Blogs from Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia - page 5

Another pretty broken nights sleep, but we’re all starting to feel better adjusted to the time difference. Woke to the news that the Aussies had tampered with the ball in South Africa. This formed the basis of most of our conversation for the day, alternating between horror that they could be that dumb and disgust at the brazen disregard for good sportsmanship. I may have omitted to mention being half Aussie. Had breakfast then got a taxi (again a very small Suzuki despite the guys assurance that he had a “big” car) to the temples and cremation area at Pashupatinath. While it should macabre this is a fascinating insight into the rituals and beliefs of Nepalese Hindus. This is the Nepal’s most important Hindu temple on the banks of the Bagmati River. Along the river bank ... read more

Well after many weeks of training, a few injury issues (including Dave’s knees which meant he unfortunately could not join us ) and with due trepidation we’re finally on our way. Left Hamilton at 5.00am intending to beat the Auckland traffic but no such luck. In what may prove to be an omen for the trip took the first “shortcut” with Graeme/Arch changing into the inside lane which was moving faster only for it to promptly slow down and all the cars originally behind us go past. Those who followed the blog from the last Nepal adventure will recall our endless quest for shortcuts, some of which delivered and others that were more aptly called “long-cuts”! Despite the slow traffic were amongst the first to the check in. No problems here until the last bag (Gordon’s) ... read more

Woolly says – I’d caught Jo red handed trying to plan the days activities, she tried that big smile that charms so many, but it never works with me….. well not often. She ordered French toast for breakfast and before I could lick the sugar from around my mouth, tusks and ears it appeared we were off to see not one, not two but three durbars, was the women mad! I’m getting close having the mammoth around! The first and farthest Durbar Square didn’t seem to have a name was a no no, having ascertained with the taxi driver that it would take at least an hour and a half and cost several mammoth paws, we set off to find Durbar number two. Woolly says – I hadn’t had chance to look into the ... read more

Woolly says – A second day of enforced rest had left my paws itching to see something, Zoe, although still not well was prepared to try an outing, having considered our options from our list of must see places I thought that a gentle stroll around some gardens might be manageable. Although only a short walk from our lodgings Jo decided that a taxi would help, I’m not sure the bumping over the unmade roads really helped any of us but it did get us to the entrance. Located in Kaiser Mahal which is across the street from the former Royal Palace at the entrance to the Thamel tourist area, the Garden of Dreams was created for Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana (1892–1964), in early 1920. The Garden, which featured a design inspired by the Edwardian ... read more

So for our last day here we felt we needed to see the sights. First up was the temple at Swambhunath, otherwise known as the Monkey temple, and there were a lot of monkeys there. It was very picturesque, but I did wonder what all the locals felt, trying to have there celebrations, but there were all these tourists doing selfies getting in the way. Having said that, every time they looked away a monkey would sneak up and steal a bunch of bananas or a bowl of peanuts, so we were not the only distractio. Then off to a Hindu temple at Boudhinath and the ghats for the cremations. Was not sure how I felt about that, but when we got there, there were two in progress and one that they began just as we ... read more