Post Trek Days - Pokhara and Kathmandu

Flying out of the Jomsom Airport

We ended our 18 day trek in Jomsom and spent the night in a hotel. The next day we flew out of the small airport to Kathmandu. We had a 6-hour layover in Pokhara which gave us enough time to relax at the city's beautiful lake, enjoy a fantastic breakfast at Mike's, stroll Main Street and do some last minute shopping before returning to the airport.

Pokhara is a very pleasant city, low key, with an upscale resort ambiance. It was a great way to transition back to city life after spending 18 days on the trail.

OMG!! We're gonna' crash?!!

The flight out of Jomsom was scary. The airport is located in a narrow valley surrounded by BIG mountains. When we flew out, the airplane had to climb rapidly, make a sharp U-turn in front of the mountains and fly out the other end of the valley.

Pokhara, the 2nd largest city in Nepal, sits in a beautiful valley south of the Annapurna Range. Renown Fish Tail Peak (Machhapuchhre- 6997 m - 23,000') dominates the horizon.

Another view of Fish Tail from the airport

Annapurna IV (24,000+'), II (26,000+') and Lamjung (23,000+') also sits north of Pokhara

Mike's Restaurant sits on the beautiful shores of Lake Phewa where we ate breakfast

Al Fresco dining at Mike's. Weather was nice and warm!

Mick refueling after a hard trek

Cool boats on Lake Phewa

A neat urban farm with a grand view

Bustling Main Street in Pokhara with many fine shops

Traffic islands with giant Banyon-like trees on Main Street

Quirky little shrines

A colorful fruit vendor

Partaking in Nepal's famous apple pies

More fun boats

Last views of the mighty Annapurna Range

Mad scramble for our gear after landing in Kathmandu

Cheers! . . .We survived!!

Back in Kathmandu for our final farewell dinner

Devi (the George Clooney of Nepal), the principal sherpa, joined us for dinner

Jack and Phil

We gave Mick a bottle of fine whiskey as a token of our appreciation

The four key players - Devi (sirdar), Mick (leader), Phil (assistant leader), and Dawa (head sherpa)

Jack and Kate

Jo

Angela

Next blog: Krazy Kathmandu (see sights and sounds of frenetic city)
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