Sarangkot...It's a long hike!
Today's top tip, get a trustworthy native to write down In their local language the vitals in respect of bus travel in the hope that life will be made considerably easier! And indeed it is as I make my way towards the Sarangkot bus from New Road. As usual I'm kicked out on an obscure, narrow street at junction with, well a less narrow street. Thankfully a kind shopkeeper points after looking at my handwritten set of names. Just a short walk away is the city bus park and a pretty good view of the mountains towering above, although those pesky clouds are just beginning to form around the tops.
Bad news, the next bus leaves at 1.30 pm, some 2 3/4 hours from now. I could hike it, not sure of the exact distance as I tentatively head towards the mountains. Sarangkot is a hilltop village and famed for having the best views of the Annapurna Mountains without the effort of a 5 day trek. I could try my luck with one of these minibus type vans frequently zooming up and down spewing fumes and creating dust levels unmatched anywhere else in the world!. A nod and on I get with those thoughts of a long arouse hike slowly dispersing.
5 minutes and 15 rupees later I am on the Sarangkot road junction as the van speeds off before I can say 'Buffalo Cheese'. Oh well, better start walking although it looks a long way up but at least the road looks in good shape.
On the right are some spectacular mountain views and on the left a view of the Pokhara town but shrouded in that hazy combination of dust and mist. Higher up, out of breath and beginning to wonder if I'll ever make it but the views are captivating. Terraced fields extending far below into the valleys and those mountains seem to be inching closer.
It's becoming a long hike up, probably not going to make it all the way as its already been over an hour. Plenty of buses heading down, that 1.30 bus can't be far away either. Oh look, there's the paragliding launch pad. Quite a hive of activity with folk jumping off the hillside in the hope of making it down to the Lakeside in one piece. Not for me though, not today anyway! A good rest and a 15p cup of boiled milk tea here as hoards of Chinese tourists roll up and take flight.
Better start back, at least downhill should be easier. Plenty of ride offers from the paragliding transport jeeps heading back down to recover those tourists. 300 rupees to the Lakeside seems to be top wack and the going rate as boy drivers see a potential windfall coming their way from a gullible tourist. No thanks, I'll walk and find a bus. An equally long walk down, same route although looking at the network of paths and tracks around here there must be a shorter way!
Back to lakeside on the bus is easy enough. New road, to LA School again and wait for Amrit and Anjali to finish at 3.35. Again, not the school run madness found in British society but just a handful of patents loitering whilst most kids board buses for home. Me too, as Amrit runs out and pulls me towards the school bus, crammed to the roof with kids. Can you just imagine what the British authorities would think if they see this! Hold on tight, off we go on another square wheeled bus, the yellow old school bus!
Today's top tip, get a trustworthy native to write down In their local language the vitals in respect of bus travel in the hope that life will be made considerably easier! And indeed it is as I make my way towards the Sarangkot bus from New Road. As usual I'm kicked out on an obscure, narrow street at junction with, well a less narrow street. Thankfully a kind shopkeeper points after looking at my handwritten set of names. Just a short walk away is the city bus park and a pretty good view of the mountains towering above, although those pesky clouds are just beginning to form around the tops.
Bad news, the next bus leaves at 1.30 pm, some 2 3/4 hours from now. I could hike it, not sure of the exact distance as I tentatively head towards the mountains. Sarangkot is a hilltop village and famed for having the best views of the Annapurna Mountains without the effort of a 5 day trek. I could try my luck with one of these minibus type vans frequently zooming up and down spewing fumes and creating dust levels unmatched anywhere else in the world!. A nod and on I get with those thoughts of a long arouse hike slowly dispersing.
5 minutes and 15 rupees later I am on the Sarangkot road junction as the van speeds off before I can say 'Buffalo Cheese'. Oh well, better start walking although it looks a long way up but at least the road looks in good shape.
On the right are some spectacular mountain views and on the left a view of the Pokhara town but shrouded in that hazy combination of dust and mist. Higher up, out of breath and beginning to wonder if I'll ever make it but the views are captivating. Terraced fields extending far below into the valleys and those mountains seem to be inching closer.
It's becoming a long hike up, probably not going to make it all the way as its already been over an hour. Plenty of buses heading down, that 1.30 bus can't be far away either. Oh look, there's the paragliding launch pad. Quite a hive of activity with folk jumping off the hillside in the hope of making it down to the Lakeside in one piece. Not for me though, not today anyway! A good rest and a 15p cup of boiled milk tea here as hoards of Chinese tourists roll up and take flight.
Better start back, at least downhill should be easier. Plenty of ride offers from the paragliding transport jeeps heading back down to recover those tourists. 300 rupees to the Lakeside seems to be top wack and the going rate as boy drivers see a potential windfall coming their way from a gullible tourist. No thanks, I'll walk and find a bus. An equally long walk down, same route although looking at the network of paths and tracks around here there must be a shorter way!
Back to lakeside on the bus is easy enough. New road, to LA School again and wait for Amrit and Anjali to finish at 3.35. Again, not the school run madness found in British society but just a handful of patents loitering whilst most kids board buses for home. Me too, as Amrit runs out and pulls me towards the school bus, crammed to the roof with kids. Can you just imagine what the British authorities would think if they see this! Hold on tight, off we go on another square wheeled bus, the yellow old school bus!
No comments:
Post a Comment