Travel day to Pokhara

Day 5-Fri Oct 17, Pokhara (elevation 2,700')

Today's been a travel day to get from Kathmandu to Pokhara where we'll start our trek into the Annapurna Range tomorrow, Saturday, Oct 18.  I'm anxious to use the Internet at our hotel to post to the blog since we'll be without Internet service until late next week.  After a delicious buffet breakfast at the Crowne Plaza hotel this morning, we had some free time to enjoy the hotel grounds where we did some bird watching, reading & journal writing.

One of our group relaxing near the pool at our Kathmandu hotel before our afternoon flight to Pokhara

Then we had a fascinating lecture about Nepal Culture from a fellow at Nepal's university.  She was the third speaker we've had as part of Road Scholar's commitment to education + travel.  Soon it was time to take our bus to the airport for the short, 25" flight to Pokhara.

Queuing up at Kathmandu airport for our flight to Pokhara

Flying over Kathmandu, a sprawling city of 1.5 million in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley

We were happy to arrive in Pokhara on Yeti Air

After getting settled in our room & having a cup of tea on our balcony, we walked into the beautiful, green, quiet  lakeside town to explore.

Our cozy Temple Tree Resort room

Relaxing with a cup of tea & a good book on our balcony

 Everyone in our group commented on how it's such a huge change from the frenetic hustle, bustle, noisy, crowded, dirty Kathmandu.

First chance to do some shopping in Nepal !!

Phewa Tal (a freshwater lake) & the mountains that border the south side of Pokhara

Came upon an unexpected eco-message in the Lakeside section of Pokhara 

Sunset over Phewa Tal, Pokhara 

We strolled along the lakeside promenade enjoying the sunset over the lake & views of the Himalayas before returning to our hotel for dinner.  That's all for now until we return here next week.

Phewa Tal, Pokhara from the lakeside promenade