Nasala Kapali
Jasmine Basuala
Our school, Deerwalk Pokhara School, took grades 5–8 for a hike to Raniban on 23rd Magh. We were informed a few days earlier and told to bring our own lunch, a water bottle, and other necessary items. As soon as I heard that we would also stop by the Peace Pagoda, I became very excited. I had seen pictures of it before, but this time I would get to see it in real life with my friends.
On the day of the hike, everyone looked energetic and happy. We grabbed our bags and hurried to the bus, afraid we might be left behind. The bus ride was short but fun because we were all talking and laughing. We stopped at Damside and began walking from the grassy steps that lead up toward the stupa. At first, I felt confident, but after a few minutes, the steep path made me realize it would not be easy. Since I am not very athletic, the walk felt quite tough for me. My legs started to ache, and I had to take small breaks. I had also heard some creepy stories about Raniban, so I stayed close to my group the whole time. It felt safer and more fun that way.
Even though the hike was tiring, we had a lot of fun because we were allowed to play music. The songs made the long walk feel shorter and more enjoyable. On the way, I met a small brown cat. It looked so adorable that I immediately named it Mr. Brownie. I wished I could take it home with me!
Finally, after what felt like a long journey, we reached the Peace Pagoda. The view of Fewa Lake from the top was absolutely breathtaking. The lake looked calm and shiny under the sunlight. I walked around the stupa three times, hoping it would bring me good marks in my exams (even though my pre-board results say otherwise!). There were many small food shops nearby, and the smell of snacks made me hungry. Unfortunately, I had not brought any money, so I could only watch others enjoy their treats.
We then sat on a bench and unpacked our lunch. We had planned to make bibimbap, a Korean dish, but it did not turn out well at all. Instead of wasting it, we gave it to a hungry dog nearby. The poor dog looked very thin and hungry, so we named him Tung Tung Sahur. He followed us around, hoping for more food, but sadly, we had nothing left to give.
After resting for a while, the teachers announced that the bus had arrived. Thankfully, we did not have to walk all the way back down. I truly loved the peaceful atmosphere of the stupa and spending time with my friends — and of course, with Tung Tung. It was a tiring but unforgettable day.
Nasala Kapali
On Friday, we went hiking to the Peace Pagoda in Pokhara, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable days ever. The day was surprisingly sunny and beautiful, even though Fridays usually feel lazy and slow. We gathered at school early in the morning, full of excitement and chatter. At 10:20 a.m., we finally got on the bus and started our journey. At first, I felt very excited and energetic. However, as soon as I heard that we had to walk straight up the hill to reach the stupa, I already felt tired just imagining the steep climb.
When we reached the starting point, the weather was very hot. The sun was shining brightly, and the rocky path looked challenging. As we started walking uphill, I began panting a lot. My legs felt heavy, and sweat was dripping down my face. Even though the climb was difficult, I kept telling myself not to give up. Slowly but steadily, we continued moving forward.
As we kept walking, the breathtaking beauty of nature distracted us from our tiredness. The greenery, the fresh air, and the amazing view around us were truly jaw-dropping. It felt like nature was welcoming us. We clicked many photos along the way to capture those beautiful moments. I also took pictures of Manisha Ma’am, who looked very beautiful that day. Manju Ma’am was busy filming TikToks, which made us laugh, and Majnu Ma’am kept cracking jokes to cheer us up. The whole hike was filled with laughter and fun.
On the way, I noticed a tree shaped like a bridge, which looked so unique and cool. It was amazing how nature can create such wonderful shapes. Finally, after a long climb, we reached the stupa. Surprisingly, I wasn’t as tired as I had expected. Standing there made me feel proud of myself.
At the Peace Pagoda, we stayed quiet because it is a peaceful and spiritual place. I even met some kind and sweet foreigners, and one of them clicked pictures with me. I also walked around with Ashna and Soeaa. I prayed at the stupa and enjoyed the calm and peaceful surroundings.
Later, we found a natural place to sit and eat our lunch. My feet were burning after all that walking, but the stunning view made everything worth it. It felt like I could see all of Pokhara from there. After eating, we returned to the bus. I was so tired that I fell asleep on the way back. When we finally reached school, my feet were very sore, but deep inside, I felt happy because it was such a fun and unforgettable day.
