Pokhara, NEPAL

World Peace Stupa

Phewa Tal (the lake) and the Himalayas

Harvest time in Pokhara

Pokhara is an outdoors center with its living quarters spread out around a lake surrounded by mountains (much like Lake Tahoe), trekking trips you can take in Himalayas for ten, twenty, thirty days, and other opportunities it offers such as paragliding and rafting. It's been infested with tourists for many years and still keeps its popularity so it's highly commercialised. Especially the lakeside, where the most hotels are located, is no different than a small European village. With prices twice or thrice higher than the rest of Nepal and India, one should come here for the purpose of outdoors tourism and not cultural visits. As a result I spent the two days here with outdoors activities as much as possible (yes, the city boy can hike). First day I went out of the city by a bike I rented. After touring the streets of the old city, where locals live, I went to the so called "bat cave". Although not too interesting with hundreds of small black bats living on the ceiling of the cave, the possibility of them waking up and attacking you any moment gives a little excitement. After bicycling around the lake for a while, I decided to return the bike due to my butt getting damn soar from the uncomfortable seat and the noises the old bike was making, and spent the rest of the day reading my book at a restaurant. Second day was spent hiking the mountains around the lake and enjoying the breath taking views. My body, not being used to hiking, got really tired but a little nap by the lake took care of it. I again spent the rest of the day resting in the city. I'm ready to hassle with my Indian brothers again after resting for two days in the peaceful atmosphere of Pokhara. I will be starting my long trip to Agra tomorrow.