And we're off!!!

We set off for the first day of trekking. We were all suited up, backpack with hydration bladder ready, trek poles in hand.

It was tough work earning our lunch with 4 hours of steep ascent. We enjoyed half an hour of local soap opera drama as two teahouse owners shouted at each other across the valley -- loudly, passionately, incessantly. I think they were fighting about one trying to steal customers away from the other. Life moves on...

As we hit the wet, dark trail again... we also hit some limatics. Fun! That's one way to give anybody incentive to finish yet another 4 hours of wet arduous trekking. It was so traumatic I even dreamt about the wriggling, slimy little critters that night.

We hit Lama hotel, dead-tired, soaking wet and a bit bloody. =)