It was 3 in the morning I woke up listening to the very first snooze of my alarm which rarely happens as my alarm is usually set on a spree with half an hour of interval each, having a 15 mins snooze.If it is not travel I hardly wake up on time but this time I was nervous I was going for my first solo trip to Nepal. I have been to the airport only once that too with my family on a domestic holiday. I was little scared of doing all the things on my own at the Airport. But I think it has to be someday so I went through the boarding pass check, immigration check and security check.I was carrying two bags, one trekking bag on my back and one side bag which had all my important things, my id, my passport, my wallet etc.
After security check there comes this region where these guys want you to burn a hole in your pockets with all those shiny sections of wines and chocolates and what not. I was just walking by recording the same scenes on my phone. At 6am, I started feeling a little hungry, as I was having another flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara I thought let's have a quick bite somewhere and there was this small cafe, I bought a bottle of water and a veg Sandwich. I looked down on my left side, did a double take and realised my side bag was not there with me. Blood ran cold all over me, in fraction of seconds my mind did a whole recap of my existence at the Airport. I just canceled my order and ran with the 7kg backpack through the Duty free section towards the Security check and there was my navy color bag lying alone.I grabbed it thinking what could have been the situation if I would have lost it.
Anyways, I went to the boarding gate and found out the flight was delayed by an hour. I had my sandwich there, called my parents, charged my phone, and read a chapter of the book I was carrying. I know I am distracted mind.My flight timings were 7:45am departure from Delhi and 9:30am arrival in Kathmandu. Finally the announcement was made for boarding, it was 7:45AM. Because of bad weather, the flight got delayed and we took off at 10:30AM. I was having another flight at 11:30 am to Pokhara which of course I was going to miss. I did talk to the concerned person about the situation and they said they have given my details to the Kathmandu Airport and asked me to contact the other Airlines to help me out on this.As I was making so many efforts to somehow save my ticket from Kathmandu to Pokhara all I can sense that it was going into the pooper. I had no idea what it was going to be when I land in KTM.
At 12:00pm after landing I was told to contact other Airlines. I had few things to do after getting down at KTM airport like buying a new SIM, money exchange. I did nothing and went straight away to the Domestic Airport which was around 1KM walking from the Tribhuvan International Airport. The domestic Airport looked like a Bus Terminal to me, it was small, crowded and there was absence of strictness required on an Airport. So I explained to the Airlines that I missed my KTM to Pokhara flight because my another flight got delayed of bad weather from Delhi to Kathmandu. Luckily they put me on their last flight which was at 2:20pm. I was relaxed to know that my money did not go in vain but it is costing me time.It was around 1PM and I thought that I just have to wait 1 more hour. After security check I entered the waiting area, did money exchange and tried for SIM but had hard luck there.I was so unlucky that my flight got delayed again, departing at 3:30pm and I was literally crying inside. I can see all my plans ruined for this day, I sat there contemplating my whole day what I expected it to be and how it turned out.I booked an early morning flight so that i can reach Pokhara by afternoon around 12 or 1 but it was all fucked up.
All this while I felt that I had just a sandwich since 3 in the morning, so I had a small Potato Puff I don't know maybe I was famished that it tasted so good or it was really good. I don't know but waiting exhausts you whether for a bus, train, plane, person, food, texts :D, it drains out the energy in you. Around 5 o’clock I reached Pokhara, the scenery at the Airport was something that took out all my tiredness. Weather was pleasant and way too clear, it felt like I was hoaxed by the Airlines in the name of bad weather.
Staying at Hotel would have made my solo travel boring, to avoid that I booked a hostel for 2 nights near Lakeside in Pokhara and it just cost me 800 bucks INR. I went to the kitchen area where I met a guy who was from Mumbai, he told me that he was there at the Airport too. We introduced ourselves, he was on a solo trip too, he has been here before a couple of times. We discussed the nearby places and the transportation in the city while having food which was just okay because I like typical Indian spicy food.I roamed around in the Hostel, got freshen up and planned to go to the market to buy a new SIM. Around 6 I took the city bus from outside the hostel to harlan chowk. I was scared at that time, a new city with no sim on my phone, it was already dark and I was the only girl in that bus.Being a woman one thing I noticed there were no staring which you usually face when you travel in a bus in small cities that was my experience.But I was extra aware of myself all the time, I had to be. I got off the bus, bought SIM, and was surprised by the high data charges. It reminded me of my school days.
I called my parents and friends to tell them that I am safe and faced no problems in my whole journey.In Pokhara, phewa lakeside has n number of cafes and shops. I roamed around lakeside for some time and went to the Busy Bee cafe. Ambience was good, it was a huge place and they had almost every kind of seating. There I had Hot Chocolate and a thin crust mushroom pizza. I am used to staying outside alone in Gurgaon in coffee shops, cafes with my Laptop but in a completely new place I thought I should go back to Hostel a little early. I was a bit tired too. On my way back I thought I’ll walk since it was not that far from the lakeside. I pulled up my hoodie to hide my hair to not make it obvious that a girl is walking alone in a dark street. On the way there was a pass like a hair pin bend and I looked back I could see the lake and all the lightings on one side, a breathtaking view. Then I just started walking in full speed, there was a point when no light was visible I just kept on walking, sooner shops were visible and finally reached the Hostel.
Met some new people at bonfire a guy from NewYork, a group of techies from Bangalore and yes that Mumbai guy. Everyone was sharing their experiences, and next places to visit, in all this while there was a guy from Hostel he was telling us about how to reach a particular place and taxi charges. I told him about my plans for next day and booked a cab. People were having different plans from mine so I didn’t compromise on my to do list and decided to explore the city all by myself. Next day was like first sunrise in Sarangkot, Mahendra Cave, Bat cave, Devi's fall, Gupteshwar temple, Phewa lake, and sunset at Shanti stupa.
I have to leave at 5:30am for the Sunrise, I woke up at 4 and got ready for the day. In the fear of losing that beautiful sight I was punctual and was not risking it with my sleep.
Sarangkot
Amazing beautiful views of Machapuchare and on the other side sun rising.Before you can see the sun its rays were falling on top of mountains making them sparkle. It was a view to behold. We were on that height where clouds were beneath us, it was heaven.
Bindabasini Temple
Near Sarangkot, there is Bindabasini temple which also gave us another view of Fishtail mountain. It was nothing different from a hindu temple, beautiful greenery and what else I could ask for.
Mahendra cave
As I was excited about the cave, it didn’t turn out to be that great. Just rocks with straight, easy ways, it looked so maintained with lights and steps to reach further into the cave. I told this to my driver bhaiya and I don't know he got offended or what he said our next stop is Bat cave and I went on denial mode and said let's skip that place. But he kept on insisting to go there.
Bat cave
We arrived at Bat cave, in my mind I had this picture that there will be only 12 or 20 Bats in there but when we entered very first thing I noticed that there was not a single source of light which was logical, we carried a torch and path inside that cave was giving us hard time.And the second thing was when I looked up there were no 12-20 bats, there were thousands of sleeping bats hanging or I should say countless. I was having this eeeeewwwww feeling that I wanted to run away from there which led us to another adventure. The exit was no easy. I had hit my head thrice, my leg was shaking while climbing a straight stone which was 7 ft and literally took the leap of faith and crawled like a snake on our way out.Damn that was something, khem bhaiya gave me that smirk face and said how was that :D !!!
Suspension Bridge near Seti River
Perks of starting the day early, we have covered 4 places with no hurry by 10am. Next place khem bhaiya took me to was not so touristy place, it was a suspension bridge which connected two villages. We were walking through small streets and then there you see this humongous bridge with such an amazing view, like a surprise it appeared in front of you, this place has my heart. Smiling from ear to ear I was this happy. One side you see snow peaked mountains and below you river flowing through that deep gorge.Beautiful.
Small hike at Powerhouse
Khem bhaiya suggested me this place, Powerhouse which was not on my list but he told me that it's beautiful. We were going to cross the river, 2 bridges and a small hike. This place was not a tourist place, it was untouched and peaceful. We saw a small rainbow too where the waterfall was touching the stream.Another best place in pokhara.
Devi's fall
After doing that hike I reached Devi's fall, as January is not the recommended season to travel Nepal there was nothing to see. Water was so low that you could just hear it falling down.
Gupteshwar Mahadev temple
In front of Devi's fall we have Gupteshwar Mahadev temple, there I saw this girl who was smiling at me, I recalled that she is the same girl whom I asked to click my picture at Sunrise point in Sarangkot small world :P :D. Interesting thing is, this temple has a cave inside where you can see a waterfall which is the same waterfall “The Devi's fall”.
Phewa Lake
By this time(2pm) I was tired. It was a sunny day, I was exhausted in that temperature, it was like summer was back.According to my itinerary the next place was Phewa lake so we quickly had lunch and driver dropped me at the lakeside.I got myself the lifejacket and booked a boat which will do a round of Tal Barahi temple and take us back from there. This temple is in the middle of the lake and made the views extraordinary. I sat there for sometime embracing the sun rays falling on water and wind blowing through my hair.
Shanti stupa
This was the last place on my itinerary, and I was excited to go there since morning. By this time I had no wish to interact with anyone new, I had coffee looking at the beautiful view and everything inside me which was going on from past few months was at peace, this was the time when I was not thinking too much and I didn't have to care so much for others. It was all about me...We succeeded towards the Stupa, a big white structure symbol of peace, love, unity and harmony.There was a board “Keep silence”, I thought that's what I want too. Because of the clouds sunset was not clear, but there was a clear view of the whole phewa lake and Pokhara city. From there I could spot my hostel too hehe.
Khem bhaiya, the Driver gave me my photos which he clicked, more than just driver he kind of became my guide to some places.I thanked him for his service which was no doubt very helpful, and taking me to Powerhouse which was not even on the list.I asked him to drop me to Airport next day to which he agreed.If you are in Pokhara next time give him a call (+977 9826105395), I am sure you will not regret.
At 6pm:
He dropped me at the lakeside. Though the whole day was so exhausting but I am not done yet.#DilMaangeMore I roamed the whole lakeside back and forth in search of good dumplings and it was not good. No spicy chutney, no green chutney, nothing. But the nice thing was I explored almost all the cafes, bars and breweries there. Last bar I went to was good ambience wise but momos were not good, you cannot get lucky everywhere being a vegetarian, I had to compromise there. While walking back to my hostel I was having this feeling that I have more than seized my day and was little proud of myself. I checked my Fitbit and it showed me 27k steps on my watch and I was still not tired.I had the energy in me to party and dance :D. Next day morning I had the flight at 8 to Kathmandu.I’ll share my Kathmandu experience in another blog.
Looking forward to more solo trips and more travel experiences because experiences change something inside you.