It's a long hike, just hope the views are worth it!
At breakfast and gazing up at that white bell-shaped structure perched prominently on hill opposite. Its called a Stupa also branded as the 'World Peace Pagoda'. Two ways of getting there apparently. The usual tourists way of taking a rowing boat across the lake and then hiking up the hillside - should take about 1 hour and 30 is a consensus reached. Then the lazier way, by bus although no one can say which bus or where from!
Another nice day now the fog has dispersed. Warming up nicely too after a cold night and without all that pollution experienced in Kathmandu, a very pleasant environment indeed. The thought of being fleeced 400 NPR just to be rowed across the lake is all the encouragement I need to go and find that bus to the Stupa, well, maybe part hike and part bus!
Following the lake towards Damside where, unsurprisingly, there is a dam feeding water into a deep gorge across which is a bridge, loosely speaking. A kind of suspension bridge that wobbles enough that I need to grab the sides tightly. Yes, this is a slightly dodgy arrangement since there are gaps where wooden slats have disintegrated as I proceed with caution, glad to have reached the opposite side without major incident! From here a series of paths and tracks leading right, left or up. Left seems a good bet being at the base of a hill, just into the forest. A pleasant hike looking over towards farms and paddy fields, eventually ending up in a Pokhara suburb.
I have a reasonable idea of my location and I'm guessing the way to this Stupa is straight ahead on this tarmac road since there are buses going there - apparently. Actually the hike thus far hasn't been to strenuous so might as well keep it going. At last, some indication of the way, a sign indicating turn right, and up.
Hazy views of Pokhara and the valley beyond with the airport close by but rather inconveniently hidden behind a hill. Longing for a drink of nice cold water and something to eat as this hike is becoming long and arduous. Nearly 3 hours since setting out from lakeside and the gleaming white Stupa suddenly comes into view sitting perched on the highest possible point - hope the views from there will be worth all this effort. But first a drink to replenish all that lost energy. Plenty of spots for that as this looks like quite a major tourist point. A collection of taxis and private vans here in the dusty parking area next to a village. Plenty of touristy options for a drink and a snack, but if I head towards the village, just where that tumble-down shack is then hopefully the tourist hubbub can be avoided. Yes, it can indeed with a nice cup of that Nepali tea and Pokauda snacks.
At breakfast and gazing up at that white bell-shaped structure perched prominently on hill opposite. Its called a Stupa also branded as the 'World Peace Pagoda'. Two ways of getting there apparently. The usual tourists way of taking a rowing boat across the lake and then hiking up the hillside - should take about 1 hour and 30 is a consensus reached. Then the lazier way, by bus although no one can say which bus or where from!
Another nice day now the fog has dispersed. Warming up nicely too after a cold night and without all that pollution experienced in Kathmandu, a very pleasant environment indeed. The thought of being fleeced 400 NPR just to be rowed across the lake is all the encouragement I need to go and find that bus to the Stupa, well, maybe part hike and part bus!
Following the lake towards Damside where, unsurprisingly, there is a dam feeding water into a deep gorge across which is a bridge, loosely speaking. A kind of suspension bridge that wobbles enough that I need to grab the sides tightly. Yes, this is a slightly dodgy arrangement since there are gaps where wooden slats have disintegrated as I proceed with caution, glad to have reached the opposite side without major incident! From here a series of paths and tracks leading right, left or up. Left seems a good bet being at the base of a hill, just into the forest. A pleasant hike looking over towards farms and paddy fields, eventually ending up in a Pokhara suburb.
I have a reasonable idea of my location and I'm guessing the way to this Stupa is straight ahead on this tarmac road since there are buses going there - apparently. Actually the hike thus far hasn't been to strenuous so might as well keep it going. At last, some indication of the way, a sign indicating turn right, and up.
Hazy views of Pokhara and the valley beyond with the airport close by but rather inconveniently hidden behind a hill. Longing for a drink of nice cold water and something to eat as this hike is becoming long and arduous. Nearly 3 hours since setting out from lakeside and the gleaming white Stupa suddenly comes into view sitting perched on the highest possible point - hope the views from there will be worth all this effort. But first a drink to replenish all that lost energy. Plenty of spots for that as this looks like quite a major tourist point. A collection of taxis and private vans here in the dusty parking area next to a village. Plenty of touristy options for a drink and a snack, but if I head towards the village, just where that tumble-down shack is then hopefully the tourist hubbub can be avoided. Yes, it can indeed with a nice cup of that Nepali tea and Pokauda snacks.
No comments:
Post a Comment