End of trek party

Back in Lukla, the night before we returned to Kathmandu, we celebrated the trek with our Nepali staff who now felt like family. It was tough to get these guys to eat dinner with us! Because of their strong work ethic, they usually wait until all clients have eaten before they will eat their meal. During the trek we would beg them to sit down with us at dinner, but they insisted on serving us first.



We celebrated Tracey's birthday...



and presented katas to each member of the Nepali staff.



These are truly amazing guys!!



The day after we returned to Kathmandu, political demonstrations had shut down much of the commerce in the city. Luckily, the next day things returned to normal.



Durbar Square is the religious and social heart of Kathmandu's old city. A complex of palaces, temples, shrines, statues and courtyards built between the 12th and 18th centuries, it is important to both Hindus and Buddhists. Until the 20th century Durbar Square was the King's residence.



A woman in front of the Jagannath Temple




Jagannath Temple provides a resting place for many people



This guy followed me around and seemed to be fascinated by my camera.



This image of Kal Bhairav on Durbar Square shows Shiva in his most fearsome aspect. The image was originally cut from a single stone and it is said that telling a lie while standing before it will bring instant death. This is the most famous Bhairav, and was used by the government as a place for people to swear the truth.



Masks for sale. There are numerous market areas in in and around Durbar Square including famous Freak Street.



Spices and beans for sale



Durbar Square market



A boy and his father walk through one of the many courtyards in Durbar Square



Nun with prayer beads in front of Shiva-Parbati Temple



Hindu god Mahadev and wife goddess Parvati keep watch at the Shiva-Parbati Temple in Durbar Square.



End of expedition party in Kathmandu

It's hard to believe that I'm done posting my 2008 expedition pictures. It's been an amazing journey and I hope you have enjoyed following along. Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit my blog. Although it's the end of this trip, I'll be posting many more pictures from hopefully, many more trips to come. Namaste

Back to Lukla

During our final two days on the trail, the change in scenery was quite dramatic. This was my final, high-altitude glimpse of Everest. I really miss those views!

I'm thrilled that I'll be returning to the region early next year, joining my friend Jon Miller and many others on Everest Trek 2010--can't wait!!



As we entered the town of Phortse, it was great to be at tree level again!



Children on their way home from school stop to take in a view. I have no idea what they were looking at.



These siblings were thrilled to see their picture on my viewing screen.



The next morning we walked through a huge construction site on our way out of Phortse.



In the high Himalayan region, power tools are not an option. If something here is not hand-built, it must be carried in on the back of a human or yak.



The man is using an adz to square up a post.




Shaping stones by hand to be used on homes, stairways and walls.



I was fascinated by these guys. It's unbelievable to think about all the stairs and walls and buildings made from these hand-shaped stones!!



Cutting a mortise using a hand-built mallet and chisel.



The carpenter's hands in the previous picture belong to the man on the left. The man on the right is his brother and was one of our expedition's yak drivers, Laurel Frame Brandt.



Danika, followed by Dipendra, cross a primative bridge over a vein of the Dudh Kosi.



Always a welcome site along our trek route!



Only a few more suspension bridges left...



Oblivious to the traffic on the road in front of his home, a young boy washes his hands.



The dust kicked up by yaks and trekkers is quite remarkable.



Kaia is well-equipped for dust trekking.



The average weight of a sheet of plywood is 25 pounds per 1/4 inch of thickness. This plywood is at least 1/2 if not 3/4 inches and he is carrying five according to my eyes! Unbelievable!!



Sign on the outskirts of Lukla



From the high glacial peaks to low, rolling green hills in just one day!

Thanks for stopping by! See you next post...