Postcards from Nepal

Hiya everyone! Not-so-small daughter back again and feeling so incredibly lucky to have more stories of my travels!

Once again (I went to Japan last year) my travelling began on a 7 hour flight to Dubai, a country I am still yet to actually visit outside of the airport, with a very short layover that required running through shops and getting on a train and a little bus to our next plane because of the massive distance between terminals.  From there it was only another 4 hours to Kathmandu which felt like nothing after our flight to Dubai.

We were immediately immersed into the chaotic and colourful streets of Nepal’s capital city and ready to cram all we could into our first day!  This involved our trip up to Swayambhunath (commonly referred to as the monkey temple), which is an incredible temple that sits on top at 1406 metres and is a pretty incredible view to see Kathmandu from once you’re finished admiring the temple itself.

If you’re like me you would have also spent quite a lot of time being seriously intimidated by the sheer amount of monkeys that called this temple home, despite the fact that they aren’t even remotely interested in you!  The following day we visited Kathmandu Durbar Square, a beautiful area that reflects the depth and complexity of Nepal’s captivating history and the traditions that continue to live on into modern Nepalese lifestyles.  We spent our evening visiting another incredible Stupa and eating our meals under an amazing amount of prayer flags all brightly lit.

The next day we began the first of our many extremely long coach journeys as we spent a day in the Trishuli River inbetween Kathmandu and Pokhara.

We had the most incredible time white water rafting for three hours down the river with a serious list of instructions of what to do if you fell out, which definitely puts an damper on the excitement before you get in but once I was in I could’ve stayed all day. Pushing a rubber raft with people I had met less than half a year ago with an instructor who loved to yell ‘yeehaw’ whilst we were surrounded by mountains and blue skies is definitely an experience I will hold onto forever.

We then had a 14 hour journey (extended due to the amount of landslides we were trying to avoid in our little coach) up to a village not far from the municipality of Baglung.  We were greeted by the most caring and giving people who fed us with rice from their own rice paddies and let 11 of us stay in their own rooms for 3 days.  We stayed with this kind family in order to help them to plant over 150 of a variety of trees in contribution to developing their community and sustainable environment protection.

They were definitely much more experienced in the agricultural aspects as digging that many holes as well as planting grass around the trees appeared a lot easier in the demonstrations they gave us.  Nevertheless, we found it very hard to leave the family that had opened their home to us, and I hope they continue to play all the card games we taught them and realise what an impact they’ve had on my life.

Once we managed to say goodbye we ventured down in our trusty coach to Pokhara, another tourism capital of Nepal, where we attempted yoga, admired the lakes and enjoyed the hot showers before preparing to set off on our trek the following day.

We completed the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek in 5 days and all I can say is that I have had some serious character building from it!

Photo from the summit of Poon Hill

Walking for 7-8 hours a day not only builds some of the strongest friendships I’ve ever had but also developed a fear of leeches I had never had before (one of the joys of travelling during monsoon season).  Walking my dog and up the stairs at my job proved to not have prepared me for the 3,210m viewpoint and the 3,000 stairs we walked up to get there, but the feeling of achievement and accomplishment is one that will be kept close to my heart forever.

We stayed in guesthouse/hostel-like accommodation commonly known as Teahouses where we were equally welcomed and sufficiently fed and motivated for our next day of walking.

Although I had failed to research the risk of leeches before I left, walking boots, bug spray, salt, leggings tucked into (beautifully made) knitted socks, with waterproof trousers over the top proved to be pretty trustworthy.  Our guide regularly told us how they didn’t hurt but I think I’m alright not being able to confirm or deny that one just yet 🙂

After five days of trekking we eventually returned back to Pokhara where we just had time to visit the World Peace Pagoda, a stunning monument overlooking the lake with a history that represents the loving nature of the Nepalese people.

The food all over Nepal had been truly incredible and it did not stop in Pokhara, this country seriously knows what they’re doing when it comes to rice and dhal.

With a tearful goodbye to Pokhara, we then got on a very small, 30 minute, propellor plane back to Kathmandu. Whilst I might’ve been having heart palpitations having direct view of the propellor out of my window, the views of mountains poking above the clouds quickly replaced all fears with just awe.

Returning to Kathmandu reminded us all of how soon we’d be returning home and also quite how much we could’ve stayed for so much longer. We spent our last day visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, becoming seriously good at haggling and tasting Bhaktapur’s famous King Curd.

I found it very hard to leave Nepal, not only because of the friendships made along the way, but because of what a caring, welcoming and incredible country it is overall. I feel so incredibly lucky to have had a trip that made it so difficult to say goodbye and I can’t wait to see where my walking boots and I have to venture to next.

Thank you so much,

Not-so-small daughter 🙂