3 Days and Counting

First up, a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far - we've blown away the 1,000 target and are on the way to hitting three thousand quid - reckon we're in the top five for cash raised so thanks again.

The good and the bad have been here in Pokhara for three days now after a long flight to Kathmandu, a short flight around Everest in a tin-pot twin prop plane (amazing views) and a long wait for the hop over to Pokhara. The Tiny is currently packing to join us on New Years Eve (fingers crossed for a decent commection on Kathmandu or there's a long bus ride overnight to Pokhara in store).

The past few days have been spent exploring the area on motorbikes and quickly learning the rules of the road, Fight Club seems to have more. After a few hours on the road though it's all pretty straightforward, being based on a hierarchal system of largest vehicle rules, easy. Highlights so far include the trip up on the bikes to Sarangkot yesterday afternoon to take in the views from the peak over the lake, and then getting hold of some juice to top up the tanks today - an experience in itself - but at least the effect of the local strike two days ago has been minimal and fuel is getting delivered.

Saw the tuk-tuks this afternoon in their compound and some on the road today. The initial statistics don't make for great reading. Of the three I saw on the road, one was nestled at the side looking broken down and very forlorn, one was spewing blue smoke as it climbed the hill (but made it) and the third was chugging along nicely at the top of the hill and was sporting some fine livery. The pimping though looks to have been taken very seriously with an impressive range of paint jobs.

Tomorrow sees us heading off to try some parahawking - paragliding with some birds of prey - looks great, thanks to Laura for passing on the details.

Pokhara has got a street festival over the five days before New Years Day. The streets are filled with restaurants that have expanded onto the street. There is plenty of local traditional music intermingled with the less traditional - bands thrashing out old rock classics - makes for an entertaining atmosphere though especially when coupled with a few bottles of the local brew, an Everest or a Nepal Ice.