Chheplung - Monjo (2815m asl)
Day 8. 10.12.22

I felt dreadful this morning (nothing new) with sniffles and sore throat, painful quads and right knee pain. However, I came good as the morning progressed and the pain was a lot less though ever present. The going was quite OK and we gained a little altitude now that we are following the river upstream and heading towards Namche Bazaar and the direct route to Gokyo, our final destination. At Benkar, we found a new pair of boots for Mia as hers were seriously falling apart. They were 5000 Rp and a fraction of the cost compared to back home. We arrived at Monjo around 4pm and our lodge, despite having no tv or wifi also has no other trekkers. At the police check post we counted 25 other trekkers logged in for the day but this is to be expected as we are now past the Lukla airstrip which carries in most trekkers on their way to either Gokyo or Everest Base Camp. We needed Sagarmatha Park permits which set us back 6000Rp. Our money is seriously thinning out now and we have been over-budget which I never anticipated.
We had splendid views of a major peak, Kusumkhang Karda, imposing its mighty face before us.
Card games again tonight and Sundar, as usual, shows his prowess and cunning logic to beat us soundly.