After spending 3 weeks trekking through the Manaslu area and the upper half of the Annapurna area and after 2 extra days in Jomsom, we made our escape today. It was a bit of a small concern because winds and other normal weather changes could have easily delayed our departure.
By morning, though, skies were clear and winds light. Our small plane arrived around 7:25 am and we were loaded and roaring down the runway by 7:30. They don't waste any time turning the flight around.
By 7 am the dozen or so passengers had been issued boarding passes, our bags had been examined and each of us had been searched and frisked in a private room. We waited.
Eventually the plane arrived and taxied to the apron. We were led out and climbed into the plane as soon as arriving passengers had descended the ladder and meanwhile bags were stowed. The plane even kept one engine running. In 5 minutes, bags and people had been unloaded and loaded and we were running down the runway. It was quite efficient.
The 20- minute flight was slightly bumpy but uneventful. We got our packs and hiked the short distance into Pokhara. It was warm. For the first time in 2 weeks, my hands weren't cold. We had breakfast at a "German Bakery" (yogurt and honey on muslei .. excellent), went and found a room at the Hotel Yeti and set out exploring.
The contrasts with Kathmandu couldn't be more striking, but more on that later. Current plans are to rest, explore and do a several-day hike in an area an hour to the north.
The adventure continues.
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