Notes and Photos to Remind Us of the Journey
My notebook diary entry from my third trek
Sunday 30 September . 3975 – 4200 metres
Left late (stomach) 9:40 – arrived 2:10 pm. Walked down to Phortse Tenga (3808 metres).Had a lodge break and then UP to Dole. Good track, stairs and then flat.
Staying at Namaste Lodge (second lodge at the start of the village). Six lodges in total. New toilet. European toilet.
Lots of rhododendrons and shiny bronze barked trees and thorn bush, small rose hips.
Noticeable increase in prices.
I have made some notes each day on all of our Nepalese treks. This helps me remember what the photos don’t tell me. My first note mentions a problematic stomach the morning we left Monjo. Trekking independently meant we could leave when we wanted to, but still taking into account the advice of the porter guide. Although it is best to leave your lodge early to to maximise on the sun before it disappears behind mountains later in the day. It doesn’t mean you have to leave your lodge when its still dark.
Unfortunately when we left Australia for the trek I was sick with a cough. So the steep climb up from Phortse Tenga down at river level up to a height above Dole and down again took a lot of effort and a lot of coughing. I had to stop a lot to catch my breath and was exhausted when I arrived.
Our porter knew the people running one of the lodges so we stayed there on his recommendation.
The Year I Touched My Toes 
Wish you a good health and nice walks.
Kind regards,
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Thanks Rob
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Hi Louise, taking notes was a great idea to jog the memory bank. Sounds like your trip and trek got off to a challenging start. But oh my, those views are spectacular! Hope you’re keeping well. xx
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Nice to re-live this with you.
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So nice to see your post in my in-box Louise. I’ve been thinking about you. Hope all is well with you and yours. Note-taking while travelling is a great thing, and isn’t it fun to re-read after some time has passed?! The pandemic hasn’t stopped me from dreaming about international travel and Nepal stays high on my list. I was actually researching some trekking options the other day and came across Gokyo/Gogyo Lake, which looks extraordinary (as does most stuff). How does this route compare to your EBC treks? Perhaps you’ve already written about this…I’ll have to look through your blog. Cheers, Caroline!
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Thanks for a little escapism. Our Everest Base Camp trek has been cancelled again. Third time lucky?? Namaste
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Hi, Louise – I was delighted to see this post. Richard has moved Everest Base Camp up to the top of his Travel Bucket List (his wish is for BOTH of us to do this trip). I’ll definitely be back to reread this blog!
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Hi Donna, It has been a long time between posts for me. Actually your recent post spurred me to get onto this – keep it short you said. So I did. I shall dedicate the next post to you then.
Louise
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God Mel. We cant get out of Victoria let alone Nepal. third time lucky – see if you cant get another couple of days into the walk up. Namaste back.
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Hi Caroline, yes the notes have helped me remember some finer points. Like how could I forget I coughed myself silly while walking. No I haven’t written about this trek compared to Base Camp but I will one just for you. On school holidays at the moment so it means I have the energy to write – otherwise I am on the computer day and night. The Gokyo lake trek does compare. Less popular therefore quieter. The view of Everest from Gokyo Ri is better than from EBC. I wouldn’t recommend doing Cho La Pass though it is dangerous. I am bit spurred on to get a few posts written now. Thanks for stopping by. Needless to say we are not going anywhere for a while. Can’t get out of the city even yet. Louise
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Hi Peggy, About all we can do at the moment isn’t it? Hope you are ok. Louise
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Hi Miriam, Yes we are ok. Did break my wrist earlier in the year and had a titanium insert. thanks for stopping by. Yes the views and the experience keep us coming back. Louise
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Ouch. That sounds painful. Hope you’ve healed well. xx
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Yes, I know I am dreamin’!! I think we will get a credit for this trip and use it to walk domestically. We can always go back to Nepal when the dust settles. I just feel for the people there and their economy must be completely stuffed.
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You’re back! Too bad you had to do this part of the trek with the remains of a cold. Must have been challenging. I like your note of a western toilet. Oh the little things that make up happy!
Alison
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Yes Alison I’m back at least for a post or two at the minute. Yes interesting that I said a western toilet because we did mostly have them in our accommodation. From memory it was very new and swanky by normal standards. I should have taken a photo. Yes the small joys especially when trekking.
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Enjoy your holidays! I look forward to reading more about Gokyo Lake trek!
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Hi Louise, hope you can participate in my fun #photochallenge with a twist – just nominated you! 🙂 https://imageearthtravel.com/2021/08/29/photo-challenge-week5/
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Hi Nilla, It taken me a while this set this up. I will post tomorrow. Louise
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What a wonderful adventure, Louise. I think you’re looking back? I am impressed by your tenacity especially when you’re not feeling well. Terrific blog.
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Thanks Jane. Yes still have unwritten post for this trek in 2018. Lost steam. Need to complete them. Thanks for visiting.
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