Thursday, 11 March 2010

TALKING THE WALK

DEBBY NG
There's a saying that goes, "Everything I needed to learn about life, I learned from my cat." I always thought whoever said that was exaggerating.
DEBBY NG
Knowing no borders, birds are the most well-travelled animals on this planet. Imagine the stories they could tell us if we just took a moment to listen.
DEBBY NG
The mission was to find dinner. I got a map from the hotel and became curious about the this ancient river that was so close to my hotel. So I made a detour.
DEBBY NG
"It's about time." I'm whispering to myself. No. I'm exclaiming out loud in my head! What took me so long? The last time I was here was on December 23, 2005. Three days before the Indian Ocean tsunami levelled the northern tip of Sumatra.
DEBBY NG
We're at the foot of the Gangapurna Mountain. I take a last look at Gangapurna glacier in the daylight. Tomorrow I will leave before sunrise.
DEBBY NG
It's been a day of nerves, physique and emotions. Beginning at 0730, Mukhiya and I ascended Gangapurna in search of Blue sheep and the elusive musk deer.
DEBBY NG
Julu Village. The warmest village in Menang district because it's sheltered from the wind. First snow fell this morning but the sun kept its rays up.
DEBBY NG
Today I trekked from upper Pisang to Ngarwal via Gyaru. Its old name is Yakru and some of the signs along the trail still bear this name.
DEBBY NG
"You need to learn some words." Mukhiya encourages. "One word a day. What do you say?"
DEBBY NG
Mukhiya began guiding treks into the Annapurna Mountains since he was 13 years old. He comes from a family of 13, had an arranged marriage at 22, and has 2 sons.