October 18, 2011: Kathmandu to Pokhara
After breakfast a clean group lined up outside the entrance to the Hotel Nirvana Garden. Little would we know how dirty we would be in a few short days, but for now we were all pleased to pose for photos and continue to get to know each other.
We left the hotel and traveled through the morning traffic to the Kathmandu airport. We flew on a turbo prop plane to Pokhara, North of Kathmandu and the location for the beginning our trek to Annapurna Base Camp. We were greeted at the Pokhara airport by a local bus painted and decorated in bright colors.
We settled into our hotel, had tea in the garden, and then we all had time to explore Pokhara. David and Karalee found a local yoga class and as the sun was setting Dick, Karalee, and David had a Nepalese yoga experience. We ate dinner independently and then turned in early to be ready for the first day of our trek.
Our Group at Hotel Nirvana Garden, Kathmandu (photo Razzu)
Nuhket, David, and Marian
Dick, Razzu, and Marian
David and Karalee
Marian, Razzu, and Shyam at the Kathmandu Airport
Our Flight to Pokhara
David and our Pokhara Bus
Our Driver
On the Pokhara Bus
Karalee
Marian
David At the Pokhara Hotel
Jan, Kath, and Judy Relax in the Garden
Jane and Dagmar Relax Too
Karalee at Nepali Yoga Center
Our trip was organized and led by Marian Leighton of Vancouver, BC with local support for our trip provided by Razzu Tuladha of Samsara Journeys based in Kathmandu, Nepal.