The next 4 days relaxing and eating in Pokhara...
Arriving back late afternoon we took Rame out for a thank you dinner. He'd been the perfect porter guide and we hope he has a good future doing what he loves. He'd told us that he'd wanted to do this work since he was a boy when he'd read of Hillary and Everest. I think that's why he's so good at it. Many of the locals are doing it purely for the money and have no love of it. Rame sees it as a profession and takes all aspects of it seriously. He will eventually just act as a guide and with continued recommendations can become quite well off working in the trekking industry. - We hope so.
The following morning turned into a shemozal! We didn't like the place we were staying in and got up early and went for a walk to find a better place (Sunrise Guesthouse 300rupees $AU5.70 per night with ensuite and big TV.. unbelievable prices here really..) We went back to check out and Rame was still asleep so we told the guys (who know Rame well) that we'd be back to meet him at 10.30am and give him that message. When we went back he was gone! He'd taken the 5 hour bus back to Kathmandu. The hotel had the shits with us for checking out and hadn't given poor Rame the message. We were sick! He's only 27, so a kid really and he'd done 'he's duty as he calls it' by us in every way and been so caring and now he was on the bus back to KTM thinking wed got up and checked out and done a runner on him... It really wrecked the day. Even made me teary I felt soooo bad for him. What must he have thought when he'd found us gone? (after 2 weeks together as friends)!?? Nothing could be done for 5 hours until he arrived in KTM and hopefully checked his email straightaway. Id emailed him immediately and just had to wait his reply. It was a long 5 hours. I checked a few times and then finally at 6pm he answered. We were right - poor Rame had been told by the hotel that we were gone but that they didn't know where (and no message!) He said he'd searched for us but couldn't find us and thought we were angry at him! Mongrel Hotel!
Anyway.. now we will meet up with him in KTM when we return there after Chitwan. We spent the last three days having breaky, lunch and cups of tea in different restaurants along the beautiful lake and also interneting this bl....dy diary (Im sure Ill be glad to have it once I'm home..I hope its been worth it..hee) Of an evening we found this great restaurant that shows DVDs every night at 7.15. It has a great atmosphere, dim lighting and low tables and benches and areas with just cushions on the floor. We watch the movie and just keep ordering food and drinks all night - Its very relaxing. The first night we watched The last Scottish King which we'd never heard of and it was great. (About Iddie Armin when he first came to power) Then last night we arrived early and saw the end of Willy Wonker which was a bit of a relief as I think Ive seen the start about 4 times but never made it to the end..now I have.. This was followed by Love Actually - seen that twice before but still love it.
Just checked out the board for tonight and its Casino Royale which we haven't seen so that's good too.... It's been beautiful weather here for our last day here. Tomorrow we leave at 7am for a 5 hour bus ride to Chitwan National Park. We've brought an all inclusive package for 3 nights 4 days and includes the bus there (and return to KTM) accommodation, all meals and activities which are elephant safari, canoe trip, jungle walk, bird watching, village tour, culture program and slide show and a visit to the elephant breeding centre (baby elephants!) and elephant bathing. All for $90US each. We will return on Monday 19th to the International Guest House where we stayed before. More thumbnails ...
| 
57 votes 
This is a top pick!
