I.N.spired - A City of Thrills and Spills

06/01/09:

We made it to Pokhara by 3.30pm, after a 12-hour bus ride from Varanasi to Sunauli, a night’s stay at Belahiya, and a 10-hour bus ride to Pokhara. We’re here later than what we had intended for, but no less thrilled that we’ve finally touched Nepali soil. Along the way, we made a new Japanese friend, Ryu Takahashi, who had been traveling alone for the past 2 months across the Central Asian deserts, looping at the Middle East and now on his return leg to Japan via South Asia. He is a shy guy, but given time, we reckon he would make a great companion. This leg of our journey was pretty much nondescript, save for the fact that for the first time, we’re dead broke. Sure, we have our ATM cards and spare Singapore dollars, but with limited financial services between Belahiya and Pokhara, our credits were rendered useless. But the views were priceless. I must say that it was nothing unusual as I had seen the same on my last trip through Yunnan’s wilderness but to witness terraces upon terraces of green hill rice fields unfold between remote valleys of the Mahabharat Range of Nepal’s central Terai region was breathtaking and refreshing. What was more striking was the warmth of the Nepalese, and their very good looks. I, for sure, had an eyeful.

Anyway, Pokhara is a true-blue backpackers’ haven with a charming small-town disposition and a lively chill-out atmosphere. Most travelers use Pokhara as a base for treks around the valley, including the chance to get upclose and personal with the revered Annapurna and Machhapuchhare. We’ve signed up for a couple of treks ourselves, costing us USD85 each, including the fully paid return trip to Delhi come Friday morning. What was most thrilling is Faruq’s paragliding trip from Sarangkot scheduled for Thursday morning. I would have jumped at that chance myself if finances permit but alas, I guess I would have to save that for my return trip in future.

Dinner at the Busy Bee Café was unexpectedly good. We had a pizza and a cup of milk tea each for SGD8, on top of the awesome a live band spinning evergreen tunes from yesteryears. It was a good way to close the day after the backbreaking bus rides from India.


I know this is late but this picture was taken during our New year's party at Saii Palace in Agra. Miss them lots...