Short stroll turns into challenging trek to Ranighat Palace in Tansen, Palpa
What started as a short jaunt to Shreenagar Hill turned into my first test of will here in Nepal as I make an unplanned trek to Ranighat Palace.
The rest of those who’ve gone before us frittered their lives away on mostly meaningless endeavors. Why seek the end of the road or climb the tallest peak while no one watches?
Came to a crossroads with a sign that enabled the spirit, straight ahead to Ranighat Palace. Clouds part unveiling the mighty Annapurna’s snow-capped peaks, continue descending down the path clarifying with each passerby the direction of Ranighat Palace, not that the destination matters. Chasing vibrant purple and blue butterflies, simple village homes dot the landscape, removed from the fast-paced dealings, keyboards and monitors.
An extra pep in my step, running breakneck speed, amazed by the brain’s ability to calculate innumerable gradients along the rocky path. Freedom fuels the spirit, weights been lifted, no longer choked by the neck, “Until you have it all you won’t be free…” Expectations of being satisfied not by possessions and control structures, but rather the feeling experienced when first catching a glimpse of the Ranighat Palace destination. Situated on the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, Ranighat Palace or Rani Mahal (Queen’s Palace) was built in 1893 by General Khadga Samsher Rana to honor his deceased wife.
Check another site off the list, back up the hill, doing the math, will arrive back to Hotel Tansen at just over 19 miles for the day. Just two gulps of water in the morning, pass up opportunity for rations and water at Awal, for the challenge. Tank emptied, dry mouth, just before reaching Tansen, a fateful lemon found on the ground, the sweetest sour.
35,606 steps walked – 19.51 miles on the day
29-07-2015 Hotel Tansen, Tansen, Nepal
