Khunde/Khumjung celebrations

Sunday 28th

A mini post today - it's been a full-on day, so mostly just a few snaps ...

I was going to call this post "Yaks in the Mist" for obvious reasons.

We were up at the crack of dawn (most of the crew seemed to be stirring a little after 4am), for an early trek up the ridge behind Namche, across the disused airstrip, and onto Khunde a little after nine.

Welcoming gate into Khunde

It was cloudy much of the day

First stop was a celebration of some 60 years of the Khunde Hospital. Lots of people.

On arrival at Khunde Hospital

Some of the assembled throng

Chatting with Peter Hillary at Khunde

After Khunde it was a quick stroll down to Khumjung, check into the lodge, quick lunch, off to Khumjung School for celebrations, back to the lodge to warm up (the temp wasn't much above zero by late afternoon), then off to the monastery for more celebrations. It's been a big day, so not much commentary, just a few photos.

Fairly typical Khunde/Khumjung scene

Group photo in front of Khumjung School

Hillary statue at Khumjung School

Winners of one of the competitions

Traditional welcoming party at the monastery

The upper room of the monastery

Avalokiteśvara

Main monastery hall, with yeti scalp in pride of place!!

Great day. Fabulous to be welcomed as part of the celebrations. Similar day coming up tomorrow.

Until then ...