We waited in the morning sunshine for our bus into the hills with the Rotary Club of Pokhara Fishtail. We are going to Majhkot to inaugurate a water project that we financed for Majhkot village and Shivalaya School. Whilst we are waiting 10 members and wives from RC Dromfield arrive.
Our bone shaker bus arrived and we knew we were on the road as we could see it through the floor. We bounced along the main highway to Kathmandu for just over an hour. David and Mike are enduring the road to Kathmandu on Saturday as they decided to return via the tourist bus which takes 7 hours!!
Suddenly we are advised that we are about to turn onto the rough road. The torque on this bus is fully utilised as we crawl steadily upwards from the valley floor. We are climbing 1500 feet with the cliff face on one side and a shear drop on the other. It is definitely mountain goat territory. Our hopes of not meeting another vehicle on this single track are dashed when, at a corner, we encounter a bus heading downhill. Our driver reverses extremely close to the edge whilst manoeuvring before driving forward past the other buss.
We arrive at a viewpoint and stop to climb a small hill to see the magnificent vista of the Annapurnas. It is quite spectacular and the best mountain range I have ever seen. We drove on until we reached some buildings where we were met by the village chairman and presented with a rhododendron bloom (the national flower of Nepal).
Binod then told us that we are to walk back along the road to visit the source of the water for our project. When we reached the turn off the road Binod advised there were 2 tracks, a difficult one and an easy one. Mike took the hard one while the rest of us took the easier route. Easier maybe, but it was along the hillside. Most of the way the track was no more than 12" wide, at times no more than a shoe width whilst sloping downhill and occasionally over a gap. This photo was taken on one of the easier sections and to the right is steep drop down the hillside. Now I am no mountain goat so I was only too pleased to have a helping hand from one of the ladies of the village, Babata. On reaching our destination we were shown the holding tank at the source of the water. The water is then piped from here to the village a distance of 3.5km. Binod mentions that the ladies of the village are particularly pleased with the project as it saves them walking many kilometres to get water and to carry it back to their homes. We then returned to the bus with more hand holding assistance.
We can hear the sound of the local band. We drive up to the village then start a processional walk down to the new tank following the band. With each step taken we realise we will need to walk back and it is uphill. At the tank President John and President Raju cut the tape and unveil the plaque in a formal opening ceremony. On our return we are given a formal welcome with red tika and garlands from the ladies of the village. Lunch follows. First a snack of special bread for important guests with a very spicy potato and vegetable curry. The bread is deep fried. Then, yes you have guessed it, daal baht.
Many formal speeches and presentations follow with each of us being presented with a hat and a Token of Love. Next was the usual dancing which did not continue for long as it was getting late and we needed to start back as it would be dark before we returned to our hotel.
We made our farewells and everyone piled into and onto the bus with the band sitting on the top playing as we go. It is 5pm when we set off.
We make our way slowly downhill, brakes squealing for submission. It seems even bumpier going down and any padding that was in the seats when they were new many many years ago has disappeared and our bodies are jolted down the hillside for 2 hours.
It suddenly turns dark just before we reach the bottom and it doesn't help when we reach the road. We swerve to miss potholes and brake to miss bumps with the front wheels but as we accelerate the rear wheels hit the bump and we are bounced again. As we reach the outskirts of Pokhara there are no street lights. The road width is just wide enough for 2 vehicles but sometimes not. Large oncoming wagon that don't stay tight on their side of the road force us to brake and drive partly on the hard earth at the side of the road. Oncoming vehicles pass other vehicles coming towards us also forcing us to take evading action. Push bikes don't have lights are are only seen in the headlights of other vehicles. Vehicles peep their horns at pedestrians walking along the edge of the road but they walk on uncaring and vehicles need to manoeuvre to overtake pedestrians.
We arrive back at Temple Tree Hotel at 19:45. It has been a long and tiring day but very enjoyable. We need to be up early tomorrow as we have more visits in the morning.
Our bone shaker bus arrived and we knew we were on the road as we could see it through the floor. We bounced along the main highway to Kathmandu for just over an hour. David and Mike are enduring the road to Kathmandu on Saturday as they decided to return via the tourist bus which takes 7 hours!!
Suddenly we are advised that we are about to turn onto the rough road. The torque on this bus is fully utilised as we crawl steadily upwards from the valley floor. We are climbing 1500 feet with the cliff face on one side and a shear drop on the other. It is definitely mountain goat territory. Our hopes of not meeting another vehicle on this single track are dashed when, at a corner, we encounter a bus heading downhill. Our driver reverses extremely close to the edge whilst manoeuvring before driving forward past the other buss.
Many formal speeches and presentations follow with each of us being presented with a hat and a Token of Love. Next was the usual dancing which did not continue for long as it was getting late and we needed to start back as it would be dark before we returned to our hotel.
We made our farewells and everyone piled into and onto the bus with the band sitting on the top playing as we go. It is 5pm when we set off.
It suddenly turns dark just before we reach the bottom and it doesn't help when we reach the road. We swerve to miss potholes and brake to miss bumps with the front wheels but as we accelerate the rear wheels hit the bump and we are bounced again. As we reach the outskirts of Pokhara there are no street lights. The road width is just wide enough for 2 vehicles but sometimes not. Large oncoming wagon that don't stay tight on their side of the road force us to brake and drive partly on the hard earth at the side of the road. Oncoming vehicles pass other vehicles coming towards us also forcing us to take evading action. Push bikes don't have lights are are only seen in the headlights of other vehicles. Vehicles peep their horns at pedestrians walking along the edge of the road but they walk on uncaring and vehicles need to manoeuvre to overtake pedestrians.
We arrive back at Temple Tree Hotel at 19:45. It has been a long and tiring day but very enjoyable. We need to be up early tomorrow as we have more visits in the morning.
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