going Kathmandu (p11) - road to Poon Hill ... cont.

Interlude

we encountered a familiar and interesting sight (despite haven't been to Japan to witness the real one), while hiking the stairs of ulleri. we asked Durga what was it, and Durga told us he wasn't sure what was the exact name, but he said, in Japan...they called it Sakura.

Sakura in Nepal ...

Tikhedhunga - Ulleri - Bathanti

It was the day of 'torture'. The day before, Durga told us that he was planning to bring us to trek till Ulleri so that we'd make a shorter journey on the next day. i guess, to stop at Tikhedhunga, probably was a better decision and we glad we made that.

The day started early. Friend barely slept because it was too cold for him, despite the sleeping bag was rented. But it was fine for me. Our early sleep last night was actually, interrupted when it was approaching midnight, due to the noises made by those who yet to sleep. it sounded like a party or some kind of celebration, and we made a guess without asking Durga, the people there was celebrating something, or it could be the oriental group that got drunk and started to dance while listening to andy laus.

#later we noted, it was the 1st day of diwali celebration.

We got ourselves readied and then went for a walk around the village, trying hard to catch the moment where breathing with mist etc. Hehe. The village was still quiet, but few early morning trekkers started to leave or passing already. 

We had breakfast around 7am at the restaurant. We opted the same as what we had on the day before while in Pokhara - toasts with eggs and potatoes. One thing that i notice the way they served the potatoes - boiled and then fried with some spices(?), and i didn't enjoy it that much. in fact we tried to be easy on our stomach since we were going to have a long day of trekking.

Once done, we went back to the room and packed our stuff. Durga and Sunil then came to pick up our bags, and we were good to go. Durga pointed to us that we were going to pass the village on the hill next to us, and we'd have to pass a hanging bridge etc. 

We left the place around 730, made a way down to the hanging bridge that connected Tikhedunga and the road to Ulleri. At the other end of the bridge, we started to see the stairs, but Durga did not mention a bit about the challenge that was waiting for us. He just walked and hike the stairs. And then i recall what lela did mention, probably that was the 3000 stairs of ulleri.

#oh tuhan...tabahkan lah hati ku...

Herd of mules, is a usual encounter in this region. and while started to ascending the stairs, we encountered our 2nd group of the day. yeap..the first one of the day was encountered as we were about to pass the bridge earlier. 

Not even a quarter of the journey (i guess), i was sweating like hell already. I was wet, and perhaps dry fit with the windbreaker was not a good combination. Both did not absorb the sweat, and since it was getting warmer, i decided to take off the jacket.  

Anyway, i was still in the momentum, and the hike seemed ok so far. We made few quick stops, for us particularly to catch our breath, and  definitely for photos. 

Sunil already far ahead, despite carrying heavier load, while Durga, still within our sight. and suddenly we saw him made a stop and waited for us. as we reached him, he pointed his finger to the other side and told us that was the peak of Machapuchare, the famous fish-tail peak. Ah...seeing it, did spark the motivation that started to erode due to the stairs torturing.

we continued the hike and passed few guest houses and tea-houses. Durga said that we'd make a short break as we reached Ulleri.

our habit of taking the hike leisurely and photographing seemed to invite a frowny face to Durga. each time he looked at the back and saw us, i could tell that he was not that happy. and he even gave a sigh, which i replied back with ' i got to take these stairs pictures. i have to tell my friends, this is not an easy trek!'.  well..of course, i said it in a friendly way, and he just chuckled and said ' go on..it's ok.'

We were finally arrived at Ulleri. Yeay!

i asked Durga about the stairs, and he seemed unable to entertain me with a diplomatic answer. well...he has no idea, but only quoted ' a lot', more or less i assumed.

We made another stop at Super View guest house. while settling down ourselves, we were greeted by a little girl (2-3 yrs) with her charming mumbling of 'namaste! namaste!'...and she did that with every people that passed the place, and replied to anyone that greeted her 'namaste'. hehe. she was cute and adorable, but by the time i wanted to take her photo, the father already gave her a bowl of rice for her to eat in the room, and she left us. 'namaste!'

We bought a bottle of Sprite that cost us 100rupee, and then refill our drinking water, 150rupee for 1 litre. While enjoying the cold and thirst-quenching Sprite, we heard the bells, and saw the mules passing the cafe, and then saw an oriental auntie, with the celebrity hat and gaga's glasses, riding one of the ponies.

#Waahh...byk duet dia! Bole sewa kuda lagi. Hehe.

she even waved her hand while passing the place...but again..did not manage to take pictures to proof that. hehe.. Anyway, giving option, i would not go for a mule's ride ascending or descending the steep stairs of Ulleri.


#Gayat giler kot! 

it was a short break, but good enough to restore back our energy and spirit to get back on the track. but then, there was still more and more stairs to hike. we were not done yet.

ah. the mountains are singing!...each time i turned my head and feasting the vista of the annapurna range from the trail. it just made the stairs torture seemed not that bad, despite we were sweating like hell and the legs...erghh..mengigil dah.

'so..the stairs of Ulleri, does not mean it'll end at Ulleri. it'll continue until you reach another village, even though you have left Ulleri.'

i told myself, after seeing the we were still hiking the stairs. as we passed the sakura tree, the trail then became less steeper and we occasionally walked on the flat land, in between.

we had a long walk on flat land as we approaching Bathanti. it was a relief as we didn't have to deal with the 'continuous' stairs hiking anymore. and we made another stop for a short break at one of the tea houses. our bottles were still full, so we did not do any refill. we just wandering around and enjoying the view and restoring our stamina back.

it had been 3 hours of hiking, if not mistaken, and Durga told us that we were just half of the journey. but then he assured us that the stairs of Ulleri torture would be no longer after we passed the village.

#lega jap.