From Namrung 2630m we followed our way up to Shyala 3500m. A climb of 900m but following easy roads up and down but in the end going more up. We came through beautiful villages and we were surrounded by mountains. Towards the lunch we got our first glance of Manaslu, the 8^th highest mountain in the world! We arrived in Lho 3180m. for the lunch break. The cosy living-room-like dining hall had a perfect view of Manaslu in the blue sky. A lovely Dal Bhat to fill my tummy before taking off to go to Shyala. We decided to stay in Shyala because then we could go to the Punge Gumpa for a day hike, the next day. Plus, it would be extra acclimatization time since we are now above 3000m. The way to Shyala went through a fairytail forest with a frozen river.

The hotel was amazing, mostly because we were fully surrounded by beautiful mountains! At night they seemed to shine in the light of the moon and the amount of stars was beyond my imagination. I made the mistake to wash my hands, it was needed for sure but my hands were literally freezing cold afterwards. Happy that they put on the fireplace I warmed my hands and tried to dry my sweaty hiking boots. I was excited for the next day; a day hike with Sandip because Dain needed an extra day rest, it was going to be loads of fun hihi.

It was the 7^th day of the two-week trekking. Today a new record would be set; Amy who lived her whole life 50m above see level would climb high till 4080m woop woop! We left our big bags at the hotel and only brought water, camera, some snacks, our winter coats, gloves and a hat. Let’s go, zam zam! It was about a 2 hour climb up and another hour over the highlands of the Himalayas. The way started through a forest, crossing a sort of large river area and followed up through highlands. Around 4000m there were no more trees. The cold air was filled with a sort of pinewood smell from the bushes around us. We hiked to the foot of Manalsu while we were surrounded by mountains and blue sky. The rivers and waterfalls were partly frozen which didn’t add up with the lovely warm sun on our backs. We arrived at the Punge Gumpa and took a break for photo’s and snacks before hiking back down. In the summer, monks would live in the little houses build against the rocks, it was peaceful and mostly far away from society or any village, there was nothing but the mountains and the highlands. We hiked down fast, very fast and got back in Shyala around 13. It was the first time this trek that we were actually faster than mules haha.

Dain already had lunch so he made his way to Samo Gau 3550m by himself, which was a short easy hike. I treated myself to a plate of fried potatoes and cheese for lunch and thanks to Sandip, secretly got the wifi code hihi. This was the only place where I had wifi during the trek. After the lunch we also left for Samo Gau (gau means village) and arrived about 1,5 hours later. Samo Gau was a village that would be shown in open air museums in Europe! It had the most beautiful stone houses with perfect collected wood stacks, a little river and I don’t know it just made sense. The rest of the day was spent next to the fireplace with the usual card games and conversations.