15 MARCH, 2013 - CELEBRATING 50TH TWINS BIRTHDAY

Today is our 50th Birthday!!

Alison & Cameron celebrating 50th Birthday to you

The Ides of March.How thrilling for Cameron and I to celebrate our half a century together in a land of such exquisite beauty. I feel most blessed for the gifts of health,family and good fortune in my life. It has been tremendous spending the day with my twin trekking to Tengboche. Walking up and out of Namche,we encountered children thrilled at the prospect of a school day. I can only hope that Grade 10 in Calgary for Charlotte, Emma and Arden is being met with equal enthusiasm!

Mt. Amadablam – one of the most beautiful mountain in Khumbu

The remainder of the morning was a jaw dropping delight of hiking ever closer and closer to the vista of Everest and Ama Dablam. Adjectives to describe the blue of these cloudless skies seem so inadequate: lapis lazuli,sapphire,gentian. The contrast against the stark white peaks leaves one speechless.

Yak carrying loads

Through lush pine forests, budding rhododendron trees, melting snow and yak congested dirt trails we made steady progress to our lunch stop at Phunki Thenga. This is the last sign of life until our destination: trekker forewarned! Across another suspension bridge which Cam now informs me he loathes due to the swaying motion, we commence an endless ascent to the monastery of Tengboche.
Young men with 80kg loads of lumber slog past us with plimsolls as their footwear. Through the Kani gate we arrive into Tengboche. The monastery dominates a hilltop and we are fortunate to attend a 4pm gathering of the monks ,heralded by the blowing of two massive conch shells that echo through the valley. A meditation with the monks seems most fitting on this day.

Timber for building house in the mountain

Dinner is in a smaller sized common area where warmth is abundant as are accents from around the world . Tendi again outdoes himself. He has wonderfully arranged for a birthday cake and sings during its presentation with the added voices of hikers in the lodge. We are given silk scarfs for good luck and many wishes for happiness. Tendi, Dinesh and Mega Adventures have been most thoughtful. Cam slices the chocolate cake and all in the lodge have a taste!

Cameron and Alison slicing cakes for 50th Birthday

Sending loads of love to Calgary and Toronto .Onward and upward. Feet and lungs in great shape and spirits are high. Talk with you in 1000 meters! a c xx

Happy Birthday to Alison and Cameron

Tengboche Monastery