It is now 8.30pm here at the Malla and as I have some spare minutes left on the computer I thought I would add a postscript.
At dinner tonight all the male waiters and a bonny lass called Purnima, it means full moon in English, insisted that pictures were taken of them and myself. I took some of them as well. It was touching that they said they would miss me.I believe that it is because out of the five of us, I was the only one who made a regular effort to converse in Nepali. I must be improving for so many people that I have met have said that they could not believe I have been in Nepal for only 4 weeks. I have enjoyed it immensely trying out new phrases.
In a few hours now we shall be on our way.
Looking forward to seeing you all at home.
Namaste.
Tuesday 2 March 2010
Monday 1 March 2010
The weekend in Pokhara written this Tuesday morning
Saturday morning saw us off on the 9.30 flight to Pokhara,ajourney of only 35 mins.
the first impression on landing at this pleasant airport was that it reminded me of Innsbruck, with the green mountains all around. The second thing was the sheer delight to breathe in pure clean mountain air, such a change frompolluted Kathmandu.the peace and quietness of the roads was another surprise but a delightful one.Our hotel was a most interesting one. Each suite was reached by a stone spiral staircase. My suite was most satisfactory with a lounge bedroom and bathroom with 2 balconies. After settling in I decided to go off on a wander of my own (no more window shopping for me) and I ambled along for more than 5 hours through the town. It like K'du has its full share of tourist shops but they look nicer and because of the lack of traffic a pleasure to walk past. At lunchtime I had come to the end of town so I climbed some stairs to a pub, where I sat on the veranda overlooking famous Fewa Tal, the lake of Pokhara, and watched the little fishing boats and pleasure rowing boats glide over the tranquil waters. Below me and stretching down to the lakeside some 200 yards distant were a series of paddie fields dry because of the season and on them the odd buffalo grazing away in peace. To my left about 50 yds away I could see 2 men making a rowing boat, so when I had finished my beer I wandered down and chatted to them and watched their skills. The boat was narrow with a high prow and stern but the woodwork was very impressive. I then wandered along the lakeside path until it ran out and I had to turn left up to the main road.There I met a shoe shine boy called Ashok and decided to have my shoes cleaned. I was given a small square of carpet to sit on, whilst he took my shoes and got to work. A nice way to watch the world go by, and my were my shoes shining all for 80 pence!
I then met a young bearded chap called Amir from Israel who was about to go on a trek. After a wee chat and a final shallom,I next came upon a lad from Turkey who was sitting on a low stool eating a plate of noodles and spicy vegetables, made by a street vendor on his cart. I decided to have some, and it was most tasty...all for 20pence! the rest of the afternoon was spent at the hotel where we ate at night.
Sunday 28.2.10
Awakened by a call from reception at 5.30 so we could leave at 6am to go by taxi, a 35 minute journeyto a place called Sarangot, from where one gets the most unbelievable views of the famous Annapurna mountain range. This is the trip to make when in Pokhara, it is almost a religious experience.We sat at a little table high up on the mountain, a little woman gave us shawls to wrap around ourselves for it was cold at that time, we also were served hot tea.And then about 6.45,the first tiny blush of colour tinged firstly Annapurna south, to be followed by a speck of pink on the majestic peak of Machhapuchhare, the only virgin peak in Nepal, for by government decree, no one is allowed to climb it. As the minutes passed the other peaks in the range came into view, as though rising from the mist like ghosts.All the peaks in this range are over 20,000 feet, and are most impressive. We sat there quietly, contemplating so many things of wonder, it was like a son et lumiere show without the son! Memorable. We returned down the corkscrew mountain road arriving back at the hotel by 8.40am
After breakfast at 10 am a taxi came to pick me up and take me to the Gurkha museam and depot. Iris Lea asked if she could come as she was not keen on visiting bat caves with the other women. On arrival at the meuseum, a veteran dressed in uniform snapped to attention to welcome me. He knew who I was and escorted me to the managers office for an official welcome. he was one Lt. Thakur Bahadur Rana ex QGE, and what a gentleman he was to me and my guest. A wee bit strange to be called sir all the time but that is the way it was. He produced as I had requested whilst at AWC GWT K'du 2 GWT ties and very smart they look. You should like the tie James. He then, after the obligatory cup of black tea, rang the guardroom of the British Gurkha depot to alert them to our appearance. There too, some 100yds away up the road, we were greeted like royalty, were given a tour of the depot which of course was scrupulusly clean and then to my delight was reunited with about a dozen ex 10th Gurkhas, a truly grand meeting, and all of them so smart and well spoken and respectful, but I did not expect anything else. It seemed for a while that I had never been away from the regiment I felt so at home with those wonderful men. We then returned to the museum where Thakur Bahadur personally showed us around. What an experience. I shall relate more to James when I return. Suffice to say this was the fulfillment of my dream of coming to Pokhara! Quite quite wonderful and most emotional when we drove away. A never to be forgotten time. Ayo Gorkhali!
Sunday was also the festival of Holi, the festival of water and colour. Everyone goes mad throwing water at any one who passes by but they also throw coloured water and powders over you, mainly red colours and many folk have their shirts ruined. We were fortunate for we missed all of that probably because we were at the museum and depot
In the evening I visited for the first a Japanese restaurant. I asked to be given a selection of delicacies including barbecued teryaki beef, superb, tempura, sushi,and various meats on skewers all with different sauces. Jenifer and the family will be pleased to know that I really enjoyed it. That then was Sunday in Pokhara. What a day!
Monday 1.3 10
After breakfast I went off by taxi to the international mountaineering museum the only one of its kind in the world. It was set in parkland, way out of town and very very peaceful. When I was there, there were only 3 other visitors.The museum is spectacular and chronicles everything one would want to know about the Himalyas.What was surprising was the amount of rubbish left on the slopes of mount Everest by climbers. A Japanese climber organised clean up operations in 2001 and 2003 and took away some 20 tons of rubbish! What remains since I do not care to speculate upon. In the grounds is a mock up Tibetan village, and closeby a nice restaurant. I sat there with a cup of black tea taking in the peaceful surroundings and watching the goats munching away at the grass. Next year is tourism year Nepal. If more visitors are to get to this wonderful museum I think the roads to it must be upgraded, for they are quite dreadful at the moment huge potholes everywhere.
At 3.30pm we flew back to the big smoke and traffic chaos.
That evening I hosted one Beepin and his wife Gillian (who is English and from Mansfield but who has lived here for the past 2 years). Beepin is the coordinatour of socialtours who organised all the trips and flights that we have made, and he deserved to be my guest for dinner as a way of saying thanks for all his help.
Almost at the end. I have somehow packed my case, and am ready for the off early tomorrow.
Pokhara is indeed such a world apart from Kathmandu, it is to many the real Shangri Laa and I would go along with that. It is such a change from the big city, it is more laid back, people come here to chill out by the beautiful lake and who can blame them. It is also the starting point for treks lasting from 2 to 23 days in the Annapurna range. I was struck by the fact that so many single women are here to go trekking, they are most courageous in my opinion.
So, that's about all folks as Bugs bunny was wont to say.
It has been some experiece, the children will haunt me for some time to come I know. I just hope I was able to give a litle light and love allbeit for only a few moments
So, for the last time all I can say is thanks for reading the blethers of an old man I have enjoyed writing the blog.
Nepal dhanyabad,
Namaste!
the first impression on landing at this pleasant airport was that it reminded me of Innsbruck, with the green mountains all around. The second thing was the sheer delight to breathe in pure clean mountain air, such a change frompolluted Kathmandu.the peace and quietness of the roads was another surprise but a delightful one.Our hotel was a most interesting one. Each suite was reached by a stone spiral staircase. My suite was most satisfactory with a lounge bedroom and bathroom with 2 balconies. After settling in I decided to go off on a wander of my own (no more window shopping for me) and I ambled along for more than 5 hours through the town. It like K'du has its full share of tourist shops but they look nicer and because of the lack of traffic a pleasure to walk past. At lunchtime I had come to the end of town so I climbed some stairs to a pub, where I sat on the veranda overlooking famous Fewa Tal, the lake of Pokhara, and watched the little fishing boats and pleasure rowing boats glide over the tranquil waters. Below me and stretching down to the lakeside some 200 yards distant were a series of paddie fields dry because of the season and on them the odd buffalo grazing away in peace. To my left about 50 yds away I could see 2 men making a rowing boat, so when I had finished my beer I wandered down and chatted to them and watched their skills. The boat was narrow with a high prow and stern but the woodwork was very impressive. I then wandered along the lakeside path until it ran out and I had to turn left up to the main road.There I met a shoe shine boy called Ashok and decided to have my shoes cleaned. I was given a small square of carpet to sit on, whilst he took my shoes and got to work. A nice way to watch the world go by, and my were my shoes shining all for 80 pence!
I then met a young bearded chap called Amir from Israel who was about to go on a trek. After a wee chat and a final shallom,I next came upon a lad from Turkey who was sitting on a low stool eating a plate of noodles and spicy vegetables, made by a street vendor on his cart. I decided to have some, and it was most tasty...all for 20pence! the rest of the afternoon was spent at the hotel where we ate at night.
Sunday 28.2.10
Awakened by a call from reception at 5.30 so we could leave at 6am to go by taxi, a 35 minute journeyto a place called Sarangot, from where one gets the most unbelievable views of the famous Annapurna mountain range. This is the trip to make when in Pokhara, it is almost a religious experience.We sat at a little table high up on the mountain, a little woman gave us shawls to wrap around ourselves for it was cold at that time, we also were served hot tea.And then about 6.45,the first tiny blush of colour tinged firstly Annapurna south, to be followed by a speck of pink on the majestic peak of Machhapuchhare, the only virgin peak in Nepal, for by government decree, no one is allowed to climb it. As the minutes passed the other peaks in the range came into view, as though rising from the mist like ghosts.All the peaks in this range are over 20,000 feet, and are most impressive. We sat there quietly, contemplating so many things of wonder, it was like a son et lumiere show without the son! Memorable. We returned down the corkscrew mountain road arriving back at the hotel by 8.40am
After breakfast at 10 am a taxi came to pick me up and take me to the Gurkha museam and depot. Iris Lea asked if she could come as she was not keen on visiting bat caves with the other women. On arrival at the meuseum, a veteran dressed in uniform snapped to attention to welcome me. He knew who I was and escorted me to the managers office for an official welcome. he was one Lt. Thakur Bahadur Rana ex QGE, and what a gentleman he was to me and my guest. A wee bit strange to be called sir all the time but that is the way it was. He produced as I had requested whilst at AWC GWT K'du 2 GWT ties and very smart they look. You should like the tie James. He then, after the obligatory cup of black tea, rang the guardroom of the British Gurkha depot to alert them to our appearance. There too, some 100yds away up the road, we were greeted like royalty, were given a tour of the depot which of course was scrupulusly clean and then to my delight was reunited with about a dozen ex 10th Gurkhas, a truly grand meeting, and all of them so smart and well spoken and respectful, but I did not expect anything else. It seemed for a while that I had never been away from the regiment I felt so at home with those wonderful men. We then returned to the museum where Thakur Bahadur personally showed us around. What an experience. I shall relate more to James when I return. Suffice to say this was the fulfillment of my dream of coming to Pokhara! Quite quite wonderful and most emotional when we drove away. A never to be forgotten time. Ayo Gorkhali!
Sunday was also the festival of Holi, the festival of water and colour. Everyone goes mad throwing water at any one who passes by but they also throw coloured water and powders over you, mainly red colours and many folk have their shirts ruined. We were fortunate for we missed all of that probably because we were at the museum and depot
In the evening I visited for the first a Japanese restaurant. I asked to be given a selection of delicacies including barbecued teryaki beef, superb, tempura, sushi,and various meats on skewers all with different sauces. Jenifer and the family will be pleased to know that I really enjoyed it. That then was Sunday in Pokhara. What a day!
Monday 1.3 10
After breakfast I went off by taxi to the international mountaineering museum the only one of its kind in the world. It was set in parkland, way out of town and very very peaceful. When I was there, there were only 3 other visitors.The museum is spectacular and chronicles everything one would want to know about the Himalyas.What was surprising was the amount of rubbish left on the slopes of mount Everest by climbers. A Japanese climber organised clean up operations in 2001 and 2003 and took away some 20 tons of rubbish! What remains since I do not care to speculate upon. In the grounds is a mock up Tibetan village, and closeby a nice restaurant. I sat there with a cup of black tea taking in the peaceful surroundings and watching the goats munching away at the grass. Next year is tourism year Nepal. If more visitors are to get to this wonderful museum I think the roads to it must be upgraded, for they are quite dreadful at the moment huge potholes everywhere.
At 3.30pm we flew back to the big smoke and traffic chaos.
That evening I hosted one Beepin and his wife Gillian (who is English and from Mansfield but who has lived here for the past 2 years). Beepin is the coordinatour of socialtours who organised all the trips and flights that we have made, and he deserved to be my guest for dinner as a way of saying thanks for all his help.
Almost at the end. I have somehow packed my case, and am ready for the off early tomorrow.
Pokhara is indeed such a world apart from Kathmandu, it is to many the real Shangri Laa and I would go along with that. It is such a change from the big city, it is more laid back, people come here to chill out by the beautiful lake and who can blame them. It is also the starting point for treks lasting from 2 to 23 days in the Annapurna range. I was struck by the fact that so many single women are here to go trekking, they are most courageous in my opinion.
So, that's about all folks as Bugs bunny was wont to say.
It has been some experiece, the children will haunt me for some time to come I know. I just hope I was able to give a litle light and love allbeit for only a few moments
So, for the last time all I can say is thanks for reading the blethers of an old man I have enjoyed writing the blog.
Nepal dhanyabad,
Namaste!
Just a short note
It is now 17.10 on Monday.
I have literally just got back from Pokhara and am quite honestly tired out... enjoying myself! Sympathy most definitely not required!
I have the whole day tomorrow to tell you about my latest adventures, Pokhara must be the nearest to Shangri La that I know of! Dawn at the Annapurna range on Sunday morning was breathtaking. Sunday morning from 10am saw me at the gurkha museum and at the British Gurkha depot, whre I was feted as if I was the colonel in chief!
Sunday evening was a first for me in a Japanese restaurant.I know Amy, Ruth Jennifer, Duncan George et al will be pleased to hear how I got on.
This am visited the only international mountaineering museum in the world! Again it was great.
Tell you all about the weekend when I feel refreshed tomorrow morning.
Once more namaste from Nepal.
I have literally just got back from Pokhara and am quite honestly tired out... enjoying myself! Sympathy most definitely not required!
I have the whole day tomorrow to tell you about my latest adventures, Pokhara must be the nearest to Shangri La that I know of! Dawn at the Annapurna range on Sunday morning was breathtaking. Sunday morning from 10am saw me at the gurkha museum and at the British Gurkha depot, whre I was feted as if I was the colonel in chief!
Sunday evening was a first for me in a Japanese restaurant.I know Amy, Ruth Jennifer, Duncan George et al will be pleased to hear how I got on.
This am visited the only international mountaineering museum in the world! Again it was great.
Tell you all about the weekend when I feel refreshed tomorrow morning.
Once more namaste from Nepal.
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