Monday 1 July 2013

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These first few pictures are of Ken's latest trip to Garambesi and the Sahodar meeting. This is the official sign being carried in on Chanman's back. Ken was quite pleased as he had left his umbrella behind so was able to use Chanman's!


Above is Chanman and the lady who originally employed the family. She and Ken were given the honour of unveiling the official sign which is now hanging outside the church. It is a copy of the one that is in the Pokhara office.


This is part of the group who attended the meeting and Tuk translating for Ken when he spoke.



These were rice paddies we saw fairly early in the journey. We didn't realise but they have several rice crops in a year, so although they were busy planting in some fields, they were harvesting in others. The buffalo we saw this time had a basket tied over their noses to stop them eating all the profits. We also saw rice lying along the side of the road. We thought that they were drying it there  because the ground is fairly damp underfoot, but Sue explained that they do this so the car wheels will thresh the rice!  I'll be making sure ours is doubly washed from now on!

This is one of the worst parts of the road. Pure mud and for a very short section one lane only as they work to complete a new bridge. We watched the motor bike slip and slide as it went through ahead of us. We had a fabulous view - front seats on the left hand side. There were places going up the final hill into Kathmandu which were nearly as bad.

This buffalo team is working in muddy water- we wondered how they don't get hoof problems.

There was an unusually large number of people crossing the muddy waters beneath.


Whenever we were awake we noticed people everywhere busy with the rice. Turns out we had chosen to travel on a national rice planting festival day.
Corn planted in the paddies.


These are two pictures of the final hill into Kathmandu. You should be able to make out the route zigzagging across the hill in the top picture.  At that point it flattens a little as it reaches the top.