70:23 Nepal: Route to Kalabang via Shanti Stupa, Shiva Temple and Pumdikot Lodge to arrive at Buddha (icon) Park, a very 'religious hike' (Part 1).

The trio of Moo, Me and 'Me wife' begin a two day hike into the mountains including a night away. Jen believes we should always have access to much milk on these excursions. Who am I to argue? We are currently alongside Fewa Lake, the main road of Lakeside.
The next point on the trail, still within the city, is Fewa Dam. The calm water is always a treat. There's the dam(n) wall.
After entering the jungle, we will spend the next fifty or so minutes climbing through a magnificent environment. Jen makes her way in the quiet solitude while absorbing some of the 'best' of nature.
  We have enjoyed continuous, amazing views of the Annapurna Range throughout our stay, but for a few days earlier in the trip and over the last week, too. During the latter period, we awoke and headed up the 'infinite' number of steps to the viewpoint at the lodge and noticed the haze shielding the range. The air appeared to be thick and because the sun had broken through the clouds in places, the haze spread over the sky distorting much. 

  After staring in the correct direction, always an important element in looking for mountains, it was as if a phoenix had arisen from the ashes. There stood this overpowering white image, much like the mountain we are familiar with, but who could be sure. Was it the imagination playing games? Further concentration and disappointment prevailed as it appeared it had been a mirage after all. Nice try!

  We ordered our usual morning drinks, the original coffee and tea, and absorbed the tranquility surrounding us. Although we had to get going shortly thereafter, we felt drawn to the position. It was soothing; it was relaxing; almost as if we remained seated, we would enter a trance. I turned to face Annapurna 1 and was stunned. It was in view but not in its usual bold form but rather, a far more subtle image. Perhaps it was a ghost-like figure or was my imagination feeling robbed of its role of conjuring images that I find so attractive. Take a look at the photograph and see whether it's real or...

  Periodically, we depart from our apartment and head to another destination to take up temporary residence for at least a night or two as we explore different parts of the region. This week, following a cancellation in the previous week due to food poisoning, we headed to Pumdikot Mountain Lodge. In the past, we walked past the lodge which is situate less than thirty minutes from the town of Kalabang. The latter town houses the Buddha Statue, a rather young Buddha, in the park of the same name. (The Buddha statues we normally see are of a much older and may we say fat, Buddha.) Admittedly, Buddha did live before the 'Weight Watchers' era...(continues at end). 

The last visible spot of the lake and city before the final climb to depart from the jungle region.
Jen leaves the jungle and heads for Shanti Stupa, spire protrudes to the right of buildings. Behind the building on the left is where we will stop for refreshments.
Every opportunity to gaze at the lake is taken. The mountains, as mentioned, are on siesta behind the clouds.
After passing Shanti, Jen heads to Shiva Temple which appears to sit high in the sky.
We capture an unusual perspective of the lord. George Harrison is reputed to have sung a nice rendition to the 'lords'....much before our time, of course.
This is a stairway constructed recently, replacing sand and stones (preferred the original).
Mustard-seed plantations with lake on extreme left, Jen to the right.
Getting higher or the lake is sinking further.
Shanti Stupa which we passed a while back.
Jen struggling up the last section before Shiva Temple. At rear, a large portion of the City of Pokhara.
Even the slope of the steps is becoming more acute...on second thoughts, not cute at all.
We pass Shiva Temple and it appears he is currently on a cruise with a number of guests.
Lord Shiva sits in the frame.
After summitting beyond Shiva, we head toward Buddha Park. Coming up is the lodge, our destination for the night, the hotel retreat in the distance, and beyond that, our final destination (not in view).
At the lodge, we elect the 'weight-watcher's special' for dinner, less than 1500 calories per meal with 1500 steps for dessert. The latter is compulsory.

  We read some reviews of the lodge which were most favorable. In addition, it's positioned close to the mountain ridge. Also, it enjoys the tranquility of the countryside. A nice idea, we thought. We departed from our apartment at about 9am, packed for a 1-night stay with 2 full days of hiking envisaged. The route took us through Lakeside followed by Damside and thereafter, up through the jungle to a mountain above Lake Fewa. 

  Thereafter, we left the forest, stopping for a cuppa at our friend, who has a cafe below Shanti Stupa (see earlier picture 7). We continued onto Shiva Temple in Pumdikot, another very steep climb, where we paused for breakfast and a rest. Thereafter, we continued toward Kalabang but halted at the Mountain Lodge for the night. Hopefully, the tranquil atmosphere would promote a good rest as the next day we would continue the outward journey before returning to our permanent-temporary home near Lakeside. We hope it makes sense to a reader. 

  Things went according to plan and for a change we made a few calculations correctly, allowing us to remain on the mountain ridge for the rest of the hike. It added to the excitement and enjoyment of the experience as we passed the amusement park (Dream City) next to Shiva, (they seem to make religion much fun over here), and then discovered a set of steps taking us down and thereafter up again along the ridge. We had Lord Shiva sitting behind us, a number of small temples along the way and Lord Buddha a few miles ahead. All-in-all, it could be one long religious experience. On the other hand, it could turn out to be a fun-filled trip...which is certainly what it was.  

  As we headed down the steps after first climbing above Lord Shiva, we were accosted by a plain-clothes guard who required us to supply some written information. From time-to-time, we do have to fill in the odd document giving some basic information. It seems this provides employment for people as the information extracted is 'worthless'. I suppose there is not much use of us providing telephone numbers instead of passport numbers. After all, who knows their passport number offhand? We continued onwards seeking the hotel but enjoyed following the trail and avoiding many of the offshoots which would mislead us. We did arrive at the lodge in good time and were hoping that it would be quiet. We do not enjoy crowds. When we departed the following morning, the only other parties that spent the night were those living in the staff-quarters. While the quality of the buildings were not ideal (one adapts quickly, though), the tranquility and quiet were greatly appreciated. We took the 'Weight-watchers' special accommodation, thinking of Buddha, the elder. It's a bit tough as the unit we stayed in is quite some distance from the reception/entrance/dining area. It's a very steep climb on tricky steps. 

  We mention tranquility frequently, but we are not embarrassed to admit how meaningful it is. Often, we feel that we meld into the environment which makes our days even more enjoyable. After a satisfying hike we arrived at Buddha Park, a place we'd only visited once before and recently. On this occasion, it was well attended with many visitors meeting below the icon to partake in a luncheon and all the rest of activities undertaken on a weekend. For the previous visit, we were on our own for most of the period. 

  We spent time conversing with the locals who engaged in the usual questions. This time we were asked to pose for pictures with a crowd who were quite charming. However, we put our feet down solidly when they requested we join in the dancing. Heck, we do have some principles. We met a couple of youngsters, too, all with the spunk of youth.  One, before hearing us speak, took on the accent of an American--quite good, too. Another asked the typical question of 'Where are you from?' This time, after answering from South Africa, I asked him where he was from. Caught him off-guard for a second or two.

Buddha Park in the distance, our final destination.
Jenni on the ridge...a scene from: 'From The Terrace'. Notice the haze as mentioned in the text earlier.
Goodnight from our balcony at Pumdikot Lodge.
Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey 

"Say fella, can you lend a hand."

Lake deep, mountain high.