Day 22 - Thursday March 14 - Fishtail Mountains and Lake
Today we find our just why we came to Nepal in spite of their power issues and really blue air. We rise before dawn to go to the top of one mountain in order to watch the sun come up (or down in this case) on the side of the snow covered Fishtail Mountains. Lots of fellow sunrise tourists crowd on to these platforms and seem to be in good moods.
Back to the Fishtail Lodge for breakfast and get ready for the day. A young fellow paddles us around Lake Phewa to see some birds, some unique fishing method using plastic bottles as bobbers, and other tourists enjoying a gorgeous day. We see dozens of paragliders up on the mountain. We passed on that option.
We end our boat ride on the land side and hop the bus to visit the Tibetan refugee center (weaving and beads). Kiran takes us to the main road for a water fall. Huh? Where could there be such a thing here? Well, surprise again. An amazing fall into a deep hole where the water goes underground for several Km. Army guys practicing rescue maneuvers on the wall into the deep hole. Heart beats.
Now to the large and very new Stupa built by Buddhist monks from Japan. Kiran said it was up 200 steps but Steve counted each one…. it was 448 steps. Gold leaf decoration and Dan, the geophysicist fellow traveler, used his gold mining experience to figure out the approx. cost of the gold on this Stupa. He figured about $1.5 million. Again, scarce use of guard rails.
Dan uses a Nikon 300 camera and has taught me lots about exposure, bracketing, and filters. We trade photos now and then so he can prove he was along for the trip and I can take advantage of his 300 mm lens. I didn't bring the big one and really appreciate his close shots.
The last of my voice leaves me… this air it too much for the larynx. We go back to the Fishtail for a delicious dinner (more of a Chinese palate since they have so many guests from there).
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| Tibetan Refugee Center |
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| See a fishtail in the model Mtn? |
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| Not 200 steps as purported... 448 counted! |
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| View from the Stupa |
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| Nepalese School Girls |
Back to the Fishtail Lodge for breakfast and get ready for the day. A young fellow paddles us around Lake Phewa to see some birds, some unique fishing method using plastic bottles as bobbers, and other tourists enjoying a gorgeous day. We see dozens of paragliders up on the mountain. We passed on that option. 
We end our boat ride on the land side and hop the bus to visit the Tibetan refugee center (weaving and beads). Kiran takes us to the main road for a water fall. Huh? Where could there be such a thing here? Well, surprise again. An amazing fall into a deep hole where the water goes underground for several Km. Army guys practicing rescue maneuvers on the wall into the deep hole. Heart beats.
Now to the large and very new Stupa built by Buddhist monks from Japan. Kiran said it was up 200 steps but Steve counted each one…. it was 448 steps. Gold leaf decoration and Dan, the geophysicist fellow traveler, used his gold mining experience to figure out the approx. cost of the gold on this Stupa. He figured about $1.5 million. Again, scarce use of guard rails.
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