Today we set out on what was to be one of the highlights of the trip - a hike to the Tigers Nest Monestary. This Monestary, which dates back to the seventeenth century, is built on a rock face 10,000 feet up. It is almost completely inaccessible, by design, and is a testament to how serious they are about monestaries in this part of the World.
The hike starts gently enough at around 7,000ft. That's why Carol is smiling.
But quickly steepens into a major haul up the mountain in rough, rocky terrain. At this altitude the climb takes your breath away almost immediately and we needed to stop to gasp breath along the way. This was a major hike!
After a brief stop at a cafe half way up, and 2 hours later, we finally arrived at the outlook over the monastery - it was breathtaking (in more ways than one!).
This picture was taken from across a ravine that separates the trail from the monastery. Next was to hike down and climb a series of steps (1000 in total) up to the actual building where we toured inside (actually, Carol toured, I sat outside to admire the view). It was a real thrill to achieve our goal of getting to the monastery. Some on the tour didn't make it and turned back. Some were ordered back by the doctor. Some who you would have bet would not make, did, by sheer determination.
After a too short period of jaw-dropping wonderment, the thought came into my head - oh dear, we need to go all the way back. It turned out that while not as breath-zapping, the hike back really took its toll on the knees and calfs and by the time we got back my legs were no longer functioning. It must have been an amusing sight to see me try to walk without bending my knees. Carol did much better.
That was the hardest hike I've ever done. It was probably no more than 1.5miles each way but a 3,000ft altitude change, in hot weather, to 10,000ft. We each went through about six bottles of water along the way.
The beer back at the hotel went down a treat. This was what you'd call a "grand day out".