When in doubt, look confused. Day 24

We arrived in Chhomrong just after 11 AM. The International House's patio looked inviting for lunch and a good spot to hang, rest and reevaluate. Did we want to stop there or hike on? Weren't totally sure.

After looking at maps yesterday, it became clear that we were valley hopping...traveling up over ridgelines then down through the valleys, only to head uphill to the next ridge and so on. As the crow flies, you don't make much headway. On foot though, those switchbacks add up to amazing distances.

Today we left Tadapani (far water) high on it's ridge, switchbacked down to yet another rickety, wooden suspension bridge, and headed up the next hill. It was a short but steep day. We stayed primarily in the jungle, at times wandering through people's private yards. When in doubt we'd say, "Namaste," and then say, "Chhomrong?" Looking confused always helps. We'd be waved through their gates and shown with a swoop of the hand where to go.
"This would not fly back home," Kevin mentioned.
"No. This is called trespassing."
Kevin went on to mention a few friends of his who, while hiking, ended up on private property. They set up camp and unbeknownst to them, pissed off the wrong people. Shortly after, a police officer escorted them away and they were detained for the evening. Here in Nepal, they'd most likely ask you what country you are from, where you hiked from, your names, then warn you of the man eating wildlife. No police needed here.

Speaking of wildlife...
Today during a rest stop, I spotted something ahead of us. A whole lot of somethings. Not far ahead on the trail was a troop of monkeys. Macaques to be exact. They were fairly large and nimble. We "ooh-ed and aww-ed," as they climbed vines and leapt from branch to branch. This was my first wild monkey spotting! Actually, we saw some in Kathmandu, but that place is a zoo so it didn't seem to count.

With the nice weather, we will continue up to Annapurna Base Camp. The trails are nice so we should enjoy them while we are in the area. Had considered speeding along, combining some of the shorter days. That might allow us to get back to Pokhara, Kathmandu, and maybe onto another trek. Maybe. Even with the rushing though, there may not be enough time. We will see. For now, we will hang in Chhomrong eating fruity cake and chocolate cake.

*as I wrote "nice weather" clouds rolled in, thunder echoed through the valley, and a monsoon like rainstorm kicked in, full force.