Viti Simmons Home Page

Day 8

Departing Pokhara for Chitwan

There has been so much learning and absorbing of information, culture and Hands with Hands self-sustainability model that I will need to reflect upon before writing in more detail of what we have been absorbing. I will have time to do this when I spend nine days at the Himalayan Meditation and Yoga Retreat being run by Kira and Rafael before I head home. How I will restructure the revised edition of, A tree needs water to bear fruit is starting to emerge. 

Breakfast at Lakeside was a light bulb moment for Nina and Viti. We came up with an 'idea' but need to do some work behind the scenes prior to putting it on the table.

On the way back to the Hotel we came across this construction site which I wish to share. Fascinating to see how they construct buildings in Nepal and the manual labour that is required. As these pictures show both men and women are involved. These photos have been taken at a construction site for a five storey hotel being built right by the road that took us back to our hotel where we were staying. 

These young men saw me with the camera so made sure they stood up for the photo while the women kept working.

Waiting for our vehicle to be picked up.

Erin - songwriter my favourite from her collection 'Secret Dark Shadows'.

A taster for you...

Music draws others in.

Packed and ready to head off for Chitwan District.

Fermented jars of vegetables at our halfway stop.

Nina purchasing oranges from local stall.

Ramchandra met us at the next stop which was Nripal's place of business whom we met at 'The Farm' linked Annapurna Childrens Home. Nripal is an architect and specializes in buildings linked to rammed earth and bamboo. He has spent time in Germany, United States of America and Mongolia and has chosen to bring back his knowledge to his own country. The opportunity to visit his workplace is captured in the following images.

Nripal - The Architect explaining the values of rammed earth and bamboo as building materials.

Local Employee.

Employee hand carving legs for chair - part wood part bamboo.

Currently Nripal has a new storage showroom construction under way. He has planted bamboo trees and has numerous ideas, explored ways to utilize the materials above and developed a range of furniture. Nripal website is http://www.abari.org

Arrived at our accommodation in the Chitwan National Park after a long but fulfilling day. 

 End of another wonderful day