We Beat the Rain, Day 2: World Peace Pagoda

The Adventures of Betty and Christina: Woke up, had massive breakfast, hired a boat to paddle us across Tal Phewa (so peaceful! I miss fishing!), hiked up through villages to the World Peace Pagoda (under ominous looking thunder clouds as you can see), trekked down the other side, stopped along the way for a refreshing Coke, walked down a long windy road, tried unsuccessfully to flag down local buses (looking like idiots in the process), got stung by poison ivy-like plant (I can't remember the last time this happened to me??), wandered aimlessly along the main road with our rain jackets on, the wind picking up and the thunder booming (being gawked at by locals) until we came to a more populated area and found a local bus that we caught for 50 rupees (about $.75) that dropped us off near lakeside where we found a cafe and sat down to some hot ginger tea and curry just in time to watch the downpour (one that would make Vancouver proud) from our restaurant :)

Thunder, Hail and Lightening Storms

We spent three days in Pokhara, all of which went about the same way: cloudy morning followed by about an hour of hot sun tapering off to pouring rain, thunder showers, spectacular lightening shows and the occasional hail storm (see below picture of hail on the grass). Nevertheless, we did enjoy Pokhara, being the Vancouverites we are, we were out splashing about in the rain with our rain jackets on while everyone else hid undercover - and the bet part was the weather was so predictable!

Finished Blink, on to a new series...

Day 8: Homeward Bound

Today was again a travel day. We hopped a local bus again to take us back to Kathmandu and again it did not disappoint. No more than five minutes in we decided to disembark because the bus was trying to get up a rocky dirt road and was getting stuck in a big hole, to the point where the whole bus was rocking and I was worried we were going to roll down the mountain. So we got out and walked while men piled rocks in the hole so the bus could pass. It made it, and we hopped back on to continue our ride home. This trip we experienced two puking little girls on our laps, about 50 people inside the bus and another 20 or so on the roof (no animals this time). Oh local buses. We made it safe and sound back to Katmandu by around 3pm (oh the dirt and dust in the city! I miss the mountains already...) and then went in search of a hotel for the night. Off to Pokhara tomorrow!

Trek Days 6 and 7

Days 6 and 7 were our way back, we traveled from Kynjin Gumpa to Lama Village the first day and then from Lama Village to Seyabrubesi the second day. Both days were an easy hike and we had great weather, though it was a bit sad knowing we were almost done our trek and would be leaving this amazing scenery to head back to the city. I was also happy though, it felt good to have just completed/survived an 8 day trek in Nepal, and I now know I'm capable of such a feat. Everest base camp next!

Our Awesome Guides: Bijay and Sahadev

Sent from my iPhone

Betty with her expertly carved walking stick

Some Yaks