Pretty Pokhara! (Part 1)

Pokhara is Nepal's second largest city and one of its most popular tourist destinations.  Here's why: 

Yes, it's a Very Pretty Place!  As you can see, Pokhara is on the edge of magnificent Phewa Lake framed with stunning views of the Annapurna Himalayas!  You can't take a bad picture--even if you try!  No wonder it's a favorite with tourists and Nepalis alike!

Ramon (right) was too busy, as usual, 

 
but Mom and I were able to plan a weekend there when she was here, and as you can see, it was worth it (except for missing Ramon)--and the weather cooperated too!  The best time to go is during the winter, because although it's cold, the sky is usually clear so the views are amazing.

It's only a short (about 30 minutes) flight (or, they say, about 6-8 hours in a bus) from Kathmandu.  Since we like to check-in early, we were able to sit on the side facing the mountains, but we had to put our cameras a little in front of us or behind us, as our seats had a nice view of the wall between the windows!  :)  Oh well, we still got some good pics.  (As you can see, we were also right under the wings near the propellers.)

 

As you get closer, you can see villages in the mountains--imagine living here!

Before we knew it, we were there and, like everyone else, stepped off the plane and started snapping away!  There were the mountains--right in our faces it seemed!

Here's Mom--Mary in the Mountains!

Our hotel's van came and picked us up and we headed straight there.

We picked the New Pokhara Lodge after reading the reviews on Tripadvisor and we were very happy.  It's in town, but not right "in" town, so we could walk to town, yet the street was quiet. 

Here is the courtyard as seen from the balcony near our room,

and down below is where we ate breakfast.

Here is Mom standing where the picture was taken.  Our room is right by the stairs.

Here is the view that is behind where she is standing,

which is the same view from one of the windows inside--

and the close-up.

This is the view from the other window!
I don't need to say anything--the picture says it all!

Even our bathroom had a nice view!

We dropped our suitcases off and set out to explore right away.

A weekend festival was starting, so the streets were lined with stalls of food and things for sale.

We opted to try this restaurant 

so we could have good views for the parade we heard was about to start.

 

The parade wasn't the only fun in town!

To the left of the carnival, there was a dance competition.  We never found out who won!

As we walked around, we saw some interesting sights,

interesting people,

and some beautiful views around every corner!

Because of the festival, everyone was in a good mood and many were playing games (and or gambling!).

The next day we decided to check out the famous World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist Stupa high on a hill/mountainside with amazing views of the lake, city, and Himalayas...it was a beautiful day with a brilliant blue sky--perfect!

The ride was exciting--because of the stony road, which I wouldn't have wanted to drive on!  (Our driver was excellent by the way.)  I was glad it wasn't monsoon season!  Yes, this is the road--I was sitting behind the driver (they sit on the right because they drive on the left here) and this picture is of the right lane going back down the mountain,

Sometimes the road was a little better, but it was still a tight squeeze when we passed oncoming traffic!

Of course, the views were beautiful!

  There was a nice walk up from the parking lot, sometimes with steps and sometimes just a walkway.

Here and there you will find little shops to buy refreshments at.

Finally--almost there...there's the top!

Those people are all taking pictures...hurry, let's see what's up there!
OH---Wow!

(Yes, it was from this vantage point that I took the pictures at the beginning of this post.)

I must say it was breathtaking!

Here's the shot zooming in on the town.  The next day we ate in a cute restaurant that is right about in the middle of this picture!

After this, you go up a few more steps

where you see this sign

and the you see it--the white of the pagoda against the sky is what made it so beautiful.

Proof I was there:

You had to take your shoes off to go up.  There are four statues to see as you go around.

As you go around, you have these views.

Just to the right of the pagoda, is this sign with all the info

and this statue, which makes a nice picture.

It's Mr. Min Bahadur Gurung, a founding donor and Nepal's first elected deputy defense minister.

I'm so glad I was able to take Mom.

Well, that's it for Part 1.
Stay turned for Part 2.
I promise (or rather, I HOPE) not to wait so long before getting it up!
Have a nice day!  See you later!

A Visit to Panauti

Hello!   

We hope you are having a lovely 2013 so far.  We are, thanks to the Lord and have been busy as usual, but we like it that way.  Ramon was happy to have Hong Kong Adventist Hospital's Ear Team here a few weeks ago doing surgeries.  They worked long hours and accomplished everything they needed to.  There are many happy Nepalis able to listen to their world now!

 It was not "all work and no play" however--at least for Mom and me!  (She was here for two months.)  One day we went to Panauti, an ancient historical town not far from here.  I hope Ramon can go with the me the next time I go.

 You can see the temples and one of the sacred rivers that meanders around the town and through the valley.  The mountains make a majestic backdrop for the ancient town (which dates from the 14th or 15th centuries or even earlier--depending on who you talk to) which was at the junction of important early trading routes.  One of these temples is supposed to be the oldest or at least one of the oldest in Nepal.  The town is an important medieval site and also considered one of Nepal's most artistic towns.

Last year, when my niece Liesl was here, we (the school) had a field trip and picnic on the top of a nearby hill (which I call a mountain)

where we had some magnificent views (when we finally made it to the top)!

I was happy to be able to go back with Mom during one of our holidays from school.  As you can see by the pictures, it was one of those beautiful days with those beautiful blue skies that make it impossible to take a bad picture!  This is the square where the bus stop is.

The streets are narrow and busy just like in Banepa.

Everyone we saw was busy.

These ladies were able to take a break

and these young men found time for a game.

There were lots of small temples everywhere, which is common.




After I took the above picture and we walked a few steps, the little girl you see above called her friends and they all called for me to take their picture.  Surprisingly, they didn't ask for chocolate, as is common.  They were satisfied to just be in a picture.

A few steps later we were at the entrance to the famous temple area.  I think it was the back entrance, although it was the entrance we found first.  The little cutie on the right was so happily helping his mom!

This mother had some happy helpers too!


As we walked in, the largest temple was in front of us.

We walked up and to the left to get our tickets in the office.

In this building is an interesting museum filled with very ancient artifacts.

One of the artifacts has a sign that it's from the 8th century, but some of my signs are blurred, and I can't find it.  Oh well.  Maybe next time I'll be more careful!  Anyway, you can get a general idea of the museum with these few pics.  We really enjoyed it.

Now for some shots of the temples.

I took this shot of the top of the largest temple because I had read that young couples hang pots and pans up there to signify their hope for a happy and prosperous family life.  I didn't see any, but maybe I just missed them.

There is a chariot festival held here every year, but we haven't been able to see it yet.  One of the days is called the "Duin-chha-nya-ye-ke-guis" -- sounds interesting!  There's also an important pilgrimage that happens every twelve years.  The last one was right before we came in 2010.  Thousands of people come to Panauti during these times to cleanse themselves in the rivers.  I can't promise that we'll be here for the next one in 2022!

On the short drive home, we saw this beautiful sight that we can't see from Banepa!
So close, but so far!

Also saw the harvesting in action!

In a jiffy we were back home in Banepa.

Next time, Ramon, you are coming with me!  :)
 Have a nice day!