HAPPY HOLI

I am currently, mostly purple.

Today is Holi, the festival of colour and water. What happens on Holi in Pokhara?

When I still dared to have the camera out

We wake up, a little nervouse as we have seen some quite terrifying videos of Holi in Delhi, and I head into the lovely enclosed garden of Butterfly Lodge, I really can't recommend the services here enough, wonderful staff and hot water every day. I overhear a few of the guests talking about going out, out there? It turns out that the hotel has arranged for a group to go out together and walk up to a band in South Lakeside, a far better arrangement, people to hide behind. We join the group of about 20, some are already prepared with water bottles and coloured powder. Ooops, we are unarmed. Dressed in our best disposable clothes we venture out, instantly we are approached by a group of giggling children. I believe children are more threatening than monkeys when they are preparing to attack, you can't throw rocks at children and get away with is. These were tame children though and they quite gently sprayed us with coloured water. Then reaching the corner of the main street we see a stand where we can get some powder for ourselves, yes, ammunition!

I take turquoise and Alicia takes magenta. Turning around our waiter from the previous night is stood, facing us, hands forewards, full of purple powder (His restaurant is on the corner and is really, really good...the best curry and chipati I have had yet...Maya restaurant do the best Naan), he reaches out, hand smothering our cheeks with colour and says 'Happy Holi my friends'. Like purple faced warriors the fun begins.

Walking to the band

Having a boogie!
(also thanks for the photo butterfly lodge fb)

This is the most common way to be approached...hand full of powder to the cheek, 'happy holi!' other ways to be coloured are: Dust blown into air, thrown aggressively at you, your hair ruffled, water guns, water bombs, a running slap on the back, entire buckets of water thrown accross the street or from a balcony  (in my opinion the balcony people are lame cowards). We danced, we covered everything in colour, it was pretty awesome. I am just glad that I am not a white dog because those guys are the favourite walking target. The nicest thing was that all barriers seemed to be down and everyone is happy and the whole town is really in the festive mood! Literally everyone is laughing and dancing and singing, strange musical instruments are everywhere. I only feel slightly sorry for the unsuspecting animals.  The biggest boo boo made was when, from the corner of my eye I saw a bucket of purple water heading our way...'LIS WATCH OUT!' I turned in the nick of time. I am currently sporting a purple Jakson Pollock style back, Alicia was not so lucky and now shows a remarkable resemblance to Violet Beauregarde. 

Lunch break

Sadly this is our last day in Pokhara. We would plug this place as a lovely, touristy and trekky, place and would definitely come back. We are off to Chitwan National Park tomorrow. Our buses etc. have been arranged for us by Khem at the Butterfly lodge. We are treating ourselves to mid-range accommodation!! Khem is wonderful and has given us his number and says call him if anything is unsatisfactory, he will sort it out...we chose butterfly lodge from the Lonely Planet and it has lived up to its good reputation; hot water, good price, very helpful and friendly staff, lovely garden to chill out in, rooms are clean and nice, as are the toilet and shower, loads of people are staying here and all seem very happy, they also exceeded themselves by arranging the party this morning for Holi.

We are going to have dinner with a group of three English girls we met today, really looking forwards to it.

Pokhara will be missed!
Happy Holi everyone xxxxxx