The goal today shifted a bit due to my stomach issues. We had about 3hrs left to ride on a windy bumpy road to get to Taplejung. We hoped to leave at 8am and get maybe four hours of hiking in once we arrived. As I packed up and moved around, my stomach started seizing again. I took an extra hour to lay down and let it quell before trying the drive, so we left at 9am. I sat up front and surprisingly handled it well. At least it wasn’t getting worse!
B-30 noticed that, although he’d mapped our track from Taplejung, our actual trek begins at Suketar Airport 4mi/7km outside of Taplejung. We would have flown directly into the Suketar Airport from Kathmandu if the 13 person plane hadn’t been sold out like a month in advance and only offered every few days. Our driver was able to drive us up to the airport, which was an additional 2,000ft/610m higher. Our driver charged $30 more for the 4mi/7km drive up the paved road to the airport. Buck-30, the accountant, counts every penny. He wants everyone to know, “We paid 16% extra for an extra 5% of driving.” That put the drive from Bhadrapur at 9hrs (not the 12hrs we had heard) and we paid $210. With how rough the roads were, and how far our driver is from home, that was a great deal in my opinion, but it’s all relative I guess and I have no idea what the going rate is.
So, as to our schedule, my stomach issues didn’t throw us hardly at all, whew! We may have hiked a few hours today if I was feeling ok, but distance wise, we are on schedule because we thought we were hiking to the airport.
I didn’t take many photos and won’t write much because I’m just depleted. We are staying at the Hotel Heaven next to the airport at the end of the road and just down the hill out of sight a bit. It has flushing toilets attached to each room, score! No hot water, but that’s the norm. I think the next chance for a warm shower is 3 weeks away in Lukla. The guesthouse we stayed at was a bit pricey (for out here) at $10, but we were willing to splurge. Especially when splurge out here is just a few dollars, ha. The beds were really comfortable with tons of blankets. I slept a ton.
I was able to eat three small bars today and two liters of water, but it all went right through me. I had a failed attempt at dinner. It was rice and vegetable curry. I could only nibble a few bites of it before my stomach started seizing again. I ended up going up to my room pretty quick as it went right through me. I went to sleep by 8pm shivering. Not from cold, but my body just reacting to the sickness. I do feel that the worst of it has passed, and I’m just depleted. The hope is that after a solid night of sleep, I can wake up early and get some food down before we set off. Good thing tomorrow is downhill!
Our guesthouse, Hotel Heaven.
I don’t know how you can do what you do being sick. I’m so impressed with your ability to stick with your plan and not leave. Congrats to you for making it this far. I will think of you when I do my 7 day backpack this summer. It will help me..guaranteed. Feel better soon.
Your ability to write a post while sick perfectly amazes me. Looking forward to hearing the stories!
My blog would have been two words: Sick day 🙁
And I want say thank you for blogging. I know you do it for yourself as well but it amazes me that even while sick you still put something together. I won’t asked where you composed this one at – may be TMI 🙂
You must have an internet connection, (and hopefully hot water too) finally! And this must be the daily’s catch up! Thank you for doing this, it really fleshes out the bones of your journey from your weekly summary writings. Love the photos : )
Sounds like Asia to me. Sorry to hear about your stomach ails. 🙁
Hugs to Wired, Mishlers
Oh sweetie, try to be gentle with yourself while you’re feeling depleted. Pausing to take deep breaths may help in affording your cells with much-needed oxygen.
Stay positive and strong <3
As others are, I’m amazed that you were able to write the very descriptive text you published. And I still can’t believe you three went KNOWING this would be an ever-persistent problem!
Hope Griggs is well enough to proceed with you two.
GoErinGo! – down the trail that is!
Thanks for the update and so sorry you are sick. Praying the rest of your voyage will be much more enjoyable.
Ugh, I’m actually glad your daily posts are delayed, as we now know from the weekly summaries that your sickness has passed!
I’m joining the chorus of everyone impressed that you keep writing while you’re sick, and that you don’t let it deter you from hiking. Go Erin!!
(And extra hopes that Griggs can get better soon as well!)
Your still my hero Erin. Hope you get better quick and things mellow out so this amazing place can open up to you guys. Have fun and look forward to your awesome posts. Peace, Wheelchair John 🙂
Namaste Erin,
I hope you are feeling better. May just need to get used to Nepali Daal Bhat.
Wish you all the best for GHT!