Nepal, a haven for climbers with its undulating ranges and the highest peak in the world, is generally a spot where the extreme sports fans frequent. In winter the white-carpeted mountains are the ideal place for winter sports, and during summer the trekkers and climbers take over to chance their arms over various peaks. Many would be in sync with the capital city Katmandu as it is the place where tourists are regulars for its position as a gateway for these actions and also others. Like others, my family and I while making our choice hit upon Nepal, but once that decision was made we thought — where in Nepal? It was then that we chose Pokhara as our destination last August, and we are glad that we got to visit this city to spend our holidays in. It was just idyllic. Pokhara needs heavy infrastructure development to be considered as a top tourist hotspot. But it is a city with its own charm. Its importance lies in its position in the Himalayan kingdom. Keeping the city as a stopping point, we explored the surroundings and were pleasantly gratified. Once you are out of the city boundary, you encounter nature's sheer beauty. Nestled is a valley with landscapes of sheer magnificence that is enveloped with huge mountains, flora and streams. It was absolutely breathtaking, and beyond, in the distance on a cloudless day, you can see Annapurna in all its pristine glory. The Himalayan mountain range is in the vicinity of Pokhara and trekkers and nature lovers can arrange their own schedule to enjoy its glamor and elegance. The second largest city in Nepal, Pokhara is situated nearly 200 km to the east of Katmandu. Travelers from India can arrive at Pokhara via the Gorakpur-Sunali border by road — a stretch of nearly 180 km of evergreen mountains and rivers. The valleys provide a picturesque view with terraces of light green paddy and millet fields and glutinous rivers — following a limestone and water mix giving a glow during nighttime. Three of the ten highest mountains of Himalayas, namely Annapurna, Mansalu and Dhaulagiri ranges among several others above 7000 meters, are near Pokhara. Therefore, it has become an ideal spot for trekkers from all over the world. The ideal place for a lensmen or just a connoisseur of nature is by the side of huge Phewa Lake situated at the end of city limits. The lakeside is not only a hot spot for tourists to stay, but is a haven for various marine and bird species. A boat trip on the lake is a must if you are in Pokhara, and the nearby smoky Davis waterfall, where the water flows taking the lake underground through a natural tunnel, is another splendid spot for an interlude. Pokhara's lakeside is the hub with all the hustle and bustle of tourists, locals, and souvenir shops. A variety of restaurants cater to various types of cuisines. There are spots offering Ayurvedic (alternative medicine) treatment. But, it is the magnificent view beyond the lake that is the biggest lure for the tourists. One of interesting places we saw in Pokhara was the Gurkha Museum, which relives the past glory of the ferocious Nepali Gurkha Regiment, which served the British Army during World War II. Retired Gurkha Army Major, Gurung, a founding member of the museum and a frequent visitor, was at hand in the museum during our visit. He reminisced about the bravery of battle-hardy Gurkha soldiers, and a fascinating saga of events from memory. A rare collection of military uniforms, photographs, medals and armory are on display, and the visitors are treated to the sounds of World War II drums, bombing and battle sounds during their visit. Other places we saw were Pokhara Museum, historic temples and the mountain retreat at Sarangkot. For the more adventurous, paragliding tours are also arranged by the tour operators. The city is still struggling to improve its infrastructure facilities and sanitation after the political unrest, but the ample natural beauty and the cool and salubrious climes it provides puts it on par with other major Asian tourist spot. There is an airport in Pokhara, which welcomes visitors from other domestic airports in Nepal. Travelers come directly from India. Also, by road it is approachable via Sunali, the border point of India-Nepal. Sunali can be reached by road from the Gorakpur. The Nepalese, although, not very conversant in English, are friendly and they welcome all tourists with a big smile. – SG
