In the jungle: Bardia National Park

We've been looking for the tiger for two whole days now!
It's great fun to follow the footprints and the warning calls of deer and monkeys. We've been waiting at various river crossing spots for a total of 9 hours but still no luck. Instead we've seen a rhino do an eskimo roll - that was fun!

Now we're on a day trip to Nepalganj to cash more money and update our internet prescence.

Keep cool, (it's getting hot here at midday...)

19 days of trekking done.

We have finally arrived in Pokhara this morning after an incredible trip. Both are healthy and well, with little leg and back pain and even some money to spare.

After Jomson we walked down to the hot spings in Tatopani in just 2 days. The first day through a sandstorm, the next in the smoke from the fires on the mountains. Since visibility was zero on 1 km distance due to smoke we thought it a good idea to climb over Ghorepani to get the last views of Annapurna range etc., especially the 8000+ m. Annapurna I which we hadn't seen yet. But what a dissapointment. After going up 1800 in two days the haze was not receding one bit and we still haven't seen the highest peak in this range. We went straight down on the other side without even bothering to visit Pun/Poon Hill. The last night was spent in Birethanti, which was lovely full of flowers and lush green bamboos and palm trees by the river stream.

We're in Pokhara, in guest house "Fire on the mountain" -- not because we need to be reminded of the last dissapointing days, but because a trekking aquaintance, and now friend, Wolfgang, recommended it -- trying to catch up with things, the world, find out where Hennie is and plan the next escapade.

Still not sure when I will be able to upload photos, since Jakob's computer is in Kathmandu.
Pheri Betaula / See you again!

High passed crossed. Now in Jomson.

Hi everybody, just a quick note ot let you know that we crossed the Thorung La (5416m pass) two days ago on the coldest day in history.

It has been some really amazing days with superb views of the Annapurna range, incredible villages and nice company.

We're in Jomson, a major town on the route and on the way to Marpha, where we will sleep toningt. In little more than a week we will be in Pokhara. Perhaps we'll see my mom on the way? She said she was leaving for Gorepani today, but I don't know if they are trekking up or down or both ways. We'll be in Gorepani in 3 or 4 days time.

Good luck to everybody and I can't wait till qwe can show you the 1000+ photos.

Love, Jakob & Helena

Pitstop in Chame

We have reached Chame, the first place with internet access. Actually I didn't think there would be any place with online access, I didn't even think there would be electricity in most places. But it seems every little village has it's own little hydro power supply station.

We have taken it easy and are feeling very well, now that Helena is over her bacterial or amoebic dysentery infection which she brought with her from Kathmandu! There is a health station in every two/three villages and we went to see the 'doctor' who had the right kinds of antibiotics.

In two more days we will reach Manang and from there it's two days to the pass, but we have to plan for days of acclimatisation to the heights.

There are some hot springs here which we will take a look at and perhaps jump in. The weather has been getting colder and colder with overcast the last two days, but today the sun is out and illuminating the Annapurna II peak. Food is good but getting more and more expensive, but it's still off season, so rooms are cheap. We meet max other 6 trekkers per day.

Take care!