Christmas Eve 2015 - the alarm went at 0515 for a pick up at 0545 and a 30 minute drive to Sarangkot hill to see the sunrise over the Annapurna range.
Finally perched on a concrete platform where we were offered the use of blankets by the lady owner of the textile shop who was very clear - ‘no charge, no taxes’. We had a warming cup of tea as the sun rose illuminating the Annapurna range. Given the ‘no charge, no taxes’ offer we did in fact buy a scarf apparently made of 'yak and rabbit' wool ! Not sure the rabbit was the Mr Fluffy type !
Having headed back to the Temple Tree for a well deserved breakfast we started on our tour of the highlights of pokhara - a half day.The first stop was Devi’s Falls - not quite sure why this was the name other than it seems a Swiss Lady tourist met her demise here. The falls are actually a sink hole and the fast flowing glacial meltwater has cut into the rock. In the spring seemingly is is full so not much to see other than boiling water with a very vicious undertow - no doubt that would do for anyone unlucky enough to fall in.
Over the road was the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave, here steps lead down to the cave and below that the underground river which originates at Devi’s Falls. Given the recent instability of the Himalayan tectonic plates we decided not to venture too far underground !
Our final stop on this whirlwind adventure was the International Mountain Museum. Despite being super chilly having been built like and aircraft hanger the exhibits were very good - three themes. Mountain People and their way of life; the history of Himalayan Mountain Climbing; and the Mountain ecosystem and environment - notably the dangers of population growth, pollution, tourism and climate change. But also some better news about major conservation efforts.
We braved another chilly massage and had a slightly disappointing dinner of Fresh Lake Fish and Chips !!! You can take the boy out of Glasgow but not the need for a ‘Wee Fish Supper’ !
Finally perched on a concrete platform where we were offered the use of blankets by the lady owner of the textile shop who was very clear - ‘no charge, no taxes’. We had a warming cup of tea as the sun rose illuminating the Annapurna range. Given the ‘no charge, no taxes’ offer we did in fact buy a scarf apparently made of 'yak and rabbit' wool ! Not sure the rabbit was the Mr Fluffy type !
Having headed back to the Temple Tree for a well deserved breakfast we started on our tour of the highlights of pokhara - a half day.The first stop was Devi’s Falls - not quite sure why this was the name other than it seems a Swiss Lady tourist met her demise here. The falls are actually a sink hole and the fast flowing glacial meltwater has cut into the rock. In the spring seemingly is is full so not much to see other than boiling water with a very vicious undertow - no doubt that would do for anyone unlucky enough to fall in.
Over the road was the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave, here steps lead down to the cave and below that the underground river which originates at Devi’s Falls. Given the recent instability of the Himalayan tectonic plates we decided not to venture too far underground !
Our final stop on this whirlwind adventure was the International Mountain Museum. Despite being super chilly having been built like and aircraft hanger the exhibits were very good - three themes. Mountain People and their way of life; the history of Himalayan Mountain Climbing; and the Mountain ecosystem and environment - notably the dangers of population growth, pollution, tourism and climate change. But also some better news about major conservation efforts.
We braved another chilly massage and had a slightly disappointing dinner of Fresh Lake Fish and Chips !!! You can take the boy out of Glasgow but not the need for a ‘Wee Fish Supper’ !