Pokhara

There is actually very little to do in Pokhara, except laze around the lake and over-indulge in the many restaurants, which line the lakeside. Well, that is what most trekkers, which end in Pokhara do. After all, you've just been physically exerting yourself for the last 3 weeks, so why would you even think of doing anything else, but take a well deserved rest... I've never been one to sit to still in one place and thankfully a large portion of the group tended to agree.

First up was a peaceful paddle across Phewa Lake, on some brightly painted boats, which can be rented for a very reasonable price (especially if your willing to do all the work yourself) all along the lakeside. Reaching the opposite bank, it was a quick climb up to the "World Peace Pagoda", which is a massive Buddhist stupa and a great vantage point, offering spectacular views of the Annapurna range and Pokhara city... well that is at least what the guide books say. The stupa itself is in need of a repair and is obviously not so well looked after (guess the whole world peace thing is not going so well) and the views are great, but the clouds obscured the view. So back down and across the lake again... I distinctly remember hearing someone trying to charge us a 100 Rupee "Paddle fee" to look after the boats paddles (I also distinctly remember ignoring it).

Next we rented bicycles (really rickety things) and went in search of the International Mountaineering Museum, which was really interesting, filled with all sorts of old mountaineering equipment and such. Then the rains came (and some very large pieces of hail ... pigeon eggs size, no jokes). Once passed, it was off to Devi's Falls, which is about 2km from Pokhara and really is an awesome little waterfall. What was even more amazing was when we returned two days later and went across the road to a couple of caves (Gupteshwor Cave, I think), which after following an underground passage, pops you out at the bottom of the Devi's falls. I digress ...

Next day we rented some bikes again and cycled up to the Seti river gorge. The river flows right through the city and is completely underground at places. There are however points, where the river can be see running at the bottom of a gorge, which is probably no more than 2 meters in width, but about 20 meters in depth (and people live right up against the gorge, quite amazing). Here some folk cycled up to Sarangkot. I turned the other way, just the thought of a stiff climb on a bicycle, which was bust falling apart somehow just did not appeal to me and besides, I had a very tourist thing to do ... shopping. Books are very cheap and there were quiet a few bookshops lining the lakeside. Also, bought some stunning artwork (art is always something of personal opinion).

Our last full day in Pokhara, was spending "lazing". So instead of bicycles, we upgraded ourselves to a motorised form of transport ... 125cc Motorbikes. Now I should point out, that up to this day the only motorbike type thing I've ridden was a scooter. Similar, but different. Anyways, we explained to that we have never ridden motorbikes before and the owner of the bikes asked us "Can you drive a car, with gears". "Yes", we answered. "Ok, no problem, we will quickly show you," he replied and 5 minutes later we had graduated, 20 minutes later we were zipping around Pokhara (a bit shaky at first). Damn, it was a lot of fun and we got to see everything still outstanding (as well as re-visit some sites) and go see another small lake about 20km + outside of Pokhara. Oh, the interesting thing to note (besides the fact that the folk we rented from not asked to see drivers license, passport or even find out where we were staying), was that the motorbikes we rented all belonged to private individuals (would rent your private bike to some tourist, whom has never ridden a bike before).

From Pokhara we rented a prive bus to Kathmandu (16 seater... and this time it was just the 7 of us, it was great).

Pokhara, was a really great city and I would recommend it to anyone. Swimming in the lake is very refreshing too (but make sure you are in the middle somewhere, it's otherwise a bit polluted). The only disappointing thing about Pokhara, was watching the absolutely shameful cricket semi-final against Australia. Otherwise it's a great place to "relax" a bit, regardless of wheter you've been trekking or not.