Day 6 - an acclimatisation day of firsts

An acclimatisation day in Namche Basar as we got to grips with the altitude and did a small trek up a couple of hundred metres around the bowl of Namche.

After another early night we were up early and breakfasting at 7am.  One or two are beginning to feel the effects of the altitude so some didn't have a great nights sleep.  

We were off at 8pm for an acclimatisation walk where we headed up to the Tenzing Norgay cultural centre.  There we found a statue of Tenzing along with.......... our first view of Everest.

 Statue of Tenzing Norgay with Everest in the background:

Everest on the left:

The team in front of Tenzing's statue with Everest in the background:

We then went into the cultural centre where there was information on the Sherpa people (people of the East - Sher (from the east) - pa (people).  A model of Everest and lots of information on the successful Everest climb in 1953. 

After an hour we were off trekking for a couple of hours where we saw yak's dung (they burn it instead of wood in winter) being dried on the side of houses (see below):

We had a fabulous view of Namche from above but unfortunately the cloud started to close in so views became somewhat limited after that:

Lunch was not particularly local (Pizza) but it will be our last opportunity for some western food.  It was very good.  Whilst having lunch a lovely lady came to chat who works for a charity in Namche and had summitted Everest in May of this year.  She was fascinating and we spent lunch listening to a step by step account of her ascent.  After lunch we went shopping in Namche and a few of us went to sample the renown Namche bakery for the world famous chocolate carrot cake and apple strudel (which didn't disappoint):

The other first of the day was our first sighting of a Yak.  This wasn't the one but this picture was slightly more ornate and one we bumped into him on our way to the museum.

Last event of the day was to head to the Everest museum.  It was fascinating and we spent over an hour learning about Sherpa culture, the history of ascending Everest and some of the famous climbing Sherpas.  

Entrance to the museum and more prayer wheels:

We are now all back in the hotel where we will have supper and then bed.  A great day to take things a little more slowly.  There are so many pictures I could post but sadly the wi-fi would crash if I attempted it!