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Landing
into Paradise City ...
Our Flight landed in Kathmandu at 9:15 AM local time
on 1st of Sep 05. for the last half hour you could see the towering Himalayas
as one approached Nepal from India.
I was so excited i could not sleep in the entire flight. I kept looking out
to see if one could see the mountains. Looking at the flight navigator it
was showing that the flight was right next to the ranges over Nepal, but for
some reason I could not spot it! I woke Pashu up and asked him if he could
locate it.
It was so silly but having travelled around the world i was expecting the
ranges to be down there somewhere, what i failed to realise was that i was
next to the highest ranges in the world by a long shot and that flying at
22000 feet i was staring at the Himalyas right infront of my nose !!, what
i assumed as some odd cloud formation at eye level was the Himalayan Ranges
looking right back at me.
It is one of the most stunning sights i have seen in my life. The sun shining
brightly, clouds covering the land view and the mighty mountains rising through
it. As we flew by i spotted the famous Macchapuchhre twin peak that is more
popularly translated as the Fishtail Peaks in the Annapurna Range. It basically
is twin peaks of one mountain that looks like a fishtail.
Maccha Puchhre meaning tail of the fish. Scroll
to continue....
This was of particular interest to me and i had read
up on it because this was where we were heading for in Nepal.
Kathmandu Intl Airport
Neat and simple airport, very basic facilities, as you have to realise that
you are visiing one of the poorer countries in the world, so do not keep your
hopes too high. The nice thing is the Himalayan vista spread out infront of you as you
walk from the plane into the airport, the cool air hits you and there are
pleasant faces around. The staff is helpful and courteous. The airport is
brick finish and you could tell it has seen better in the heydays of
tourism. We got our lugguage and headed off to the exchange counter.
WARNING 1- Get your exchange in the country of origin, the exchanges
here are notorious for their rates, we got about the same rate for UAE Dirhams
[ Arab Emirate Dirhams, AED] as for INR [ Indian Rupee] which is roughly about
half !!! We finally used an ATM which gave better rates.
Kathmandu Domestic Airport
Walking to this airport is not possible if you have
luggage, even though it is 50mts away!, you have to get a taxi at 50 NR [
Nepali Rupee], Be prepared for the shock ! It is chaos! there are many domestic
operators, but the airport terminal is basic to say the least, As long as
you realise that it is a place to catch a flight from point A to B, that should
keep you fine. If you need to use the loos, do so at the international airport,
the ones here are not mentionable. There are many airlines that operate but
we chose a little expensive but better airline to fly with called Buddha
Air. You can purchase the tickets to Pokhara from the airport itself
and it is about 35 mnts duration. This is recommended compared to taxis to
Pokhara, as you save time, less expensive and some great sights from above.
If it is any help, very very pretty flight attendant!! :).
Pokhara Airport
Surprisingly compared to the other 2 airports we used,
this one is small but much nicer, cleaner etc etc. We got our lugguage and
headed out. A hotel pick-up was waiting for us already and we were off and
away, weaving through the lovely green valley of Pokhara. A small tip to
the driver can result in some very smart tips that are " unofficial pearls
of wisdom", that is but between you and him as he isnt supposed to let
you know being a hotel employee !!
Pokhara
Valley
The Pokhara valley is nestled between the Annapurna
Curcuit. It is the valley of lakes, the biggest being Phewa Lake with a depth
of 63 feet and area 15000,000 sq feet area situated at 2226 feet above sea
level. The sheer numbers are mind-boggling !
A famous author once put it as ...
"Above
the valley rose layers of forested ridges and high above them and on the northern
horizon was a white wall of numerous snow peaks each with a personality of
its own. The first one on the left was the lion-headed Annapurna south (7195m)
leading to its eastern satellite Hiunchuli peak (6700m). Behind the cone of
Himchuli, the steep south face of Annapurna I (8078m) swept up majestically
while on the center stage stood the sharp pyramid of Machhapuchhre (6697m)
supported by two symmetrical buttresses East of Machhapuchhre heaved the elephant
hump of Annapurna III (7577m) and beyond its eastern saddle rose Annapurna
IV (7507m) with a contorted pinnacle, close to Annapurna II (7937m) like a
taut black tent Further east was Lamjung Himal (6985m) which the locals liken
to a reclining man and then the range dropped at the low saddle of Namun Bhanjyang
(5100m) and petered out among the jagged ridge of Sundar Himal (4355m). Farther
beyond the immediate Annapurna range, Dhaulagiri raised its massive head in
the west, and to the east appeared the summits of Manaslu (8125m), Peak 29
(8935m), Himalchuli (7893m) and even Ganesh Himal (7406m). "
-Gurung Harka 1980
Machhapuchhre
or known as Mount Fishtail. ( the fish-tailed mountain) and its clear mirror
image on the still waters of Phewa lake, carved a lasting impression on my
heart, which i will carry with myself forever along with some of people from
Pokhara who will remain unforgettable to me.
I have written more about Pokhara in the following sections under it, but i
left it with a bittersweet feeling in my mouth. I hope to get back here soon...