Ridiculous Adventures in Pokhara

(by Annie) I am at a loss of where to begin explaining our first days in the second largest city in Nepal. Tucked away near the Phewa Tal lake the hillsides cascade into the trekker friendly Annapurna Mountain Range - next to Everest the most famous in Nepal. We have traveled far and wide on moto and by foot through unmarked trails. Rachael broke in her boats, I survived, and here we are with some great stories. In true Sound of Music fashion, we are going to start at the very beginning…

Upon arrival we didn’t even hesitate. When you talk about basic needs food is far more important than lodging and so we ate and drank quickly and often. After gorging ourselves we walked and found a hotel called “Fire on the mountain.” Fair price, nice bathroom, we watched another Bollywood film and called it a day.

The beds were sooo comfortable after sleeping on moving transportation and then next to rats and I was finally a happy camper. We lazily woke up and found a breakfast nook called Moondance with coffee, home fries, and wifi. After breakfast we check out and headed north to the quieter end of town and after a little searching found our home away from home for the next three nights. Namaste Lodge had two floors and I convinced Rachael to “go all out,” and get a room with a view for a total extra investment of two dollars. Despite the owner creepily offering us dope we were happy with our choice. Did I also mention that the room with a view also had internet for me to steal – yeah? I know…life is super duper hard.

Agenda for the first full day was simple: shop and get trekking permits. I needed new pants and Rachel needed boots and a non-chewable bag. Apparently we both really hate shopping cause three hours later we were still at it and by now cutting it close to closing time at the Annapurna Sanctuary office. We arrived two minutes late, but at least we knew where it was and on the way back a plan was born for the next two days. We passed a motorbike rental and I reserved a scooter for the very next day. Also, we had Momo’s Nepalese dumplings at a restaurant called “The Yeti” which also offered a boat service our plan for the following day. Check, Check, and Check.

After waking up like chickens (with the sun) we headed over to get our moto. This was my idea and my toy. Rachael really would have been perfectly happy walking, but I needed a day of motorcycle indulgence. We arrived and the man looked a little nervous to hand over the key. I have no idea why, this scooter was like driving a electronic wheelchair. One gear and by pushing the handle forward you went faster. There were even handbrakes. After filling up on gas and air – the air because the scooter probably was not used to that much weight – we we’re off. First things first, our trekking passes the one thing that eluded us the day before. Rachael described the office as the DMV and there is no more perfect analogy, lots of people who can’t sit still waiting in semi-organized lines for disgruntled employees. But, we survived and left $30 poorer with trekking pass in toe. We were legal.

Mind you the entire time we were cruising on our hot wheels. And I am talking about our supped up wheelchair that looked like a generic Vespa. We were a cross between the Wicked Witch of the West, Dumb and Dummer, and that random Hillary Duff movie Cinderella Story. So, the coolest people on the planet. We kept on going over these potholes and just bottoming out right over the top of them and just barely making it over. The $15 for the entire day was well worth it. I finally gave up the reigns to Miller and she looked over and said, “Not going to lie, I’m a little bit nervous.” Then 30 seconds later after her test spin she screeched to a halt and said, “Get on.” She was also a pro except for the time we had to turn right and in Zoolander fashion that seemed impossible to her, but one more time around the block meant enough courage to courageously turn right.

So, the moto rocked and so did the places we saw on our tour. Devi falls is basically this hug pothole of a waterfall. Its definitely is not your typical waterfall, which made it cool and anti-climatic at the same time. The International Mountain Museum is fairly new, constructed in 2004, they did a wonderful job of displaying photos of the various peaks as well as explaining those Nepalese native to the area. My two favorite exhibits were the tales of those who conquered the different peaks in the Annapuran first and also this “they’re just like us” photomontage. It showed pictures of people around the world doing things just like people from Nepal, I could envision the Nepalese school kids and of course People readers getting a kick out of this.

We moto-ed back and the guy sighed to see us in one piece. We then went off for a beer and then dinner – sandwiches. We love these. It’s like organic subway, so good. We also had more dumplings at “The Yeti” and confirmed our boat trip and hike… Yep, you just get three dots because that is THE STORY to tell, no pressure Rachael.