Day 21 - Phakding - " So close to the end" !

It's the town with the name that can bring a lot of westerners undone trying to pronounce yet after only 5 hours of walking it signalled the end but one day to our trek !

Our descent from Namache was such a delight after the ascent we'd struggled with over a week before !

There were still the frequent yak herds that stirred up chocking dust and the human "Mac" trucks to avoid i.e. porters carrying astonishing loads uphill - best was a guy carry 12 slabs of beer in a little basket strapped to his head - the gas bottles were a good 2nd !

We retraced our steps crossing over the first of 9 suspension bridges for the day before heading down to the river with one final look back at Everest - predictably with 50 Japanese trekkers clammering to take the same photo !

After some lovely river valley scenery, a few climbs, passing back thru villages we'd already seen on the way up we took lunch in Monju with my ankle beginning to play up after 19 days of trying to place size 14 feet on size 7 rocks !

We reached Phadking about 3 in the afternoon taking an easy arvo rest before catching up with a few trekkers heading upwards over dinner !

Some were hoping we'd tell them that it wouldn't be so cold up high (we didn't lie) or that the affects of AMS were overstated but I guess its important to be pretty truthful!

We bumped in one bubbly Aussie girl travelling by herself who has fallen in love with Nepal having undertaken meditation courses and Tibetan style hands on healing that she applies back in Melbourne !
Most impressive though was her desire to help out a local orphanage in Pokahra - only in her mid 20s she has raised a few thousand dollars to donate  to the orphanage following her EBC trek and plans on doing likewise in the future ! A person on a great journey to help others  less fortunate !

For us its only 1 day to go !

Michael -

Mixed feelings with trip soon to end although ankle problem is sign that this ol body is wearing out fast !

Amazing to talk to the Melbourne girl Libby last night that has such a strong purpose in life despite such as young age

Looking forward to some warmth or moving to Antartica one or the other !

Monika -

So close to the end now I'm finally feeling strong in my leg finding the walking much easdirer even surprising our guide !

Great talking to fellow trekkers hope i haven't scared them off as they climb higher !

Libby our Melbourne girl is a real star !