Peaceful Pokhara

I dare to bet there's not one village in Nepal without the following three guest houses: the Mountain View, the Himalayan Hotel, and the Peaceful Lodge. (Yak&Yeti Hotel could also be a good bet). Although there's usually not much difference between them, here in Pokhara I decided against the Peaceful Lodge, because it is exactly in an alley with three construction sites around... anyway, Pokhara itself could be nicknamed the "Peaceful city", because that's exactly what it is. (Just as a footnote, I'm being such a rebel as tu stay in the excentricly named "Noble Inn" here!!!).

During the last week of the Annapurna trekking circuit, Pokhara becomes to the trekkers something like a shining star at the end of the trail: "When I get to Pokhara, I'm going to... have a shower! A real shower, no buckets! Hot water. Real coffee! Wifi. Fresh fruit... I might even consider have my laundry done by machine..."

Eventually, we all get to Pokhara and are really able to fulfill our dreams - we have showers, coffee, whatever... And after doing everything we dreamed of during the last days, we realize that it took us only one afternoon to do so. And than there's not much left to do in this place!

Luckily enough, Pokhara has realized its potential as city without sightseeing programme, and its lakeside around beautiful Fewa lake is brimming with garden cafes and beauty/massage saloons. For the last three days, I've tried my way through the smoothie-, icecream- and cappuccino-offer in the city and now I guess I'm ready to move on. It's probably a sign that I spent more time than usual in the same place, when the Zumba instructor of my favorite spa-cafe not only greets me by name, but asks me first thing in the morning which smoothie I'd recommend her today!