What could possibly go wrong #6 ?

Don't get me wrong, I'm having a great time, but the ironies of my travels are coming thick and heavy.
Left lovely Sauraha after 2 days, could have stayed there for weeks it was so laid back and friendly. With every person saying "Namaste" on the street, even with full on hand clasping.

It was onwards to Pokhara, which is only at 900m, but has stunning views of the western Himalayas, especially of the very scared Fish tail mountain - Machapuchare

Or should have. I've been here 30 hours and there has been non stop cloud covering it... But Pokhara is beautiful, situated on a serene lake with forest all around it's western edge.

Today I decided to hike up the World Peace Pagoda which is plonked down on a peak 1100m on a peak on the western side of the lake. Took a gorgeous walk through Pokhara, crossed a dam and then proceeded head long into a jungle. I kinda lost sight of the very erratic signs and soon I was completely lost in this jungle, but hey it was bright, I had water and my knee was nearly useable. I played boyscout and searched for paths (always heading up, which was a good start) and after an hour or so I managed to find a fairly worn looking trail. Marched along that for a while and suddenly out of nowhere a little kid appeared asking if I has seen his buffalo. I had to disappoint him, but did mention that there were at least 10 walking around downtown Pokhara. I walked on and realised that I had lost the trail, 20 minutes later the boy popped out of nowhere (again) and said "you lost". I didn't want to admit to a little 8 year old that I had no clue where I was but I kind of motioned that he could show me the way if he wanted. He scampered back the way, hopped up some rocks (leaving me panting in his wake) and lead me up a small trail. Upon which some yellow wasps the size of private jets decided I was an invader in their territory and stung (stang?) me on the arm, thumb and leg. The pain was something else. He told me to run, which was a little overdemanding for my knee, but I did a good impression of the Hunchback of Notre Damn and jogged crab like behind him. Seconds later we were out in a clearing, where some enterprising Nepalis has set up a refreshment stand.
I flopped onto the ground ordered a coke a took my runners off. Only to find at least 10 leeches munching on my ankles and tootsies. So between waves of wasp pain and plucking leeches off myself I sipped my coke and wondered what else could possibly happen...

Going Paragliding tomorrow...

:-)