Day 2, annapurna, nepal- the start of something amazing

Annapurna Circuit:

via

Day 2:  Bhulbule to Jagat

Since we arrived in Bhulbule so late in the evening, 

we decided against starting the trek

(remember Kauai, here and here)

I woke up the next morning at 4am hoping for a grand sunrise,

and waited patiently for the fiance to wake up.
Eventually he arose from his slumber at 5:30am
(translation: I disturbed his slumber)
and was informed that there will be no amazing sunrise with mountains blocking our view.

I also learned the morning routine-

tea and breakfast

purify water

brush teeth

pack bag

The first day of trekking was miserably HOT.

We were surrounded by gorgeous rice fields (Bali has nothing on Nepal),

and little villages.

Unfortunately, they have started building a road up to Manang (one of the villages higher in elevation).

so much of our shade had been chopped down.

Despite the heat and construction,
my spirits were soaring.
I was in the middle of nowhere.
no phone. no internet. no tv.

just me. the boy.
and this beautiful little place we call Earth.

we trekked from 7:30am to 5:30pm.

While my spirits flew high, I learned that my hiking boots were too small for my feet.

(I have feet issues)

so, I ditched my boots,

and traded them for my Teva's.

These water shoes have been a life saver in all treks since...

Throughout the entire day,

we saw only two other tourists,

and only a few local villagers.

and, although the trek had just started,

we were already so far away from the world.

It was a feeling I am, unfortunately, unable to put into words.

We retired for the night in Jagat,

lucky enough to pick a brand new guesthouse,

with gorgeous views of the river from the window.

This was the cleanest guesthouse of the entire trip...

side note:

although this guest house was shiny and clean,

I had an irrational fear that the hotel would simply fall off the side of the cliff into the raging river.

falling assleep that night was not easy.