Pokhara is arguably the most beautiful valley in Nepal but its story is similar as that of Kashmir valley, gripped by terrorism, the only difference, tourists here are not on the target of Maoists. In fact the day we reached Pokhara, we were greeted by the news of the twin bomb blasts in the heart of the city that injured 18. It would have sent a chill down the spine of any tourist who would of reached Pokhara.
However, the scene outside was different. The lakeside was bustling with tourists, markets were open, travellers roaming around freely along the beautiful lakeside market, which quite resembles streets of Pushkar minus the crowd, feasting their eyes on the majestic view of the Annapurna ranges.
The local crowd too is hip and happening here. The chicks are beautiful and the image of the mountain girl wearing the traditional cholo, that’s so symbolical of Nepal, is missing in Pokhara. Most of the adolescents have spent their lives in Brunei, Hong Kong, London and it reflects by the way they dress and carry themselves.
Thanks to the British Gurkha settlement here. Most of the British Gurkha soldiers after serving in UK, Brunei and Hong Kong have settled here and since their earning is in pounds, so people have a lot of spending power and hence the bustle in city’s economy.
They know how to party and Pokhara in fact boasts of one of the best nightclubs in Nepal – Amsterdam and Paradiso where party never ends.
For regular tourists, the day begins at 4.30 am as they head towards Sarangkot. A small hamlet situated atop a hillock, Sarangkot offers the beautiful view of Annapurna ranges, especially the Fish Tail Mountain, being kissed by the rising sun. One can even trek down to the city from here, a walk of just about an hour.
A must do here is take a flight in the Ultra light aircraft here. It offers spectacular view of the lakes, mountains and villages. This is an ideal way to see life from a new perspective. It’s a dream come true for those who wished they could fly like birds. Though it is lonely at the top, but the spectacular view from up high certainly makes it all worthwhile.
Another landmark in Pokhara is the International Mountain Museum, which is spread over an area of six hectares. The museum exhibits include information about the mountains, people and their culture, world mountain system, their geographic formation, flora and fauna. It also chronicles the development and past mountaineering activities in the Nepal Himalayas.
One can also visit the Peace Pagoda, Devi’s fall and several temples in Pokhara but without a boat ride in lake Phewa, your journey is incomplete. One can keep on boating endlessly around the lake, but for most of the tourists the temple located on an island in the middle of the lake is the centre of attraction.
Evening is full of activities in Nepal. One can hire a bike and pedal around the Pokhara city or visit nightclubs or restaurants located on the lakeside for a drink or two. Most of the hotels and restaurants organise cultural evenings with beautifully dressed Nepali lasses dancing to the folk songs. Resham firiri being the crowd’s favourite, a song that is every tourist’s delight and has been there ever since Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary conquered the Everest. A foreign trekker’s journey is considered incomplete in Nepal if he doesn’t learn and sing this song by heart.
