In stark contrast to Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle, Pokhara is
a relatively peaceful city. Situated alongside Nepal’s third largest lake and known
primarily as the starting point for the Annapurna treks, Pokhara made for a
quiet place to simply relax.
Even for those of us not heading out to conquer any portion
of the Himalaya mountain range, the city boasted several days’ worth of
leisurely sights and activities. That is, once you got away from the
tourist-aimed shops, trekking guides, and touts.
High above the lake, the Japanese-built Buddhist World Peace
pagoda offered breathtaking views, after a hike that made it hard enough to
breathe in the first place. (This was our first encounter with what was
considered a “leisurely stroll” in the Nepal Lonely Planet.)
Unfortunately, we largely missed out on Pokhara’s famed
views across the nearby mountain peaks, as it rained every morning and evening
during our visit, leaving the views hazy the rest of the time.
The city buses made it a simple task to visit nearby
waterfalls and cave temples. The Old City’s brick buildings and slow pace
offered a glimpse into Pokhara’s past. And Nepali snacks of momos (dumplings),
sekuwa (water buffalo jerkey), choyla (dried water buffalo with chili and
garlic), and more momos were readily available.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of days.
