Nepal 16, Easy Hike day 2

Up at 5.30 am to catch the sunrise over a rather misty valley, breakfast and then we sorted our bags and evened out the weight a bit between us.
I knew it would be a long hike today as we had about 20k to travel and it would be undulating. Unfortunately undulating also means up! Never mind! We set off along a large track and into the National Park. Several jeeps went passed and SanchaRam asked me if I wanted to hitch a lift for a few miles, I was feeling good at this point so I said no. What I didnt realise there was another reason for this and I wish he had said.
We walked not talking much, just looking at the scenery.
Passing waterfalls along the way we visit the Dhap Dam peaceful and misty in the early morning.

Futher along SanchaRam suddenly turned off into a damp area of dried up reeds or iris and started digging with a stick. What was he doing?

Bojo grass apparently, the rhizome (Acorus calamus) is used as a sore throat pain killer. I loaned my pole to aid the excavation of a few inches of root. The roots have a sweet, slightly antiseptic smell. He washed his hands in a stream and he pocketed the precious root.
I started to get very hot, the uphills were very slow but, I had my pace now. We went off the track and onto trails and some of these seem to have stones laid down to prevent the area from getting muddy but, it was also an ankle turner, so I had to look down all the time and that’s when I saw the soil was glittery. At first I thought it was broken glass, but surely it cannot be everywhere! Then in one area I saw great flakes of the stuff, it was mica I think, naturally occurring in the soils. Maybe it was gold and I missed my chance!

Before lunch, a European Hiker overtook us at quite a pace with two Nepali guides trailing behind. We also picked up a stray dog who seemed to like being near SanchaRam although I don’t think the feeling was mutual.
We stopped for lunch and there was the super fast hiker with 5 others, all from Czechia.
I had another big plate of noodles but these didn’t agree with me, not delhi belly but, not easily digested I think.
The second half of the walk was tiring and a long uphill stretch, we parted from the other hikers (heading for the same destination, the dog went with them) as we went off road and back into the Jungle.
I’m so pleased we did, we came across a school with an interesting building.

Prayer flags in one glade and then a lovely heath area. SanchRam told me there would be a bit more uphill but, he thought I could do it. I’m not sure what would have happened if I couldn’t.
It got so steep at one point I would dig my pole in and use it to lever me up. I was worried about falling backwards into a ravine.
Finally at Nagarkot I was expecting another Tea House and hoping it would have hot showers. I was very tired.
My expectations were surpassed by a superb hotel the Fort Resort with fantastic views across to the Himalayas.

SanchRam looked at me nervously as we entered the foyer, then said apologetically ‘ Sorry more steps… you’re on the top floor!’ I didn’t care if it was on the moon as long as there was a hot shower!
At Dinner I found out why my guide had been anxious to hitch a lift at the beginning of our trip, his father had been taken into hospital! He explained it was too late for him to leave that evening but, he would leave me in the care of the driver taking me to Baktapur in the morning. I felt quite sad for him.