Okay, some scenic photos, finally.

By now, you're probably wondering if we saw any mountains on this trek. I haven't posted many scenic photos, mainly because my little point-and-shoot can't really capture the color and immensity of the scene. But since the scenery was the reward for the discomforts of trekking, I'll give it a try. Here are some taken from the 3-day trip up between Lukla and Namche Bazaar.

On the way out of Lukla, we passed through this gate. However, at this point, we haven't entered the Sagarmatha National Park. We're just getting a glimpse of the Himalaya but for a few days, we'll still be trekking in what is considered "hill country."



I wish I knew which mountain this is, but I don't. All I know is, it's not Everest : ) It doesn't matter though. They are all stunning.














This is our first view of Everest. You can only see the top of it over the ridge in front. It's the one with the cloud forming off the peak.
For the first several days, we trekked along the Dudh Kosi (milk river) and crossed back and forth across it several times (see previous post with the bridge photo). This photo doesn't do justice to the clarity and beauty of this river.




On the 2nd day (maybe the third?? I can't remember) we finally entered the Sagarmatha National Park. Sagarmatha is the Sherpa name for Everest. If I recall correctly, the name Everest came from the cartographer who discovered that it was indeed the highest peak in the world. I guess the more boring name stuck. Too bad. This is a building houses a museum and registration office. All trekkers had to have trekking permits registered at this office. They checked our permits again when we left but we got to keep them as souveniers.
Just past the registration office, is the main entrance. As you pass through, you can spin the prayer wheels (clockwise). I'll have more on this in a future post.










Signs here are always interesting. Read this one closely. It gives the rules to be followed while in this sacred park.
1. Refrain from taking life.
2. Refrain from anger.
3. Refrain from jealousy.
4. Refrain from offending others.
5. Refrain from taking excessive intoxicants.








Just past the entrance, we hiked down to the river. From here on out, we passed countless mani walls with the inscription Om Mani Padme Hum, a buddhist mantra or prayer that, evidently, has power in the number of times it is spoken. You pass with the walls on your right.
On the way into Namche, we saw a sign pointing the way back to Lukla. This sign will be a welcome sight when we visit it again on the descent. To us, it reads "This way to hot showers, real beds, and flush toilets" :