Day 212. Pokhara, Nepal. Super duper Stupa.

Our last day here and we finally muster up the gumption to do what we've been threatening to do since arriving.

Take a boat out on the lake.

Predictably, we're as inept in a paddleboat as we are in a Kayak or Canoe, spending a good half hour aimlessly looping a liquid loop instead of taking the direct route to the far shore.

Dyed in the wool landlubbers me hearties, that's the Smiths.

Aim #2 of the day was to climb the hill overlooking the lake so we could visit the Peace Stupa that dominates the Pokhara skyline. Our big trek had put us in fine fettle for this one and we clambered up with relative ease - the only hindrance being the proliferation of leeches on the trail, out in serious numbers following yesterday's heavy rain.

We've encountered these little bleeders a few times on the trip, in New Zealand, the Philippines and now here. And although it's generally me who they end up getting their teeth into (teeth? fangs? suckers?) it's Wend who freaks at the thought of them.

This can slow things significantly on a walk like this morning's, stopping every 20 yards or so for yet another leech inspection.

Great views from the top though, tempered slightly by clouds obscuring the mountains on the horizon.