Bella Does Nepal

I still can't believe I'm in Kathmandu.

Nothing like just showing up and saying 'entertain me....NOW'.

I got here on Monday afternoon and had a hotel taxi pick me up. Of course he was accompanied with a tour guy. They are everywhere here. Selling all sorts of adventures in Nepal.

I'm staying in an area called 'Thamel'. A little town where the foreign visitors outnumber the local Nepalese. The total area of this place is aprx 3 square kilometers with 8 entrances towards it and Thamel holds more than 2,500 businesses including hotels of different standards, lodges, guest houses, resturants, massage centres, discos, pubs, dance restaurants, souvenir shops etc.,

I checked into Hotel Diplomat............$7.00 a night- single room/private bath...............and then headed out with Fani to see what he had to sell me.

The guy is a master at this.

Tomorrow I am going with a private guide to the Annapurna area.

My itenary:

• Take the 7 am tourist bus to Lake Pokhara. Arrive at aprx 2 pm. Afternoon and evening free. I will be staying at the Fishtail Villa right in front of the lake.
• May 1st...Drive from Pokhara to Naya Pu (aprx 1 hr) and then trek to Tirkhedhunga (aprx 4/5 hrs). Stay overnight at one of the tea house lodges.
• May 2nd....Trek from Tirkhedhunga to Ghorapani (aprx 6/7 hrs). Stay overnight at one of the tea house lodges.
• May 3rd...Get up at 4:30 am and climb from Ghorapani to Poon Hill (aprx 1 hr)...then walk back to Ghorapani to trek to Deo rali and Tadapani area (aprx 6 hrs). Stay overnight at one of the tea house lodges.
• May 4th...Trek Tadapani to Ghandrung (aprx 3 hrs). Stay overnight at one of the tea house lodges.
• May 5th...Trek Ghandrung to Naya Pu (aprx 4/5 hrs). Drive from Naya Pu to Pokhara. Relax that evening at Fishtail Villa.
• May 6th...Full day and evening at Lake Pokhara. Stay overnight at Fishtail Villa.
• May 7th...Take the tourist bus back to Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel Diplomat.
• May 8th...Free day and evening in Kathmandu.
• May 9th...Fly back mid afternoon to Delhi

I'm going out for dinner with Fani and my guide tonight.

Today I had to buy some gear for my trip.

Life is great!