9/27: Pokara

The drive from Kathmandu to Pokara might be one of the most beautiful in the world. It took about a half an hour to reach the edge of the Kathmandu valley, which is a high valley completely surrounded by hills. The sky was clear, so as we reached the edge, there were many glacial peaks in view. You then immediately descend into a steep canyon, surrounded by incredibly lush, green rice terraced hill sides. We then travelled along the river, at the bottom of a steep canyon. The water looked much cleaner than the river in Kathmandu valley. There were rapids and many foot bridges across the river.

Since we bought our tickets the night before, the only seats left were in the driver's cabin. Packed in with us were two Australians and the driver's assistant. One of the Australians had never traveled before, so for a time, I saw everything through his eyes: my first water buffalo, bicycle trucks pulling heavy loads behind them, cows roaming the streets, a girl herding her goats, an old women carrying an overloaded basket of vegetables with just a head strap to manage the load, the beautiful terraced mountains. Everything was new, fresh, and amazing.