Well I made it to Pokhara yesterday, but only after a very tortuous journey. The bus trip was scheduled to take 7 hours (which is bad enough) but ended up taking 14! There were several police road blocks on the way, where we were held up (with everyone else) for indefinite periods which added up to the extra 7 hours. The reason given is that this is all because there were some by-elections being held in certain parts of the country, including Pokhara. I have no idea what the connection is. Maybe it was because of some fear of disruption. The papers today are content to say that the elections took place without trouble!
Thank you to several of my co-passengers (especially Alex, Wim, Megumi) for helping to lighten the experience.
It added up to a long tiring day, but Wim, Megumi and myself found a perfectly acceptable guest house (in Riverside rather than Lakeside for a change) near where we were dropped off and finished the day off with a good meal and a couple of beers. We met Gerry at the restaurant, and he deserves a mention. He is from East London, and has been in Pokhara for the last 15 years. His mother is from Gourock, and I think the Scottish roots show through pretty well in his inclination for the Raxi (strong rice wine).
It is good to be back in this place, which I find a lot more relaxing than Kathmandu. The air is good and we can see the mountains (Annapurna range) from here today. The papers also report that the Everest cricket teams have arrived in the country yesterday. You saw it here first!
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Crikey, 14 hours in a bus? Bed and beers must've been bliss after that! Just a wee note to say Happy Easter - yes it's that time back in the UK. When the banks open again, Chloe is going to donate a week's paper round money to the NMV (and I'll top it up). Deserved after all your efforts. Enjoy some relaxation in Pokhara. Elaine x
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