Our taxis were stopped at the Trekkers' Information Management system (Tims) inspection station to ensure we had acquired proper permits. The rules state: "Trekkers planning to travel to controlled areas in Nepal opened for group trekking need to get Trekking Permit issued by the Department of Immigration under the Home Ministry."
A suspension bridge (with 300 foot drop to river) was in the process of construction. Along the way we saw the castor bean plant, red banana tree, crown of thorns plant, catalpa trees, and crops of cabbage, onions, long green beans, wheat and rice. The car dodged water buffalo, pigs, goats and villagers carrying loads on the muddy, dirt road.
Upon arriving in Pokhara Amrit's brother met us at the hotel and took Guinness to the veterinarian for shots and such, before taking the dog back to Amrit's parents in the village of Ale Gaun. For those of you who read my previous website about the medical camp you might remember that we had to cross a suspension bridge from Waling to Amrit's village. We later learned that Guinness wanted nothing to do with that bridge and he had to be carried like a baby.
The rest of us had time for one last meal at Moondance, our favorite restaurant where we had eaten several times before starting the trek.
We first arrived in Pokhara nearly three weeks ago via an 11-hour bus ride. This time we were pleased to fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arriving at the Pokhara airport we noticed Yeti Airlines and wondered if we would be flying on it. The name Yeti is the Himalayan origin of the myth/legend of Big Foot. Since the 1920s several trekkers claim to have seen this abominable snowman while scaling Mount Everest. We flew on Buddha Airlines instead.
While at the airport I realize I am traveling on an expired tourist visa. A mix up perhaps because I had just come from a visit in Cambodia to see my niece, Kellie Roy, who was finishing up a two-year stint with the Peace Corps. Expired tourist visas is a serious offense in a foreign country. Will I be thrown in jail? Will my departure be delayed? I was not having many good experiences having to do with the Kathmandu airport. You'll have to read the beginning of my Nepal Medical Camp website for that story Amrit says he knows someone who can get the illegal visa taken care of. He makes everything look easy.
A suspension bridge (with 300 foot drop to river) was in the process of construction. Along the way we saw the castor bean plant, red banana tree, crown of thorns plant, catalpa trees, and crops of cabbage, onions, long green beans, wheat and rice. The car dodged water buffalo, pigs, goats and villagers carrying loads on the muddy, dirt road.
Upon arriving in Pokhara Amrit's brother met us at the hotel and took Guinness to the veterinarian for shots and such, before taking the dog back to Amrit's parents in the village of Ale Gaun. For those of you who read my previous website about the medical camp you might remember that we had to cross a suspension bridge from Waling to Amrit's village. We later learned that Guinness wanted nothing to do with that bridge and he had to be carried like a baby.
The rest of us had time for one last meal at Moondance, our favorite restaurant where we had eaten several times before starting the trek.
We first arrived in Pokhara nearly three weeks ago via an 11-hour bus ride. This time we were pleased to fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arriving at the Pokhara airport we noticed Yeti Airlines and wondered if we would be flying on it. The name Yeti is the Himalayan origin of the myth/legend of Big Foot. Since the 1920s several trekkers claim to have seen this abominable snowman while scaling Mount Everest. We flew on Buddha Airlines instead.
While at the airport I realize I am traveling on an expired tourist visa. A mix up perhaps because I had just come from a visit in Cambodia to see my niece, Kellie Roy, who was finishing up a two-year stint with the Peace Corps. Expired tourist visas is a serious offense in a foreign country. Will I be thrown in jail? Will my departure be delayed? I was not having many good experiences having to do with the Kathmandu airport. You'll have to read the beginning of my Nepal Medical Camp website for that story Amrit says he knows someone who can get the illegal visa taken care of. He makes everything look easy.