I was in Pokhara for 4 days, Tuesday through Friday, before beginning my Annapurna trek.
Immediately I liked it more than Kathmandu - Lakeside (ingeniously named for it's colocation with Phewa Tol) is amazingly beautiful, and on my first evening I got great pics of the sun setting over the lake, and a few hints of the mountains in the distance through the clouds.
I had met a few Canadian girls on the 7-hour bus ride here, and so didn't have to spend the four days alone. We had some great food, some good drinks, decent music, and I got disgustingly ill on my last day. Special thanks go to the merciful creature who stayed awake on Friday night to nurse me through my sickness.
Other highlights: Climbing to the Peace Pagoda overlooking Pokhara, and renting a motorbike for the day to take out into the countryside. Sorry ma, it was worth it.
Photos after the jump:
The Canadian girls, sitting down to a good meal on our first night.
My meal: Steak, mushrooms, and cheesy toast
Some boats for rent, collecting the afternoon light.
Phewa Tol (Pokhara Lake)
A cow in the street. Killing one will land you in jail for two years.
Go on, it's real pashmina.
The sun setting over the lake.
Some punters.
Lakeside sunset.
My first real view of a Himalaya.
Himalayas in the distance behind the lake.
Various paddies and collections of greenery.
Climbing to the Peace Pagoda was sweaty business. I celebrated with a beer and a bounty.
The Peace Pagoda, built by Japanese Buddhists.
The history and meaning of the Peace Pagoda. Click to enlarge.
Mr Water Buffalo, and partner. Enjoying the hilltop spa.
No fewer than 7 leeches sought refuge on my feet.
My superbike.
A thing in a field?
Cresting a hill and rounding a corner on my bike, I was greeted with this view.
Ouch! Are your feet healed from the leaches? Looks painful! The views you got on your bike ride are so cool. I also love the sunset lake shots.
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