Trip to Pokhara

Up early for Breakfast at Sweet Memories and to say our goodbye to Krishna and family.
They gave us some presents and wished us well.
I paid my bill for the Rhino Lodge, 5 nights with aircon and extras, few drinks and snacks,and it only came to 50 Pounds!!!

We went to the shop to say goodbye to Keshab and wait for the car.Again more gifts and this time Laxhmi gave us the Tikka mark (red dot) on our foreheads.This is a sign of affection and good luck.
Very sad to leave these people,they are so nice and appreciative of what Sue does.I feel they have become genuine friends.
Our driver turned up, bags were loaded and of we set!

He is an ex police officer and it showed. He was a very careful driver,especially as the road to Mugling was a lot busier with buses and lorries than our trip down.
He made good time and we stopped to have a drink.As we were about to set off Munoz (the driver)noticed we had a flat tyre. Not surprising on these roads! He changed the wheel and then off we went.We needed to find a tyre repair shop and after a few miles he saw a pile of tyres outside a wooden shack. He stopped the car, took out the tyre and gave it to and old guy.
He had to do everything by hand, get the tyre of using a hammer and chisel, take out the inner tube, repair it and put it back.At one stage I thought he was even going to inflate the tyre by mouth, but he had compressed air!
Kwikfit it wasn't, but much cheaper, only 50p.However Munoz complained as it normally costs 20p!
The drive was interesting as the scenery was really nice, we followed a river for miles where there were people rafting.
Arrived at the hotel to be told for that night we had to move. There was a big Indian party and the manager didn't want us to be kept awake.
Off we walked to a hotel opposite.

Put our stuff in our room, hotel was clean, but the motorbike parked in reception should have told me something!
Went for a walk and look around Pokhara.We are in the tourist bit so every shopkeeper says "Namaste"(hello)and wants to sell you something. Different to Sauraha were they are just pleased to see you!
Not as busy as Kathmandu, but lots of people.This is a starting point for most of the treks, so large parties of all nationalities.
Very disappointed as the mountains were covered in thick black cloud. All this way and I couldn't see them! It even looked like it was going to rain!

Hotel rules were back by 9pm, 10pm latest.
No boombang of door and speak softly.

Of course we complied, dare not to really. So an early night. No tv in our room and a cold shower! Not impressed.