Waking up in the birthplace of Buddha and in a real hotel resort has its benefits, not only do you feel clean and renewed but you also know that because it’s a tourist hub and the breakfast will be decent with actual toast! – Not this cardboard with red sugar smear we’ve been consuming over the past two weeks.
Ahhhhh…..At last a real shower hosting a collection of miniature shampoo, moisturizer’s and soaps. Normal toilets bowl with a flush that works and a roll. I can say goodbye to giving my thighs an unnecessary workout and having finding a napkin as a substitute for ass paper. I am deeply in love with Nepal and the tourist destination already.
Lumbhini has been such a refreshing change for me, I really feel like I’ve cleansed myself of all the dirt and dust we’ve picked up in the rickshaw these past two weeks….Not that it hasn’t been enjoyable, it has been. Today I woke up after a pleasurable sleep-in and made my way down to breakfast with the gang, where we discussed our plans for the day. As there was….apparently a massive storm last night, (I had no idea?!) … we decided that we should take it easy today and drive to another place in Nepal, Tansen and give ourselves some time to check out the birthplace of Buddha, Lumbhini.
So after brekkie we headed down the road and found ourselves a cycle rickshaw to jump on and take us to the holy temple where Buddha Gautama was born. To be honest I’m not terribly fond of gardens. I couldn’t say I take after my mother and appreciate a really beautiful garden, however the gardens that surrounded the temple where Buddha was born were rather serene and fascinating. In the garden stood huge trees with Tibetan prayer flags draped across them, various ruins from where temples from centuries ago stood and an enormous holy pond where it is said that Maya Devi bathed before giving birth to Lord Buddha. –I thought I ought to probably give myself a bit of a blessing too, when in Lumbhini do as the tourist looking Sheila at Varanasi did and dab a bit of water on my forehead and shoulders.
After piss farting around the gardens we frolicked over to the Mayadevi temple where a group of Buddhist monks were chanting their morning mantra, this was simply sublime. It made your body tingle and your mind relax; just like yoga you became very aware of your whole body. Unreal! When the chanting had deceased we wondered over a steady plank of wood to view a glass encased rock. Not just any old rock, this was the rock that Buddha was born on. Very cool indeed! This was the kind of place that unless you’re Buddhist you never imagine of going to, but I feel very lucky and privileged to have visited.
Time to hit the road again but not before a spot of tourist shopping at the little stalls on the way out! I think we all got sucked into buying something from these shops, necklaces made out of prayer beads, Tibetan prayer flags, musical bowls or Buddha carvings we wanted anything and everything that could give us a touch of good health, wealth and happiness. Not to mention protection and forgiveness for our travels. Ahhhhh holistic Nepal! Might I mention we all got ripped off a beauty, all apart from the super sleek barter queen Shelley. You are too fine my friend! ;)
On we zoomed in our lawn mower sounding Lil’ lady with me driving of course! To experience Nepal’s sheer beauty in the daylight and Nepal certainly didn’t disappoint. The scenery today was out of control! The country side was so green and lush and the houses in the towns were equally as vibrant and colourful. All the roads were so much more delightful and peaceful to drive on, I almost felt rude and impatient to toot the horn at forthcoming traffic and animals. Less road kill than India and the air felt significantly clearer.
As the sun began to set we reached our final destination before Pokhara, Tanzen. This is the real paradise on earth if anyone is looking for it. The Views!!! OMG!!! I Hollywood don’t need no fake backdrops anymore, it’s all here! Sound of Music, Julie Andrews eat ya heart out! ;) I am just o stuck on this place, high up above the rest of the world. It blows your mind with its beauty. Our last night together before we all let our hair down and hand back the Rickshaw at the finish line, Ohhhh why do all good things get faster and faster when nearing the end?! L It’s all about the company and the local delicacies tonight aka- Everest Beer!
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