After an exhilarating morning of mountain biking for Doug and shopping in Kathmandu for me, we got ready for our last happy hour with Bishnu. Bishnu had told us he had made reservations for us at a traditional Nepali restaurant and he would pick us up around 6:30 at the hotel.
Freshly showered and in my new Nepali short sleeved polo and jeans, Doug and I eagerly awaited Bishnu's arrival. We had taken some time in the afternoon to visit a photo store and print out some of our photos to give to Bishnu. When Bishnu arrived he gave us gifts of Pashminas and Masala tea, so we were very glad to have something to give him in return. The Pashminas were beautiful and Bishnu had thoughtfully given me one to give to Keith as well as a thanks for the recommendation (I will find a way to ship it to you!).
We set off and met up with a friend of Bishnu's, Preshanth, who would also be joining us for dinner. A Nepali 15 minute walk away (aka 20 to 30 minutes by normal human standards), we arrived at the restaurant. It was an old converted palace that was decorated with all kinds of Nepali items - puppets, fishing nets, and beautiful window panes were on the walls and used as light fixtures. We were seated - the tables were all the kind where you sit on the floor to eat. As we entered there was already traditional Nepaliese dancing occurring. Mostly tourists, it was clear that this was where the guides all bring their tourists at the end of a trek. Ever the networker and social butterfly, Bishnu had a few extra treats for us along the way!
The meal started with popcorn (my favorite Nepali snack!) and a small dish of potatoes. We also got some millet wine which was very strong and you could feel burn as your drank it. Next were some delicious chicken momos (dumplings) and then the special treatment started. Preshanth had an in with the owner, and we got a special dish of dried deer salad plus an extra round of millet wine. The dried deer salad was very tender. We were also treated to a round of peanuts before a we each got a bowl of bean soup.
Next the piece de resistance of any Nepali meal - Dahl Bhat time! We had some Nepali Ice beer to go with the Dahl. This time there was the traditional rice and vegetable curry with spinach! (one of Doug and my favorite Dahl Bhat extras) plus black lentils as the Dhal which we'd never had before. There was also chicken curry and wild boar. And as a bonus treat for me - the pickle was not very spicy.
By the time we had finished the Dahl Bhat, we needed to be rolled away. We were given little cups of yogurt for dessert. Doug took two bites and then opted out of his - he had had enough yogurt one unpleasant morning in Tatopani.
We were grateful for the long walk home to be able to help digest everything. All during the meal there was Nepali dancing and it was a wonderful experience. Normally I do not enjoy the for tourist experience, but with Bishnu and his extra special additions, the experience was extraordinary.
We parted ways at our hotel with me looking forward to seeing Bishnu at 6:30 in the morning to take me off rafting.
It was a fabulous last night together, and Doug and I both lamented that we would very much Bishnu and all that he had done to make Nepal so special.
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