Majestic....

On one of my flights to Nepal, I watched a movie called "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The movies is based around two men who are terminally ill with cancer and how they make a list of things to do before they 'kick the bucket' that they haven't done before. One metaphorical item on the list was to witness something majestic and Morgan Freeman's character attempted to see Mount Everest in hopes of crossing the majestic thing off the list. Unfortunately it was monsoon season and they were unable to see the movie. Since time wasn't on their sides, this was one of the low points in the movie.

This weekend I went to Pokhara. Known as one of the most beautiful places on earth with a distinct view of the Annapurna Mountain Range within the Himalayas. Since it is monsoon season here right now, I didn't expect to see the mountains which reminded me somewhat of the movie.

We arrived in Pokhara on Saturday afternoon after an eight hour bus ride. We spent the afternoon boating on Fewa Lake, going to a Temple that was built on a little island and a small waterfall. The views were spectacular, Pokhara was living up to it's high expectations.... even after only a few hours. Saturday was capped off with a pasta dinner and then a cultural show at a local hotel with live music.

We awoke early Sunday morning to catch a taxi up to the World Peace Pagoda, a Buddhist Stupa located high up in the mountains in Pokhara. In fact, it's at a peak (not in the Himalayas) where you get a 360 degree view of the surrounding town. Once again this was absolutely breathtaking. Once we were done there, we went down to Devi's falls (named after a Swiss traveller who drowned in them) and once again enjoyed that view. We then descended into a nearby cave which was also really neat, but due to the weather we couldn't go as deep as we would have liked. We then had pizza for dinner while watching the Olympic closing ceremonies. Drinks at a cafe called "Busy Bee" with spectacular live music was our final destination and the night finished with a half hour walk in the pooring rain back to our hotel. Pokhara had been beautiful and we were all getting ready to go to sleep so that we could catch our bus early Monday morning to head back to Kathmandu.

Monday morning was just as expected. Head to the bus park and get hassled by the usual taxi drivers and people selling random things everywhere.... we climbed on the bus at 7:00am and we were on our way. About a half hour down the road something amazing occurred.... something majestic.

The heavens opened up. The clouds cleared and the Annapurnas were in full view. I can't even begin to describe what the Himalayas look like, other than to say it reminded me of the Paramount Pictures logo. I have a few photographs, but even they don't do them justice. This mountain range absolutely took my breath away, they were so massive and awe-inspiring that I was left speechless (which is a rarity with me). Despite the entire trip to Pokhara already being amazing, the fifteen minutes I spent looking at the Annapurnas made everything worthwhile. This is something that should be on everyone's bucket list. It wasn't on mine, but if I had known exactly how spectacular the Annapurna's were.... it surely would've been first on the list.

I'll be home in a week.... but before I leave here, I'm going to be doing something that is potentially going to be even more amazing than the Annapurnas. I won't ruin the surprise, but I'll write about it once I've done it. I'll see you all very soon!