Namaste! - 10 weeks down, 8 to go!

Woweeee what a week! From Varanassi we came up through the Nepal border (probably the worst place I've seen in my life (except for Agra). We then caught a ridiculously ricketty bus with a hole in the floor and travelled up to Pokhara. John and I found an adorable little guest house for 2 pounds a night! The next day we hired a boat for the day and took a swim in the lake, which was lovely. We also had steak for the first time in almost 3 months! However, after a few days we felt as if things were coming a little too easily and everything was too catered for tourists. We then got a bus to Katmandhu...

Katmandhu is the best city in the world! Nepali people are so nice and the town itself is so architecturally beautiful. You can walk two minutes out of the town and be in the middle of fields and village houses. We decided to go to a concert and as Jazzmandu (the yearly Jazz festival here) was on we thought that would be a good place to start. It was at the Hyatt Regency hotel which was just full of toffs but The headlining band were awesome. We then booked ourselves in for the bunjee.

I have no idea why I thought that I might enjoy this, as bridges make me nervous and I'm not a great lover of heights. However, at the time it sounded easy and epic so I signed up! The whole day my stomach was churning and I was completely convinced that I would hurt myself in some way. I queued up on the bridge (160 mtrs up!) for an hour and a half until my turn. I watched John go and he seemed to be having loads of fun! Gradually my fear diminished until they called my number (the weight that was written on my hand). Then I started to need the loo and I was sweating pretty prefusely! It's probably the most intense feeling of fear and apprehension I've ever felt. I got all harnessed up then the guide walked me onto the plank (it literally is a plank). I'd seen so many people go out onto it and then walk backwards and chicken out and I was determined not to be a chicken. With my feet over the edge I peered down. It was like nothing I'd ever felt before and before I knew it I'd jumped! The first 5 seconds are literally terrifying because you forget about the rope tied to your feet and you feel as if you are literally going to hit the ground! However, with the first bounce I started to enjoy it and my body went completely limp. I was being thrown around like a rag doll! Surprisingly though, I was completely unhurt. The rope doesn't cause any kind of whiplash as it's so super elastic. The most extreme and fear-filled thing I've ever done, this was by far.

The next day, John and I headed off to the local national park for our trek. I'd been quite scheptical simply because I'd never been a massive fan of walks (as my mum can verify) but before long I got into it. I think it's a different kettle of fish when you're trekking through the Nepal countryside. It just blows your mind. The first day was really difficult and all uphill but I was so determined to keep up with John and our guide! We went through loads of little farms and did lots of animal spotting! We stopped over at a guest house for the night and nearly froze to death! It was so cold and damp. In the morning we got up around 6am and watched the sunrise. We managed to catch a glimpse of Manpusa Mountain which is over 8km in height! The second day was a little easier. It was mainly straight roads with a bit of climbing (literally) the rocky inclines! We finished up in Nagarkot which is just mind-blowing. We stayed in a 30$ a night hotel (which is ultimate luxury in Nepal!) and watched the sunset from our balcony. We then had an all you can eat steak buffet!!! Brilliant. The next day we awoke at 5am (to my dismay) and set off on our way back down the hillside. Overall we walked/jogged/climbed/stumbled around 30 miles. My legs are in agony at the moment! But it has spurred me on to do some more extreme versions of exercise when I get back home!

Well, I think that's about it from Nepal. Sadly we're leaving in 2 days for Darjeeling (although that should be amazing also) but We'll be in the Andaman Islands in 2 weeks!!!!!

Will wirte again soon.

Lots of Nepali love,

El xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx