Lucky we had run into Laxman. My guide didn’t know this trail so we were off with Laxman and Sheldon. Sheldon’s wife had fallen ill so she and her friend went down to Jomosom by jeep. Too bad because accordi
This is Thor aka Sheldon an incredible mountain biker from the u.k.
ng to Laxman they are kick-ass mountain bikers. Sheldon and Laxman were quite incredible and I couldn’t quite believe some of the treacherous sections I (and my guide) had to gingerly climb down they had ridden down. I only wish I could have seen them do it. I was pretty scared on some very narrow tracks with any wrong move bringing serious consequences. No, mountain biking is not for me.
We left the others after lunch in Jomsom heading to Kalopani where the Tibetan plateau culture and ecosystem changes to what is called the subtropical. 15 kilometers before Kalopani it started raining and we were lucky to find accomadation in Tugche.
Sorry, it is Tukuche. Stopping here early has its rewards- like the amazing apple brandy, distilled right here. More importantly here, and all these places in the tibetan cultural area has reminded me of how wonderful these people are. Interesting though that Dussain the most important religious event of the Nepali calendar is celebrated here too, in a Buddhist area.
Many people come from all over to be in their native places for this holiday. In this guest house is a boy who grew up in Japan. He is now in a boarding school in Kathmandu and although he speaks perfect Japanese does not speak Nepalese. He is learning now. There are many of these cultural anomalies it seems in Nepal and many if not all youngsters here are studying in either Kathmand or Pokhara.
