Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

Visiting Nepal is like an old dream comes true. This trip is 10 years in the making. Annapurna Sanctuary is my maiden trek in Nepal. The journey is adventurous and yet filled with breath-taking scenery, which at times, has its fair share of excitement and risk too.

Though the condition is harsh, we are rewarded with eight stunning snow alps - from Annapurna I (8091m) to Machhapuchhre (6993m), or best known as 'the Fish Tail'. Our ultimate destination is Annapurna Base Camp, which is 4095m above sea level. Some say a person would age after going up a mountain. However, I feel a new lease of energy flowing through me, providing a fresh zest for life, reinvigorating and revitalizing.

Annapurna Base Camp quest will never be an one-off destination for me, I shall return to appreciate the beauty and natural setting of Nepal once and few times more in the near future. After all, life is not about reaching a destination, but it is a journey.

11/11/08 Day 1: Singapore - Kathmandu, Nepal
12/11/08 Day 2: Kathmandu - Nayapool - Birenthanti
13/11/08 Day 3: Birenthanti - Banthanti
14/11/08 Day 4: Banthanti - Ghorepani
15/11/08 Day 5: Ghorepani - Chiule
16/11/08 Day 6: Chiule - Sinuwa
17/11/08 Day 7: Sinuwa - Machhapuchhre Base Camp (MBC)
18/11/08 Day 8: MBC - Annapurna Base Camp - Sinuwa
19/11/08 Day 9: Sinuwa - Jhinu Danda
20/11/08 Day 10: Jhinu Danda - Birenthanti
21/11/08 Day 11: Birenthanti - Nayapool - Pokhara
22/11/08 Day 12: Pokhara - Kathmandu
23/11/08 Day 13: Kathmandu - Singapore

Waiting at the airport. Quite ready to be taken off to the mountain side.

A view from the top. Truly inspiring..


First glimpse of the mountain range from the top. Don't you just fall in love with it immediately?

Kathmandu, Nepal. The city looks spectacular from the top.
Tribhuvan International Airport. One of the gateways to Nepal.

Waiting for luggage. The airport must have looked entirely different to 10 years ago.

All our luggage on the top of the van. Avoid bringing your expensive suitcases to Nepal as they will often get to bite the dust.


Streets of Kathmandu.
Our first night's lodging at a hotel names Manang. Don't expect too much when you are in Nepal. Just a place to rest and shower.

Next day, departing for ABC trek. There was a massive traffic jam, an unusual sight in the countryside.

Don't be surprised to find humans hanging on top of the vehicles. Common sight in Nepal, and the vehicle might be traveling at 65kmph.

A place for lunch. Getting used to the food in Nepal gradually.
Reached Nayapool after 7 hours of driving. Now gonna flex the legs muscles!

The first of many Nepalese children photos you will see in this photo album.
You see red hen..
..and white hen..
.. and bunch of people playing cards in the public. Not exactly an illegal act in Nepal.

Moonlight Hotel - Birenthanti (1000m)

The place we put up for our first night in the trek. Night time was so cold. As hot water is limited, never go for a full shower, just a body wipe is highly recommended. Keep your body warm all the time.



Adorable village kids were excited about being photographed.

A narrow path between two buildings.  I like the contrast of this photo.

Good morning children! Greeted by children who were on their ways to brush up.

Things are carried by both humans and donkeys. Beware of the animals' droppings on the trek.

Siblings rushing to school were stopped by me to pose for the camera!
Child labor??