In the moments before the sun disappears over the Himalayan Mountains for yet another day, wander over to Phewa Lake in Pokhara, cradled within the aforementioned mountains. British generals during the Empire's rule over the Indian subcontinent favored the lake as their summer haven from the mind-numbing Nepali heat. And the inescapable majesty of the mountain range does nothing to stymie admirers or adventurers!

Pick one of the brightly azure-colored canoes bobbing on the shores for a lazy, meandering ride. Clouds glide above–some low enough for the peaks to pop up above them, others filtering the dying rays of the sun. Lights twinkling on from surrounding homes reflect on the shimmering water. Cool breezes racing through the mountains whisk off the day’s sweat droplets.

Just as the sun slips behind a mountaintop, bank at the tiny island in the middle of the lake where Barahi temple honors Durga, the Hindu goddess for maternal love and feminine power. Here in the blue haze of dusk, receive your blessings for the rest of the night, the rest of your journey, the rest of your life.