Annapurna Circuit in Omar's Pictures

Alison already posted a riveting account of our ups and downs on the circuit. Here are some of my favorite pictures that I took on the hike along with stories about them as needed.

From Kathmandu the Annapurna circuit begins with a 6 hour bus ride along treacherous roads and unprotected cliffs. After all, nothing is flat in Nepal. Fortunately for us our bus was emblazoned with this goddess that kept us safe the whole time. Her third eye must be able to see those vehicles passing on blind corners.

Our trek started at low altitude with lush greens and warm weather. It could have been the entrance to Yosemite valley for all I know.

The waterfalls here rival those of Yosemite as well. The trek has amazing waterfalls every day.

The first of many suspension bridges that we had to trek across. They get really wobbly as you keep walking on them and are very windy in the middle, but it's all part of the excitement. The good news is they appeared structurally sound!

Most significant towns have entrances that let you know a tea house is not far. This is the town of Tal. Notice the bit of smoke in the hill...

Turns out the whole hill was on fire. But according to the locals this was normal and nobody was worried about it. “It happens all the time,” we were told, “go to bed."

This cutie pie let me take her picture in Dharapani. We spent an extra day here waiting for Alison’s parasites to stop partying.

Rhiannon almost adopted a goat in Dharapani. Too bad the goat didn’t understand English.

Our hosts at the Dharapani Lodge. They cooked us delicious meals for two days.

Eventually we would make our way to Thanchok to find another tea house.

Our great cook in Thankchok. This kitchen is a window into Nepali life. A lot of cooking is done with fire and tea house owners appear to be the wealthiest in town.

Who doesn’t love a mule with a giant bell. Most horses, donkeys, and cattle seem to have them in the mountains here.

A giant prayer wheel in the town of Chame. I was praying for no parasites, but I must have done it wrong.   :(

Another suspension bridge over the Marsyagdi River.

Isn’t Yosemite great. Oh yeah, I meant Annapurna. It just felt like home!

Of course the prayers carved into the slate and welcoming us into towns, reminded us that we are not home. This is Nepal and it's amazing.