Namche Bazar
March 6, 2017
Namaste Family & Friends:
Channeling a famous Beach Boys’ tune, I’m feeling the good vibrations about this trip. Everything seems to be functioning like clockwork, just as planned.
On March 5, I was up at 5:30 am to get ready for the airport transport and a 7:30 am flight. Kathmandu was blanketed by a soupy mixture of haze, smoke, smog and other pollutants. I was so glad to be mountain-bound where the air is clear, cold and refreshing. The flight departed around 8 am and arrived at Lukla airport at 8:45.
I was greeted at the airport by Tenzing Chhongi Sherpa, who was hired by Asian Trekking to manage the porters carrying my expedition bags to Gokyo and trek with me to Gokyo. Tenzing is 40 years old and lives in Khumjung, which is a village just above Namche Bazar. He is married and has 2 young children. Tenzing is short, bespectacled, a bit portly and very quiet. I really like him. He is not functioning as a guide, as I can pretty much negotiate the trekking trail blindfolded at this point. But, I’m glad to have him along, and I especially like the idea of employing Nepalese villagers, many of whom have so little.
I had a light breakfast at the Paradise Inn lodge in Lukla. The elderly owners recognized me and gave me a very special sendoff with gifts of a khatta scarf and a tiny red string to hang around my neck. The string signifies long life and was given to the proprietors by the Dalai Lama.
From Lukla, we trekked to Phakding, which which was an easy day since the elevation at Lukla is 9,380 feet and the elevation at Phakding is 8,562 feet.
We left Lukla at 9:30 am and arrived at Phakding at 11:45 am, just in time for lunch. In Phakding, I made the mistake of taking an afternoon nap, which resulted in a fitful night of sleep. That won’t happen again.
This morning, we departed from Phakding at 8 am, bound for the famous village of Namche Bazar. This was a more strenuous day since the elevation of Namche Bazar is 11,290 feet, meaning we gained 2,728 feet of altitude. We arrived in Namche Bazar at 12:30 pm. I was very happy with this elapsed time.
Tonight and tomorrow night I will be staying at the Camp de Base lodge in Namche Bazaar. On March 8, we will depart for Dole.
I feel really great. The trip has started well, and I am confident will finish well. The rest day tomorrow will be great for acclimatization.
Blessings to all of you.
God is good.
Bill
At the airport in KTM
Furry friend
Morning bath
Trekking trail
Mantis & prayer wheels
Phakding
Phakding
Hey, aren’t you the horse that kicked me last year
Tenzing Sherpa
Village along the Dudh Kosi River
My favorite suspension bridge
My favorite bridge
Namche Bazar
Great report; great pix, Bill.
Thumbs up!
k;-)
What incredible photos with this day of the blog, I feel like i am there with you.
Super Special gift where someone gave you something they got from the Dalai Lama – I am sure you are treasuring that.
continue to be safe.
Love following your journey through your pictures! Thanks for posting.
The horse! Ha-Ha!
Hey Bill –
I didn’t think anything could be cuter than that puppy, but then came the baby in the bath. So sweet!
As a side note, I have that exact same green shirt –so we obviously have excellent taste 🙂
Enjoy your journey!
Jenna
Looks like blue sky’s and sunshine Bill and hope it remains that for the balance of your trek.
Looks so easy! Love the pictures! Thank you for update. Be safe. God speed.
So thankful that things are going so well for you Bill! God is good! Stay well and Godspeed!
Excellent start, much better than last year!
Although I’ve been wondering about that horse.
Keep him at bay…
P.
Hi Bill,
Good luck from the UK, take care and God’s speed.
May the good feeling last long.
Regards,
t.
Go Bill!
So happy your trip is going so well. Maybe this has always been a journey you should do by yourself, alongside the native people.
Sending you good vibes, namaste
Bill, I agree with Michelle and Mike’s comments about this being a journey with yourself and your chosen Nepalese team. That, in itself is pretty special.
The photos and written details are so appreciated, and it is as if I am there with you…well, actually I am… in spirit, for sure.
I have to admit that I long to walk over that suspended bridge myself, and I keep that vision near to my heart.
May God shine upon your journey from beginning to end. You are such a inspiration to all of us, to not let fear rule our lives, but to embrace it, and forge ahead.
Alana, signing off, from Canada.
Thanks for these pictures. I would love to visit the little village, but I would NEVER cross that suspension bridge!! You’re amazing. Glad the trip is going well.
I’m happy to hear your trip is off to a great start! Your Sherpa sounds like a nice companion. I love seeing your beautiful pictures. I hope everything continues to go well for you.
Such a beautiful trek from Lukla to Pakding and on to Namche Bazar–your pictures bring forth fond memories. Planning a rest day in Namche or Dole will be an energy asset. Enjoy the process.
Blessings,
Rick
Great start and I am sure you will enjoy the Everest View Lodge above Namche and get a photo of Tenzing’s statue. “One step at a time!”
Love hearing the reports. God speed and God bless you in your journey
Bill you capture the heart of any adventurer with these photos. The beauty you share bring the love you have for this land to all of us. Thank you for that and your enduring spirit of experience and witness to God’s gifts to all of us. Thank you for all of it.
Beautiful !
Your pix bring back some very fond memories of moving up. Wish I was there.
You look great, weather couldn’t be better. Off to a great start.
Please keep your posts and pix coming, greatly appreciated.
Take care,
Bud
Rainbow, CA
Bill
So happy to hear things are going so well! Love all the pictures, they are fantastic! Can’t wait to hear what happens next, you are truly an inspiration.
Cathy Kitto
Thanks Bill for all your inspiration. I posted your interview just now at http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2017/03/09/bill-burke-a-study-in-tenacity/