66:13/14 Nepal: Two Peaks above Kristi: Crossing two mountains to reach the tower...doesn't get better than this. Different days, varying destinations.

While this part of the city is 'cluttered', there are very few high-rises which we think lessens the impact of density. Real density arises in my head on some days. Nevertheless, everything looks much better from height. Jenni's thinking of walking about on stilts. In every family, there's a clown.

This looks gorgeous at any level. We pass this tree on the way to the top.
Head down to the bridge so we can go upwards...is nothing straightforward?
In the beginning...
Only 2 hours to go to reach the tower...it better be 'pretty'. She's already lost her steps.
'Confession time': We always tell people we hike. However, we finally come clean and reveal our regular transportation. Notice it's classified as 'deluxe', luxury travel for us only, of course. Seriously though, how vehicles and big busses get to some places is beyond our ken. Then again, we're in Nepal.
We spot an error on the bus marking. At times, I can become impatient at the carelessness portrayed. 'Tom and Jerry'. C'mon fellas, get it right. "Tom and JENNY"...surely. Notice the hurt on the poor woman's face. (These guys need a course in American sensitivity studies.)
We were on our way back, still having 2-hours to walk when we came across this 'couple'. From the garden above, a voice cried out. 

"How do you like my buffalo? It's producing 2 litres of milk, twice per day." 

The Nepalese are very proud of their homes and especially should they have a buffalo or two in the backyard. No bull. We were happy to share our knowledge of animal husbandry with the man, offer compliments, too, but had to get going before sunset...and the next milking. I felt bad in case he thought I was being a little jealous. My action to hurry along might have been construed as "Tit-for-tat."
There's Shanti Stupa for perspective. It's a regular hike that's become a part of our lives in Pokhara. We're heading away from it, in the early stages, on another mountain. For those not familiar, Nepal is known to have a few 'hills' covering its landscape.
Some people enjoy a rest. Throw in a beverage and before you know it, they'll request a pillow. This was acceptable to the 'lady'. Notice the chair-seats are designed from car tyres. They are terrific. We would imagine it could be very embarrassing should a 'blow-out' occur while perched on a tyre. (This shot is from a previous hike which was off to a different destination after half-way.)
The telephoto reveals our destination, across a second mountain, to its peak.
'Tower Transport Services' welcomes the late arrival of one of the sedentary 'passengers' to the highpoint should she make the last 30 steps.
A view from the top.
After proving her mettle, she holds the steel railing only because 'it's there'.

At the teahouse on the way up, when asked what she thought of the picture, she glibly replied, "It's for the birds". 

 I was a little puzzled as I have no idea how to communicate with birds never mind show them a photograph. Sometimes, I believe she struggles with a basic understanding of nature. And then to call me a "silly little-ril", whatever that means, made me feel like eating crow.
On our last visit, it was monsoon season; the rivers were flowing. Still reasonably attractive considering...
My dear Jen is quite sensitive. After being teased about sitting on car tyres, she's back to terra-firma holding out in crossing the bridge. It's not a favorite activity of hers...that's bridges, not sitting.
In closing, during this dry season we were able to find a nice stretch of water where we enjoyed the emerald color and flow while patching-up any differences of understanding of a day's exchanged wisdom.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

  Jen and I have known each other for over 55 years while being married for the last fifty. I really thought by this stage I understood her. However, some 6 years ago, we were walking on a road in a quiet part of Pokhara when we came across a couple of cows. Of course, this is not unusual over in this part of the world. However, we are familiar with cows and know them to be docile. Unfortunately, on that day this was not the case because one of the frisky animals butted dear Jen, knocking her over. Since then, she has definitely developed a certain irrational behavior toward these animals. I'm not even thinking about her no longer drinking milk or the fact she is even prepared to contemplate giving up chocolates. 

  Anyway, there we were heading back home when we came across the group of large herbivores. They were intimidating to say the least. I will admit, reluctantly, that I was slightly nervous. These fellas were scary and giving us the 'beady eye'. (Only one of them made the picture above plus calf.) I wanted to return 'the eye' but had on sunglasses. I did not remove them for fear of creating movement which could distract a bull or two. However, I felt I needed to take action, show some aggression, confidence, too. I quietly mentioned this to my girl who was busy munching on a chocolate. "What do you think I should do?" I asked whispering my earlier thoughts. She looked me in the eye and without hesitation suggested I immediately, 

"Take the bull by the horns." 

Of course, I was sorry I asked.