Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Nepal II (Kathmandu, Pokhara)

It felt entirely horrible sitting on the plane back to KL. My brain was in a state of mental turmoil. Penning down details of every thought for 3 whole hours and doodling every random thing I could think have helped quite a tad. Well, sort of. I’m starting to think that I really have issues with plane rides home *though I’m not exactly going home this time around*. I hate to go through this whirlpool of emotions every single time L

 It was a hell lot of experience and I’m completely overwhelmed though it was a mere 7 days. Through the good and the bad … I wouldn’t change a thing from this experience if I could. Day 1-2 was pretty much nothing. I’ll just skip that whole part till the day I arrived to Pokhara. I went to take the tourist bus (500rp) that took 8 hours early in the morning. I totally don’t mind the long bus ride at all. The tourist bus and the terrain aren’t as bad as what other travelers mentioned on their blogs. In fact I find it absolutely therapeutic.



This is the guesthouse owner I don't know how to spell him name *not really. Just an excuse that I forgot his name .. I'm so bad at names!* He has been so warm and hospitable towards the other guests and me. 400rp per night isn’t that bad hey. And the guesthouse is super clean and neat! Again, forgot guesthouse name. 



The infamous momo! I didn’t felt like eating anything savory so I tried apple momo that night instead served with honey. I have to be honest … It tasted like crap. I’ll stick to vegetable/ chicken/ anything savory momo next time. “How’s it?” asked the restaurant/ cafe/ roadside stall (I don’t know which category that eating place falls under. Hahaha!) owner. I had to give an unwilling nod to acknowledge that it was good while trying to swallow one down my throat. I went on eating half of it anyways which was 5 pieces by the way. Good god :/ I tried my best. 

 
STREET FOOD. One major component I look forward to on every trip everywhere! However, there isn't much variety (that I know of) in Nepal as compared to South East Asia. Would be looking forward to all the food in India bahahahahaha I <3 br="" food="" indian="">

This was a disappointment compared to the ones I had on my previous Nepal trip. That shell thingy (pani puni) is already lao-hong (not crispy). Sigh pie :( What's with all the wrong makan choices?! -__________-

 Cool spray painting. It basically sums up mum's life. Life of a cyclist ? ... 



Most comfortable pair of shoes EVERRRRRRRRRRR though usually I'm not a huge fan of Vans. 

I am so so sooooo privileged to be invited by the fellows at the boating shed to have dinner with one of their families. Though I was a bit sceptical at first because I’m aware of the consequences that might happen to me especially being a solo female traveller, I decided to go with my instinct which screams “ Yes, go for it!”.






There wasn't any electricity during dinner time and the mother of the family was struggling to cook in the dark. Trying to be helpful, I took out my phone's flashlight (thank god for iPhone) and helped to stir whatever that was in the pot. I don’t know how to feel about what I saw in their home. Getting to see their resourcefulness and how they are able to live life with such minimalism was a humbling experience. 


 Hands down the best dinner for this trip; Dhaal Bhaat. Pretty sure all the goodness came from the hands of mum's motherly love <3 br="">
 The youngest; Shayna (shy-na). Such a pretty name. I would name my daughter Shayna if I ever have one.

Isn't she the prettiest? Her facial features are to die for! Why is that I am wearing 3 layers while she's got only two thin layers. I'm sucha sucker for cold weathers. 

 Busy Bee is ZEEEE PLACE to be in Pokhara. I think it was recommended by Lonely Planet. This place IS THE SHIT! If only Singapore had one like this. WE NEED A PLACE LIKE THIS HERE IN SINGAPORE.



 Not-bad-looking guitarist willingly smiled for the camera!

 Everyone super enthu to dance and not too mention everyone here are instantly friends. What is there not to love about this place?! And did I mention Nepali songs are annoyingly catchy! One song in particular got into my head for the next couple of days. This one here:


Super catchy I was able to sing the chorus on the dancefloor. Thumbs up! 

While everyone went home, guesthouse owner and me took a walk down the lake to catch a breather. We talked quite a bit about each others life. It was indeed a meaningful talk till we spotted a party across the lake. We planned on hijacking one of the many boats and paddle across. Untying the anchor was easy peasy. I was CONFIDENT that we would make it across in no time till we realized we don't have any paddle to actually PADDLE ACROSS. Tried breaking into the boat houses but failed miserably. Life sucks!!! 


 I got my fair share of boating later that day. Clearly I didn't need a guide for this but I wasn't confident that I could paddle all by myself. Nevertheless, it was good to have a companion isn't it? The last time I paddled was more than a YEAR AGO? The locals ought to be taught the J-stroke so they don't have to tire themselves by switching sides to paddle whenever the boat is not going straight which is once in every 15 seconds? The guide was amazed that I could paddle only on one side. Perks of being an outdoor student. Finally I've found some usefulness after all these years of education. hahahaha!

 Snow caps covered by clouds
 Because I'm Asian <^^>
 Temple in the middle of the lake.

 World peace stupa was approximately 30 minutes trek up.




Toast + masala omelette egg + hasbrown which really potatoes stir fried with spices and onions. Typical breakfast.  In fact, almost every breakfast. I miss the breakfast I had in the mountains the last time.

The initial plan of going to Bandipur failed because I just couldn't get myself to wake up early! I couldn't help it but to hang out till late every single night -_____- Where is my discipline?! This is clearly a downside of traveling alone for me. So instead, I went for sightseeing in Pokhara with one of the boat guide. Wasn't too bad at all :) Again, i can't remember the names of it all. I'm too darn lazy to grab the tickets from my diary.

 Sort of feel accomplished getting to ride on a local bus. Living like a true blue Nepali ... NOT. Everyone was just looking at me weirdly. JUST LOOK AT THE BUS DRIVER GETTING INTO THE FRAME. Easily BEST PICTURE. He must've been thinking wtf is this tourist doing ... taking photos of my mirror?!


















What looks like they are trying to put a coin into the green cup in the middle using the green pipe which seemed impossible. Hmm ... cheap thrills in life.

Went to visit another local house which looks quite well-off as compared to the previous one. They have a tiny barn for these little cuties at the back of the house.


 Love the colors!

 Brother-sister meh meh. Shooo cute!

I was a bit scared actually hahahaha. 



Sucha a cutie pie. Spent one of my afternoon tea with 2ish year old girl drawing random. Just look at the way she holds the pen … Like she could imitate whatever I drew LITERALLY. What a smartie! 


Traveling back to Kathmandu: Micro public bus. *no photos I was being cautious of the DSLR*

What an experience! Its funny how a JOURNEY (literally journey) itself was an adventure for me. This is truly living up to the following quote: “The journey is the destination.”
If it interests you, here’s a fact about me; I’m an observer … A pretty darn hardcore observer. I know I know. People always think I’m so bloody ignorant and stuff like that. But really, secretly, I’m observing the surroundings and especially the people around. So if you happen to be around me … ^^v. Having said that
Things I saw. Clueless conversations heard. Strong detergent smell of curtains. Shoulders touched. Taste of hunger. To you it may be just plain senseless bus ride. There is just more than that, an eye opener. Spending 6-7 hours in such a confined space, strangers become friends. Boring bus ride turns into a party bus (upbeat Nepali songs and quite up-to-date English songs). Though there are some cons to taking this bus I would definitely choose this over the tourist bus. So micro bus VS tourist bus;
Pros:
1.      6 hour journey instead of 8 hour bus ride. The mini bus can go damn fast!!!

2.      Comfort level is way better IF you get the right seat. Preferably beside the windows up the front or right the back of the bus. Trust me on this.

3.      Warm and friendly Nepalese to accompany you through the hours. How cute is it when everyone is wide awake chattering away and suddenly bam!! Everyone’s asleep.

4.      Super nice smelling bus. I would say myself lucky because it smells like the detergent mum uses for out laundry!!

5.      There are many buses throughout the day so you don’t have to worry about timings and most importantly, waking up super early in the morning to catch the tourist bus.

Cons:
1.      Finding and getting to the micro bus is rather tough without help from locals. Had to take a public bus from the lakeside to a local bus area about 20 minutes away. You can always ask your guesthouse owners for help or make friends with friendly locals. Unlike some other countries I’ve been to, Nepalese don’t normally expect anything in return from their help.

2.      Picking the wrong seat would mean a disastrous journey. Some seats do NOT have back rests. Planks are used to merge gaps between seats (topped with seat cushions and cover) to make more ‘seats’ for extra passenger which equates to more $$. How on earth do you survive 6-8 hours without resting your back?

3.      Passengers come and go along the way. Might cause possible travel delay but I certainly didn’t have any issues with this. Because I was seated at a corner, I didn’t really have to move to make way for other passengers to alight or board the bus. So again, picking the right seat is important. Seats beside the door are a no-no.

4.      Loud music. You can try asking the driver to lower down the volume or simply just put on your earpiece and listen to you own.

I would say TRY IT its fun!!


Above: One of the nicest temple. Somehow it gives me a sense to serenity. No idea why.

Met up with Gopal for some sightseeing! And ... I am reallllyyyyyy thankful to Gopal for bringing me to Pashupatinath Temple :') -"One of the most significant Hindu temples of Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River." Watch this documentary a you'll know why; (and oh, I was disguising myself as a Nepali to avoid the 1000rp entrance fee. I would say Gopal and me NAILED IT! perks of having tanned skin I must say)


Can you spot the "Children of god" in the photo above? They're fishing for change and whatever metal stuff they an get I assume. It was quite heartbreaking I feel like giving away all my money, bag, clothes, whatever you name it :(

The solemness of the cremation site reminds me of how precious life is and that we may never know when its going to be our turn. And that's why we should all thrive for what we want when the opportunity arises. Of course we don't wait for opportunities to come like waiting for money to drop from sky which will never happen ... you got to put in effort to earn it!

This long ass post will serve me well in recalling memories from this trip ^^v

XX







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