Back to Civilization - Pokhara

Jhinu – Pokhara (1,000m / 3280 ft)

Today after breakfast we walk for about 45 minutes to Sewai and catch a private Jeep to drive us to Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara it’s a free day in Pokhara to explore, shop or just take it easy. Hotel Barahi boasts some stunning views of the Annapurna Himalayas, Phewa Lake as well as easy access to the thriving lake street of Pokhara. We are situated adjacent to the Phewa Lake, a mere 3 KMS away from Pokhara domestic airport.

Here is the entire route one more time

Today is Women's day and Krishna's birthday

I forgot to say how rather surprised I was yesterday when I saw how popular tattooing is amongst the local men. This was visible when we were all in the hot spring.

The morning started with a different breakfast - cornbread and honey. The Nepalese cornbread is fried. I declare my stomach finally back online as I had no issues with the spicy food last night or the fried bread this morning.

Also regarding health issues, my sinuses are still trying to clear out with lots of signs of infection. In addition, my lips are still very chapped - I wish I had brought medicated lip balm.

After breakfast we had a bit of a rest. The weather was perfect and I could have remained sitting on the balcony for days. Watching the snow blow off the peaks was hypnotizing. Here are a bunch of photos of the view

and had a small tour of the garden where they are growing avocado trees, citrus trees, and ginger. I was amazed that these can grow at this altitude and I will try to grow them in England.

We had a small hike across the longest suspension bridge in the area

Here's a last photo of poor Shekker carrying my load - this time a bit differently.... I'm sure he was happy to get rid of it.

and up to the staging area for the jeep ride back to Pokhara. This was a bit chaotic and I ended up in a full bus with another poor Japanese lady who ended up in the back seat with our guides while the porters were in the far back.

This was for a 3 hour drive, most of which was along very bad roads.

We came across mule trains and some cattle that were slow to move out of the way....

We stopped at the entry area to the Annapurna Preserve again and here is my trekking ticket which is a nice souvenir

Weather was again beautiful and as we came down towards Pokhara we had wonderful mountain views - compare this with Fishtail on the way going up....

What a difference good weather makes....

We came across an area with a number of vultures, something died. Unfortunately, no pictures.

The hotel felt truly luxurious after days of tea houses. Buni was also very happy to have a comfy bed

After a loooong shower (first in about 7 days), I had lunch out by pool which also looked wonderful - I would have gone swimming if it hadn't been so cold.

I met Dev at 6 and we went off to celebrate Krishna's birthday at a local temple

temple ceremony at the lake edge as the sun went down. There was incense and fire and dancing.

and finally, after an hour, Krishna was reincarnated

A bonfire is also a traditional

Pokhara is like Kathmandu of 30 years ago and a much more "approachable" city. You can still see push bikes along the streets and it's not nearly as crowded as the capital. Bunis are everywhere....

We had dinner at a nearby restaurant called Moon Dance where I had my new favorite dish - chicken chilli - and my first beer of the trip which tasted wonderful. The chicken chilli in Jhina was slightly better:). Must have been the high mountain air and the alcohol....