Walking to Tadapani

---

October 31, 2008 Friday 7:00 a.m. Day 11

Last night was the last night of festival. Bruce and I had 2 glasses of Raksi - local millet wine - and got sleepy, so we went to bed too early for Bruce who woke during the evening. I think Dilman and Dharma and Durga were partying because no one is around waiting on us yet. Today is supposed to be an easy uphill walk through deep forest. Originally noted as somewhat of a rest day. Bruce says his knees feel fine. This is our first day trekking without Jane and Dave, and the last day of October. Somehow having November finally here puts the end in sight. Wondering about home: election, kids, Philadelphia stuff in general.

12:30 p.m. Tadapani (Far Water) Day 11

It is a four hour walk climbing through forest from Ghandruk to Tadapani, first oak forest, then old growth rhododendron - very tall trees but the trunks are all woody and twisty just like rhododendron shrubs. We walked at a fairly leisurely pace and made it in good time, including a tea break at Baize Khaki (right outside Ghandruk) and then a coke break at “Lonely Planet Restaurant” about 1 hour before Tadapani.

We’re in the dining room where there’s a fire under the table. I had an apple pancake and Bruce had a potato vegetable Spring Roll. The ginger tea is very good, lots of ginger.

---