66:32 Nepal, Pokhara, a mini-trek to and about Sarangkot, a rather testing, but superb experience. (Part 1)

Early days, in the safety of the jungle.
From the jungle, across the lake we salute Shanti Stupa and higher up, Shiva Temple. While they have no religious significance to us, we respect their functions but really enjoy the physical challenges they present for our endurance.
Beyond the mountain housing the temples mentioned above, we see the Tower on Matikhan upon the rear mountain. Truth be told, we still wonder how we reached it. Sometimes we ask ourselves 'why'.

  Over many years, one of the discoveries we've made is that the harder we persevere in any endeavor, the more satisfaction we achieve. While, of course, there are failures (many), we believe the real issue is that there's always an element or degree of personal fulfillment which follows. A positive result is an obvious desire naturally. We submit that when a person undertakes a task, project or adventure with a whole-hearted effort expended (plus passion), such completion is success in-and-of itself. 

  Expressed differently, there's a feeling that permeates the soul, for a short while only, in which a person feels whole, fulfilled and positive. Because the way of the world is complex and brilliant, by the day following, the process has to recommence. The previous successes and highs are not carried forward. As an aside, for some simple advice offered humbly, we'd submit: While we notice or read of many people seeking satisfaction, elation and other forms of 'high' feelings through the use of drugs, excessive alcohol and other 'easy' means, hard work of a positive nature wins every time...it's always successful, at least to a degree. 

  We remember Gary Player, a world-famous golfer, who was once 'accused' of being 'lucky'. We'll always remember his retort for it was simple, wise and enduring. He replied, "I find that the harder I work, the luckier I get." (Also attributed to Samuel Goldwyn.)...continued toward the end... 

We spot the target, Sarangkot Tower, one of our destinations.

Enroute, we watch the 'show-off' birds flying below Annapurna Mountain. The Pokhara Eye Hotel, a frequent sight is in view, too.
On our return, we pass the hotel and drop-down into the gardens.
For perspective, an early morning view showing (faintly) the 'Pokhara Eye Hotel' toward the right. (Le Glamour to the left).
Jen climbing toward Methlang, a village we reach and pass through frequently.
Weather is changing and the mountains are haunting; we are in our element, maybe a little weary.
We are getting close to the tower and the new Lord Ganesh statue (gold). Hope the elephants can trunk us up with a little help. (see below)
Perspective 2: Photograph taken from our commencement point, showing the Sarangkot Tower (destination) and the odd mountain or two.
The new icon (Ganesh) positioned below Sarangkot Tower. Phewa Lake, some 3,000 feet below, Pokhara to the left and rear, Shanti and Shiva across the way, as well as a few other high points reached on the Nepalese mountains...correction, 'hills'.
We seek and find a path through the villages, avoiding the main road.
A view from our room for an overnight stay. The atmosphere was stunning.
The night life of Pokhara from our new home (temporary).
On the way down the mountain, we find some wonderful views of the Big 'uns'.
A view of Annapurna from the Sarangkot Tower at 6:30am. On the left is Annapurna 1, the highest at 26,950 feet plus a favorite, Machapuchare, some 4,000 feet lower, if you can believe that.
We are approaching our favorite place for breakfast. Jen likes to choose her own ingredients fresh for a hot mutton stew on toast.
  A lovely woman wrote to us recently and said, I quote, "Nepal has really changed you." 

  While we appreciate her comment, we don't think it's true. People don't change much over the years. We believe the important issue is that either we understand our passions in life early on should we be fortunate, or when we do discover them, in both cases, we pursue them with purpose. We believe the latter is pertinent as we continue pursuing our passions universally, obviously some of them being in this location. 

  To lighten it a little, our son, Gavin, introduced us to the music of the band, U2 (following our discovery of the Beatles). One of their songs, the title is relevant to our comments, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", might indicate that life is about the journey. It is indeed an important facet of life but may well prove extremely frustrating. Far better to be doing what you desire until such desire changes. 

  Finally, we believe this rather common principle, with a slightly different slant, taught to us by the late Mannie Edelstein and his wife, Gail, encapsulates the above writing. One day, Mannie asked us what we intended accomplishing in a certain project. Our reply, something we had always thought valid, was: "We will try hard to accomplish..." 

 "Jenni and Jeffrey," he retorted, quite fiercely for a man with a gentle soul, "What do you mean by 'try'? Either you intend to do it or forget about it. Try is not good enough." 

  Thank you, Mannie, we are trying...sorry, we meant we are at 'full-steam ahead'. 

  We developed a concept, an adage, following some experience over the years: 

Should you not do it when you can, then don't cry when the time arrives when you can't. 

Nepal is well-known for flags, color. We noticed a 'flag-farm' as we cut through an off-trail piece of 'dyed-land'.
Also, has some great athletic women in the jungles. This species is known as the 'Nepalese Tigress', one of a kind...and decent. (Apparently, one of us appears to be repenting.)
We'll continue next time and leave you with another wonderful scene, especially as the mountains were hidden for the last ten days. Awfully temperamental in this this part of the world. Then again, it is the Himalayas.
Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey