Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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Big Boy
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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It's obviously what they've grown up with, but how do they sustain life there? There's obviously no industry (not in your photos anyway :D), so how do they earn money etc? Are the buildings all visitor accommodation, and they rely on tourism? Beautiful to visit, but I don't see much life as we know it.
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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lindosfan1 wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:55 am Buksida, do you know how high were you in the mountain shots? by the pictures you must have been very high.
It was over 3km elevation at that point, but we'd be going higher.
Big Boy wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:55 am It's obviously what they've grown up with, but how do they sustain life there?
Livestock plays a big role, particularly goats and yak. Very little grows and there isn't enough tourism for everybody, Thailand it is not - no fancy SUVs, Shih Tzus or iPhones up there!
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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buksida wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 10:33 am
Big Boy wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:55 am It's obviously what they've grown up with, but how do they sustain life there?
Livestock plays a big role, particularly goats and yak. Very little grows and there isn't enough tourism for everybody, Thailand it is not - no fancy SUVs, Shih Tzus or iPhones up there!
Thank you - it fits. Mind you, I doubt they've got much to worry about with Covid-19.
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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Big Boy wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 10:49 am Mind you, I doubt they've got much to worry about with Covid-19.
Apart from all those bloody bikers! :laugh:
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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The next morning yielded an even more spectacular view as the 6,920 meter Tukuche Peak revealed itself to the north in the crystal clear morning light. Next to it was the seventh highest mountain in the world, Dhaulagiri I at 8,167 meters.

We had not seen this mountain yesterday due to the heavy cloud in that direction. I was back on the roof again shooting as the wind blew snow drifts of the peak into the crisp cerulean sky.

I took a walk to the next village which was also largely deserted; you really get a feeling of isolation up here as the living conditions are much tougher, and this was springtime.

I was reluctant to leave this special place at the Kalopani Guest House but the road beckoned and today would take us across the Himalayas and to our highest point on the trip at just below 4,000 meters.

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To follow: Kalopani to Jomsom
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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Stunning photo's buks! :thumb:
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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I'm climbing the walls after just 6 hours and 28 minutes of lockdown. The people in some of those dwellings must be locked down for weeks, at least every winter.
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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Great photos again. Thanks.
Will take something to top this trip :thumb:
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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huahinjim wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:01 pm Will take something to top this trip :thumb:
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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dtaai-maai wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 9:48 pm
huahinjim wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 8:01 pm Will take something to top this trip :thumb:
road trip.jpg
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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Great narrative,and excellent photographs as always,,,,,looks an amazing place.
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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We motored out through tiny rural villages that were taking on a more Tibetan appearance than Nepalese, and tackled another suspension bridge that was a breeze compared to the one in Kushma. It was here that we had the first flat of the trip which allowed for another photo session.

This was more of a back road route as there was no traffic on it and a lot of the riding was on goat paths only wide enough for a motorcycle … and goats. Since the distance wasn’t too great today it would be all about stopping for photo opportunities – and there were a lot of them.

The coloured Tibetan prayer flags were becoming a prominent feature of the landscape. Each colour signifies an element and the flags are always arranged in a specific order, from left to right: blue, white, red, green, yellow. Blue represents the sky, white the air, red fire, green water, and yellow symbolizes earth. All five colours together signify balance.

We motored on to a flat expanse which appeared to be the bottom of the valley for a group shot with one epic backdrop and some gratuitous bike porn. Following the photography we powered across the valley floor to a tiny ramshackle village where we could refuel from Coke bottles. The locals would wander out to see what all the fuss and dust was about and we were soon on our way again as the torpor of rural life resumed.

We rode through the picturesque town of Marpha with its tiny medieval stone paved alleys and Tibetan stone houses, powered through a number of rivers, and on to Jomsom where our permits were stamped for entry into the Lower Mustang area.

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To follow: Muktinath
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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A couple of questions please:

Are you taking the scenic route, or are there proper roads? (I think you probably answered that one when I asked about an alternative to the first suspension bridge).

If you are, in fact on the main highways, how do they get things like petrol there?

Were you paying premium prices because of logistical difficulties?

Was the lady selling bacon a midget, or are Nepalese naturally small?

Shocking pink in the middle of the beautiful scenery. I guess they don't need any specific planning permission.
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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Most of it was the "main road" and the only way up there though we did venture on to the odd goat track when we could.

Yes, everything up here was at a premium, like being on a remote island.

I think the bacon lass was particularly small.

They seemed to like painting their buildings gaudy colours, whereas rural Thais go for the 'unfinished cement look'.
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Re: Photo Trip Report: Riding Across Nepal

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buksida wrote: Fri Mar 27, 2020 9:14 am rural Thais go for the 'unfinished cement look'.
:lach:
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