While 'leaping' our way down the mountain for another 2315m (and enduring all the blisters - where is my blister cream?!?!) I met new climbers who are on their way up, panting, sweating, slowly ascending. I was like them just 7 days ago!

I saw an elderly man (in his 60s) among the climbers (in his 2nd ascending day perhaps) Somehow I just whispered in his ears "All the best sir! The return journey will be a very sweet one!"

Unexpectedly, he laughed and breathed out with all his might, "Haha I will bare that in mind!" And he continued to trudge his way up step by step, really slowly.

It was just a-few-second moment but I felt a warmth in my heart- this man deserve respect! I won't dare challenge Everest BC at his age!

He might be slow, but he will reach there as long as he doesn't quit - he doesn't look like he will.

My descend today took another long, boring and 'blister-bursting' 8 hours. But it was also a chance to reflect while on automatic descending mode (and listening to the beautiful symphony of the creamy river water gushing again!!)

I find it really fascinating- there is something inherently beautiful about the human lives... we just like to get better and better in the things we do.

Honestly, I don't enjoy climbing mountains... it's really hard, it makes u suffer and it takes a lot of time. But I just like to see how far I can push myself. How high I can go. How much stronger I can grow. How much more hit I can take. (And how many days I can endure not bathing, not eating the things I like... where is my bubble tea? [Without the bubble] =P )

My adventure is coming to an end. Just 3 more hours tomorrow morning and I will be back to Lukla - the starting point.

By then, I will officially double promote my 'Private' boots to a new rank of Sergeant since it has saved me a couple of times and endured all the dust and the occasional Yak poop stepping (or was it Mule poop?).

I got myself a new Everest Collar pin at Namche Bazaar onto my 'uniform' (the NSPI wind-breaker) which cost a huge US$4.50 for a pin... I hope I don't regret after checking the price again at Lukla or Kathmandu... it's impulsive buying... (the lack of O2 in my brain is clearly affecting my judgement)

Its good night for now.

I want to take a good shower tomorrow!!!!!!!!!