Our goal in heading to Nepal was to do a nice, easy trek with the children. We planned five days, hired a guide, and set ourselves out to have a fine time. You know, strolling through the hills and dales of Nepal. Our specific goal was a trek called "Poon Hill," which has as it's apogee, watching the sun rise over the Himalayas. It's a touristy sort of route, so lots of people, guest houses and places to stop for water along the way.
One begins such a trek in Pokhara, either a short flight or a long bus ride from Kathmandu. We decided to fly there and venture the bus on our return. Kathmandu was suffering from the sort of weather we referred to as "pollution" when we lived in China, so we were looking forward to getting out into the sunshine and wilderness of Pokhara and environs.
The aforementioned dodgy Kathmandu domestic airport left us feeling rather "meh," but, Pokhara was just the ticket to chase away the pollution blues. Hello, blue sky!
And cows! Hello, cows! Since something like 80% of Nepalese identify themselves as Hindu, it is not at all surprising to find Bovines lolling about, being, all, like, "Hey, no burger for you!" In fact, we did see the word "burger" on several menus, but, in general, there was clarification that they were talking about CHICKEN burgers or some other such non-cow burger-type food. As they say, when in Rome; we did not venture to try the non-beef burgers.
It was also apparently "New Year" while we were there. Although my reading would suggest this is the closest thing Nepal may have to a Hallmark holiday. I'm not clear that it's all that a western style New Year is meant to be; but there were sponsored signs all around town, so Jeff and I raised a glass of red wine in celebration. Because, why not?
Pokhara is located on a terrifically beautiful lake. I did not get any closer than this, which is a bit of a shame, but such is my lazy holiday self.
Here is the Peace Stupa. Also meant to be really spectacular. I did not get any closer than this. Lazy! And, maybe distracted.
Cashmere. Sister Mercy, I was surrounded everywhere by fiber! And "JUST FEEL ME" signs?? Yeah, so, hard to hike off to the lake or the Peace Stupa when it was all I could do to keep moving past the softest wooly things ever.
We had a nice last meal in a place we did not have to hike to, enjoyed the sun setting over the electric grid, and tried not to be too nervous about how much we should be packing for our five days of trekking.
Tomorrow: We're Off!
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