NEPAL....KATHMANDU & POKHARA

How can I describe Nepal in 1000 words or less? The ADVENTURE began in Varanasi, India where we bordered Cosmic Air. We departed the small airport at 4:50 pm after a 4 hour wait time and a couple of Kingfishers. Got ripped off by the customs to exchange 1000 and 500 RS notes to 100 RS notes at a cost of 130 RS (about $3.00US). It was not the money, it was their political policy. Which as, I understood to be: the larger RS notes could be counterfeit and therefore was a way Nepal would keep bogus bills out of their country. Now if you believe that..??!! Anyhow that's the lowdown. Arrived Kathmandu Airport at 5:30pm. Gate to Gate in 45 minutes. Booked into the Radisson Hotel and had supper at the "Fire and Ice" pizzeria. We walked there and back from the hotel, each way about half an hour. My Room No. 514 was very comfortable and you could have been in any North American city. The room(s) were typically North American...from the furniture to TV to EVERYTHING..except of course room service menu items and pictures on the walls only to mention a few giveaways. Breakfast the first morning (as were the two more we were to enjoy) was absolutely FANTASTIC. Anything you could want, both Local and "what you would find at home" style food. Our driver picked us up for an 8:15 am departure and off we headed for Pokhara ..which would prove to be an interesting and scenic 6 hour drive. I would guess about an hour to clear Kathmandu through very heavy and hectic traffic, then onto the winding switch backing roads through the likes of the Himilayas. Narrow roads, deep valleys, tiered farming plots and ORANGES, or maybe more like our Tangerines. BUT yes tropical citrus fruit growing in the heights of Nepal. And we sampled, a dozen tangerines set us back 50 cents a dozen. We stopped at the "Hilltop Restaurant" for the obvious break, coffees and some magnificent sightseeing views. There are pictures that follow that support some of my claims. No untoward incidents to report along the way and we arrived at our destination, Pokhara, and more specifically our hotel "The Shangri-La". My Room 101 faced
inward at ground level to the beautiful Oriental styled gardens. Drawf trees, neatly trimmed flower gardens, a stream and ponds with gold and black Koi fish. A very serene and peaceful setting with the Himalayas as a spectacular back drop. It was surely and aptly named. We spent a busy day touring local caves, falls, a gorge and a temple. The most interesting place was at Lakeside in the core of the tourist zone. Because it was late we did not tour the area and were back at the hotel by dark for dinner. The meal That night had oriental flavours to it, including goat, egg rolls, other assorted entrees and naturally rice. The next day we were up and back on the road by 9 am for our return trip to Kathmandu. Two hours short of our return our van stalled and failed to start. Thank goodness in a small village enroute and while we waited for help more tangerines were purchased. Actually we had to push the van at one point to get her moving. Home at the Radisson Hotel by 3 pm giving some time to tour the area. On my tour I picked up a 650ml bottle of Everest Beer (Their local brand) and a 375ml bottle of scotch. Each cost 105RS ($2.55US) and 290RS (7.60US) respectively. Also bought a T shirt featuring Mt. Everest. Dinner this evening was at a local restaurant 10 minutes from the hotel. Met a Indian family of 4 who were originally from Lucknow, India and the father now works in the "Kath". These folks were very interested in other countries as I in hearing their stories about theirs. The next day our guide took us to Durbar Square. My first impression was that the architecture was definitely of Oriental influence, for example pagoda and tiered styled roofs. Just look at the picture above. The Pavati Temple (mid right) one highlight and the flee Market (foreground). The RUM DOODLE Restaurant and Bar for dinner later that night. A unique memory was the cardboard feet placed ALL over the restaurant..walls, ceilings, EVERYWHERE. The idea was for the restaurant guests from all over the world to write about their adventures, their names and their country. Hiking and mountain climbing were popular topics displayed. Our 5 names were tacked up over the hostess desk at the entrance way and proudly showing CANADA. This was our last night in Nepal, albeit short an experience.. it was. My other 4 travel companions did do the Mt. Everest plane tour and I busied myself in touring the area close to the hotel. The Canadian Consulate was in the vicinity. All in all a pleasant visit and very clean compared to India, although early in our tour this could change. But all said and done now that the 6 week tour has ended Nepal was cleaner. (This is NOT to slight India by the way). Now was that 1000 words?? You count 'em...... CHEERS.