Poon Hill Trek Day 5: Ghandruk to Naya Pul/Pokhara

13.2 km, 1000m down.

On this last day of our trek, we woke up to sunshine and another great view.

The trail took us around the mountain while slowly descending down to the river, and it was easy, and a relief not having to climb more stone steps.

There were so many colourful butterflies.

This local man looked like a small troll.....

A few hours of 'Nepali flat' equals anything non-vertical! Time for a rest.

We reached the river and Naya Pul around noon,

and our car and driver took us back to Pokhara. We were very pleased with our selves, and had had a fantastic experience in the Himalayas.

We just managed to have lunch, overlooking the lake in Pokhara, before a thunderstorm broke loose. We were in a supermarket when it broke loose, and they provided small stools for us to wait out the rain. Nepalis are so friendly.

Soon the road 'disappeared', the gutters were filled with water, and we could not get across the street, without getting very wet. Some people crossing were up to their knees in water! The monsoon was supposed to be over by the end of September, but the weather doesn't always adhere to the calendar, obviously.

We picked up our luggage at the Lake Diamond hotel, and took a taxi to Raniban Resort above the lake. It was a funny and scary experience. The taxi was a small Suzuki, and there was barely room for the four of us and all our luggage. Due to the rain the windows fogged so the driver couldn't see anything, and the road up the mountain was so bumpy and full of holes that we got stuck. The men got out to push the car free, and then we left them to walk the rest of the way to ease the weight in the car. What a way to say thanks!  The car skirted all over the road, and there were several steep drops, so a bit scary. We got dropped off at the bottom of a LONG staircase up to the resort, and, luckily, a neighbour felt sorry for Tine and Dorte (he didn't know the men were coming), so he called the resort, who sent three people to help us carry the luggage up. What a relief! 

Raniban Retreat is a secluded hill top hotel, perched 420m above Phewa Tal lake, and the town of Pokhara. Raniban. We spent two nights here, relaxing, doing laundry, and enjoying the views of Pokhara, the valley and the Himalayas for the last time.

http://www.facebook.com/n/?video%2Feditvideo.php&v=10151765740957865&aref=197743246&medium=email&mid=8ce8dddG243c6548Gbc9528eG3d&bcode=1.1382322351.Abmt6iPxmE9F9rWS&n_m=dorteschultz%40hotmail.com

For a better view you'll need a pilot's licence!

We have been swimming in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, and seen some of the highest places in the world here in Nepal, and this Nepali stamp is a great symbol of these experiences.

“To reach a great height a person needs to have great depth.”