Day 5 - Tadapani to Chhomrong

“If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.” - J.M. Power

5AM already! I have been setting my alarm to wake me at 5AM everyday. Early to bed early to rise and I may just catch the sun rise. “What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?” E.M. Foster.

Sunrise in Tadapani

Our bedroom had a cold damp feeling which made it difficult to sleep, sort of like sleeping in a cave. This part of the hotel does not get much sunshine so I assume that was the reason. We’ll off to breakfast - oat porridge and apple of course. We hit the trail at our usual time 7AM and walk pass what I think looks like a scare crow. I ask one of the locals, what’s that ? It’s a monkey man. A monkey man ? I curiously respond. What’s a monkey man ? It keeps the monkeys out of the fields. OK, I get it - a scare crow, I mean scare monkey.

Monkey Man

Today’s destination is Chhomrong, elevation 7,300ft (2225m). The trail starts off by going down for about 2.5 mils (4Km) at a loss of 2700 ft (823m). It wines through some of the largest most beautiful Rhododendron trees I ever saw. To see these bloom in April must be magical. Another trip possibly?

Rhododendron Forest

We eventually pop out of the forest back into the farming style landscape seeing the occasional farm proudly displaying perfectly manicured terraced fields. We spy a little dog just sitting and watching the trekkers march by - a treat is maybe what’s he’s after ?

Nice

Mountain Dog

For the next 3 miles (5Km) the trail goes slowly up.  Passing a few more waterfalls we arrive at another suspension bridge. Donna has gotten adjusted to crossing but, is always just a little apprehensive. Maybe I shouldn’t jump up and down on the bridge as she crosses.  Na, that’s just to much fun!


One of many waterfalls



Suspension Bridge

We eventually stop for lunch at the village of Churjung - Del Bhat of course. The taste of the Del Bhat is very familiar to what we had in Banthanti. Turns out the cook is the mother of the owner of the lodge in Banthanti. He learned his craft well. During lunch our guide adorns himself with some beautiful flowers. An improvement, perhaps?


The cook

Flower Power

To cute for words

A few more miles of up and down trekking, nothings flat in Nepal, and we reach our destination, the Panorama Point Lodge in Chhomrong. From our hotel we start to get a view of the narrow gorge we must hike through to get to our final destination - ABC. After we settle into our rooms we walk through the town which has a few shops, internet and a German bakery. No sweets now but, maybe on the way back. We did a quick blog update but, the internet is still very slow and a pain to use. Finally we make our way back to our hotel, get some ginger tea and relax in the common area.

Nice farm land

Working the land

Today’s hiking totals, 5 hours, 5.6 miles (9Km),

Today’s hiking totals, 5 hours, 5.6 miles (9Km) with a net loss in elevation of 1575ft (480m). Actual total ascent and descent was 2000ft (610m) and 3500ft (1067m). Nothing is flat in Nepal, you’re either going up or down.

Keep the faith, peace and love Tom and Donna