Tuesday : sunny, overcast

The drugs nurse Kim gave me worked for my crook tummy, but my headache was still pounding away. At least they knocked me out long enough for a decent sleep.

We were woken up slightly earlier than usual this morning, because our guide said the sky was clear. Through our window it looked like it was, but it was hard to get a good view with all the ice and snow that was covering it. We got packed up and went downstairs to meet in the dinning room.

Then we all went outside, wow! it had certainly cleared up, the weather had done a complete 180. After the blizzard yesterday, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, It was fantastic! The best sky yet. I notice Everest as soon as we left the hotel.

We went for a walk to view the mountains at Kala Pattar. The walk started with a trek through some awesome soft snow, then a 300m climb straight up. The snow was so soft, it was the awesome. The higher we got, so did the sun in the sky, making the snow all glittery. We got to a big flattish open area, and the guides said this will do. It was about halfway to Kala Pattar and it was perfect. I have never seen anything like it, except on post cards. Even they still didn't look this good. The views were stunning, crazy how different it had changed from yesterday. It was Michael's birthday today too, perfect bday present. We could see so many peaks, even a mountain called Ama Dablum. We were at its base days ago in Dingboche. That's also where we are heading back too today, looks like a long hike. We all took our photos, but our big lens had fogged up unfortunately, so we couldn't get the close ups, then we had to leave.

I didn't want to leave yet, you could say I was dragging my feet. The way down at least was a lot more fun, we were jumping and sliding down and landing in the slow.

At the bottom I diverted from the rest and headed to a frozen lake. That I noticed coming down the hill, and there were people walking around on it. By the time I got there the people had gone, but I had a little walk around the edges. Apparently the whole area was part of a glacier, we just couldn't see it with all the snow.

I headed back to the lodge and it was time for breakfast, more Vegemite toast, I still want to stay safe, for my stomach.

We soon left Gorak Shep for the long walk back to Dingboche. It started off really good, the sun was out everyone was throwing snow balls and enjoying the sun and snow.

A few hours later though it had started to get very warm, and the heat turned the snow pathway into mush. Making it very slippery and extremely wet.

By lunch at lobouche, the track was water, and we were having to make new tracks through the deeper snow. Making ourselves even more wet in the foot department.

It was a long walk to Dinboche, the closer we got, the thinker the clouds were too, making it cool again. So now we were cold and had wet feet.

It felt so good to arrive and take the shoes off. We got given our room keys, and then I went up the road for some snacks, and to pick up a beer for Michael's bday.

I came back and Kim had made my bed and packed everything away, such a sweetheart.

Ama Dablam had started to show itself too, so out came the camera again. Sitting there looking up at the mountain made me realize how far we had walked today. This morning up at the lookout all I got see was the tip way off in the distance. Now it's at our door step.

It was getting close to dinner. Kim and I just hung out chatting in the dinning room waiting for our clothes and shoes to dry.

Pizza for me tonight, with some of Michael's birthday cake, very nice. After dinner we had a small presentation thanking our porters and guides, for all there hard work. Lukpa and another guide Naboo are terrific. Very friendly and helpful. Lukpa's knowledge of the area is wonderful. Always knows what's around to go and see. He knows the names of all the mountains, we try and catch him out but he always comes up with the name and height. Who knows he's probably fibbing we don't know the names.

We then chatted some more playing cards in the dinning round, then got ready for bed. Had a funny chat with Ray, Micheal, and Tim for awhile outside looking up at the stars. Ray was a classic, he got stuck into the bday Scotch, and started talking showbags.

Eventually got to bed, another massive walk tomorrow. Heading back to Namche hopefully no more wet feet.