On the trail back down to Naya Pul, we stopped here at Banthanti for lunch, where we had stayed on the way up. I love how precariously perched this guesthouse seemed. It also had the best food, I think, on the route. 

This is a shot of me and my frined and guide, Bhim Prasad Begale, from Nepal's Ghorka region. He's not unhappy, but Nepalis tend not to flash big toothy grins for photos...they take portraits as seriously as westward migrating American families in the early 20th century. 

Maoist rebel grafitti in Ghorepani. 

This is a photo of the valley that we trekked along, up, over, and then back down. Nepal trails are notoriously riddled with flagstoned steps, so this was much more joint-breaking than I anticipated. It took 3 days of beachside massages in Thailand to recover from the trek! (For more on Nepal trails see longer text entry below). 

Completed, refreshed stupa, Ghorepani. 

Updating a Stupa, Ghorepani. 

After sunrise, we had to start back the way we came, because the Maoists told us to, basically (see long entry further below). This turned out to be a good thing because I inadvertently deleted the 100+ images I had taken already up to that point, and enabled me to retake some photos from the trail. This is a detail of a stupa being refreshed in time for the Hindu Dasain festival starting the next day. Even though the stupa is Buddhist, and Nepal is a Hindu Kingdom, it is unique because its Hinduism and Buddhism are intimately intertwined and festivals for one religion typically incorporate reasons to celebrate the other.  

Before sunrise, Poon Hill, Annapurna Conservation Area, NW Central Nepal. 

Pre sunrise, continued.... 

Pre sunrise, continued.... 

Pre sunrise... 

Sunrise, continued... 

Sunrise, continued... 

Sunrise, continued... 

Sunrise, continued...