DAY FOURTEEN - TANSEN TO POKHARA

As the clock struck 6am my eyes couldn’t rest any longer, due to a mix of anxiety about our final day in the rickshaw and a headache from the local whiskey we knocked back the last night. So I thought it was best to get up and out the door for a morning jog around Tanzen. – Best idea I’d had in 12hrs.

As I stepped outside the hotels double doors I walked into what was literally a picture postcard, this was without a doubt the best view I’ve come across so far on our travels. The snowcapped mountains and Himalayas’ peaking through the cotton candy clouds and I was stood at eye level with these opposing mountains to see some of mother natures finest products. Obviously I raced straight back inside to grab my camera, oh and the producer and camera crew and Shelley and Gordie!

Much to my dismay my camera battery was flat and I had to put it on charge instantly, thankfully there is always a few cameras lying around with a production and camera crew to capture these type of moments on film. So while I was waiting for everyone to get their act together I got back out there for my morning jog, on what is definitely the world’s best running track! Hello! Women’s health magazine why don’t you know about this already, it makes running in the morning enjoyable! This running track had it all a steady climb up the mountain roads, unbelievable views, crisp air, natural Himalayan water spurting out the springs on the roadside, interesting townships with friendly local people, larger than usual pigs and livestock.

It’s a Gooooooooooooood morning everybody! I think I can say I feel on top of the world today. This is the last time however that we will all have to wake up early to get on the road, the final morning we will have a camera watching us hoe down our breakfast at a swift pace and this morning is the last leg for our journey for the lil’ lady. An exuberant energy flow is in the air to get this show on the road and party in Pokhara! -We were later crushed at the breakfast table when Shivani came out and told us there was no party tonight, it was last night. We had missed the party!! Arrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh! Noooo!

The party news was a bit of a blow to the spirits around the breakfast table, however the Shaw must go on and we had to still get to Pokhara. So as we sipped our last drops of tea and coffee over mind blowing views from the balcony we headed over to the Shaw for the last time and I jumped in the driver’s seat, of Course! At the gate of the hotel were a group of local kids all excited and awaiting our departure from the driveway of the hotel. These children were so cool BTW! I hung out with them last night when we got in and earlier this morning after my job. They are just so inquisitive about tourists like us and my blonde hair. They had so many questions about the Rickshaw, our journey, how to operate the digital camera I gave them and why my name is Katie. –Which apparently means girl in Nepalese?

As we drove out the drive about 15 of the kids stopped us and jumped on and into the Rickshaw with us, In true Nepal style we drove them down the road where their mother was waiting for them to have a few firm words and smile from ear to ear at us. Hi Mum! Oh Ohhhh! Now the extra weight was off our Rickyshaw could get up the hill and on her way.

The last day made me want to drive the entire way as it was so scenic and fun to roll down the hill, only having to change gears for the most part. Along the way today we had a slight drama yet again with the roof racks, the back rack had actually come apart and fallen right beside Gordie’s head, hahaha. It was utterly amusing. We had to pull over and assess the matter. I was never good at the handywoman work, so I just left it up to Mr. Fixit to repair the roof. Gordon managed to find some spare rope in the back seat to tie the rack back together however it turned out after all his hard yakka that we had actually pulled up right outside a Welder’s repair shed. HAHAHA, Sorry Gord but it was rather funny. As the welder’s worked their magic with their blow torch on our Shaw we hung out with some of the locals and the crew to play a native board game. Not to sure of the games name, but it was just like snooker only on a smaller scale and on a white board with chips instead of balls. Lot’s of fun and I wish I hope I can purchase one before we leave Nepal.

After the roof was fixed it was back on the road again to begin another mountain climb, I continued to drive the stars in the rear but before long Gordon was keen to take over the reins and drive Shelby and I all the way to the finish line….Ahhhhh Yarrr! What Ever! Minger! Like you are soooo not drivin’ across the finishing line without a fight from Shelby and I! ;)

With the wind in our hair we cruised the mountain roads leading to Pokhara and took numerous pee stops along the way, stopped and chatted to locals, tried a bit of the natural spring water that spurted out from the roadside, shared more stories and banter with one another. Then just 20kms out of Pokhara Shelley changed over with Gordon to bring this baby home!

With the tension heating up Gordon and I thought there was no better way to cool off then to pull over and take a shower and go wild under a natural waterfall…. For some reason the our producer thought our idea was SIMPLY REDICULOUS and was so annoyed at us for stuffing up continuity at the finishing line. Whoopsie!

Now there was only 13km’s to go and Gordon and I were frantically trying to dry ourselves in the rear seat, no hair dyer, no towels, just dirty blankets and my head scarf…. When all that started to fail it was time for us to hang our heads out the sides of the rickshaw and make like dogs when they sit in their owner’s car.

Pokhara and the destination is unknown….We have no idea where the finishing line is! Anyone got a map?! No! Half an our driving around Pokhara city can really cause an anti climax to what is suppose to be a exciting and thrilling end to our journey, not to mention the fact that we missed the party by a day. Ahhh….well I guess no one could manage this situation better than a trio of talented bull***t artists, sorry did I say that? – I meant talented creative artists! So we put on our party heart glasses and fluro head bands, jumped into the front seat to share the drive across the finishing line and Whoop! Whoop! Put your hands in the air! We crossed the finishing line and kissed our Lil’ lady goodbye for the last time.

This has truly been one of the best experiences of my life so far and the friendships I’ve formed with Shelby, Gordon and the production gang are priceless! This experience has opened my eyes dramatically and I would highly recommend anyone who wants to travel through India to do it by rickshaw as it is such a good laugh. I’ve most definitely become older and wiser, the experience is proof that the simple things in life are enough but I simply cannot live without soy milk, English breakfast tea , vegemite, Chico lollie’s and Vanish to make my whites white and my colour’s bright. I am sad that we all have to say goodbye now and head back to reality. I don’t think it’s all completely sunk in as yet, but as they say, “All good things come to an end.” ;) Bye! X ktC

DAY THIRTEEN - LUMBHINI TO TANSEN

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!