66.23/24 Nepal: Pokhara: A third route to Shanti Stupa, taking a great path through the jungle, plus partial Begnas 2. Join us on a magical journey in a mystical land.

May we invite you into an enchanted and magical place. We will be your hosts although a wiser path might be to follow in Jenni's footsteps. Thank you for joining us.

"Please don't fence us in". 

This is the end of Phewa (Fewa) Lake which runs into Phewa Dam, also known as Damside. The water is obviously retained by the damn walls with the sluice gates attached. We pass this body of water, mostly on foot, as we head beyond the wall before rising above the dam heading up to the temples overlooking the lake. Follow the pictures to attain a visual perspective.

Once we get to the other side of the dam wall, we view the obvious, not forgetting some reflections at which stage one of us goes into raptures. Fortunately, he is young so there's a chance he might still mature.
We find a rather decrepit bridge at which time we began singing 'Water under a troubled bridge', lyrics by 'Simone and Jeffunkel'. One of the party crossed the bridge on foot. After a couple of crossings, we discovered the bridge was closed officially. Oops!
After an intelligent crossing of the replacement bridge, Jen comes around and joins a path with locals performing various activities. Just ahead is a purified, free water outlet. To the right, that damn wall again.
Perhaps, a less than intelligent crossing.
We've been working on illusions lately. While not wishing to 'blow our trumpets', particularly as we haven't a clue with the instrument, we have succeeded in making mountains disappear. While we cannot reveal magicians' secrets (taken the oath), we are able to provide some insights. 

Here goes: 

We decided to commence with a big one. Why not? Below is Annapurna 2, a mere 26,040 feet high. By concentrating upon its single weakness, we were able to move mountains so to speak. Obviously, we don't expect you to believe us. We understand, therefore, we'll provide the proof. We'll ask you to look at the mountain below as well as the building in the foreground. Okay. Ready! 

Please say out aloud: "Abra-Cadabra; Jenni make magic." Okay. Once you have completed the words, scroll down gently while thinking of a disappearing mountain. Remember! Focus and concentrate.

Continue scrolling. Where's the mountain?

Thank you! Thank you! 

For our next trick we're off to do our laundry...make the dirt disappear, too. Why not? We're on a roll. There's the washing facility along the river side or is it dam side? You may laugh but it's damn-side more convenient than other facilities. It also gives me an opportunity to sit and watch Jen do the washing. It's most relaxing. 

From the jungle, a break in the trees and bushes give us a partial view of the lake and city.
We'll close with a few from Begnas, second visit... Where else? 

Early morning light on Annapurna Range creates even more amazement.

Serenity at Begnastal...lake.
Annapurna 2, with leaning pyramid...and excitement about it. 

 In some places, one has to sing for supper; other places it's about dance. This is a new method of applying for an expedited entry visa. (Jen would like you to know how much she is "enjoying" the dancing).
Reflection of peak of Machapuchare...enough to make our day.
A view of the town from our balcony. (The picture is remarkable for its ability to hide the chaos. See below.)
Despite it all, we 'love' being in Nepal.

We left our accommodation, which was delightful, headed down into the town and across to another mountain before returning for a taxi. Hence, the walk through town/city/? 
Morning has broken once more...perfect.
Let's take a break...as we return on trail, passing many local impressionable sights. Our accommodation is on the opposite mountain across the lake (viewed toward left in trees).
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

66.22 Nepal: Begnastal, a second visit: Continuing revelations. A brief miraculous peek (not peak).

 

 We were sitting/lying on the lawn with our backs to the mountains, eyes on the lakes a few thousand feet below, when it struck us that perhaps the effect of our adventures is more than attractive visuals only. We discussed that the feelings we both experience are something very much deeper. It might in fact be akin to the realm of the spiritual. Specifically, we feel much of that we see and experience/endure/enjoy in the natural world is nothing short of miraculous. Frankly, this is not a recent development but has been present for many years while we have wandered in the wilderness.

  We are deliberately excluding any direct comments of religions and religous customs. We return to the spiritual concept mentioned earlier. Over the years, we have found repeatedly that when we witness these miraculous sights and natural phenomena, we are more convinced that behind it all, there's a deity Who designed and manufactured the universe and implemented its parameters. As inhabitants of this planet, we all witness, experience, enjoy (and suffer at times), the miracle of life. This, we submit, is divine creation. 

Morning has broken with Machapuchare dominant.
  When standing before the manifestations occurring constantly and continuously, we are in awe, moved, uplifted, stunned, et al, as we feel the sheer power, imagination, amazement, magnificence of the force behind it all. At times, one feels intimidated but most often, overcome with joy and a feeling of irrelevance. It is this feeling, and thoughts about them, that allow us to conclude confidently and humbly, that behind it all is the Master of the Universe. Perhaps, that's why, when looking to the Annapurna Mountains, as only a single example, we are overcome by a force that makes us feel there is something way beyond our ken, directing miracles occurring before us. Perhaps that's the meaning of spirituality to us. 

Jen viewing the Annapurna Mountains from a peak, although not our destination of Begnaskot yet. 'Kot' means a hill in Nepalese. In the rest of the world, it would be considered a mountain.

Early morning, a near perfect beginning, a fortunate couple stands below in awe. Begnas Lake further below. 

 Begnastal from water level provides a haunting or perhaps distinguished look.
One of us has developed a second favorite mountain: The 'leaning pyramid', an unofficial term.
Machapuchare showing a more modest view. We have noticed these mountains are inclined to be rather temperamental. Who can blame them after watching the way we behave!
A little more of the 'leaning pyramid' and over-whelming companions reaching around 26,500 feet altitude.
  The pictures are limited to a minimum. Truth be told, it's a struggle not to add more. For, in our opinion, the sights are staggering. The above are a mere taste from a second 3-day trip to Begnas. This town is only 9 miles from the city of Pokhara but takes an hour to reach by car...on a good day. Further photographs from this experience to follow in the near future. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

66.21 Nepal: Pokhara: Trying to understand where we stand, what surrounds us and where we fit, if at all.

"Big" mountain on left of Sarangkot Tower struggles to make itself visible.
Phewa Lake sparkles below.
Could expect rain soon.
From left-to-right: Shanti Stupa and Shiva Temple, one early morning.

Our brunch-treat after a solid climb to the building in the shadow of the Annapurna Giants (far right)...we're not talking football. La Glamour Hotel on the left.
The brunch-stop and one of the Annapurna Peaks takes pole position, justifiably so.
Taken from an unusual position to capture the contrast in nature-built versus man-made...hopefully, complementary. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

Never bite the hand that feeds one; but it was tempting. I thought of lending a hand but realized it was unnecessary; she was showing an attractive one.
I thought I recognized a buddy of mine and then I realized my friend is not that good-looking. (I nearly disgust myself.)

66.20 Nepal: Matikhan Tower: Far, high and a 'wipe-out' or at least a good wipe-down afterwards, a 13-miles day.

From our favorite hiking trail, we look south across the lake, over the mountain on which Shanti Stupa (in picture) sits and toward the 3 dots marker. Below the marker is our target: Matikhan Tower.
Upon crossing a bridge, having reached the low point, we head up toward the destination tower which is more clearly visible. At this stage, rumor has it that people hear the sound of a trumpet echoing from the mountains. We confirm, based upon our experience, it's nothing other than people 'blowing their own trumpets'. We do our own share of blowing, too. On this hike, not only did we not see another hiker once again, but at the peak, there were less than a handful of residents. We are developing a complex of the negative aura we give off. Need to ease up on our trumpets as it is only a little less than 3,000 feet elevation gain. (There we go again.)
For more perspective, in the distance via the telephoto from the destination Tower (Matikhan) is the multi-level building which we pass on the way to the tough Sarangkot Peak. (Shanti Stupa sits to the right on the mountain below.)
Buddha sits on a hill above the lake which shows the building above. Well, we suppose you now know the layout of Pokhara as well as we do.
Oh! And by the way, while I've been scribbling some nonsense, Jen has reached Matikhan Tower. It was a great feat for both her and her feet (both of them). The tower was deserted, the door was locked, so we were limited to the lower level.
Each step of the way, the tower appears closer (brilliant deduction) as we have a brief spell on concrete.
The air quality was poor followed by clouding so that's the most exposure we enjoyed of Annapurna Range. (We'll take it anytime.) A house on a hill shines.
A view of only a part of the City of Pokhara from the tower.
Below the tower sits the Matikhan Holiday Resort. (Spelling of 'Matikhan' follows the concept of 'Nepalese flexibility').
From the tower, we view a temple across the way; below is the retreat/resort. It appears that most guests have resorted to a retreat from the tucked-away haven. The city is way down to the left.
We did come across a homeless woman or it might have been a very tired hiker. We tried not to disturb her...she looked like a lovely young woman to me. But, what do I know? Seriously, she earned the rest so she mentioned in passing.
From the tower, a view of the last part of the dirt road for vehicles.
...including the resort/retreat. It looks good and we considered staying a night.
We remember when researching the hike, the hotel management advertised the view of the airport. While we loved the view because the effort to reach the tower was tough, we concede a view of a runway is not a high priority. We can be a little staid at times. Perhaps that's why we never stayed.
Unfortunately, the 'big mountains' took refuge behind the clouds. Had there been visibility, we might have seen a scene as in the photo below this one. On the left is Shiva Temple, to its right is Shanti Stupa and in the middle on the rear mountain, is the tough Sarangkot Tower hike. All three are great favorites should one wish for a struggle, particularly, the latter.
Part of the Annapurna Range viewed from Kahun Danda.
...sneaked in one from Begnas Lake to the east. (Please don't mention this to Jen.)
and while on a roll, could not omit one from Shiva/Shanti.Yesterday, we repeated the hike up to Sarangkot Tower. It begins across the lake at water-level below the 2 high-rise buildings (middle), rising "vertically", (it feels). 

Jen escapes over the wall...where did we hear of 'the wall' before? We were fortunate to meet a woman in Romania who crossed the wall under the communist regime.

On our return, we cut through a village and attain a different perspective.
Jen doing the actual 'cutting' through the unknown village. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

Jen captures a 'Pokhara Eats' take-out delivery, cooking food (corn) on the back of the bike. Talk of a fresh and hot delivery. While we 

suspect some will love the concept of a low emission vehicle, sweat only, others might not favor the smoke. Can't win 'em all.