Having spent the night in Munjo, we only had a short day ahead of us to get back to Lukla. The walking was pleasant enough, even though the first hours of the morning had so many people on the trail that it looked more like a New York street than a corner of the Himalayas. At some point, we had to wait 20 minutes for a caravan of dozens of yaks and mules to pass us. In Lukla, we re-repacked and got ready for the highlight of the day, a giant party with the porters, sherpa and cook team (except a few who had already found new work and were going back up the hills). Alcohol, bad music and a newly found vigor from the lower altitude led us all to have a great time.

We caught an early flight out of Lukla the next morning and, thanks to good weather, had lovely views of the Himalayas on the way to Kathmandu. All I could think of, though, was the upcoming shower in the Summit hotel! Despite all sorts of plans to explore Kathmandu and make great photographs, I was so ill and exhausted that I spent most of my time relaxing in the very luxurious and beautiful hotel, only venturing to the chaotic Thamel for short periods of time.

And then, before we knew it, it was time to go. The airport, Delhi, Heathrow, Copenhagen... another epic 23 hours expedition, during which I apparently looked so sick that the check-in counter thought I wouldn't be medically fit to fly on the last leg of my journey!

It opened the door, dropped my bags and launched the computer to start importing photos. It was 2am, I felt awful and would need a couple of weeks to recover physically, but already, I wished I was back there, in those amazing mountains...

Interesting facial expression from this woman, shortly above Phakding.

Cultivated fields between Phakding and Lukla.

Either a Buddhist temple or a very cool house in the valley near Lukla.

The entrance to Lukla. We were officially done.

What I believe to be the summit of Karyolung, showing through the clouds above Lukla.

Lukla kids.

Their games seemed to involve a lot of racing each other.

Our ride back, the Twin Otter, in Lukla.

Unlike on the way in, we had a good look at the mountains during the half hour flight to Kathmandu.

Terrace fields on the way to Kathmandu.

Kathmandu skyline, seconds before touch down.

Our landing in Kathmandu, on a runway a bit longer than the one in Lukla!

One last look at the Himalayas from the airport. This is also the last photo I took on the trip.