After reaching Phakding the previous day on 30th Sept 2022, when we got up on 1st Oct 2022 and was getting ready for the days gruelling trek to Namche Bazaar, we realised that we have started forgetting the date as well as the day!
I did not need to use alarm clock to wake up, as my bowel movement had alerted me to wake up around 5:45AM in the morning. Later, I found outt hat waking up at 5:45AM is not considered very early.
By 8AM, we were ready to start walking to Namche Bazaar. For the first few kilometers, it seemed pretty easy and comfortable. I was so comfortable that,I thought, I would skip lunch and would try to lose some weight which might help me in next few days!
There were occasional steep climb, but mostly easy trekking for almost 7KM. After 7.5KM, we crossed a hanging bridge! And the struggle began! Once I crossed the bridge, steep trekking began till the time we reached outskirt of Namche Bazaar where we had to show our permits and made entries.
it took almost 40 minutes for the formalities to be completed at check-point, but that gave us good rest. Also, we could feel the low temperature as we have reached altitude of almost 3350 meters by then. It still had tree cover.
It took another lazy 30 minutes of trekking before we saw 3/4 houses of Namche Bazaar. Was almost disppointed as those houses did not resemble what pictures of Namche Bazaar we saw in internet! But as soon as we crossed those houses, we had make small climb to reach Namche as in many photos in internet!
We decided to look for a hotel at a height so that we would have good view of Namche Bazaar, so we again climbed few more meters and settled ona hotel for the night.
It was tough climb but not very tiring. Within an hour of lying down on bed, we moved to retaurant for dinner and speak to fello trekkers and locals!
I was bored in hotel room, nothing to do. So, finally, decided to trek to Everest View hotel. So we started trekking ata round 9:30AM.
After walking for half KM, it was steep trek upwards. But then, since it was relaxed day, we took as many stops as humanely possible. Then we reached not so steep trek which was kind of normal walk. There was gradual elevation, not very difficult. We saw many people walking back as they finished the trek.
FInally we reached the hotel and the view was really nice! Since it was cloudy and sunny in between, we could soem peaks. But we could not locate moutn Everest.
We spent approx one hour sipping hot tea and some snacks. Many others, mostly latecomers like us also arrived.
I think, this is a good trek to spend time and have a nice view. It is worth the effort and trouble.
Normally, everyone starts walking to Phakding as soon as they land in Lukla Tenzing Norgay Airport. We also did the same on 30th Sept 2022 when we landed at Lukla airport at 10:45AM without any incident/event or excitement. ( There were excitement of start of the trek though).
We met our porter outside Lukla Airport. He took us to a restaurant where we had breakfast or food. The first thing that struck us is, price of hot water!
Lukla Tenzing-Norgay Airport is very interesting and scary airport
Just outside of the Lukla village/town, one has to report to a police checkpoint or municipality checkpoint where Indian tourist ( or anyone from SAARC countries) has to pay Rs. 2000 NPR while citizens from any non-SAARC countries require to pay Rs. 4000 NPR per person.
The trek from Lukla to Phakding was not very difficult, rather quite easy. The trek as mostly plain or little up at some places while mostly it was down.
We had lunch at around 2PM at a place called Koshigaun. It took almost an hour as the hotel prepared our food from ‘fresh’ as they informed us! When we asked for washroom, the hotel guy gave us a key and led to a locked bathroom outside. We were informed that, the bathroom is free only for paying customer. I think, considering the cost of the food, it makes sense!
Hotel at Phakding
The distance shown in my Strava Application said , I covered 7.13KM when we decided on a hotel at Phakding. we stayed at Green Village Guest House at Phakding. We got a room with attached bathroom which was nice and comfortable.
We had good sleep as we anticipated some tough trek on the next day!
In our next update, part 3, we will cover Phakding to Namche Bazaar trek.
EBC – Everest Base Camp, this trekking has been in my bucket list for many years now. Finally, when my alumni senior based in Kathmandu, Nepal, Prabhat Dantre called up that he would like to do this trekking in October 2022, I readily agreed. And then I discussed with Vinay Rathi ( colleague and senior at my work) if he would be interested for this famous EBC trek. He also readiy agreed and we booked our Delhi-Kathmandu-Delhi ticket promptly. Thus our preparation for EBC trek started somewhere in July 2022.
Preperation for EBC:
The preparation for this EBC trek started with booking air tickets from Delhi – Kathmandu – Delhi. And then we started finding out information for either trek to Lukla or Flight to Lukla. Finally, decided that, its better that we fly to Lukla and experience this world famous airport, flight instead of trekking for 4/5 days either from Jiri or Phaplu. So, finally booked tickets for Kathmandu to Lukla and then while returning Kathmandu to Ramechap. The distance bwteeen Ramechap to Kathmandu is approx 180KM and it takes approx 5 hours by car.
After all these ticketing done, my final ticket from Udaipur-Delhi-Udaipur was pending. As Vinay and me live in Udaipur, we decided to book tickets for this sector later dates nearing to our Delhi – Kathmandu travel date.
Thus after ticketing is done, we created a WhatsApp Group and started sharing information about what to do as preparation, tentative itinerary, things to do during trekking.
Physical Preparation:
While I suggested Prabhat and Vinay to run 3KM within 20minutes and peak just before the start of our Trek from Lukla, I decided myself for these two:
1. Sleep at least 8 hours for at least 2 months prior to start of the trek.
2. Play Table Tennis for at least one hour daily.
3. Walk/run whenever possible.
4. No other preparation.
Mental Preparation:
We have discussed about how to prepare mentally. We have concluded that, we should take insurance for mental peace.
Our preparation continued as we discussed in the WhatsApp group. We discussed and I suggested all that, if anyone is buying new hiking shoes, then he should buy one size bigger as that helps during descent.
Finally, the the week approached when we were supposed to fly to Kathmandu. Vinay had to cancel his trek as he injured his knee during a practice trekking in Udaipur to a temple ona hill top. So, I baught a train ticket to Delhi from Udaipur.
Thus my journey from Udaipur to Delhi began on 27th Sept 2022 by Chetak Express. I was about to miss my train as I was under impression that Chetak Express starts from Udaipur at 5:30PM while it actually starts at 5PM! But thanks to my known auto rickshaw guy, I could call him urgently and 4:30PM and could manage to board the train on time!
And then, I found the compartment very hot as AC was not working. Train had started and I promptly tweeted as well as called 139 to complaint about the AC not working situation. As usual, Indian Railways responded promptly and fixed the AC problem. My co-passangers who were unaware about such complaint management system were impressed and I felt good! Hahaha!
The rest of the Train journey was uneventful. I reached Gurgaon and reached home of my friend at Sector 41. He was sleeping at 5AM on 28th Sept 2022 so I had to call him couple of times before he let me in to his flat where I slept till 8AM again.
My friend and classmate Praveen took the below photo as a record how I look at the start of the trek and promised to take another photo at the same place at the end of the trek while on way back to Udaipur!
With Praveen in Gurgaon at the start of EBC Trek
Kathmandu
The flight to Kathmandu was uneventful and Prabhat kindly came to the wirport to pick me up. Prabhat put me in guesthouse in Kathmandu. Then we got report that, our flight to Lukla was postponed by one day and pushed back to 30th Sept 2022 from the original date of 29th Sept 2022. Incidentally, it was the last day for flight from Kathmandu to Lukla as from 1st Oct, all flights to Lukla would start from Ramechap, approx 150Km from Kathmandu.
Kathmandu to Lukla Flight
This flight is quite famous to be one of the most dengerous flight on Earth. The aircraft is a small one, TWin Otter DHC-6/400 which has three seats in one row, left side one and the right side two seats.
My friend from US, Sanjay Veerkar told me that, the pilot must be a rockstar to fly to such an airport which seems very, very challenging! HE asked me to take a selfie witht the pilot if possible.
Flight to Lukla on Twin Otter DHC-4/600
The landing was smooth and uneventful as the weather was nice. But, when I was looking around, it seemed scary as the runway seems very short, small and not plain, but at inclination approx 20 degree or so.
When the flight lands, it climbs up and while taking off, it goes down on the slope. Here is the URL for landing video in youtube : https://youtu.be/2YqR2XVnk3M
Our trek started as soon as we landed at Lukla. and we started walking towards Phakding, our planned night halt for the first day of EBC Trekking.
Recently I purchased Samsung S20 FE 5G which is the most expensive mobile phone I ahve ever bought. I never wanted to spend more than Rs. 15000/- for a smartphone ( simply becasue I ado not have enough money to splurge) and the decision was big thing for me. While deciding on buying the mobile phone, I did some research on mobile phones as ell as thought what kind of phone I was looking to buy if I have to spend some Rs.30000/- after exchanging my old Xiaomi phone Redmi Note 8. Here are the things I wanted in my mobile phone :
1. Water proof or at last IP68 rating
2. Reasonably good camera, out of box or with the inbuilt camera app.
3. Reasonably fast processor so that it will survive another 3 years, I am not going to change mobile phone for next 3 years.
4. Reasonably good back up and if possible wireless charging feature. I wanted this as I have damaged the charging port in few mobiles before. So, I always thought, Wireless or Magnetic charging is a good thing to have.
5. Reasonably good display, not too big so that I should be able to hold and operate with one hand.
I shortlisted three mobiles, OnePlus Nord 2 5G, Xiaomi MI 11X 5G and Samsung S20 FE 5G and finally ended up buying Samsung S20 FE 5G. Most probably, other two options were cheaper for me, but due to Amazon Great Indian festival sales, I ended up buying the Samsung S20 FE 5G at Rs. 27955 after exchanging my old mobile.
During this reseacrh and purchase time, I startd thinking, what kinf of features or innovations smartphone should have in 2022 and later. Here is my wishlist
1. Smartphones should get rid of all buttons. Like power on, volume up/down. No, those buttons are not needed. It should start when battery is charged and shut down itself when there is no enough battery. It should be in sleep mode perpetually ( of course it should keep performing its telephonic duties and other social media on configuration) when not in use.
Why do you need a dedicated volume up or down when you can touch the screen or make gesture to do so ?
2. USB C, 3.5mm Audio Port and SIM tray/ External Memory Card slot should be removed. E-SIM should be only option. Its already 2020, why do we need to have SIM anymore ? Only Wireless or Magnetic charging should be allowed. Why should we have all those conenctors and trays in 2022 ? Remove them all and make all phone IP68 rated.
3. MIC and Speaker. These are two essential things which most probably will remain in any smartphone for next 5/6 years. So, most probably they should remain as it is or most probably, they can pop-out a bit when in use and hide themselves when not in use.
4. IP68 rating
Yes, water proofing should be must.
5. Collission alert and prevention system
This feature should be a must just like safety feature in a car. When it falls down from a table or first floor, it should try to rotate itself and fall on its back to save its disply, or start floating using a small parachute like system. When someone throws it against wall, it should be able to save itself from breaking down.
6. Ability to project.
It should be able to work as a projector upto say 40inch or so, at a distance of 10/15 feet.
7. Ability to contract and remain light weight
While 6″ or 6.5″ inch display seems “NOT BIG ENOUGH”, but still, other than the display unit, the enclosure should contract itself so that they fit better in pockets or hand on demand.
I was in Mcleodganj for some work in on 29th March 2021 after spending a night in Chandigarh. JS Maan, my classmate from MACT Bhopal lives in Chandigarh and we had great time together at Chandigarh remembering good old days of MACT, Bhopal!
Triund Top and Dholadhar Mountain View
My work at Mcleodganj surprisingly done in a day while I have been told that it would take at least 5/6 days. So, I thought, I should go for quick trekking. I was not prepared at all, like I was not really running or doing any aerobic exercises in order to increase my lung capabilities or making my legs/knees used to carry out difficult trekking. Finally, I was not even carrying any trekking gears, not even shoes!
head Stand at SnowLine
But the call for trekking in the Himalayas as well as few days of unplanned off days was too much. So, I decided to take an easy trekking route upto Lahesh cave. Before doing so, I tried to read this route from other trekekrs. Mostly I found that the trek to Triund, approx 8KM is very easy. From there, its little challenging up to Lahesh cave.
But, when I started the trek on 31st March 2021, I was so wrong! No, the trek to Triund is no way an easy one! Its a difficult one, specially for solo trekkers who carry weight of say 15KGs. The trek from Bhagsu to Triund top is quite steep. After reaching Triund from Bhagsu, I spoke to some tourists who were taking photographs, making videos. From them, I came to know that there is another trekking route to Triund top from Dharamkot which is actually easy! So, anyone who is looking for easy trek up to Triund, please take the Dharamkot one, not the Bhagsu one! Though, I think real trekkers would take Bhagsu simply its challenging.
After spending quite a time, I started for Snowline, which is approx 3KM, again steep, but that is understandable. It took approx 2hours to reach Snowline where I put up camp for the night. There is shop there which operates 10 months a year, except for January and December. Its beautiful location where there were some snow. The the hills facing West were fully covered in snow. The shopkeeper told me that there had been less snow this year. so there was less snow at this point of time!
Next day, I started for Lahesh cave, its approx 2.8KM from SnowLine Camp at around 9AM. Its steep climb, half way to Indrahar Pass. While I could reach Indrahar Pass, but I dropped the idea as I was not really prepared and equipped for that. From Lahesh cave, one can have excellent view of Laka Glacier as well as snoline hills!
I spent 20/30 minute at the cave, taking photographs and started back for SnowLine. I reached back at snowline at 12:30PM and had a maggi for lunch. Then I started back to Triund top. I again spent some time at Triund Top, observing people/tourists. Most of the tourists seem Vlogegr who were very well dressed, all doled up and making videos with their mobile phones on tripod!
Then I started for camp site approx mid to Triund on same way I climbed up from Bhagsu. I decided to spend the night there to enjoy the view of Kangra valley.
Next day, I started my slow walk down to Bhagsu at 9AM and reached my hotel at 11AM, thus ending my short trekking expedition.
Recently I travelled to Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh for work, but it became very memorable experience for me. The travel itself was full of surprises, sudden decisions, dare devilry and other excitement. I was staying in my village house which is approx 30Km from Udaipur city when I was informed that I have to rush to Tadipatri for work! During this COVID19 time, it was not easy to travel at short notice!
But still, I could manage to get tickets and get myself prepared. My itinerary was decided as Udaipur to Hyderabad and then to Tadipatri by bus overnight. Since my friend Sushim lives in Hyderabad, I sounded out him if he could meet me in the evening and take a selfie!
He was hesitant when I messaged him from Udaipur airport. But when I landed in Hyderabad Airport, he was there to pick me up and spend some time together! As we went to his BMW X1, he showed me his dashboard where it says, there is a problem in the braking system! Then he told me, its because of this, I was little hesitant to drive 45KM to the airport! I told him, Now that you have come, I will ride with you for next 8KM to the bus stand in this car with problem with braking system!
As soon as he left me at the bus stand, I could sense some trouble ahead! I could not find a place to sit, so I had to keep standing! The bus was supposed to come at 10:15, it arrived at 11:50PM! I was sitting in a closed tea stall and it was fun!
Bus Break down
When the bus arrived, I put my luggage and went to sleep. After few hours or so, I woke and found that the bus is not running and stopping! I quickly got down, saw the bus conductor and asked him to wait for sometime so that I can do some personal work! and I quickly disappeared in the dark.
When I came back to the bus, I reralised that, bus conductor, drivers were changing a tyre as they had a flat tyre! But, I did not mind them much as I thought, its just a flat tyre, they will change it quickly. So I went to sleep taking advantage of the standing bus!
Next time when I woke up, I realised that the bus was running really slow and it was almost 6AM in the morning! I went ahead and asked the bus conductor, whats wrong with the bus! Then he informed me that the rear wheel system has developed some major technical fault and they can not drive fast. They have asked an alternative bus which will take me/us to Tadipatri via Anantapur. So, I asked him, how long that would be ? He replied, at least 4 hours!
And I was getting calls from driver who was supposed to pick me up from Tadipatri bus stand at 6:30AM ( bus arrival time). I explained him my situation and asked him not to wait for me.
Bus started again and drove for another 10KM and we reached a place called, Patha Kathapeta! Now this place was approx 50KM from Tadipatri while bus was supposed to go to Anantapur and then go to Tadipatri taking some 80Km route! So, I decided to get down there with my luggage and try to board a bus to Tadipatri! Then I found out, some other passengers did the same!
One hour passed by, 2/3 buses came, but none stopped as that place was not a bus stand. Bus stand was some 2KM ahead or so. After waiting another 30mins and drinking another two cups of tea, I decided to walk 2Km to the bus stand!
And then, Amar, who was also in the same bus, on his way to Tadipatri, approached me as he saw me walking and asked, if I am going to Tadipatri! I replied in affirmative and we started talking! And we found out that he has been to my village in Assam few years ago for work! He had been to the town near to my village many times for work, so he remembered the names. It was very interesting co-incidences! Friend from hyderabad to Tadipatri Bus
Then, suddenly, we were approached by an Auto-rickshaw and told us that he would take us to Tadipatri! He was going back to Tadipatri where he plies his auto-rickshaw with his wife and three kids. Such a noble soul! So, we started our auto journey again! After 20KM, the auto-rickshaw broke down! It wont start after we stopped for some tea! Finally, we pushed it with some other people and it started!
Finally, we reached Tadipatri at 10:30AM and Amar got another autorickshaw to the cement plant I was visiting!
On way to guest house, I met Amol, an engineer with an MNC, and we both got into company provided vehicle. At the guest house, were put in the same room as they had only one room vacant! And here, we became good friends with similar hobbies!
With my Roommate in Tadipatri
It was an interesting travel for me where I could experience true human nature of helping other fellow human in distress and getting bonded while facing similar or same problem. Trust in strangers may lead you to troubles or that is what is taught normally. But there are more stories of strangers helping other fellow strangers.
Jodhpur is known as Blue City located in western part of Rajasthan in India. While I have been to couple of times there for work, but recently I was in Jodhpur city as a tourist. As it was with family and friends, we drove from Udaipur to Jodhpur. As we were not very much interested to explore the city, so we planned to just to stay the night while trying to have a looking at the Mehrangarh Fort! So, we stayed the night in a hotel, right in front of the Mehrangarh Fort in the heart of the city!
Jodhpur The BlueCity
While we walked up and explored the fort from outside and we really enjoyed the view from terrace of the hotel, an unpleasant incident experience will always be associated with Jodhpur City till I get better experience with the city.
Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort
The view of Mehrahgarh Fort from 1KM is majestic! It looks imposing, but not really intimidating or huge. Many blue walls are also visible, most probably thats why its known as Blue City.
One should stay in the city in order to explore and experience Jodhpur. Small, narrow lanes, people drive big cars in it, ride two wheelers fast and locals help untangle traffic if there is any traffic jam!
There are many things to do in Jodhpur, but I recommend one must try Lassi at Ghanta Ghar. I was recommended for this by my friend and I would also recommend it further!
The drive from H=Jodhpur to Jaisalmer and further to Sam Sand Dunes is one of the best drive I have experienced in India so far! We went to Khichan, the village that host Demoiselle Cranes in thousands during winters, and it was a nice experience seeing villagers allocating specific space for them to feed and forage. Every bird watchers must visit this village once to experience birds and human living together in a small space!
Sirsasana At Desert in Jaisalmer
Finally, I did what I do when I visit a new location. Yes, I did a Sirsasana at Sand Dunes and then also I got myself buried in sand! I think, one should stay at Sam instead of Jaislmer City if one wants to explore desert and human lives in a desert. Its interesting to watch how birds and other animals drink water at those scarce water points.
Sand Therapy
We stayed in a camp and enjoyed local dance of folk artistes there. It was a good experience and one should visit Jodhpur and H=Jaislamer if one wants to explore Rajasthan!
Before I went to trek Langtang village, I was not aware that this is one of the most popular trek in Nepal. While Nepal is in the Himalayas and there are many beautiful, challenging treks in the Himalayas, I found this trek to be quite interesting. People seem to trek EBC ( Everest base Camp)or ABC ( Annapurna Base Camp) while in Nepal, but Langtang Valley trek has its own appeal.
I did this trekking from 24th Nov 2019 to 29th Nov 2019, Kathmandu to Kathmandu. The drive from Kathmandu to Safru bensi on 24 Nov 2019 was itself quite challenging ! And then the drive back to Kathamndu on 29th Nov 2019 was more tiring than all of the trekking put together!
This is one of the easy trek for me where I did not carry my backpack! Also, I did not carry anything as we were supposed to stay in villages enroute to Langtang Village, and then to Kyanjin. I was accompanied by my college alumni who is based in Kathmandu, Nepal, Prabhat Sir. He was kind enough to arrange a porter, Khilaraj and also a vehicle to drive us to SafrBensi from where we start our trek.
Prabhat sir, Me and Khilaraj at Langtang Village
We started driving at around 12PM on 24th Nov 2019 to Safryubensi. We reached there by 10PM. En route, I had some excitement. I wanted to withdraw Nepal Currency from ATM and I could not. First, many ATM did not accept my debit card from India. Second, when it accepted, it deducted amount from my bank, but cash was not dispensed. Incidentally, this has not been resolved yet with my bank. So, I did not have any money in this trek with me and everything was paid by Prabhat sir. I will be eternally grateful to him. And I am yet to pay him back yet. Damn poor me!
Once we reach Safryu Bensi via Dhunche ( here we had to take permit for Langtang National Park, which costed us NPR 1500 per person. The price for foreigner other than SAARC nations is NPR 3000, it remians open till 10PM at night.), one thing struck to me, the food cost is quite expensive! Its more expensive than the stay!
25th Nov 2019 Monday We started our trek without much fan fare at 8AM. We had to deposit photocopy of our passport and tentative return date and details of our guide. We reached Bamboo and had lunch there. Till Bamboo, it was moderate trekking. I had a camera backpack whigh weigh approx 6KG with 600mm lens, so it was not very difficult for me. After Bamboo, the trek became quite steep and difficult for normal people. We reached Lama hotel at around 5PM We did not really push hard and walked slowly. After rest of one hour or so, we became active again. We were carrying a bottle of Jim Beam which we took to the dining area and we became centre of attraction as that alcohol was rare to see there with trekkers! Lama hotel is at 2450 meters altitude and we did approx 1000meters from Safrubensi which was at 1450 meters.
Starting our Trek It was beautiful trek on way to BambooNear Bamboo
26th Nov 2019
Stay at Lama hotel was nice as we slept well after walking 16KM! Most probably, 16KM is not the distance from Safyru Bensi, we used STRAVA to keep count of our distance. One thing we did was to keep my Camera bag and another small bag carried by Prabhat sir at Lama hotel only. So, our we stuffed all our clothes and others in one big backpack which was carried by our guide and me and Prabhat sir were carrying just our mobile! We thought we could have done this in Safry Bensi itself to make our trekking easier!
Lama Hotel to Langtang Trek is very beautiful. In the first half, we were in jungle and then as we were slowly climbing above tree line. Also, snow covered mountain peaks started appearing to our joy!
En route, I met two first time trekkers from Singapore, one from Isreal who was also first time trekker. They found the trek quite difficult.
Lama Hotel to Langtang Village trek is much easier than Bamboo to Lama Hotel and is the most beautiful trek. I would recommend anyone who loves walking in the nature to make it two day trek, Lama Hotel to Ghora Tabela and the Ghora Tabela to Langtang village!
We stopped after Ghora Tabela and had our lunch. Then we reached the destroyed village of Langtang which made us emotional and sad! We saw one house just near the mountain towered by Langtang Lirung which survived the devastating April 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Except that house, the avalanche followed by the Earthquake completely destroyed the Langtang village, killing at least 280 people including approx 80 foreigner who were there at the night.
We stayed at Langtang Memorial Hotel, just after the toll collection booth. Langtang Village council collects NPR 200 per person.
Langtang Village is at 3450 altitude without tree lines. Its very cold when wind blows else very pleasant to sit in the Sun.
We walked 14KM as per strava from Lama hotel to reach Langtang village and we climbed 1000meters altitude.
Langtang Village SunsetLangtang Village SunsetSunset at Langtang village At the top of our hotel at Langtang Village
At Langtang village, you have to pay NPR 450 for warm bath, NPR 200 for hot water. These make sense as heating water seems expensive affair. Food is expensive as usual, than room. A good meal may cost more than NPR 800 per person.
Its a very beautiful place, you see snow covered peaks, a valley surrounded by high mountain from two sides. Also one can see vultures hovering the sky and murmuration of Snow Pigeon. I saw few raptors but could not identify them.
27 Nov 2019
We started early to Kyanjin from Langtang as we thought we would try to climb Kyanji Ri after we reach Kyanjin. As it was not very steep climb and relatively easy trek from Langtang to Kyanjin, we walked the 7KM in 3 hours with one stop for tea. But after we reached Kyanjin, it became cloudy also started snowfall.
At the Kyanjin Gompa, I did my head stand!
Me doing head stand on Sirsasana ( a Yoga pose) at 3450 meters, Kyanjin Ri Giompa
So we dropped the idea to climb to Kyanjin Ri as we thought we will not have any view from Kyanj ri. So, we just visited the Kyanin Gompa, had lunch, rested and decided to come back to Langtang village take rest and enjoy the evening at Langtang village.
Here we met a guy from mainland China and a girl from Holland, but ethnically from Hongkong.
It was good evening, we walked around the village, spoke to some villagers as well as other trekkers and exchanged some stories!
Kyanjin Gompa Kyanjin Village Kyan Jin Village
28 Nov 2019
We decided to reach Bamboo today as we wanted to reach Kathmandu the next day by evening. Also, it was now walk down,so we thought we could make it to Bamboo or even more.
But we ended up staying at Bamboo after walking 22KM from Langtang. This time, I took photographs of many birds. This was the one trek which I wanted to do bird watching too. But I found out that, in order to to bird watching, one should take the long rout of the trek via Sherpa Village. That would require one or two more days. So next time!
Interesting usage of trash bottleAt BambooBeautiful while walking downNice houses with view
We spent the night at Bamboo which was on the riverside. At night we did some star gazing ! It was tolerable cold as we came down from Langtang. Incidentally, this became the most grueling trek for us as we did 22KM in a single day, not much rest en route.
29 Nov 2019
We got up early as we wanted to reach Safryu Bensi as early possible. Still, we could be ready only by 7AM and we walked fast enough to walk 10KM to reach Safryu Bensi at 10AM! It is normally easy to trek down, so we reached safryu bensi without any stoppage.
The car journey from Safryu Bensi to Kathmanud was very tiring as it was almost off roading till 2PM! There was road, but it was as good as a jungle trek, only four wheel drive could make it!
Looking back, It was one of the good trek in Nepal. Not very difficult, very beautiful view and lot of options to stay, eat and explore local culture. I think trekking solo is very easy here thanks to some accommodation in every 5KM or so. There are shops, villages en route and also there are trekkers almost daily throughout the year. The peak season is from September to November.
One of my bucket list of ‘things to do’ was to do Sirsasana ( head stand) at 17000 feet. Recently, I traveled to Leh and fortunate enough to be able to fulfill the wish by doing Sirsasana at Khardungla Pas, which is claimed to be highest motorable pas at 18350 feet. My mobile phone showed it as 5340 meters altitude. I am assuming 18350 feet is the correct altitude of this pas.
Headstand at high altitude
Here is the screenshot from my mobile phone
Location and Elevation of Khardunga Pas
I could not do the Sirsasana at the location where many tourists were swarming , so we drove little ahead, approx 50 meters to a find little less crowded area.
Its not normally recommended to do head stand or Sirsasana at high altitude due to less oxygen, high BP. Also generally, one should not do head stand if one has high blood pressure. Before doing this head stand ( Sirsasana), I acclimatised myself at Leh town for three nights. I checked by Blood pressure, which was on little higher side of the normal. So I thought it would be safe for me to do.
Recently, my friend Mudit opined that, in India, people which have been driving bicycles or bikes, suddenly started driving cars. While they have bought cars with their money, but they could not buy the required education on driving cars. So, most of them drive their cars as if they are still driving bikes.
His comment got me thinking and I am trying to compile a list of driving mistakes for which we should be able to identify if a person belongs to such category, ie. drive cars as they have money, but with a education level of driving bicycle or bikes.
1. Blowing horns without any logic
There are lot of stories about blowing horns by car drivers in India! One such stories goes like this – Initially, horn of Marti cars used to get faulty in a month or so. So, Suzuki Japan ( Maruti cars parent company from Japan) sent a team of engineers to investigate the issue. They found out that, while their horns are made to last maximum 3000 horns for its life ( 3 years), those number of horns are normally used up the Indian drivers in a month!
So, if you find someone blowing their horns without any rhyme or logic, you have just spotted a car owner/driver with education of riding bicycle/bike but driving a car!
2. Trying to overtake when there is not enough space for it
Many people will try to overtake you from behind if you keep enough distance (10 feet or so) from the car in front of you. And when they succeed, they will put their car in that 10 feet space so that you either slow down or forced to drive just one or two feet behind his/her car.
3. Changing Lane
I am yet to meet any driver or car owner, specially, in North India, who knows or heard about lane driving. They simply drive in any lane wherever there is any space left by other cars or road is empty. They might even laugh at you if you ask them to drive on the left ( India is left hand driving system) even when road is empty. One of my friends once counted one driver changing lanes some 30 times in 2 KM driving in Gurugram, Near Delhi. Of course she is not Indian.
3. Redlight Zebra Crossing
I once asked my friend, why did he jump the red light? He simply replied, ohh, there was no one coming from the other side where the light is green. I could not make him comprehend that, when its red for you, you are supposed to stop your car, either road is empty or not or if there is vehicles on the green light lanes. No, he simply did not comprehend that kind of Traffic Light System. If you stop your car behind Zebra Crossing, chances are, some other cars will come from your left side and park their car on the zebra crossing in front of you may even laugh at you thinking you are stupid!
4. Right turn and driving wrong side
I have never seen anyone taking proper right turn in North India, specially in Udaipur, Rajasthan. If you observe anyone taking right turn, you might get the impression that, India is right hand driving system! When people have to take right turn in open road and if they can not take the right turn for incoming vehicle, they will start driving their car on the right side, without stopping their car. And when you see some people driving on the wrong side, they do so, because they don’t want to take a U-Turn as the further down. They do so to save petrol, but its OK for them to cause traffic jam, break rules or even causing accidents! A typical car owner who should have been riding a bicycle or a bike.
5. Me first!
Everybody wants to go first. If there is not traffic light or traffic police in any crossing, nobody will wait for others to pass. Many will increase speed of their car so that others let them pass, seeing them speeding, that’s how they think. And if you allow others to pass, then cars behind you will honk at you, and chances are, you might get abused too, for being nice to others. Being nice to other fellow drivers, riders is simply not done in India, by those car owners who should ideally be riding a bicycle.
6. Parking
People park their cars in No Parking zones or anywhere where there is some space to park, nearest to the place where they are going, like shop, meet some one, talk some one. They will park the car on lane inside colony, will spend talking on phones, will move their car only when some one honks at them. They will not move their car even when they see some one approaching, will move only when they are honked at. When they park, they will park absolutely without any consideration for others and if possible, will occupy space for two or three cars by parking differently. And they will shout at each other too.
7. Use of indicator and dipper at night
Its very rare to see drivers using indicators while turning left or right. Specially left. Once my American friend was amazed and commented, wow, you are even using blinkers! when he saw me using indicators!
Many drivers in India does not seem to know using dipper at night. They use headlight as if it is a tube light at home, you switch it on once it is dark and then switch off once you sleep.
I would like others to add their experiences and points whom they consider to be car owners with a cycle or bike owners education level.
Thanks Mudit for getting me to think and giving me a perspective!
Edit: Ram Sundararaman Comment :
” Very well written Uttam! I have some amazing experience on this front – not to say that I’m a disciplined driver – I wonder if anyone is 🙂
In respect to counter the traffic problem, you must consider some of the amazing corrective measures that have been carried out by the administration. Fatehpura circle had a large round-about. When the traffic increased, they evacuated and dismantled all of the illegal encroachments (wonder if there’s a legal one, though) in addition to reducing the size of the round about to a tenth of what it was. Bingo! Me first folks are bumper to bumper with incoming vehicles from the left. Blessing the mothers, sisters, prostitutes and you don’t know mes! As of now, one of the way throughs is blocked and the traffic is now congested in front of the petrol pump down the direction of Sukhadia circle.
On the contrary, Surajpole had a small round-about. You know what they’ve done. 🙂
Our drivers are innovative, one will never know if that lane would ever exist so why drive there and be disappointed tomorrow?
