[Our final day as Swaggies/Overlanders began with a breathtaking sunrise over the Annapurna Range at Pokhara. Then we were doing all the chores for the final time: dismantling the tents, heating up last night’s leftovers, cleaning out the bus … but not the rat! Then is was off to Kathmandu, our final destination on the hippy trail. Whether from nerves or excitement or strew and baked beans for breakfast, I was doubled up with constipation for this final leg of the journey and remember lying out on the seat unable to sit up listening to everyone oohing and ahhing about the view coming into Kathmandu. I did get a look at the mountain tops though …
Kathmandu – a magical medieval muddle of houses and mayhem of rickshaws, bicycles and animals. We decamped into cheap tourist hotels of the Thamel District – the Asia and The Star – and discovered the delights of KC’s restaurant and cake shop!]
THURSDAY 16TH DECEMBER, 1976
“Woken at dawn, shouts from outside that view fantastic, so grabbed clothes and staggered out to see pink light on Annapurna range, behind hotel!
Really breathtaking and clear, with dark wooded foothills in front and thatched huts in foreground. Everyone clicking away with cameras. Peak of Machhapuchhare in centre really magical – gradually whitening then disappearing in morning cloud.
Last breakfast – stew and baked beans. Then great clearing and washing of bus and equipment, (rat still stowed away with us!)
Left Ian at Pokhara – lake looked glass-like as drove past with fringe of mountains around. (Nice, cheerful, quick blind boy said goodbye to us – helped at hotel until went blind – no money for operation – Neva and Julie want to help him financially if possible).
Lovely run to Kathmandu – negotiated festive archways out of Pokhara (nearly lopping picutre of queen off), had to rush to front of bus then to back to change weight and height of bus!
Lovely valleys with rounded mountains, thick with green vegetation – deciduous trees and banana trees, paddy fields, haystacks, thatched shelters in the fields; small villages, lots of cattle and hens – with good reflexes! People carrying heavy loads attached by bands round heads, including small kids.
Climbed up pass from Pokhara valley into Kathmandu valley. Lovely view of Himalayan range in evening sun – paddy fields set into side of hairpin bends! Not much room for buses!
Had incredibly painful stomach pains by this time (constipated on final day!) so had to lie down the whole time. Could hardly walk when reached Kathmandu.
Called in at Blue Star – most people felt too expensive, so drove through city to other side – narrow streets with brick and wooden houses – got stuck trying to get round corner – great hootings from rickshaws and consternation from shopkeeper whose house we were about to take away!
Dropped in street by KC’s restaurant – had look at “Asia” and “Hotel Star” – latter cheaper so most piled in there (Jan at Asia waiting for Fred who’d gone to Pokhara to meet us!) Shared room with Big Pam and Neva (on floor).
Went to KC’s for meal (stomach relieved by this time!) with Fran, Sally, Di, Heidi, Adrian, Chris and Hans. Good meal – I had cheese jaffle (like puffed up bread) and apple pie – soon learned about excellent pie and cakes – KC’s have separate cake shop across road from restaurant!”
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