Rafting and Paragliding around Pokhara

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Killing Time Between Treks

After hiking the Annapurna circuit, Team HAC spent some well needed time relaxing in the small (and indcredibly laidback) city of Pokhara. Compared to Kathmandu it was a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the better things in life: mainly food.

We also got around to doing a couple of small activities. Ben tried out paragliding, and four of us went on a three day rafting adventure down the Kala Gandaki river. For brevity's sake I'll skip a written description and will instead let the photos tell the tale.

Team HAC Goes Separate Ways

We returned to Kathmandu eventually and the different members of the team split off to explore their own parts of the world. Dad and Andrew went south to the Chitwan National Park, Marjie headed back towards home (a sad occasion, but hopefully that story will continue), and Ben, Raj and I headed out on the second leg of the cricket tour.

On our last night in Kathmandu though, we organised a home cooked meal at Raj's house. Marjie and I cooked (which after ten months away from home and a kitchen was surprisingly refreshing), Raj's wife Laksmi added some Nepali dishes as well, and everyone turned up to enjoy what would otherwise have been a completely normal occasion.

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Photos

Rafting Team Portrait
After all was said and done we were glad to be out of the cold water.

I Wonder What Happened Here. . .
I guess I can't hide from the truth. I was also responsible for this "accident".

Andrew, Bruce and Marjie
Bruce was our safety kayak paddler who spent nearly 100% of his time trying to do tricks rather than looking after us. He did cook us popcorn though, so he's cool.

Team Photo Including Spanish Girl
Two spaniards joined our boat on the second day.

Hazards of Waterborne Photography
The smudge that is, not Marjie.

It Was Cold!
This was taken immediately after I had been for a short "swim" thanks to a scuffle with a Polish guy from the other raft during one of our regular boatswap/splashing parties.

Marjie Celebrates
The wet guy is our Spanish rafting companion. He's wet because I tackled him out of the boat while he wasn't looking.

Killer Andrew
At one point, Andrew "accidentally" let go of his paddle (to be fair, the other rafting guide was rather forcibly pulling him into the water at the time) which subsequently arced through the air in a graceful sweep until it fell directly onto the head of one helmetless Polack. This was the result. Lesson to be learned: don't mess with Andrew.

Lakeside, Pokhara
The view while we were waiting for Ben to "arrive".

Stylsish Entrance
Ben and his para-glider.

Ben Enjoying the View
He told us that it was cold up there.

Ben and His Mate
Ben's the one on front who looks like he's taking it easy.

. . . and Stacking It
Ouch, that looks painful.

Comments

[Pedro]

Great Blog
Wow, congratulations on your shortest blog entry, I enjoyed it immensely, best post yet!