November 30th - where are we right now?

Yes, this blog is admitidly a bit all over the place as I'm now writing about where we are now, yet still catching up on pictures and stories from our Island Peak/Passes trek & climb.

Well, dear Reader, we are now in a town called Pokhara. It's west of KTM, about 4oom above sea level, near a big lake and, bliss, it's actually quite warm, being a lower altitude to KTM which was quite chilly even during the day last week.

Greg's been here before and insisted we get ourselves to the north end of Lakeside (tourist area). It's amazing for him as the town has expanded so much since he was here 15 years ago, he was finding it difficult to locate himself. After much searching for a quiet place off the road, we have secured ourselves an amazing room on the first floor of a new lodge owned by a French/Nepali couple. It's amazing how often on this trip I have had to speak French to get by, and it's the same again here as neither of them are good at English. So "hurrah" for O-level French (even if it is 30 years old by now). So new is our lodge, we are the very first people they have had staying. But, oh, what bliss, to stand in your own hot shower and soak and soak and soak. It's amazing how you really come to value some of these everyday norms once they've been denied you for some times. Never underestimate the healing powers of warm water I say!

This is a totally different version of Nepal to me. No yaks jingling jangling, mountains only visible on a clear day, different looking people (other Nepali tribal groups) and lots of motorbikes. Saying all this, the menus haven't really changed from the mountain lodges and we are both suffering from lack of appetite. One can only eat so many fried eggs or veg fried rice. I'm even going off the milk tea a bit. The other "tourists" here are different too. From a plethora or trekkers and climbers, we are now in the realm of "travellers". I have never seen so many dreadlocks and ethnic baggy pants walking down the road at the same time. They seem to come from Spain and Israel mostly. I think there is also some substance smoking which is obviously an attraction for a certain type of tourist, many of whom don't look like they could move further on than the junction down the road, never mind actual travel! Ahem - saying that there are a lot of yoga opportunities (everything but ashtanga), incence burning and ayaverdic massage.

We're planning on another small trek into the Annapurna and will set off tomorrow for about 10 days into the Annapurna Sancturary. On our return back here, I'm tempted on going off rafting, but Greg's not too keen so we might do separate stuff for a few days. Maybe, just before Xmas we will gop to the Chitwan National Park to ride elephants, and then back to KTM for a few days before our flight out in early January.

Here's a picture of the lodge we're staying in (note blue travel towel) and a pic of the road we're staying off just to give an idea of location.

Liz x