Pokhara, Bandipur, Gorkha and Butwal.

After a few days of lazing in Pokhara drinking pizza and eating beer I decided that it was time to go travelling again. My first destination was the pretty hill town of Bandipur, famous for its historic Newari architecture. A very pretty town it is indeed with fantastic views of the Himalaya and a proud sign at the bus stop boasting "Heartily welcome to you in open defecation free V.D.C. Bandipur" (V.D.C. Village Development Committee). And I can now attest that never have I seen streets as shit free as those of Bandipur!

My following destination of Gorkha unfortunately was not so shit free. Famous for the regiment and again a hillside town with fantastic views, the town itself is not the prettiest and one that is facing water shortages. On arrival numerous hotels told me that I could not shower due to the absence, not something one wants to here after a long sweaty bus ride. Luckily I found a hotel with a big rain water bucket that enabled me to wash and begin exploring.

On top of the hill overlooking Gorkha is the Old King's Palace. Pretty to look at and a nice visit, but as I have begun to commonly notice on many of the temples and palaces, festooned with highly erotic carvings. I have not yet learned as to why these are present, but I have a feeling that in some ways Nepali culture is sexually conservative and in other ways more liberal. What ever the reasons behind them I can only guess that the models were having a great time during the carvings!

My next destination, Butwal, can only be described as a bit of a shit hole. The welcome was friendly enough, but the town itself is not the most pleasant. I can't recall ever visiting a town where so many of the hotels are over priced and filthy. My standards are not the highest, I am certainly not a 5 star hotel searcher, yet basics such as obviously stain free sheets are welcome. I finally settled on a hotel when weariness overcame pickiness, and cheerfully accepted the towel that came with complimentary pube attached via unknown yellow scaly substance. I decided against using it.