A pleasant bushwacking excursion

A pleasant bushwacking excursion through the jungles of Phulchowki led by Hoisin, an ailing Spiderwomen and Lance Armstrong.

Godavari is located approximately ten kilometers from Kathmandu and many outdoor enthusiasts flock here to enjoy the breathtaking views and beautiful landscapes. It is known as one of the popular hiking destinations in Nepal for its rich wildlife and natural splendor – but for hashers we found it was actually quite crap at times. But back to the beginning of our tale/trash…..

The GM, as usual meeted and greeted the assembled throng and introduced the hares – one of whom should be called missing in action instead of Spiderwomen as she went home to sleep after laying the hash. He then did an overview of the hash rules to the virgins and then noted the historical aspects of Godavari which dates back to the Kirat Period which saw the uprising of the Soma dynasty. He added King Nimisha became the first king in Nepal to originate from the Soma dynasty and who took up his position in 205 AD. His eyes filled with tears as he remembered when he first arrived in Nepal Nimisha defeated King Gasti and took over his throne thus ending the Kirati reign over Nepal [ed. For God's sake get on with it!]. He noted that King Nimisha then constructed his new palace in the town of Godavari and restored Pashupatinath Temple for good measure and erected the four faced linga. The GM’s face visibly brightened when he recalled Nimisha’s victory and rule which brought about the Godavari-Mela festival that is still celebrated in Godavari. The festival only takes place every twelve years and visitors that are lucky enough to be in the area during this period should appreciate and enjoy every moment.

When the GM finished his speech he looked up and noticed everyone had run away. So he started to run – and run he did through the Royal Botanical Garden which attracts many local residents and visitors on weekends. He remarked to himself “Oh my, self, this garden is an extravaganza of plants, trees, ferns, flowers and orchids. And oh behold the breathtaking butterflies, which are gliding peacefully amongst the beauty and splendor of the garden.”

Yes Godavari is one of the most picturesque and diverse destinations in Nepal and has much to offer visitors. From fascinating sights, breathtaking natural beauty and a rich history, just waiting to be discovered but for some unknown reason the hares went directly south and had the hashers scramble up for what seemed to be hours up a god-forsaken goat path filled with prickly bushes and hard scrabble. At the first holding, not only was the GM missing but so was Mustard Fart, his daughter’s friend as well as a cowering Bessy (so much for a dog’s best friend). Streamline Dicky happily ran up and down the hill looking for the arrant missing hashers and all were found save the GM’s missing daughter and his daughter’s friend. Their bodies were never found but so it is for the brave hashers who face such calamity on a weekly basis. And up and up they continued. Up, up, up, up, up and up, up, up, up and up, up, up, up and up, up, up, up and up, up, up, up and - you get the picture.

Up scrabbled Trouble, The Scholars, Trouble, DoggyStyle and Hole-in-One, all complaining non-stop about the uphill torture until we all got to the top of the trail and onto a dusty road and then Happy Clapper, Sticky Fingers, Hurry, Jos, $m Visa, Shaun and Kim all started to complain about the dust and lack of views! Up and down the happy campers went along this horrible dirty path until we came to a breathtaking view where the forests clear and we could clearly see the majestic marble quarry that has operated in the region since the year 1890 which has caused mass deforestation, exposing the 2,762 meter Pulchowki mountain.

It was then back to whence we came. I forget what happened after that.

The end