Desiree Koh:
January 1, 2009. The official start to our journey began at KTM's domestic airport, or holding pen for disorganized travelers and hand-labeled luggage susceptible to massive human error.
Desiree Koh:
Buddha Air, "the best mountain flight in the world."
Desiree Koh:
The fear really started to sink in as I tried to stuff myself low into my seat in the 'prop.
Desiree Koh:
I was unable to let it ride easy.
Desiree Koh:
At least the view outside was kinda breathtaking, although I would've prefered for it to be feartaking.
Desiree Koh:
Ah, finally back on solid ground. Hello Pokhara!
Desiree Koh:
And bye bye Buddha Air, for now.
Desiree Koh:
We stayed at the Fish Tail Lodge, a legendary resort hotel set in the middle of Fewa Lake.
Desiree Koh:
On the banks of the lake.
Desiree Koh:
People bathing in the lake, although it wasn't all that clean.
Desiree Koh:
A hammock outside our room -- wow! What a nice change from Kathmandu Guest House, and not just the luxury -- the peaceful surroundings, the lush foliage, the nature.
Desiree Koh:
Sas and I headed to town to check some email, grab a bite, catch some of the rumoured street festival action.
Desiree Koh:
It's a very scenic lake, really -- on a clear day you can get an exact reflection of the Annapurna Himalayas on the surface.
Desiree Koh:
The lakeside Pokhara street festival -- sister to the Wells Street Art Fair. Ha!
Desiree Koh:
We were looking for a place to nosh when we came upon Robyn and Debbie at Laxman Restaurant.
Desiree Koh:
Heading back to the lodge at sundown, a lovely sight.
Desiree Koh:
You always had to wait for the raft, but it wasn't such a bad idea when you could look out over the lake.
Desiree Koh:
Sas did her best Huck Finn impression!
Desiree Koh:
We headed back into town for this pizza dinner at Caffe Concerto.
Desiree Koh:
In addition to pizza, I also ordered a Beef Hunter, which turned out to be this stroganoffy goulash stew.
Desiree Koh:
January 2, 2009. An early start time for day one -- first, a 90-minute bus ride to official kickoff point at Nayapul, then a 7.5-hour journey to our first stop.
Desiree Koh:
If I had gotten up earlier, I might have gotten even better shots.
Desiree Koh:
Lachlan has an idea for a Pokhara Triathlon...
Desiree Koh:
We had to cross the lake in two loads since the raft could carry a maximum of 15 passengers.
Desiree Koh:
Although everyone had to be strategically placed to ensure balance.
Desiree Koh:
Before we met our porters officially, gurung guru Bob gave them a briefing.
Desiree Koh:
Boarding the bus to Nayapul. We're getting there!
Desiree Koh:
If this looks like deja vu, it is -- reminiscent of our jaw-dropping prop ride the day before, the bus rattled through a mountain pass or two across canterkerous terrain with sheer drops, often slowing on the brink to let another bus or truck go by.
Desiree Koh:
Bus-stop for potty break.
Desiree Koh:
I feel like I've seen this scene on Route 66 in Arizona before, a miniscule version.
