Kathmandu, Feb. 12 -- 2020 was a write-off for Nepal's tourism, and for Pokhara, the country's prime destination, it was catastrophic. But guess who have come to rescue the city from complete ruin: Nepali travellers.

Pokhara's hotels, bars, paragliding and ultralight clubs for which international tourists were the main source of income have, at least partially, recovered because of domestic visitors.

To be sure, Lakeside wears a forlorn look-especially since Phewa has been drained for dam repairs. The trekking trails of Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi, Sikles, or Ghorepani for which Pokhara served as a base camp, are also largely deserted.

One year on after the pandemic scare sent visitors home in a hurry, Pokhara has never really recovered...