Kathmandu
Dust everywhere. That is how I would describe Kathmandu. When travelling here, I would not suggest more than a handful of days. Delicious food and cheap hiking gear are among the good things that contrast the incessant hawkers calling for business, the street men constantly whispering “hashish”, “smoke” or “marijuana” for sale and the dust that coats everything. I finished the EBC hike and had 4 days hanging around as I waited for Keiya to finish her uni placement. During these days I wandered through the interesting old centre of Kathmandu, making my way south from Thamel to Kathmandu Durbar Square and then meandering further away from the tourist areas until I crossed the river and found Patan Durbar Square.
These beautiful places are full of Indian and Tibetan inspired architecture with towering buildings built 350 to 500 years ago. The beams of the roofs and walls are intricately carved and beautifully painted to reflect various religious and spiritual icons, gods and motifs. I even took time to see the current Kumari during her afternoon appearance which lasts around half a minute as this young girl who is said to be the living embodiment of the Goddess is shown from the balcony of one of the buildings for everyone to see.
A walk around the monkey temple (Swayambhunath Stupa) and a guided tour of Pashupatinath, the area where Hindus are cremated beside the river and I was itching to move on after my 4 days. Next was Chitwan National Park for a couple of days and then on to Pokhara for some lakeside chilling before leaving Nepal.
Chitwan
A 6hr bus along an uneventful road and we arrived in Chitwan. It is a quaint little town that probably swells with tourists in high season. Wandering along the river looking across at the beginning of Chitwan National Park, we saw crocodiles basking in the afternoon sun and numerous elephants with their mahouts heading home for the evening.
We booked on to a walking tour of the national park and left early the next morning. 2hrs floating down the river, spotting the many crocodiles and other river life before we got out and began our day of walking. Tiger prints, bear poo and lots of elephant dung were the excitement of the morning as we walked in the humid jungle heat. The afternoon featured deer and a rhino wallowing in a watering hole.
Pokhara
The bus from Chitwan to Pokhara took us along some incredible roads with stunning views down into the valley and river below. Pokhara itself has a very relaxed, beach vibe that we haven’t felt anywhere else in Nepal so far. Sunrise from Sarangkot and sunset from the peace pagoda, hired motorbike adventures on the crazy Nepal roads, rowing a boat on the lake and lots of good food here.
Live in the MoMo
The Nepalese cuisine has been on the whole, a great experience. I have eaten an incredible number of Momos (Nepalese dumplings), supped on lots of Thali plates and Dhal Sets, eaten a lot of cheese and potatoes balls while drinking numerous cups of delicious masala tea and lassis.
Here are some photos of some of my favourite dishes.
