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After a couple of relaxing days in Chitwan we climbed on a bus for the long ride to Pokhara. We almost didn't get there because of demonstrations and a road block in one if the towns we drove through. We did eventually make it through and the drive was beautiful, following along the river through the hills. We got to Pokhara late in the afternoon and headed out on the lake. We went to a small island in the middle of the lake with a small temple on it. From town we had a pretty good view of the Annapurna mountains which are a popular treking location in this area. It would have been nice to spend a little more time here but we only had one night. We got up early in the morning to catch a bus again and despite being only about 200km to Kathmandu, the journey took about 7 hours.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu we were once again bombarded with traffic. We got to town fairly late, so we did a brief tour of the Durbar square before going out for our final dinner with our tour leader. We got up early the next morning to head back to Durbar square before it got too crowded. We sat and people watched for a while and even got to see a Nepali TV show being taped. In the afternoon we headed to Swayambhunath the Buddhist stupa (temple), also known as monkey temple. There are hundreds of monkeys living all around the stupa and we spent quite a while watching them...it was quite amusing.
The next morning we got up early and headed to the airport to go on a mountain flight to see Everest. The weather was perfectly clear so we got to see it on our first flight...it was pretty amazing. After that we headed to Bodnath, another Buddhist stupa. This one is much bigger...a very impressive structure. In the afternoon we headed to Bhaktapur, a medieval town with a maze of confusing streets and limited traffic. We followed a walking tour from the Lonely Planet without getting too lost.
The next day we moved to our new hotel and met up with our Habitat for Humanity team. We went out for a traditional Nepali meal at a really nice restaurant. Tried some rice whiskey and wild boar and got to see some traditional Nepali dances. The next morning we checked out of hotel, did a brief tour of the Durbar square in Patan and then caught our flight to Bhadrapur. We had a pretty good view of Everest on the flight so I guess we didn't need to spend the money on our mountain flight.
We have started our Habitat build near a small village in the far southeast region of Nepal called Jhapa. It has started off good so far, and there will be more to follow.
Merry Christmas everyone!
- comments
Trish Holmes What an amazing trip Jennifer. I'm totally jealous and plan to live vicariously through your blogs and pics. I am so proud of you for your adventurous spirit and the lifetime memories you're making with Dave. You 2 are my heros. Hope you have a very merry and awe inspiriing Christmas. Much love, Trish.
Max and crew Awesome, guys!! We are really enjoying "living" your trip through your updates!! :P The thought of doing any of it with our three monkeys is impossible (haha!) but it sounds like you are having an amazing time! Merry Christmas!!! xoxoxo
Trish Have a Merry Christmas on your travels.
Daria Merry Christmas you guys! I'm glad you're not bogged down trying to fly into or out of Europe right now. Good timing on your part! One of the girls I work with is a Nepalese emmigrant. She said her father was an engineer for the government, so when the civil war started, they packed up and moved to Canada. Travel safe, have fun and stay healthy! xxoo
ELAINE Love reading and seeing about your adventure. Missing you---thinking of you at Christmas and always loving you. Stay safe. Have a terrific Christmas