Day 12 – 15: Pokhara

Lumbini to Pokhara

A long and arduous bus trip.

The majority through winding mountain passes.

Having a puncture, more of a blow-out, set us back a bit. All in all, the whole trip took around 10 hours.

On arrival in Pokhara, had booked ahead and it was just a case of finding my way to the hotel.

Pokhara

Perhaps the most touristy type place I’ve visited in Nepal.

Lakeside seems to be set out entirely with tourism in mind.

Pokhara Centre Point
Pokhara Centre Point

Unlike Thamel in Kathmandu, it’s not so much the shops with nik-naks or hiking gear, herbs or Nepalese products, but restaurants and eateries, live music cafés and places to spend money in that manner.

There are shops of every nature, and Europeans seem to be much more in evidence.

It’s all pretty spread out.

I’ve got a bike, and I’m going to be using that to get around.

Holi

Today is Holi Festival which is a big thing in Nepal and in India. Continue reading “Day 12 – 15: Pokhara”

Day 10 -11: Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha

As the title says. And as you can imagine, it’s kind of a Mecca for Buddhists all over the world.

Not a Buddhist personally, but am kind of interested in sites of a historical and cultural nature.

Maya Devi Temple

Is the actual birthplace of Buddha and is a designated World Heritage Site.

There are lots of tourists here, and when you’re in the temples and religious areas, you’ve got to take your shoes off.

Sometimes its normal to light some incense, and make an offering.

The modern Devi Temple is surrounded by the ruins of the first monastery built here around 200BC.

Maya Devi
Maya Devi

As you wander round, there’s a pool and a tree at the front. The pool has large catfish, carp and turtles rolling on the surface, taking air and enjoying the sunshine.

The tree is the ‘Buddha Tree’ and is adorned by hanging prayer flags.

If you want, you can light some incense under the Buddha tree.

The garden extends off in various directions with lawns and flowers and walkways for the barefooted visitors. Continue reading “Day 10 -11: Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha”

Day 9: Cycle ride to 20,000 lakes

After writing for half the day, only read had the back-end of the afternoon in which to do stuff.

It really wasn’t worth hiring a motorcycle for that long so I decided to get a more humble mountain bike @ 350rps (£2.20).

20,000 lakes

20,000 lakes is a reservation area close to the Chitwan National Park.

It’s more wetland, as you can imagine.

Our guide on Friday told us that you can take a bike in, no problem.

It’s not possible to go on foot, because, like Chitwan, it’s a little bit dangerous.

When I got to the gate I discovered that my bike got in for free, but I had to pay, so had to cycle all the way back to the ATM.

By the time I actually got into the park area, it was 4.30pm.

Here’s a picture of my ride

Continue reading “Day 9: Cycle ride to 20,000 lakes”

Day 8: Chitwan National Park – Walking tour

With two guides; it’s not safe enough to walk around on your own.

There’s a video below of us nearly being chased by a large jungle beastie which is testament to that.

After yesterday’s hotel drama, got settled. Woke by the mosquito’s at about 6am. Had to be at the tour centre for 7.

Got some rolls, bread, crisps and water, binoculars and a kit-kat from the shops around the village. Cost about £2.50 in all, (not including the binoculars). Waited around a bit for the two other tourists, a pair of Ukrainian ‘journalists’.

Once they arrived, we all set off on our merry journey.

Chitwan National Park – Canoe Trip

The first hour of this journey is spent on the canoe, drifting down the Rapti river and observing the various wildlife that cared to present itself.

I was one of the few people to bring binoculars, and I felt kind of smug about this. Also, they give you a much better view of what you’re looking at.

The temptation to get the camera out is much less, making it that little bit more enjoyable and relaxing.

Rapti River - Chitwan National Park
Rapti River – Chitwan National Park

There are many birds and ducks, although I suspect not as many as there were in the past. Still, they were out there.

Egrets, Kingfishers, Starlings, Miner birds, Storks etc. Couple of swifts and martins, although, I get the impression, not as many in the past. Continue reading “Day 8: Chitwan National Park – Walking tour”

Day 7: Chitwan National Park

Or Chitwan national park as they call it.

A UNESCO world heritage site, as designated in 1984.

We’re staying just over the water in the non-reserved bit. A town called Sauraha.

Bus trip

From Kathmandu to Sauraha bus park.

Fairly painless affair only taking 4 hours in total with a couple of stop-offs along the way.

My guide told me there was a strike in operation throughout Nepal, and the streets would be empty.

Obviously this worked in our favour.

Quick and easy journey.

Bus journey from Kathmandu to Sauraha
Bus journey from Kathmandu to Sauraha

Sauraha

When I was planning my trip to the village, I booked some accommodation at booking.com. I always use booking.com, through my travels across China and the Far East. When I do book ahead, they seem to have a good network and reasonable prices. Continue reading “Day 7: Chitwan National Park”