|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:40:17 GMT
Pokhara (population 200,00+) is the third largest city in Nepal. It is 198kms west of Kathmandu and until the end of the 1960s it could only be reached on foot. It lies on the important and ancient trading route between India and Tibet. The Annurpurna mountain range (over 8,000m) towers over the town and is reflected in beautiful Lake Phewa. It is from here that tourists start the trekking routes to the Annapurna Circuit and the kingdom of Mustang. I have stayed in Pokhara many times. Let me show you some of my pictures. Here is one of the main streets -  |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:41:50 GMT
This is Lake Fewa, Pokhara. Rising behind the lake are some of the highest mountains in the world - Dhaulagiri is the Earth's 7th highest mountain at 8,167meters (26,700ft), the Annapurnas (there are four Annapurna peaks)... 8,091 meters, and the Fishtail mountain (Macchapuchare) with its distinctive peak.  ![]() On the other side of the lake (shown in the above picture) there is a Buddhist temple, a Temple of Peace, on top of the hill. I decided to take a boat and be rowed to the other shore and climb up to it. Because I was alone a lady rower was provided for me. Nepali people are very respectful and would not dream of sending me off on an adventure in the company of a man   We approached a landing place on the far shore- this is where my climb started.  I had originally gone down to the lake just to be rowed around for an hour or so and admire the views. But one thing leads to another and when my lady rower approached the far shore I saw a path and wanted to follow it. The uncomplaining soul beached the boat and came with me (to protect me, she said)... Not knowing that I would be climbing that day I was wearing the wrong shoes and had a Mulberry handbag over my shoulder  The climb was longer and harder than I expected and the path led through a dense forest, so I was glad that the lady rower came with me. Eventually, after much huffing and puffing, I reached the pagoda at the top..  And here I am standing in front of the magnificent panorama of the Annapurnas and Macchapuchare behind me.. It does look like a Fishtail, doesn't it? |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:48:13 GMT
 You can see Pokhara town below...  |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:51:01 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2009 20:53:43 GMT
Great pictures, but it's funny -- whenever I don't see snow-covered mountains in the photo, it makes me think "it doesn't look like Nepal!"
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:54:25 GMT
And here are some views taken higher up in the hills -   |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:56:49 GMT
This is the small temple on an island in Lake Phewa...take a rowing boat to visit it -  |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 20:59:22 GMT
And lastly, this is the Lake Fewa hotel where I try and stay. It overlooks the lake and there's nothing better than having breakfast on the terrace -  Can you see my room?  |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 21:01:45 GMT
Jazz - thanks...you've encouraged me so I'll post some more!
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 21:10:55 GMT
 Some water buffalos  |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 4, 2009 21:14:21 GMT
Kerouac - you'll be seeing lots of my Nepal pictures that don't feature mountains!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2009 22:45:57 GMT
Oh well, I guess I'll try to look at them anyway.
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Feb 7, 2009 4:49:15 GMT
What a rich peek into this part of the world, Spindrift. It is funny that the first two pictures made me think, "that doesn't look like Asia!" (as if I'd know), then abruptly you plunged us into a beautiful land that's obviously very far away. Thank you!
Each time you go, is it for trekking, or do you sometimes go simply to be there?
|
|
|
|
Post by palesa on Feb 7, 2009 5:38:34 GMT
WOW. I can almost smell the air.
Where/how did your love affair with Nepal start?
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 7, 2009 9:42:59 GMT
Ten years ago my son had a Nepali girlfriend. I became friendly with her mother who invited me to stay in her house in Kathmandu. We quickly became great friends and I had an open invitation to stay at her place even if she wasn't in Nepal. By coincidence she also lives in the south of England only two miles from me so we see a lot of each other. My friend is always on the move. She has shown me all over Nepal. My first trek was with her. After that I was hooked. Now, although she only treks to the remotest places in the Himalayas which are well out of my spending range, involving helicopters! I have found someone else to trek with. Over the years I have made friends with many Nepalis so in many ways Nepal has become like a home from home. There are many great trekking routes from east to west in Nepal. I have noticed that in each location there is very different landscape and tribal people; I am constantly surprised and delighted by what I see. Add to this the eternal interest of shrines, stupas, temples (Hindu and Buddhist) which are scattered everywhere and a way of life being carried on almost as if in medieval times. Nepali people are gentle and kind and I've never encountered scams as have been perpetrated on me in India. Nepal only opened its doors to the world in the 1950s. Inside this rocky kingdom is a way of life that is cultured and comfortable for those who can afford it. Prior to the narrow roads being constructed between the Indian plains and Kathmandu, the use of porters was the only means of receiving goods from abroad. I am told that several large Rolls Royces were carried on backs over the mountains into Kathmandu from India and reassembled in the valley. Additionally I am interested in exploring and enjoying the sources of the some of the great rivers of the sub-continent. Here is my friend and guide, Dawa, encouraging my horse over a stream that will, in its course, flow into the Ganges...  And here is the same river some miles downstream  The southern region of Nepal which join to India is called the Terai which is the breadbasket of Nepal. Here the temperatures rise and great rivers flow through the land. There are forests with rhinos and perhaps tigers. Yes, I have to admit it...I love Nepal. |
|
|
|
Post by auntieannie on Feb 7, 2009 16:24:38 GMT
beautiful!
Some of it could almost be Switzerland... that's what went through my mind when poring over these pics, Spindrift!
|
|
|
|
Post by palesa on Feb 7, 2009 19:48:25 GMT
Spindrift, I can see what the attraction is to Nepal.
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Feb 8, 2009 10:15:58 GMT
Annie - Switzerland is equally beautiful but in a different way. It's interesting (but I haven't enquired into the reasons yet) that the tree-line in the Himalayas is much higher than in Switzerland. Barley and even poplar trees grow in Nepal up to an altitude of approximately 13,000ft.
Wouldn't it be strange to see barley and buckwheat fields growing on the Matterhorn at 13,000ft?!
|
|
|
|
Post by mich64 on Jul 24, 2011 19:02:43 GMT
How fortunate for you Spindrift that your son had a relationship that also provided you with a friendship that will last your lifetime and gives you the opportunity to travel in such a wonderful place.
Cheers,
Mich
|
|
|
|
Post by nycgirl on Sept 28, 2011 15:56:12 GMT
Just noticed this thread. Really lovely photos. Beautiful mountains, and I love the photo of the farming terraces in #5. Wish I could see all of them, it looks like photobucket removed a few.  The first photo of the buffalo walking down the main street is funny. Bet that happens all the time, huh? |
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Sept 30, 2011 7:47:13 GMT
Here I am... I have no idea why some photos have been removed. Unfortunately I do not know which ones they were. nycgirl - yes the buffalo stroll here and there, up and down streets whenever it pleases them  Mich, it is wonderful to have that special relationship with Nepali people. For instance, this week I have been invited to accompany a gf who is going out there this November. She and I 'adopted' a Nepali horseboy four years ago. He was born into an impoverished family in Pokhara, even his date of birth was not remembered (this is usual in poverty-striken families) and he was sent to work in the mountain village of Jomsom not far from Pokhara, about 3 days walk up to 10,000ft. You can fly up there in 20 minutes. She and I (with his parents permission) took him back down to Pokhara and put him into a school, as he wished... I have made a thread about it on this board. Anyway to cut a long story short, my gf is going back to Nepal to check on how he's doing. I might go with her. In any case, after this weekend, I will have more time to put up extra pictures of Pokhara and its surroundings... So glad you like the thread. |
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Sept 30, 2011 18:28:20 GMT
Hello, Spindrift! Wonderful to see you. I don't know what happens with photobucket pictures. It seems that any rearrangement of pictures hosted there causes problems.
Re: the horseboy (wonderful!) threads -- links to those two threads can be found stickied at the top of the Indian Subcontinent sub-board, in a thread titled "Indian Subcontinent in Post Cards board".
|
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on Sept 30, 2011 18:43:28 GMT
It does look like an amazing place, and the images give a lovely tantalising glimpse. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Nov 17, 2011 16:08:43 GMT
I am back to fix the missing photographs....let me see what I can do! Sorry for the long delay. On another day I followed a trail up to Sarankot - perched on a high hill much nearer to the Annapurnas. I must admit that rather than slog up the mountain for 2 hours, I took a taxi and got out here where the road ended (I asked the driver to wait a couple of hours for me and he was happy to do this).. You can see that the path leading upwards is well paved and bordered by little huts where people hoped to sell cups of tea, cold drinks and even meals. Many people used this route to view the high mountains opposite and I noticed that this was a favourite spot for hang-gliding and parachuting.  This is the view behind me whilst climbing up the path.  This is someone's house. You can see hand-woven 'dokos' that are used to carry things and are strapped onto porters' backs.  then I come round a corner and see the mighty Himals rising above me.. this sight never fails to amaze me..   At last, I arrive at the top of the hill and find the remains of the ancient fort and temple.   Personally I find Pokhara to be a Wonder of the World. It is usual for first-time visitors to be woken before dawn and, wrapped in blankets, sit in a hotel garden waiting for the light to break over the scene. Pokhara is at an altitude of 2,000metres and when sunlight gilds the highest peaks, the eye is drawn upwards to 26,000ft. People are truly astonished! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2011 16:08:37 GMT
Wonderful -- that last pointy peak is magnificent.
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Nov 19, 2011 17:42:05 GMT
The 'pointy peak' is the Fishtail (Macchapuchare); it reminds me of the Matterhorn (half its height).
|
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Nov 19, 2011 19:26:31 GMT
It certainly is beautiful there. What time of year were these pictures taken? I suppose you have been several times?
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Nov 22, 2011 22:45:06 GMT
bjd - I suppose I have been to Nepal at least ten times. I'm trying to remember at what time of the year I made this journey to Pokhara. I think it was in January. I am using a pc that is on loan so I do not have my photos on the hard drive. I'll be able to say definitely whether it was Jan or not when my computer is returned in 2 weeks' time.
It is during the winter months that the skies are clearest in Nepal..
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2011 2:55:10 GMT
It's so lovely to see these pics again Spindrift. Thank you. I have a very fond recall of when you started this thread and my enchantment as well as awe at the lengths you went to travel and explore this area. I would love to hear an update on the young boy and his progress if you have time to share it. (As an aside,I was always drawn to this part of the world because I somehow have it in my head that this is one of the few places on the planet that one might possibly go and not have see,experience, Christmas.) |
|
|
|
Post by nycgirl on Dec 3, 2011 21:29:55 GMT
Great photos. I know the word "awesome" gets overused, but those peaks are a truly awesome sight.
You certainly live an adventurous life. Thanks for sharing.
|
|
