A Hike Through Himayalan Shangi-La

Yesterday a small handful of us did a 12K walk (8 miles) through the most beautiful countryside that I literally have even seen. Pristine beauty, deep silence and feelings of ancient tradition permeated the air.

We walked through tiny villages that gave the impression that nothing had changed for hundreds of years. Women were singing and chatting as they worked in the rice fields. We crossed rustic stone bridges, huge lichen covered boulders. We saw the regional bird - the Himayalan Monal (mini-peacock) scitter through the underbrush.

We rested near a small waterfall (one member stripped down and enjoyed the rushing water) passed a small Shiva temple, enjoyed a cup of chai with local villagers who were eager to share with us and then reluctantly returned to "reality" four hours later.

Here are some photo highlights of the hike. Notice the woman in the tree below. She was cutting fodder for her livestock. When we asked her how she got up the tree she pointed to the neighbouring tree branch she had jumped from!

My IPhone camera hardly does justice to the sweeping panoramic views

Rice fields and the laborious work of hand planting

It was a little too cold and rainy for me to swim

Our friend Bikram takes a head shower!

I always have a soft spot for dogs and this one looked so regal--part lion??