I eventually did get my laundry and I must have looked pretty pissed off, because they gave me a 20rs discount. Having not even asked, I was surprised as it was the first time I had been given money for, well nothing. I usually pick up laundry around 8-8:30pm at night, so 9pm is quite ok anyway.
Today's plan was to climb Sarangkot and spend the night there. Talking to the pom that owned the hotel, I discovered that the past two mornings had been really clear - something that hadn't happened for months. Hopefully it will be good for me...
At 5,500ft Sarangkot was a pretty daunting task and I wasn't particularly in the mood after the Peace Pagoda search. Taxi's around here seem dead-set against the meter and wouldn't go any lower than 5 bucks just to get to the trail start point. For some reason, it was only a dollar more to get to the top so I opted for the easy path, vowing to climb down tommorrow. My stuffed pack was another incentive for this idea.
Half-way through the trip I realised that it was only 11am - I had catered for 5 hours of walking before I reached the village on the ridge. I was going to be stuck on the top of the mountain for the whole of the afternoon. These thoughts were lost as the taxi hit the mountain road - it was hectic! There were that many blind corners on this narrow road that the driver was actually going slow and beeped precautiously around every corner. Occasionally a tourist bus would come down but even they were being just as careful.
Dropped off, I was instantly surrounded by touts for food and lodging. Refusing, I quickly headed off up the trail and was in agony after 30m! Glad I hadn't attempted to climb in the heat, I had a refreshing sprite in a small shop overlooking the valley. There were a dozen Parahawkers using a thermal right next to me. You could see all the hawks flying with them.
The range of mountains were covered by clouds by the time I could see any of them, but this is usual in the best of weather. I checked in to a lodge - 4 dollars for a nice room with toilet and kickass views! I kept thinking how there was no way you would get this back in Australia. But again there was a thin haze of dusk - the views were awesome but I had an inkling of dissappointment as they weren't the best. After some nasty chicken momos I had an afternoon siesta, setting the alarm for 1/2 before sunset.
I was woken early. Dazed and a bit tired, I wandered outside to see everyone rushing around putting chairs inside, tying things down and locking up. Then I heard a huge clap of thunder - on the other side of the mountain everything was dark grey! Oh crap! I freaked out a little as I wasn't keen on getting stuck on the mountain top during a storm. Thankfully an Indian tourist told me that it would just rain for an hour, nothing serious. The words were like a blessing. Plus with all the rain the dust was settling and the view of the valley was opened up. And my walk would have been a disaster! I huddled on the patio for a while before retreating back into my nap.
With the rain at full pelt there was no chance of a sunset, but I was content. I could see a few snow-capped mountain peaks from the side of the lodge, but in the rain I had no plans to go right to the viewpoint. Instead I settled in for some noodles and chocolate pancakes overlooking the valley as all the lights came on. Was great.
