Gasman Downunder: November 2011

4th Nov. Back to Kathmandu.

Great flight back to Kathmandu past...

Kangchenjunga (Jannu to left)

Everest

Gauri Sankar and Menlungtse

Back at Dwarikas it was time for people to be pampered....

Before our 9 course dinner at the Krishnarpan restaurant.

A perfect end to the trip.

3rd Nov. Tigers Nest and Paro.

The whole team - Rear; myself, Kevin, Andrew, Robert, Gary, Chris.

Mid; Mary & Carolyn.

Kneeling; Joe & Sue

Tiger's Nest.

2nd Nov. Punakha & Thimpu.

Punakha Dzong, site of the Royal wedding only 3 weeks before, at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu.

The massive cantilever bridge across to the Dzong.

On to Thimpu and it's only traffic junction! - (This IS the capital city of Bhutan)

Kevin, Robert and Andrew splashed out on their own Ghos . Not sure about the shoes.

1st Nov. DAY 13 Trekking.

From	To	Distance	Start Elev	Finish Elev	Gain	Total Ascent	Total Descent
3746m, above Koina	Gasa	9.7	3746	2821	-925	181	1109

Plenty of overnight snow but a spectacularly beautiful morning.

Chris emerges.

Sonam already into his tea.

The walking was slow but not difficult.

Plenty of winter photos.

The top of this pass, the Bari La, was at 3827 m.

Then, at last, Gasa with it's impressive Dzong. However, the adventure was not yet over as it took several hours to get transport down the new road to our stranded bus - then a few hours drive to Punakha where we....

were reunited with Mary and Carolyn who had been tourists whilst Mary made her full recovery.

Many beers were consumed this night !!!

31st Oct. DAY 12 Trekking.

From	To	Distance	Start Elev	Finish Elev	Gain	Total Ascent	Total Descent
Laya	3746m, above Koina	21.3	3818	3746	-73	1124	1197

A long 21 km. day through deep canyons filled with autumn colours.

After a lunch stop near a large cave we met the party of the King's sister.

Princess Euphelma Choden Wangchuk, aged 19, was on her way to Laya but stopped and had a few words with us.

At the top of the pass above Koina the trees were thick with moss and the heavy cloud brought snow - plenty of it.

30th Oct. DAY 11 Rest Day. Laya

A day for just chillin in the 'hood. Chris did a little washing...

We had breakfast outdoors again....

Got the views of our farm homestead....

and generally just spent a little time with our hostess and her family.

We did manage to see some most excellent ploughing action with teams of yaks and very basic wooden ploughs...incredible!

29th Oct. DAY 10 Trekking

From	To	Distance	Start Elev	Finish Elev	Gain	Total Ascent	Total Descent
Limithang	Laya	10.6	4153	3818	-334	323	657

We woke to this amazing view of Great Tiger Mountain and had breakfast in the sun.

On the way to Laya Chris bought himself a hat from one of the Layap ladies.

We arrived in Laya to spend 2 nights in this traditional house.

The main room had the usual smokey stove with yak meat and cheese hanging up to cure.

We made ourselves comfortable by lounging around the place and drinking the local beer called 'HIT'. It was excellent and was surprisingly light on the brain next morning.