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This morning was our first overcast but mild morning. Luckily the rain held off while we birded until we were under the tent for breakfast. Remarkably we found a second White-bellied Heron has we stood high above the Mangde Chhu (river). In the rain a black and yellow Sultan Tit showed its spiky yellow crest. Two Great Hornbills are close enough to see their orange casques. A beautiful Striated Spiderhunter clambers over flowers, its bright orange feet contrasting with the yellowish green striped body.
We drive, walk, drive, walk. Most of the time no one else is on the road, maybe a cow, maybe the road breaks up into rocks. But the views of the valleys are peaceful, trees covering the mountainsides, no sound but the birds. Our lunch stop is in a private home. They used to operate a restaurant out of what seems like their living room. Oriental rugs on benches around a low square table. Pictures of the King line the walls.
After hotel checkin we head into Royal Manas National Park for some roadside birding. Long day on our feet, craving a shower, ready to collapse into bed. The "shower" sprays into the small bathroom; no way to contain the water that makes its way slowly to a drain. The bed is hard as a rock. Of course wifi doesn't work. Some tourist establishments have a ways to go in this emerging market.
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