Trek

Some of the purple sage and small yellow flowers on the Sham Valley Trek. A lot of color in these barren hills!

Chandrathal

We camped near Chandrathal Lake at about 14,000 ft. We were surrounded by snow covered mountains. Looked like weather moving in. Snow covered peaks in all directions.

The Dog

As previously mentioned this is the dog trying to herd us around with nips, body blocks, and barks but also the one to save the lambs from that Big Raven. He was grabbing Susan's shoe strings pulling her in the "right" direction. We discussed just going where he wanted us to go but we really didn't want to sleep in a sheep pen or with the Yaks that night!

He was sooo cute! Beautiful (but very determined) eyes. Look into my eyes -- Get in that pen Now!

The Raven

This Raven with ill intent approached these two small lambs who had wondered off on their own. Lalit snapped this photo moments before one of the herding dogs suddenly appeared on the scene. The lambs were OK. This was the same dog that was constantly trying to herd us too.

Sheep Butter

Susan is visiting the Nomad tents while the chairs are being test driven. She has found Sonam rolling the sheep skin full of milk making sheep butter! This is how it has been for centuries. We are so lucky to have Lalit as a guide, even knowing some of the nomads. The driver and the cook that Angchok sent with us grew up in this area and knew the language so we could communicate.

Nomads Discover Camp Chairs!

These guys were great! So much fun and interactive with us. Once they checked them out we think that every old guy in the encampment drifted into our site wanting to test drive these chairs and explore the mysterious netted cup pockets for any Chai or Chang. Wow, and we were there!

Shopping with Nomads

Susan posing with the man who sold her the displayed rugs. They are rustic but were woven in one of those low tents in the background. He is a natural, don't you think?

In Leh

We should be in very remote high elevation areas for nearly the next week, but we had to come down to Leh early. The first night camping way off road in a Nomad encampment at 15,500 ft did not go well for DB. First time any real altitude issues for him, but not too serious but we had to descend to Leh at 11,500 to start recovering. Our team - cook, driver and Lalit of course went and got fresh curd (yogurt) from the Nomads and our cook somehow had bananas and they plied me to eat curd and banana when it was the last thing I wanted to do! Yes Karen it was very good. I think the Nomads make exceptional curd!

The Nomads were a real surprise bringing things to our camp to sell .. Woven wool things. Two old men were circling our camp chairs and Susan said sit down. They did and grunted in approval but the little net pockets in the arms were a puzzle and subject of debate until Susan said Chai and they looked at each other and said Ohhh with big grins and nods of approval. Great time .. Wish we could have stayed longer! Susan was in her element buying woven wool wall hangings, rugs etc. going with the women to their tents, watching them make butter in a sheep skin being rolled back and forth. My altitude problems ended us up in touristy Leh long before we should have been here, but we are still shopping .. Buying jewelry etc from Tibetan artisans here. Beverly?? Shopping!! We can still go south next year to Rajasthan and Gujarat if anyone wants to go!

Currently enjoying Leh. Ancient Monasteries, but Very undependable power and Internet.

We have two local treks planned over the next two weeks. One has a pass to go over every day!

Love to all,

Darryl and Susan on the road.

JFG Tandoori To Go in India!

We spent a few days in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh before crossing the Himalayas, which was a nice place with a walking/shopping mall like so many towns in India are doing now. At least the ones that have many tourists.

Lalit and Babu went out one evening to get some tandoori chicken and it was handed to them in the bag below! Lalit saw Tennessee and brought it to us the next day. Too bad it's just decaf medium roast - Ha.