Blog 109

Day 2 began with a steep 4km climb up to tower hill. On weekends this place packs out with local picnickers who come to enjoy the view; we arrived on Saturday and didn't quite find the level lookout we were looking for. 2 cups of tea and we were back on our bikes to what we hope would be a downhill cruise to Dulikel.

Unsure of directions (1:125000 scale map) we asked a couple of armed soldiers guarding the barracks down the hill. Having been sent the wrong way we ended up on a mad mountain bike trail which turned out to be great fun.

At a crossroads and unsure of where the heck we were, a Nepalese guy came riding along on his bike, he knew the way to Dulikel but wasn't confident enough to ride it solo. Pointing us in the right direction he then asked if he could join us. So the three of us were on our way, having to stop occasionally to ask army trainees (armoured only with a black bin bag each and sent out to brave the Himalayas for 9 days) the best way.

The next section of the ride was the best part of the whole 3 day trip. One hour of continuous downhill trail riding through villages, bamboo forests, rice paddies and angry mobs of children asking for candy. With jellified arms and arthritic fingers we arrived in Banepa and said fairwell to or Nepali friend. We feasted here on samosas and chow main (extra MSG) before once again jumping on the saddle to make our final assent to Dulikel.

From here we took a relaxed side through more rice paddies to find a guesthouse with the most inane view of the Himalayas. The guesthouse owner (let's call him Smiley) barely gave us a second to breathe before taking us up the hill to the temple for sunset. Smiley was a true Nepalese entrapreneur, hotelier, farmer, drug dealer, drug manufacturer and momo pusher. As the setting sun turned the sky burnt orange over the Himalayan horizon, Jo played with Mikey mouse and Miney mouse (Smiley's kids) while I bartered the price of beer with Smiley's brother.

The night ended with a momo making class, a big glass of Rakshi (Nepalese rice whiskey) and one of the best views of the milky way since Mount Cook, NZ.

We love Nepal!!

Love Bryn x