one which proved to be tough on the climbs. Our time taken was not good but then again, not bad either taking into account the quick loss of strength that invariably follows from illness. We were pleased with our progress, that we undertook a steeper hike the next day augurs well. It will follow soon. 

After a walk through the town, heading to the mountains, we come across a favored place of reflections.
The highest of the peaks of Annapurna prominent although with cloud covering.
The magnificent Machapuchare, regal, dark and distinguished. Before it, some 18,000 feet lower is the village of Sarangkot on a peak. Note the symmetry of the two peaks. It's as if the tower on the lower mountain is modeled on the higher peak.
Jen, following a cold and sore-throat, makes her way through a beautiful and calm jungle.
Cool as a cucumber, she makes the dip-down without missing a beat.
We break-out of the jungle and are confronted with Shanti Stupa below and Shiva Temple above.
While still inside the jungle, we peer through an opening and view part of Pokhara.
Closer to the western side, we are able to photograph the lake edge between the trees.
Jen just leaves the jungle and looks for her buddy.
The hanging branch shot of the lake.
We approach the buildings, hotels/restaurants/tearooms upon leaving the jungle an attain beautiful views of the lake and city below.
Casting our eyes higher as we continue to rise, the mountains as a backdrop to Fewa Lake are always magnificent.
A couple of weeks back, Jen and the "tiger-dog" had an altercation. Fortunately, it is now a settled issue and Jen begs for forgiveness. "Tiger-dog" plays it very cool after taking a blow to his pride previously.
We climbed through the jungle to the peak but returned through the villages using a mix of steps, paths, sand and stones to get home. The loop is delightful.
While in the jungle, there are only two places from where one can view the lake. This is one of them which is rather attractive.
After the exit from the jungle, Jen turns away from our target and heads to the flagpole at which position we will have brunch. Jen can be seen in the distance along the sand path. She is wearing a maroon top placed roughly in the center of the picture. The two stupas are behind and above her. The building protruding above the rock, before Shanti, is where we stop for beverages and the occasional snack, which is becoming less occasional
For perspective, across the way are the two towers of another favorite hike along the way to Mattikan. (Blog 70.11)
Uphill on the way in, all down on the way home.
Passing Fewa Dam on the way to the jungle trail. Is that yet another reflection? Indeed it is. Thank you for noticing.
Annapurna bids you a 'goodnight'.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Just let Mom off the bike and now for some real action...got to love Dad with helmet and hard-headed kids.

"I'm not going to wait for you to get into gear, Mr. Taxi, while the grass grows under my feet. "

70.14 Nepal: Begnas Lake: A walk from one mountain to the other past the Yoga Retreat arriving at Annapurna Campsite.

Jen captures color, reflections...doesn't get better for a simple scene.
Well, let's move on but one has to love the calmness of the water.
  The day after the tough climb to Rupacot Peak and Resort, we headed down from our accommodation through villages, past a school and to ground/lake level in the village of Begnas. We have been up-and-down the main road a few times, but nothing beats going on jungle paths. We made the discovery recently. 

  We reached the 'town' area and headed to and past the lake, up the mountain on the other side of the lake and along the top until we reached an end. We stopped for brunch and thereafter, discovered a couple of other places. We headed down, returned through the villages and up along the jungle path which took us back home. As always, we dealt with many 'kids', cute humans and cheeky goats. Actually, the humans can be quite cheeky, too. 

  Lovely walk, a lovely time was had. Thereafter, we completed daily routines and settled down to take in a sunset, before dinner. For the first time at this 'hotel', we came across another western family...a French couple with 3 children. A nice experience.  

No breeze just yet...still on the way.
Jen's back to usual position...climbing steps which will take us into the jungle.
A view of an ancillary lake to Begnas.
Blue, blue my world is blue...
From Annapurna campsite, left side of Begnas Lake.
From Lake level 'full frontal'.
View of the Begnas Lake and sign from our patio (right-side).
Down on another side, one step at a time, so many more to go.
Jen coming through a village. On the way up, we were handed some drawings from local 'artists', children putting pens to paper. On the way down, we were looked at closely to perhaps check out our pedigrees.
The path opens up and is very pleasant...most of them are.
A reflection, any reflection will satisfy me. Beats owning a horse or a kingdom.
Mostly clouds but the high mountains just protruding. We had 4 days without sunshine, the first gap of our trip.
Part of the campsite, kitchen and dining room. It is in a magnificent position/environment with views of the mountains, lake and beautiful flora. We found a woman on duty at the back of kitchen and she made us some hot beverages. When it came to settling the bill, she did not have any money, no change. The most expensive drinks purchased in Nepal.
So many lovely little avenues, corners, gaps and even the steps are becoming attractive.
The daily routine involves washing and hanging clothes. Actually, it's a good discipline and keeps one both responsible and clean. Works a lot better when the sun is shining though. Truth be told, watching clothes dry can be most relaxing.
We return home and take in the views until sunset. The clouds cover the range completely.
We met these young fellas at the turn-around point who were very sweet. The little girl to the right was an observer of these badminton players.
A fascinating sunset occurs at this special place above Begnas Lake.
 The Annapurna Range is on fire.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Huh! Should the gate be locked, one may walk around it, either the left or right sides. Very effective. There are many things I accept rather than question these days.

70.13 Nepal: Methlang: Another trip including a tough workout, wonderful sights, some breakfast out, a few climbs...are we having fun yet?

Enroute we absorb this scene of Fewa Lake.
A little climbing to keep the legs stretched.
Carrying on a little further per opening photograph and target reached. Now let's find our way down.

Meantime, Jen taking care of her back reluctantly takes the low road but arrives at the same place. At rear, is village of Sarangkot atop the peak viewed from yet another angle/position.
Let's view the lake and backdrop from a different position. On a distant peak across the lake sits Lord Shiva at his temple, a frequent hike (for us, not him).
This occasion we'll reach for the sky via the unusual clouds and hopefully get our hands on Machapuchare Peak.
We continue upwards and discover another surmountable hill. The challenge is presented.
From there we attain a different perspective of Machapuchare Peak. They're all spectacular.
I'm stuck on the hill; so Jen takes advantage of my absence and goes after the local 'macho hero'. He certainly has bigger b...reasts than I do.
Trying some very low-level flying on the way down. Meantime, we are exposed. While we intimate we are hikers, the truth is revealed that we 'hike' by scooter.
We arrive at the entrance to our regular breakfast spot in Methlang, a wonderful place where our friend Roshni works. (Strange that one has to climb steeply to reach the entrance.)
From the verandah, just one of many perspectives.
Back in the jungle, we look to the tower at the top of Kahun Danda across the way, as well as part of Pokhara.
Here is another position, across the way from his main temple, where Lord Shiva sits. Take a close look at the next photograph below. 

  Poor light notwithstanding, across the way in Pumdikot, on the peak is the main statue of Lord Shiva at the temple. In the foreground (above photo) is a profile view of the lord.
From Shiva Temple in Pumdikot, we view the position of the 'lower Shiva' to the left of the white building on the right side of the mountain below (across the lake).
Love this 'window-shot' of Jen.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

It's really a 'dog's life' living in this part of the world. The question to be asked is whether it is alive. If affirmative, how much longer can it 

remain breathing?

I wonder what gadget the young woman is holding. 

One last question that puzzles us. How can one relax, never mind sleep, 

in such a precarious position? For the record, the dog has been living this 

way for at least 4 years. When it rains, it sleeps on the sidewalk.

...and finally, I thought I'd lost Jen when I remembered what caught her fancy the other day on the outskirts of the jungle. (This is a solitary hotel surrounded by jungle. In fact, we have watched its construction over the last 3 years.)