Pokhara...weekend on the Lake

I learned to drive a scooter!
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The Hindu holiday of Doshain is a BIG deal in Nepal. It seems that everything closes, including the factory Owen is working at. So, we decided when in Nepal, do as the Nepalese and take a vacation. We left Kathmandu Thursday morning on the 7:00am bus to Pokara. Owen had been to Pokara when he lived here 3 years ago and thought I would really enjoy it.

He was soooo right. Even the bus ride here was pleasant. The scenery of bright green, terraced rice fields against the backdrop of the Himilayan foothills and mountain rivers was a true joy to watch pass by.

A bus decorated for Doshain.
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Pokara is an incredible little town nestled along one side of a massive lake, surrounded on all sides by tall, lush foothills. I was surprised at how tropical this place feels. We are high enough that we did see some of the snowy peaks of the Himilayas over the surrounding hills on a clear day. Yet, at breakfast we sit under tiki-type huts drinking coffee and looking at banana trees, palm trees, and hibiscus bushes.

The town is fairly small but most people rent motorcycles or bicycles. Neither Owen or I know how to drive a motorcycle with a clutch, but we wanted to be able to enjoy the drives around the lake so we rented a little scooter. It’s no speed machine, but it was a fun way to get around. The roads around the lake are very good for the most part so we were able to enjoy the different views and the quieter countryside.

arriving at the lake...busy bee cafe
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Pokara is a beautiful town with a lot to offer. The first day we arrived it was 3pm by the time we got here and close to 6pm by the time we got the moped and settled into our little hotel outside of town. So, Friday was our first day to get out and enjoy the lake. We rented a small rowboat and rowed out into the middle of the lake where we could jump off the boat and swim. The water was cool and refreshing, and the views all around were just surreal.

It is incredible how warm it was there. It was getting into the first part of October and it was probably in the high 70's today if not the low 80's. When you aren’t just standing in the sun though, it was really pleasant. We took advantage of the good weather and enjoyed swimming, sailing, riding the bike, and finally....paragliding.

ahhhh....sunset on the hills
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Pokara is a perfect place for paragliding, so I’ve been told. They company we went with said that the weather and conditions there are good 10 months out of the year. Owen wanted to go last time he was in Pokhara 3 years ago, but the weather wasn’t good then. So, we arranged for a tandem flight in the afternoon where we would each be harnessed to an experienced pilot and just enjoy the flight.

It took about 20 minutes to drive up to the 1400 meter high area we jumped from. Once we arrived it took them about five minutes to set up the parachutes. Next thing I knew I was running off into the sky. You run about 3 steps then all the sudden you aren’t touching gound anymore. Just soaring like a bird on the breeze. It was incredible! I was really surprised at how high you are and how long you stay in the air. Our ride was about 30 minutes, but our pilots said you can stay in the air for hours if you want to and the conditions are good.

The roof of our first hotel...the Hamlet.
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My pilot was from Sweden and had been paragliding for 18 years. He was even ranked fourth in the world at one point. He also has invented his own system for filming the flight so I’ll have a DVD to share when I get home.

It really was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. It’s just like in your dreams (or at least mine) where you can just float on the breeze and fly like a bird. In a tandem flight like this you are in a sitting position with the pilot behind you. So, you just look down and see your feet and the entire Pokhara valley. Zooming over the tree tops was very surreal because it looked just like scenes from a movie. It actually wasn’t scary at all. It was very relaxing and exciting.

Owen at our first hotel...the hamlet
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Our last night in Pokhara we moved to "Mike’s Hotel" owned by a gentleman from the U.S. They had a gorgeous brick patio that went right up to the water’s edge with a beautiful garden attached. They played classical music to enjoy with the breeze off of the lake and some green tea.

Of course the other highlight of any trip for me is the food. Pokhara had plenty of restaurants. The two best things for me were the abundance of fresh fish from the lake and the cafe’s. There were many European bakeries and small cafe’s where you could sit by the water’s edge and enjoy the serenity of the place while enjoying an apple strudel or latte.

The view from a local cafe we enjoyed over breafast.
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But, the final culinary highlight of the trip was our last night in Kathmandu. We got back from Pokhara by bus around 2pm. Owen had to do some work, but we ended the trip with a six course Newari meal at a very nice hotel. The price was very reasonable and it was an incredible sampling of Nepali food with amazing service and ambiance. They even ask your name when you arrive so that they can print a personalized menu for you. Our dinner consisted of:

hors d’oeuvres

pan roated oyster mushrooms, roti (griddle bread), and sauteed spinach and garlic

Lots of local fish and fishermen.
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momo’s (nepali steamed dumplings)

cream of vegetable soup

rice, dal, veggie and chicken curry, green beans and onion, plum pickles, and tomato relish

yogurt and honey pudding

Traveling saleswoman selling "Tibetan" jewelry. I don't know where it really came from, but she was nice.
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tea

It was a wonderful vacation. Owen is back in the states and I am back in Delhi. I’m rejuvenated and ready to get back to work here. It’s still hot, but defiantly cooling down.