A visit to Thame Monastery. ex-Marine and I didn’t go into the Monastery with the group. (A big case of been-there-done-it.) It was a cold but dry, crip morning and the thought of taking boots off and walking into the Monastery with bare feet didn’t excite us. Instead, spent the time outside with Sherpa Lo Pa, spinning prayer wheels (always clockwise) and taking in the views.

After our Thame Monastery visit, we headed to Khumjung at 12,475′. There is also a Monastery/Gompa there which had (“so they say”) the skull of a yeti or abominable snowman. It was analyzed by scientists and the scalp is from a member of the antelope family. It’s still a good story though.

outside Thame Monastery with Lo Pa, Nepal 

prayer wheels at Thame Monastery, Nepal
Back on the same trail from Thame that we had taken to get there, branching off before Namche Bazaar, past some absolutely beautiful Buddhist rock art.

Buddhist rock art near Thame Monastery, Nepal
It was a steep climb of about one hour until we passed the airstrip at Shyangboche built to serve the Hotel Everest View. Khumjung was going to be our campsite and even more wonderful views according to Sanjeev. There was also a primarily school and a high school there built by by the Himalayan Trust for the Sherpa children. Before these schools were built, the children had to board at schools a week’s distance away. …View image… It was a large village with outstanding views of Ama Dablam.

Khumjung camp site, Nepal

just sitting and admiring the Himalayas at Khumjung, Nepal
Finally, ex-Marine is starting to feel better. Good thing because our next destination, Tengboche, is higher!