I was finally starting to feel a sense of peace. After what felt like endless attempts, I finally cleared my CAP-II exams. With my articleship beginning, it felt like my lucky days had arrived. I wanted to dive into new experiences that made me feel young and alive again, and the first "adventure" on that list was a hike to Bishnudwar with my friends from the firm.
The "Will We, Won't We?" Phase
Our group—Taj, Chadani, and I—had been craving a getaway. We wanted a waterfall, a short hike, and some real conversation to get to know each other better. But the Kathmandu weather was being its usual unpredictable self: bright sun one moment, stormy rain the next.
Honestly, I thought the plan would just fall apart like so many others. To make matters worse, social media was flooded with viral videos of leopards spotted in hiking areas, and my sisters kept sending them to me as a "warning." Even the forecast for Saturday, March 28, predicted heavy rain. But we decided: if we keep waiting for the "perfect" day, we’ll never go.
A Sunny Start at Budhanilkantha
One of our friends couldn't make it because of the situation, so it was just the three of us. We agreed to meet at Budhanilkantha Temple at 8:00 AM sharp. I took a public vehicle from the Buspark and arrived a little early.
Standing in the temple, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I thanked God for clearing my exams and for the surprisingly blue sky—a total contrast to the "black clouds" the forecast had promised. I said a quick prayer for our safety and waited for the others.
Once we grabbed some food near the temple, we started the walk toward Shivapuri National Park. It’s funny how a Rs. 100 ticket can buy you more peace and better memories than spending Rs. 1,000 in the city. Passing by the Vipassana Dharma Shringa brought back a flood of memories from my 10-day meditation camp a few years ago.
The Climb and the Motivation
The real "pressure" started when the trail turned into a steep ascent. For about 30 minutes, it was pure uphill. We were huffing and puffing, feeling every bit of the climb. Along the way, we met an older woman—an "auntie"—who looked so much younger than her age. She was walking with such ease, motivating her friends and us to keep moving. Seeing her made me realise how much a physically active lifestyle truly changes you.
Reaching the Source
We reached our destination by 1:00 PM, right on schedule. Bishnudwar is the main source of the Bishnumati River, and it is surreal. In the valley, we see the river so polluted, but up here? The water is clear, fresh, and freezing cold. We spent time among the giant stones, eating, chatting, and just listening to the sound of the flowing water. It was worth every drop of sweat.
The Survival Mission (aka The Monkeys)
The trip back was supposed to be easy, but that’s when things got "wild." We encountered a troop of monkeys in the middle of the road. Unlike the "friendly" animals you hear about, these ones were aggressive.
One monkey actually grabbed Chandani’s pants! I would have panicked, but Chandani stayed incredibly calm, talking to him like he was human. For a second, it looked like he was actually listening... until he tried to snatch our bags.
Remembering the park's rule about not littering, we had collected our waste in a plastic bag. In a moment of "survival vs. morality," we decided to give the waste bag to the monkey as a distraction. It worked! But soon, another one appeared. The woods were getting darker, and I was starting to spiral into a panic. Luckily, two other groups caught up to us, and we walked out together for safety.
A Final Lesson in Timing
Just as we were leaving the forest, the sky finally broke, and it started raining heavily. We had just crossed the muddy, slippery sections before the downpour hit. Looking back, the weather really is unpredictable—just like life. I arrived home safely, tired but happy, with a clear reminder that sometimes you just have to go, regardless of the forecast.
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