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Location:Thai Airlines TG320
Day 16- Kathmandu and Home
Shit. I am going home already?!?!
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 15- Kathmandu
Durba Square in Patan. Looks Balinese isn't it? DUH! it's Hindu afterall..
Sarah's dirty feet!
From the rooftop restaurant
Qz inspecting his dirty feet
It feels like Spain huh?
Buddha's Eye
Watching you from all direction... wahahahha
Still peeping at you...
The kids gambling den...
Sarah posing
Shanli sneaking into my picture
too many birds poo liao~!! btw... this is Durba Square in Kathmandu itself
Hindu god
Kamari's house
err... painting the floor... oh well.. in sg, we have the smaller version
Durba Square
Beef wanton.. it's quite good leh..
Nepali version of the Keropok!
A lot of shops are closed today, no thanks to Dewali festival.
By a strange mis-communication and mistake, we ended up walking like 5km out of Thamel and ended up in Durbar Square- Patan. We didn't realize that there are 2 Durbar Square around; Kathmandu and Patan until we were there as the maps just didn't make sense. Haha... Durbar Square Patan is errmm.... How do I say... A very ancient city with very little hope for preservation? Not being sarcastic. Really. The Nepalis lives and does business in the city itself and it's to a point filthy and driven by economies of the poor businesses. The stupas are amazing but so poorly maintained. Jiao sai everywhere and tourists get harassed by the touts every other moment. Must I say that our dear Sarah got "carrot-headed" by the souvenir auntie. Tsk!
The Bodhna Stupa is a lot more well-maintained, possibly cos it's an Unesco heritage site. Loads of Tibetan lamas were there too. It's a great place to hang out even if one's not a buddhist.
The Kathmandu Durbar Square us even worse than the one in Patan. It's super filthy.
Frankly, nothing impressed me more than the mountains in Nepal. Kathmandu is not the type if place that I would spend more than a couple days in and probably only to consolidate trekking gears. Too dusty, too dirty, too noisy. It's horn abuse here! If u think Vietnam is bad, this is hell.
We had dinner in another Tibetan restaurant on Thamel. Sizzling steak and chicken! Tibetan restaurants are usually quite well- run and a good cheap bet for food. Did a number of last minute souvenir hunting but guess this sums up my trip to Nepal.
I am going to miss the mountains, a lot!
By a strange mis-communication and mistake, we ended up walking like 5km out of Thamel and ended up in Durbar Square- Patan. We didn't realize that there are 2 Durbar Square around; Kathmandu and Patan until we were there as the maps just didn't make sense. Haha... Durbar Square Patan is errmm.... How do I say... A very ancient city with very little hope for preservation? Not being sarcastic. Really. The Nepalis lives and does business in the city itself and it's to a point filthy and driven by economies of the poor businesses. The stupas are amazing but so poorly maintained. Jiao sai everywhere and tourists get harassed by the touts every other moment. Must I say that our dear Sarah got "carrot-headed" by the souvenir auntie. Tsk!
The Bodhna Stupa is a lot more well-maintained, possibly cos it's an Unesco heritage site. Loads of Tibetan lamas were there too. It's a great place to hang out even if one's not a buddhist.
The Kathmandu Durbar Square us even worse than the one in Patan. It's super filthy.
Frankly, nothing impressed me more than the mountains in Nepal. Kathmandu is not the type if place that I would spend more than a couple days in and probably only to consolidate trekking gears. Too dusty, too dirty, too noisy. It's horn abuse here! If u think Vietnam is bad, this is hell.
We had dinner in another Tibetan restaurant on Thamel. Sizzling steak and chicken! Tibetan restaurants are usually quite well- run and a good cheap bet for food. Did a number of last minute souvenir hunting but guess this sums up my trip to Nepal.
I am going to miss the mountains, a lot!
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Day 14- Pokhara to Kathmandu
Excessive amount of SUNBLOCK... zzz
The inspiring mountain museum
Masala flavoured potato chips... eeks!
Waiting for our flight on Buddha Air from Pokhara to Kathmandu
The 2 propellers, 30 seaters... honestly, it was a little frightening.
The hidden Tibetan restaurant, at the busiest cross junction in Thamel
Didn't know Dewali is their new year...
Lazy morning in the hotel. Haha was packing and nua-ing in front of the tv with "Marley and Me".
Spent some time at the Mountaineering Museum. Haha... Inspired!!! Annapurna Sanctuary for the highest pass in the world, Everest Base Camp. Haha... Ambitious right??? But probably I won't return to Nepal so soon. I still have Kilimanjaroo, Tibet.. Hahaha...
We opted to fly back to Kathmandu, instead of doing a 6 hour road trip. Haha... Interesting ride on a 2 propellers 30 seater plane. It got us into Kathmandu in less than 30mins!
Funds were running low as food in Pokhara was a wee bit pricier than expected. Dinner was at a back alley Tibetan place. A cheap recommendation from the lonely planet. The Tib-mex food was great! Haha...
The streets of Thamel was chaotic. A pandemonium of horning taxis, kids running from shop to shop bustling for new year funds etc..., the group was at a bookshop and I got bored pretty fast so stood outside the shop to soak up the new year's atmosphere. Just above the book shop was a disco. There was this lorry of under-aged smoking kids which stopped in front if the bookshop. Then this suspicious looking kid got off the lorry with a small bag of "tidbits". He shoved the "tidbits" into the side pocket of his jacket and disappeared upstairs to the disco. After he came down, the "tidbits" were gone! Make a guess what it might be?!?!
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Spent some time at the Mountaineering Museum. Haha... Inspired!!! Annapurna Sanctuary for the highest pass in the world, Everest Base Camp. Haha... Ambitious right??? But probably I won't return to Nepal so soon. I still have Kilimanjaroo, Tibet.. Hahaha...
We opted to fly back to Kathmandu, instead of doing a 6 hour road trip. Haha... Interesting ride on a 2 propellers 30 seater plane. It got us into Kathmandu in less than 30mins!
Funds were running low as food in Pokhara was a wee bit pricier than expected. Dinner was at a back alley Tibetan place. A cheap recommendation from the lonely planet. The Tib-mex food was great! Haha...
The streets of Thamel was chaotic. A pandemonium of horning taxis, kids running from shop to shop bustling for new year funds etc..., the group was at a bookshop and I got bored pretty fast so stood outside the shop to soak up the new year's atmosphere. Just above the book shop was a disco. There was this lorry of under-aged smoking kids which stopped in front if the bookshop. Then this suspicious looking kid got off the lorry with a small bag of "tidbits". He shoved the "tidbits" into the side pocket of his jacket and disappeared upstairs to the disco. After he came down, the "tidbits" were gone! Make a guess what it might be?!?!
Day 13- Pokhara
Old Pokhara City
Nice isn't it? This is one of those temple...
Gurkha Memorial Museum
"MY PARACHUTE!!"
Everyone getting ready to run off the cliff and jump!
Sarah, almost on her way!
Shanli's dad
Shanli's dad against the backdrop of BLUE sky...
Really nice isn't it?
think it was around now that I realised that I was about to throw out!
Really, I felt so sick...
The girl that threw up in the sky.
Steak fillet... not too good.
Had a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Finally have got my appetite back!!! Phew!!!
Must I mention that I have lost quite a bit of my tummy? Haha..
Spent the morning wandering around old Pokhara. Visited a Hindu temple and tried to navigate our way around the messy streets to The Gurka Museum. Old Pokhara has a completely different vibe, compared to the touristy Pokhara city that we were in. The houses were made of red bricks and the people a lot friendlier.
The Gurkha Museum was walk through the military history. These indigenous people are warriors in their own right. The porters that I have seen in the mountains had already impressed me, much less these soldiers.
What trip would be complete without a dose of extreme fun?!?? Hahaha... We spent the afternoon up in Sarankgot paragliding!!! First time for me!!!! Haha... It was quite fun, except for the motion sickness that got me, 5 minutes into the glide. Hahaha... Loser right?? It was a tandem jump, my flight instructor is a hippy, long hair Bulgarian with a lame sense of humour. It was a cloudy noon but still managed to catch the view of a few mountains and the whole of Pokhara, the Como lake, World Peace Pagoda, terrace paddy fields etc. Yanbin who was laughing at me throughout the morning even vomited during her flight. Haha.. Karma!
Had dinner at a steak house. DISAPPOINTED!!!! can't believe how they won any award with the kind of meat they serve.
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Day 12- Out of the mountains
Suk, our NO 1 PORTER!!
The youngest porter in the group, Bintu aka Potato Soup
Maybe small and young but super zai, Chili aka Garlic Soup
Us, at the end point of the trek! (see how thin everyone got!)
The miracle of a wide angle lens! hahaa
See dasao's face! the sense of achievement after 10 days..
Their souvenir for us..
Our angbao to them...
hahaa... I hope we didn't give too little...
Getting ready for group picture..
The very good tandoori.... 4 DRUMLETS!! YUMZZZZZZ!!
It was a consistent descend along the river. The trek transformed from the lush green paddy fields to a quarry. Walked with a heavy heart throughout the morning. I know I am going to miss the mountains. Yes! It was difficult at times but the trek was worth it. Victor has told me before he left part of heart in Nepal.... now I know what it means to have such wonderful memories left in ABC, the smile of the mountain folks were unforgettable, the beauty of the surroundings, the simplicity of life...
Boo hoo!!! I missed Garlic soup and Potato Soup!!!!
The trek ended in a village. There were loads of commotion while we were there. Apparently, 1 boy and 1 girl had fallen into the waterfall and they weren't found at all. Mother had fainted from the anxiety. Goodness, one would never understand how it feels like until u have drowned before. U never want ur parent to stop looking for u... I hope the boy and girl will be found really soon.
Malan and the porters saw us to the hotel. It was difficult to say bye to these people. Really. Felt like I have lost something in me. Haii...
Finally, a proper shower in 10 days. My face got completely destroyed by pimples. Hhhhhhhaaaaaaaaiiiiiiii..... Don't know how now. Very bad state.
Dinner was at a Tandoori restaurant in Pokhara. Yummy!!! Had like 4 chicken drumstick and naan. Hahaha.... Eating meat with vengeance!!!
Boo hoo!!! I missed Garlic soup and Potato Soup!!!!
The trek ended in a village. There were loads of commotion while we were there. Apparently, 1 boy and 1 girl had fallen into the waterfall and they weren't found at all. Mother had fainted from the anxiety. Goodness, one would never understand how it feels like until u have drowned before. U never want ur parent to stop looking for u... I hope the boy and girl will be found really soon.
Malan and the porters saw us to the hotel. It was difficult to say bye to these people. Really. Felt like I have lost something in me. Haii...
Finally, a proper shower in 10 days. My face got completely destroyed by pimples. Hhhhhhhaaaaaaaaiiiiiiii..... Don't know how now. Very bad state.
Dinner was at a Tandoori restaurant in Pokhara. Yummy!!! Had like 4 chicken drumstick and naan. Hahaha.... Eating meat with vengeance!!!
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Location:Hotel Bahrini
Day 11- Tadapani to Tikedunga
I really wished that I could describe how breathtaking the view was from Poon Hill
This is when it got a little brighter...
The always there... ever familiar... Machapuchare
Annapurna South at daybreak
Dhaulagiri
Looks like an illusion isn't it? It's not! Just too many mountain ranges!!
The only decent photo I have of the sun rise
QZ called the circles flare.... sianz...
Dhampus Peak
Dhaulagiri
Tukuche
Dhampus
Annapurna South
Us with Annapurna I, Annapurna South and Hiunchuli
ho ho ho..... POON HILL!!
R&R at the teahouse...
Our last night with our porters and guide... a round of Nepali beer with them!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JILEI!!!! We didn't have reception all day!! Our bodies maybe far from you but we are thinking of you!!!
I swear, I am never ever going to do a sunrise trek ever again. Really, every time I feel like crap at 4am in the morning. This is like my 4th or 5th time doing a sunrise. Cold, tired and hungry is not a good combination to do a trek at all, especially at 3000++ m.... *panting*
But have to say the sunrise at Poon Hill is spectacular and it helped that we could see like 14 peaks in such clear skies (Gurja, Dhaulagiri I to V, Tukuche, Dhampus, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machapuchare). Absolutely brilliant!!!! And it's my first time witnessing a sunrise from above the clouds and behind a hill!!! Yes, I was cursing and swearing halfway up the mountain but no regrets doing this. And must I add that I have got another view of the Fishtail from another angle.
The trek left me wondering if ever I would have a chance to scale a mountain? I very much doubt it as I neither have the stamina or discipline to train for such a expedition.
Haha.. Finally, we have reached Day 8 of our time in the mountains. We will be using 2 days to do a full descend with a night in Tikedunga.
I have always loved descend! Yes, it is taxing on the joints but it doesn't require as much mental strength from me. Ended up having loads of childish fun with the 2 younger porters, Jintu and Chili.... Haha... It's been awhile since I have let my hair down, and do silly stuff like racing to the next break point or putting stones on people's bags. Wahahaha.....
We ended our trek early for the day. The 2 boys taught Shanli and I the Nepali version of bridge. It's much easier to play and more individualistic. Dinner was a way better than any meals we had in the mountains. Dal Bhat with chicken curry!! Our first real meat in 10 days!!!! Didn't had much as I was actually getting quite used to the vegetarian meals...
Night was spent sorting out tips to our guide and porters. For these amazing people who showed us the tenacity of the Nepalis and the ever- ready smile, it wasn't difficult being a bit more generous with the tips. Haha... these people would have a better use of the money compared to me anyway.. :)
I swear, I am never ever going to do a sunrise trek ever again. Really, every time I feel like crap at 4am in the morning. This is like my 4th or 5th time doing a sunrise. Cold, tired and hungry is not a good combination to do a trek at all, especially at 3000++ m.... *panting*
But have to say the sunrise at Poon Hill is spectacular and it helped that we could see like 14 peaks in such clear skies (Gurja, Dhaulagiri I to V, Tukuche, Dhampus, Nilgiri, Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Gangapurna and Machapuchare). Absolutely brilliant!!!! And it's my first time witnessing a sunrise from above the clouds and behind a hill!!! Yes, I was cursing and swearing halfway up the mountain but no regrets doing this. And must I add that I have got another view of the Fishtail from another angle.
The trek left me wondering if ever I would have a chance to scale a mountain? I very much doubt it as I neither have the stamina or discipline to train for such a expedition.
Haha.. Finally, we have reached Day 8 of our time in the mountains. We will be using 2 days to do a full descend with a night in Tikedunga.
I have always loved descend! Yes, it is taxing on the joints but it doesn't require as much mental strength from me. Ended up having loads of childish fun with the 2 younger porters, Jintu and Chili.... Haha... It's been awhile since I have let my hair down, and do silly stuff like racing to the next break point or putting stones on people's bags. Wahahaha.....
We ended our trek early for the day. The 2 boys taught Shanli and I the Nepali version of bridge. It's much easier to play and more individualistic. Dinner was a way better than any meals we had in the mountains. Dal Bhat with chicken curry!! Our first real meat in 10 days!!!! Didn't had much as I was actually getting quite used to the vegetarian meals...
Night was spent sorting out tips to our guide and porters. For these amazing people who showed us the tenacity of the Nepalis and the ever- ready smile, it wasn't difficult being a bit more generous with the tips. Haha... these people would have a better use of the money compared to me anyway.. :)
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Location:Chandra's Guesthouse
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