It was a beautiful morning when we left the Rhino Lodge at 6:3 a.m. this morning. The sun was out, it was still cool, and all the flowers were fresh. For many this is the last day of their holiday, but many continue their journey in different directions from Kathmandu. We are amazed at the stark differences between Nepal and India both in scenery, facial features of the people, typical houses, and the personality of the people. We are taking a new route through the mountains. Already we have seen several truck accidents, and we are just staring our climb up the mountain. We have passed agricultural terraces built in the side of the hills, electric green rice paddies, and have already formed the impression that the Nepalese are much more industrious towards their land in putting in an effort to grow produce and to keep everything clean and tidy. We came across a parade in Hetauda, passed gravel and cement quarries and watched the stones being carried up and over the mountains in cable cars. We came upon a bridge that had collapsed, many little mountain villages, and a military patrol. There were lots to see. We climbed up and over the Simbhanjyang Pass at 2488 meters. The scenery along the Tribhuvan Highway was breathtaking. We had lunch at Daman at 2322 meters, which has the best outlook in Nepal. Then we rolled down to the Palung Valley and the mustard, rice, and millet fields. We climbed again but this time the peace and quiet was gone and once again we were back in chaos as we entered Kathmandu. We transferred all bags over to a van as we had to empty the Truck and also the Truck couldn’t get to the hotel, then we walked to the Hotel Tradition in Thamel. At 8:00 p.m. we all met and went over to the K-Too Bear and Steakhouse for our departure dinner. And, yes, we did have steak…and it was delicious! We were sad to see many of the group leave us, but 4 of us remain to continue our journey to Xian.
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