Mountain Wandering

Rains have been again, we managed to drench ourselves riding up North on the scooter, but they now seemed to have passed so tomorrow Inshallah we'll be able to catch a bus to the foot of Pun Hill. Then it'll be a slow couple of days up and then another day to a hot springs town. Always literaly named places in the mountains these, Garam Pani in India, Aquas Calientes in Peru and in Napal hot water is Tato Pani. Another few days coming back plus lingering inbetween at the nice spots the wander should take us a weeks mas o manos. Tis the beginning of the end really, as from here we move on schedules through Kathmandu, Hong Kong and to Tokyo. Will be nice to be getting on. For the imdeiate now, provisions have been bought; Mueseli Bars, Iodine, Rain Capes (bright red!) Batteries, Sachets of Shampoo being just some of the clobber we'll be lugging (although not actually much more, as we go for Baba style trekking). Hoping we'll see some big old views of the mountains, like the picture here I took on Sarankot, but higher and closer. Pun Hill is the name of the Hotel we've passed a pleasant 2 weeks, and now for some action we go to climb Pun Hill. Good enough.

Scooting mountains

The rain has eased up, only pounding at night the last few days. Using the fine skies we've been cycling, scootering and gazing at the monsterous peaks to the north. Riding the scooter around and about rather fun, getting away from the tourist ghetto of Pokaara lake side, and meeting friendly village folk. Nice to be mobile. Fancied a real motorbike but not quite up to the task of riding one, I hichupped along the road on one until the guy renting it decided that perhaps I wasnt such a great customer after all, putting his bike in perril as I did. Still the scooter is fine, perhaps tomorrow I will rent it again to go and scout start of the wee trek we fancy taking at the end of the month, to get closer to mountains. Other than that been rather lazy, we did move Guest House to a place that has lots of hanging space for Laundry, always a major consideration. Tis a fine hotel actually, less than $3 but with lots of varanda space, large clean bathroom and very competant all female staff.

Wet Pokhara

Been in Pokhara now 3 days and in that time lots of water fall from the skies. It be a wet land, some how we seem to have caught up with the monsoon full splash. So no views yet of the towering Anapurnas, or no chance for boating on the pretty lake. We have a month to wait here so no rush. Nice guest house (Placid Valley Lodge, recomended by stoned Pieter the Austrian cow owner) here with good balcony and space but maybe some bed bugs; 250Nrps per day. Tasty Spinach lasagne; 130Nrps, Local Bus; 6 Nrps HONK

Communists

Today we had a plan. We would get the bus to a town called Nagakot, a hill perched settlement with views galore. Off we set packed for a night away, clean pants and everything, and all looked set fair for a merry wander. However we had not counted on the communists. Today they decided, was a day of strike for their no doubt worthy cause. So no buses for us. for them for anyone. Comunists and Maoists no less. Maoists in the 21st century, farcical no doubt but a blunter for public transport. So I've learnt my lesson, I wont fool with the Hammer and Cykle. Rather we'll head to Pokkara and relax by the lake, putting all matters red from our minds.

Hong Kong Out

We've bought our ticket back to Japan and its via Hong Kong, which seems to be a fitting finale, to visit somewhere brand new (for us) right at the end of the wander, a crazy transition between Nepal and Japan. Thats about a month and a half from now, we'll get 5 days or so in Hong Kong, shortish but we figure its rather more costly than our average country. Inshallah we will be in Tokyo 2 days before I turn 32. Anyone who has any interesting info about Hong Kong then feel free to reply and tell. Tomorrow we plan a day out to somewhere with a nice view, then a couple of days later we will mov on to Pokkara and if possible live and even more relaxed life, looking over the lakes and forests to the big boomer mountains aloft.No obviously reason for the bird, but my isnt it ugly. I took the photo with new wizz bang snapper.