From Kathmandu we traveled to Pohkara by plane and then by bus to Phedi, where we started our trek.

The Annapurna region was far different than I had imagined. From rice fields to tiny villages to large ones where you could pretty much find anything (maybe I'm exaggerating a little here but you can catch my drift), to rainforests, to glaciated mountains, this is one diverse trek.

The rainforest is indeed beautiful and rhododendrons here grow quite larger than I ever imagined. They must be quite the sight when in bloom.

There were leeches everywhere and I cannot imagine anyone trekking throughout the Annapurna Conservation Area and getting out without a leech bite.

The views were pretty incredible, but Machhapuchhre (aka Fish Tail) was definitely my favorite mountain.

The trail is well maintained, this is not quite the wilderness experience and yet it is awesome...and at least in the direction we traveled the going is pretty easy.

Assorted anecdotes:

So one day on the trail I ran into two ladies from China wearing matching shirts for a Tex-Mex restaurant. I asked them were one could find such a place and they proceed to tell me they own a chain of Tex-Mex restaurants in China. I promised to visit if I ever make it to China.

On the next to last day I came upon a child grabbing a bull by the tail. His body was flailing but he would not let go of that bull. Eventually the bull won and the boy fell to the ground.

We spent an afternoon in the village of Ghorapani. There we went to a museum. Outside of the museum my friend Clarke stood in front of a pair of horns, and thus the legend of the Yamaraj (The Lord of Death) was born.

Next stop: Pokhara