Annapurna: Supplement to the Cover Picture.

The 'middle' mountain peak coincides with that of the cover. Machhapuchhare is to the left joining the Annapurna Range, for the picture only. Phewa Lake below, Sarangkot Peak across the way and we're in our element. 

One of many peaks in the Annapurna range, the highest reaching over 26,000 feet.

65.04 South Africa: Cape Town and nearby: Recalling the past series (2017).

Should there ever have been a country that freed itself from the shackles of its oppressors, becoming potentially fully-liberated, South Africa would have been a prime nominee. Its infrastructure as well as many cities of the country compared favorably with that of first-world countries. It was also highly supported by world sympathy. What potential! 

  However, following the passing of Nelson Mandela and the rise of numerous self-interested persons seeking power and wealth, the country chose a path of 'disaster' filled with corruption, danger, insecurity, et al, while deciding to ignore the majority of citizens. What a tragedy. (An opinion). 

  While we have made many hiking trips to South Africa, including the Cape Province as well as in Cape Town itself, this comprises a small selection from a trip in 2017 only. 

As we descend a rocky trail on Table Mountain, a Cape Town icon presents itself.
Heading toward peak of Table Mountain via the 12 Apostles route.
Jen heading to 3-Sisters Peak in Kleinmond.
As the kids say, sometimes a person just hangs-out or is it a hangover?
Not surprising the French are famous vintners: The farm below in Franschoek viewed from on high with a telephoto.
A park near Hermanus, a wonderful place to live...in the ordinary course of life.
Take a look at another vineyard somewhere else.
"Yikes! We still have further to rise?"
Apparently. The route up Table Mountain via Indian Venster. (Window to India.)
A little late in the day to mention this to Jen...me, too. As our son, Gavin, is wont to retort, "So what you gonna do?"
Looking at Lion's Head from somewhere on Indian Venster, Table Mountain.
'Miss Cool' and the deep, wide blue ocean close to where the Indian and Atlantic meet. Talking of great historic meeting places.
'Okay, point made...sit down already! On second thoughts, maybe it's not a good idea.'
Now there's a brave and modest girl...okay, okay, woman.
Back to Table Mountain...one can't help it. Being so 'flat', it's an 'easy' walk, so they told us.
So how did you end up on Devil's Peak then? (Lion's Head at rear.) Dumb question...one step at a time.
'Oh! I see twinkle-toes joined you. You should travel more...get away from it (him) all."
'Might not be so easy to leave him on his own...looks quite needy'.
Outside of the city but not too far. (A way of covering for memory lapses. Oops! Perdekop.)
From Devil's Peak a view of the City, Greenpoint Stadium and Robben Island.
Jen developed a fondness for 'The Table' but eventually, even she had to quit walking and eating about it.
Medical opinion states that when one is tired, one should rest. Whether it's a literal suggestion is beyond our medical knowledge; thus we select our own interpretation. It seems to work generally, although prescribing a pillow would be nice.
Jen is close to peak but glances at the wonderful coastline. It must have been cold, for after a sweat, one would expect unbundling. 

A peak with a view.
Taking the gap in color.
'The fairest Cape of them all...we could live with that.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

"Where is Waldo?" After some tough climbing, Jen considers riding the cableway down with her school-friends.

66.02 Nepal: Methlang 1, a return trip for breakfast to revisit 'Roshni', a waitress we met on a couple of occasions, and 'maybe to hike' as well.

The visibility is improving which gives us visual access to Machhapuchhare and the Annapurna treasures.
The proverbial struggle in the earlier part of the hike. It's one of those hikes that never eases.
The dull weather provided its own beauty. On the left is Shanti Stupa while high on the right is Shiva Temple. It's probably superflous to mention how much we appreciate hikes to those icons while enjoying the atmosphere once arrived. Although we haven't 'discovered' religion in Nepal, we have discovered a different approach and style of life.
We understand some (all) might tire of viewing this icon. However, one of us finds it our favorite mountain and tries to view it at every opportunity. By law, a person is not allowed to climb Machhapuchhare because it's considered sacred.
Another perspective of the mountain taken a few years back from a trek some distance from Pokhara.
Even less sun makes a difference when focused appropriately.
While this hike is 3 days later, in order to maintain the day/night pattern, a section of Annapurna at a mere 26,000 feet plus, 'knocked' us out. See below to complete the concept.
Annapurna at sunset, one camp stop from Mardi Himal.
We look toward Sarangkot, a tough but another favorite which is on the opposite mountains of the temples displayed above.
The mist began to clear.
On our return, we travel through a forest after the mist and fog lifted.
We trust the villagers never tire of this scene.
From the left, a formal entrance into Methlang, to the right, a less formal road that ends where the forest begins. Jen thinks of a route in which to return after rushing down to plan ahead.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

In-and-around Pokhara.

"Jen could that be a hippo?" 

'No, don't be silly, that's a lot of bull.' 

At that stage, Jen took leave of absence as the rest of the family (and friends?) were approaching us from the side, after ending the swim session.
Krishna delivers milk early in the mornings to Pokahara. 4 months ago, we met him and then saw him twice thereafter, once in the city. On our first hike back this trip, we 'bumped' into Krishna again.
Today, we were heading on a route we seldom use to reach a hiking point. A few years ago, we met another Krisha, a young Nepalese man who spent some time at university in Australia. He also operates a small supermarket locally. As we negotiated the traffic, a scooter approached at a rapid pace; it looked as if we ought to jump to the side immediately or sooner. The scooter halted; we recognized the rider, young Krishna, stopping to greet us.

66.01 Nepal: Pokhara: A walk on the wild side: 'Comfortable Chaos' on our first full day in the city plus the fabulous Machhapuchhare Mountain.

The magnificent Machhapuchhare Mountain, 'Fishtail', offers greetings (23,077 feet).

Jen negotiates the traffic and comes out 'sailing' plus a wonderful smile.

  It’s not a quick flight from San Diego to Kathmandu. The journey is even longer as the rest periods at the airports are substantial. Each time we fly, we marvel again at the amazing capabilities of aircraft. To lift and carry itself, passengers, baggage, fuel and supplies while providing beverage and food service, bathrooms, entertainment, etcetera, over periods touching on sixteen hours is miraculous. Imagine if we spent more time respecting and admiring what is good around us rather than tearing at each other. I suppose the high altitude makes me dream. Anyway, allow for forty hours, or more should you choose even longer stopovers. 

   San Diego, San Francisco, Hong Kong and then Kathmandu, arriving in the evening 2 days later ignoring time changes, a quick ride to an airport hotel, settle down for a couple of nights and off to Pokhara. A person might think we are fond of Nepal since this is the second trip in less than 4 months. 

  Our afternoon, after arrival and unpacking, included the exciting task of acquiring vegetables and visiting our favorite vegetarian hamburger joint to enable us to have a decent dinner as Jen was ill-equipped to provide her usual wonderful cuisine. Touching base with the proprietor was wonderful. A quick few words, beaming smiles from all parties adds something special to the simple things in life. The following day, as we strode close to our ‘vegetable lady’s’ store, it took a second to reconnect, notice she was no longer ‘with child’, and struggle to communicate in probably a new language comprising much emotional signs but once again, smiles that could not lie. Who would have thought such occasions could be so uplifting. After all, we’re not talking about an ice-cream store. Seriously, the occasions when we communicate with many of the people over here (and elsewhere, too), provide the world with additional beauty (for us.) 

  Day 2 commenced with a walk that became extended which can be viewed below, in the City of Pokhara, that has it’s own charm. It also has much else that one would not appreciate in a western city but that’s what adds to the charm as well as to the chaos. 

Our second visit of the trip, this time weighed down with a backpack full of vegetables.
Flag Day in Nepal...actually it's always flag day, although we arrived at the time of celebrating the Western New Year, making things a little more intense. Part of the Annapurna Mountain Range prominent but can't compete with flags.
Getting rid of the flags which could be construed as 'blasphemous'.
The haunting Machhapuchhare Mountain (the following day, see end).
Adding a slither of Phewa Lake into the mix.
A peak opposite Fishtail, one of our hiking opportunities.
For the festivities, a new innovation: The annual Chinese-Nepalese Red Dragon Friendship Boat Race. (Definitely not a political connotation, huh!) And the winner is 'Friendship'. We did hear one Nepali rower utter, "Some of my best friends are Chinese". Probably should return the cynicism to my backpack. 

Along the route we stopped into a restaurant/hotel we had noticed on an earlier visit. A steep incline to the establishment provides a lovely view of the lake and surround. Nepal's uniquely shaped flag in the background.
Jen has unexplainably developed a fascination for motorbikes and scooters. There's no understanding the aging process. Behind her are two amused youngsters thinking as I do, perhaps.
Out of nowhere on a clear day, a cloud seeks to block part of Annapurna.
'Fishtail' at dawn from another position. The Hotel le Glamour is on our route for the next day's hike.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

And on the next day, following hiking in mist for nearly 2 hours, the sun broke through slowly and we witnessed some remarkable scenes. A taste follows below: 

From deep in the fog, after another great battle to exert its dominance, the great Machhapuchhare icon, rose like a phoenix from the ashes (well, snow this time) and again established its rightful position in this mountainous region in time for the new year.
A couple of pictures above, we mentioned something about Hotel le Glamour. Well, here it is from a different angle which we passed on the return hike and had the good fortune to even catch a glimpse of Fishtail, too. At that stage the mist was returning. Lucky guys.

The reason we did not see much on the way up to Methlang. ('Le Glamorous Hotel California' in a stupor as Jen passes by.)