Bob's Blog

Circus Circus

I have arrived at the circus. Left Nunthala around 8.30am and hiked one km downhill. Made breakfast myself due to the rip off prices. I swear the tourists just pay whatever the price says on the menu, so it kinda makes sense for them to put prices high. One other guy skipped breakfast too, so there is some kind of balance. Better to spread money around anyhow.

I thought I saw Everest today, but in fact it was actually Kangtega.

Now down at the river of the main valley that leads up to Khumbu. Lots of men working (building a new jeep bridge), lots of jeeps, sound of helicopters and planes. And the place is a dive bomb. The sky is so full, it almost feels like being in Kabul during the American occupation.

Still, a good place to start the hike perhaps, this really is pretty much the bottom, the river is 1400ish. It's the place to switch jeeps as no bridge. So no more massive descents for a while. Better for my knee.

After crossing the bridge, there are hikers everywhere and I'm not even on the main trail yet. You can't even pee on the path now, it's so busy.

Got to Puiya, and found on place and got a good price for room, dal bhat and hot shower, but the room was right next to the dining room, so kept looking.

Thought I'd found a good, if rougher place, away from the tourists hordes. Was quite empty. Nice. Dealt with the kids, and all was peaceful until the noisy adults returned. Think alcohol is a bit of an issue here, (made from corn). Earlier that day we found a drunk guy asleep on the trail and we had to check he was still breathing.

Apparently it's so busy because the flights from Lukla haven't been going for days. People can't even get the jeep down, except for extortionate price. I met a family that got stuck at the airport for 3 days on the flight to Lukla. After Lukla was clear they sent 1200 people in one day in planes that carry 16 people.