Nepal 2019 - Day 21 - Thame to Namche to Lukla

 Thame to Lukla

The previous night was difficult to sleep only because I was thinking constantly about the last few weeks. I had to admit that I was a little homesick since I didn't have any target in front of me anymore. It was just about getting back to Kathmandu. I wanted to speak to my wife with whom I hadn't spoken since Day 3 of  this journey. I looked at my itinerary and budget was well within the expenses. For the first time, I decided to get a Wi-Fi card as it was quite cheaper in Thame than some of the higher altitude located villages. I called her and spoke deliriously for the next 30 mins. She was relieved to hear my voice and see that I was physically alright. There wasn't enough data limit to explain my experience in detail but I promised to share as many pictures as possible. We discussed about the flight from Kathmandu and I had to book a flight from Lukla if I had to make the KTM flight back home. She decided to book my tickets for the next day as my flight to Delhi was in 2 days. There was no stopping in Namche but straight to Lukla from Thame.

The lodge owner who was a humble but a bad-ass dude who had climbed Everest a few times confirmed the route. There were two different trails out of Thame, one to Namche and the other past the villages of Kongde and Toktok to just north of Phakding where it met the main trekking route. 

The trail went along the valley wall passing small villages tucked into the corners. At one point, I was stuck behind a Yak train. I was a little more mistrustful of these animals with previous experiences. At the end of the day, I was walking on a steep narrow section while passing these beasts. I also bumped into a Korean who was also doing the 3 high passes from Jiri. Both of us high-fived each other as were the only ones each of us had met with that route. We caught lunch together over some exchange of information before I carried on. There wasn't much elevation gain and soon I reached Namche Bazaar. From there to Lukla, I retraced the trail I walked nearly 2 weeks ago. 

I dropped into Namche for a bit and had my first beer of the trip. It was definitely worth it, remembering the last few weeks with each sip. I started my descent to Lukla and was hoping to get there around evening for some rest and celebration. I got stopped at the checkpoint just south of Namche where they checked my documents and recorded my safe return in their books. You could see a poster of two missing persons rom 2014, a grim reality of the regular accidents in the Khumbu region.

Before long, I passed through the village of Phakding and a quick descent and a final uphill got me to to Lukla. A very bustling area with tons of souvenir shops and lodges. I got lucky with one just adjoining the airport.

I checked in hoping for a hot shower but I wasn't that lucky. What I did get there was unlimited Wi-Fi and a dining room full with people indulging in story telling, planning their journeys and overall making merry. I had a couple of Kiwis join me and we indulged ourselves to copious amount of Raksi before I excused myself as I had an early flight.