The Shangri-La Less Travelled
(Also published with huge edits in the Kathmandu post as a photo story, follow this link .) Before your eyes is a breathtaking view, probably one that falls among the most spectacular of nature's creation that you are ever likely to witness. In front of you is an enchanting lake whose colors you have not quite been able to put a name on. Blue, purple, turquoise, brown, black...! Lake Phoksundo keeps changing its shade and there's a different color wherever you put your eyes on. The lake is surrounded by massive picturesque cliffs that juts towards the sky as far as the eyes can see. On top of everyone of them is sheer white snow that seems like a finely adjusted cap with little rivulets running down their crevices. And beyond these cliffs are real snowy mountains. The Kanjiroba range stretches leisurely all along the Northern side of this already compelling view. Now, unglue your eyes for a while and turn your back. What do you see? A dream like little hamlet with thatch...