Such a contrast here to Kathmandu. Kathmandu is buzzing and interesting in a manic sort of way but it's very polluted and the people a bit more serious, here the people are friendly, don't hassle you to buy stuff and the air is clean and the surrounding beautiful and breqathtaking.
The hotel Grand is just near the lake and the back drop is wooded hills and when the clouds clear you can see the stunning snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. Ramesh the hotel owner bends over backwards to help and please us. We were having dinner and there was a mosquito so he called his staff to put mosquito coils all around us. He arranged for us to be taken trekking on Friday and Saturday morning to see some of the sights. He loves to talk with us and it doesn't feel false. I may come back here once my stint in the mountain village is finished.
I'm here with Niamh from Belfast and Marianna from London, they're both good company and I'm glad to be with them on this project
Today the guide took us to Sarankot which is a hill 1592 metres above sea level. We got a taxi part way and then climbed to the summit which overlooks Pokhara. The view s were breathtaking even though there was clouds - it was so different looking at the valley through the clouds. We then walked 10 kilometers across the the hills through mountain villages. There were lots of children who said 'Namaste!' - Hello and asked for sweets, pens money or just a photo. At one point it started to pour down which I think upsets the cows/bulls. Two started to run full pelt at us and we had to dodge them - scary at the time but funny too.
Tired now but impressed with myself for having been slightly fitter than Niamh and Marianna. Off back to the hotel shortly for a cuppa and a nap before dinner.
Doubt that I'll get to the internet again until 15 or 16 July when I'll be back in Kathmandu.
Over and out
Love Sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Friday, 4 July 2008
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Off to the Hills
Well I survived the 6 and half hour trip to Pokara.
Leaving Kathmandu at 7am we saw little kids in their karate suits training in the park or jogging along the road. Same for the soldiers too. The traffic was chaos and the usual stand off for position in the road. The drive through the mountains was stunning scenery,roads were sheer drops into the valleys, hairpin bends, lots of lorries on the road passing each other by a hair's breadth. We saw children some as young as 3 just walking along the road without an adult in sight. It was like a roller coaster ride - scary but such a laugh.
Pokara is lovely - thanks Damian for suggesting to come here.
We've just done a little bit of shopping and got absolutely soaking but all part of the experience. Even the cows were running down the road trying to get out of the rain.
Hotel is amazing and the owner, Ramesh, a joy. Looking forward to the next few days and staying with a Nepalese family
I will be out of touch for a while but will tell you of my adventures soon.
Good to talk to you mam. Love to Ceri and David and Mark and Laura
Have fun
Sue. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Leaving Kathmandu at 7am we saw little kids in their karate suits training in the park or jogging along the road. Same for the soldiers too. The traffic was chaos and the usual stand off for position in the road. The drive through the mountains was stunning scenery,roads were sheer drops into the valleys, hairpin bends, lots of lorries on the road passing each other by a hair's breadth. We saw children some as young as 3 just walking along the road without an adult in sight. It was like a roller coaster ride - scary but such a laugh.
Pokara is lovely - thanks Damian for suggesting to come here.
We've just done a little bit of shopping and got absolutely soaking but all part of the experience. Even the cows were running down the road trying to get out of the rain.
Hotel is amazing and the owner, Ramesh, a joy. Looking forward to the next few days and staying with a Nepalese family
I will be out of touch for a while but will tell you of my adventures soon.
Good to talk to you mam. Love to Ceri and David and Mark and Laura
Have fun
Sue. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Love Nepal
Have only been here a short time and love it already.
Orientation yesterday and language lesson so fully fluent in Nepalese.
Had lunch on a rooftop restarant - 260 steps to the top but well worth the view of Kathmandu
In the afternoon visited the monkey sanctuary which again had spectacular views. Lots of shrines, temples and prayer flags.
We were supposed to go back to the Happy home but Niamh, Marianna and I decided to go shopping. When it was time to go home none of knew the address so we rang Bicky (our co-ordinator) and he explained directions for the taxi driver. Needless to say we got lost - traffic was horrendous because everyone was queuing for petrol - there had been none the day before. Anyway all turned out all right in the end and got back home to curry and rice.
I'm not sure I'll get used to curry (dahl/baht) and rice for breakfast.
Off to Chitwan National Park tomorrow (elephants and tigers) then off to our host family in the mountains above Pokara. No indoors showers or toilet and will be out of touch until 15th July.
When I get back to Kathmandu -I get back in touch and tell you all about my adventures.
Don't worry our mam - I'll be fine
Love to you all.
Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Orientation yesterday and language lesson so fully fluent in Nepalese.
Had lunch on a rooftop restarant - 260 steps to the top but well worth the view of Kathmandu
In the afternoon visited the monkey sanctuary which again had spectacular views. Lots of shrines, temples and prayer flags.
We were supposed to go back to the Happy home but Niamh, Marianna and I decided to go shopping. When it was time to go home none of knew the address so we rang Bicky (our co-ordinator) and he explained directions for the taxi driver. Needless to say we got lost - traffic was horrendous because everyone was queuing for petrol - there had been none the day before. Anyway all turned out all right in the end and got back home to curry and rice.
I'm not sure I'll get used to curry (dahl/baht) and rice for breakfast.
Off to Chitwan National Park tomorrow (elephants and tigers) then off to our host family in the mountains above Pokara. No indoors showers or toilet and will be out of touch until 15th July.
When I get back to Kathmandu -I get back in touch and tell you all about my adventures.
Don't worry our mam - I'll be fine
Love to you all.
Sue.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, 30 June 2008
Nepal - First impressions
Well after 24 hours travelling I've finally arrived in Nepal. Was absolutely knackered but went to bed at 9 and have had a g ood 8 hours sleep
We're in the monsoon season so it's been a bit wet but it's nice to be cooller at the moment after Sri Lanka.
Like Sri Lanka -lots of mad driving (though less so than Sri Lanka) and cows in the middle of it all.
The house we're staying in during our orientation is nice but it's in the middle of a number of houses that are still being built. They call it the happy house. Food is rice and curry - haven't had breakfast yet but it may be curry too. LOL
Seems poorer here and the people more serious – not as friendly yet!
Off to our orientation at 10 for language lessons and learning about the culture here.
Will write properly soon
Love Sue
We're in the monsoon season so it's been a bit wet but it's nice to be cooller at the moment after Sri Lanka.
Like Sri Lanka -lots of mad driving (though less so than Sri Lanka) and cows in the middle of it all.
The house we're staying in during our orientation is nice but it's in the middle of a number of houses that are still being built. They call it the happy house. Food is rice and curry - haven't had breakfast yet but it may be curry too. LOL
Seems poorer here and the people more serious – not as friendly yet!
Off to our orientation at 10 for language lessons and learning about the culture here.
Will write properly soon
Love Sue
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