Finally arrived in Pokhara after a 7-hour journey! All the tiredness of the day melted away at the sight of Phewa Lake's night view. I guess I traveled all that way just for this beautiful moment. ^^

* * * Hello, this is rara❤️. I’m so happy to share my story with you! Finally, I've arrived in Pokhara! First, I had some delicious wood-fired pizza, and then I headed out for a stroll by the nearby lake. It's actually one of the main reasons people fall in love with traveling to Pokhara. Let me tell you all about my first day here!

Whenever I come to Phewa Lake, I usually go for walks or morning jogs, but being here in the evening for the first time made me even more excited. Watching so many people dining, exercising, and relaxing by the lakeside reminded me of the Han River in Korea. After a 7-hour drive over bumpy roads, being here makes all that effort feel worth it.

A local friend who traveled with us recommended this place, mentioning that they sell pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. From the moment I entered, I was amazed by the huge oven and the large number of people making pizzas in front of it. I secretly thought, "This must be really expensive," but I was shocked by the price once again. Despite being handmade in a wood-fired oven, each pizza was only about 4,000 KRW. I was so surprised by how affordable it was! Our group ended up ordering and eating almost more than 10 pizzas.

The restaurant tables were open toward the street, so it was wonderful to be able to watch the view outside. The weather was also perfect—neither too cold nor too hot—which made me feel so happy.

The toppings and visual appearance seemed quite ordinary, but they were actually incredibly delicious. I think we tried so many different kinds. Even though I was full, I just couldn't stop eating.

After a delicious meal, we walked for about 20 minutes to reach the lake.

It wasn't a display of flashy lights, but the night view with Nepal's unique atmosphere was so incredibly beautiful.

Actually, I really wanted to ride the Ferris wheel, but the speed was incredible. I've seen people on YouTube who go trekking in the Himalayas riding it, and it seemed about 3 to 4 times faster than the ones in Korea. They even call it the "Ferris Wheel of Death." I was so scared that I couldn't even dream of trying it.

On my way back from the walk, I spotted a butcher shop and was startled to see a pig's head just sitting there.

When I go to Nepal, this is the brand where I always buy gifts. I found these handmade bags from WSDO, a social enterprise that supports the independence of Nepalese women, which is why I love this brand so much. The natural textures and unique patterns created through traditional weaving are truly charming, and every time I see these bags, I can feel the warm touch of Nepal. In fact, I have many small wallet-bags from this brand that I’ve been using for over 5 years, and they are incredibly durable, high-quality, and beautiful. My friends who received them as gifts even ask me when I’m going back and request that I buy more for them next time!

I just took this photo myself. I'm still using it today; in fact, I use it every single day. Out of all the bags and wallets I own, I think this is by far the most durable. It’s so good that I already want to go on my 9th trip to Nepal just to buy more of these!

The next morning, I woke up early to go for a run around Phewa Lake. I went up to the rooftop hoping to catch a glimpse of the snowy mountains, but instead of the snow-capped peaks, a blazing sun greeted me.

The next morning, I woke up early again and went for a run around Phewa Lake.

I visited the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara. It’s a fascinating place where you can see everything from the history of Himalayan mountaineering to the diverse cultures of Nepal's ethnic groups.

The museum was incredibly spacious, featuring everything from the gear used for mountain climbing to stunning photographs of the Himalayas. I truly believe it’s a must-visit place if you go to Pokhara. While it's impossible to know everything about the Himalayas, I was able to see and learn so much during my visit.

After exploring the museum, I had a delicious cup of coffee at the café in the outside park and truly healed. It was so nice to see students filming shorts in the park—it added such a lively and wonderful vibe to the atmosphere.

On this 8th trip, I visited so many places—from Kathmandu and Pokhara to Hetauda, Raniganj, and Sauraha—spending nearly a month there. Among them, I think I stayed in Pokhara the longest and enjoyed the trip to the fullest. I'll write more about Pokhara later, so I'll stop here for today! Writing this brings back all those memories, and I feel a strong urge to go on my 9th trip soon. Nepal is love and truly my second home.

The story of Pokhara, my second home, is just beginning! In the next post, I’ll share more about the hidden gems of Pokhara that I discovered while staying there for the longest part of my month-long journey. From the peaceful lake early in the morning to the local life I encountered in Hetauda and Sauraha, please look forward to more of my vivid travel records! \[//\]:# (!worldmappin -89.96433 lat 157.50000 long d3scr)