Woke a few times in the night but woke up at 6:20 feeling pretty good.   Had a nice warm shower – apparently the hot water can be sporadic, like the wifi here.   Went down for breakfast and had some fried eggs,  toast,  porridge and herbed potatoes.  After breakfast we got in our jeeps to head out to Shey Palace, which was where the royal family of Ladakh lived a few hundred years ago.   The palace was perched on a hill so we climbed up,  taking the rocky back way as it is apparently right to go clockwise up.   Our local guide was the group leader from last year’s trip to India,  Chosphel.  We walked around the palace, which does not have much left now but the views from the top were impressive and the clouds were beginning to clear, leaving extremely blue skies. We then headed down and walked across a field to Tiktse Monastery,  which was also situated on a hill.  The walk was pleasant and easy,  apart from the fact I had to take a leak.   Glad I wore my sandals as we had to cross a large puddle.  I had no problem and just walked straight through.  We finally came to the Monastery, where I was able to use the bathroom.   The Monastery is very impressive looking with the buildings cascading down the hill,  similar to the one in Tibet.  Since the monastery normally closes at lunch,  we took the jeeps up and went through the various buildings,  including the kitchen and dining hall where the monks were eating lunch.  After,  we headed down to the bottom,  where there was a restaurant where we had lunch.   Most of us opted for skuye, which is a thick vegetable soup with gnocchi looking dumplings in it.   It was very tasty and much needed. We then headed back to the hotel.   A few of us went to get water and go for a drink for my birthday since the monastery restaurant didn’t serve alcohol.   We went to a nice place overlooking the main bazaar, which didn’t appear to be able to legally serve alcohol or maybe just not before dinner.   Therefore we were served our clandestine beers in tourist looking Ladakh mugs and were required to keep the bottles on the floor.   Was quite humorous how the beers we served in coffee mugs and the hot teas and coffees were served in her glasses.  After our beer we got some water and headed back to the hotel.  Had a quick briefing shortly after getting back and then headed for dinner in town.  While it was warm during the day, once the sun went down,  it really cooled off.   I had some mutton momos and egg fried rice for dinner,  which was way too much.   Then the restaurant staff brought out a birthday cake for me,  with candles.   It was a chocolate cake and was good.   After a good dinner and day, headed to bed as was exhausted.