Travel Blog » Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

Kathmandu Travel Blogs

Background: In 1951, the Nepalese monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system of government. Reforms in 1990 established a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. A Maoist insurgency, launched in 1996, has gained traction and is threatening to bring down the regime, especially after a negotiated cease-fire between the Maoists and government forces broke down in August 2003. In 2001, the crown prince massacred ten members of the royal family, including the king and queen, and then took his own life. In October 2002, the new king dismissed the prime minister and his cabinet for "incompetence" after they dissolved the parliament and were subsequently unable to hold elections because of the ongoing insurgency. While stopping short of reestablishing parliament, the king in June 2004 reinstated the most recently elected prime minister who formed a four-party coalition government, which the king subsequently tasked with paving the way for elections to be held in spring of 2005. Citing dissatisfaction with the government's lack of progress in addressing the Maoist insurgency, the king in February 2005 dissolved the government and assumed power.

Nepal

Map of Nepal

Nepal's Flag

Recommended Books:

Hostels in Nepal
Latest Kathmandu Blog Entries
Kathmandu Photos

By Mayrad
April 28th 2006

PART2: Everest Base Camp - Journey to the bottom of the top of the World

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Thamal

If you're reading this first by accident, please click 'previous blog' to read the first 5 days. Day 6: Acclimatisation Day My boots are covered in ice, so it was an utter delight putting my feet inside them this morning I can tell you, and I can't see out of my window for all the ice on the inside, but I don't care (much), as all around the sky is blue and the storm has gone. Woo! I plan a strenuous day walk to Chukhung 3.5hours away to see Island Peak (a relatively accessible 6000m peak), making the most of the [View Full Entry]

By Don and Jens Excellent Adventure
April 25th 2006

Namaste (Hello) from Kathmandu

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Thamal

Nepal sure is fun!
Pretty Waterfall

Dubai sure was a great trip!!! Amazing the archetecture there and the amount of money that comes and goes through that country. On our second to last day, we took a very long walk along the beach park to watch the sunset and during our walk back we were just following the main roads. We had no idea where the bus stops where because of the road construction that is going on there and all of the bus stop signs had been removed (builing an underground tunnel system that should open in 2009)... Anway, we came across one of the nicest [View Full Entry]

By Christoff_Ashley
April 16th 2006

Magical Nepal

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

Bus Ride from Airport

It has been Christoff's dream to go to Nepal. When it was his time to choose a destination, he wasn't going to let Nepal pass by... Sunday, 4/16/2006 We arrived in Kathmandu safely. We were supposed to be picked up by hotel and were surprised when we found out that we were sharing a small bus with locals. Our suitcases were put on top of the bus, which was an exiciting surprise. Because we woke up so early in Delhi, at 6AM, we were too tired to do anything exciting upon our arrival, we just had early dinner at a local [View Full Entry]

By Mayrad
April 15th 2006

Nepal - a fascinating culture in a troubled country

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Thamal

Byebye the land of Thailand

"We advise against all but essential travel to Nepal during the current period of enhanced tension, as there is a risk of being caught up in the violence on the streets. Those British Nationals already in Nepal should decide whether their presence is essential." . Well that's just typical isn't it. Just as I fly in. Welcome, as they say, to the magical country of Nepal. Is my presence essential? Depends on my current ego, but I think not. Nevertheless, I have been looking forward to visiting this country more than any other on my trip, and a little bit of [View Full Entry]

By Jennyontour
April 12th 2006

Two distressed British nationals in Nepal

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Thamal

the town we had to walk through after the riots had happened

Hello! We just made it to the safe confrines of Thamel in kathmandu. We logged on expecting lots of messages of concern about whether we were OK given the situation here, but no one sent any, not even my dad!... maybe it hasn't been reported on the UK news, but there were a lot of protests here and quite a few Nepalis have ben shot. We didn't know because we hadn't had any TV or e-mail for a week in Tibet. Our guide sent us over the border and when we got to Kodari, we discovred there was a curfew and [View Full Entry]

By FishBowlEscapes
April 4th 2006

25th in Katmandu

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

Exchanging emails

I had an awesome quarter century birthday in Kahtmandu. Our trekking guide was one of the nicest human beings i've met to date and i spent hours talking with him on the trail and helping him with his english. When i told him it was my birthday he insisted that John and i and a father and son from from San Fransisco that we hiked with come to his resturant/one room home to celebrate with his family. So we all piled into this little house and had an early traditional nepalese dinner with Kamal and his family. The food seemed [View Full Entry]

By dschisain
March 21st 2006

viel abgelaufen....

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

durch die felder

nach vielen tagen kathmandu und wirklich fast allen sehenswuerdigkeiten um und in der stadt ankucken ging es ab in die natur. weg von dem hektischen, smog umschleierten gehupe und dem staendigen abwimmeln von irgendwelchen verkaeufern. es hat vollens geklappt denn es gab wirklich natur pur, wir waren 8 tage trekken durch die abgelegendsten bergdoerfer fern von strassen, strom, fliessend wasser und ueberhaupt allem. es war der wahnsinn. zuerst ging es durch die gruensten felder mit bananen bauemen. wo die bauern mit ihren ochsen die felderpfluegten, die baeche plaetscherten und die kinder eine [View Full Entry]

By SCandSC
March 12th 2006

Getting Organised

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu » Thamal

Hello Mums and everyone else, apologies for the delay in updates but we have just returned from a two week trek to Mount Everest base camp in Nepal, which by the way was fantastic, however as we've just found a reasonable internet café I'm going to try and catch up as much as possible and get the blog organized, especially as I just found an unsent blog I forgot to send from Australia so I hope you're all sitting comfy as I there should be a few stories to follow… Enjoy... [View Full Entry]

By dschisain
March 8th 2006

war ich, kenne ich, weiss ich:)

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

da ist er: mt. everest persoenlich

es ging also los per auto den friendship highwayentlang. mal wieder eine ungeahnte fahrt. denn von autobahn gar keine spur, es war die absolute holper-, dirt- piste. des oefteren dachte ich mir:" was ne freundschaft!" drei tage dauerte die fahrt und das absolute highlight war der mt. everest. wahnsinn der hoechste berg der welt. da standen wir ploetzlich und konnten ihn sehen in seiner vollen pracht. ja ich muss schon sagen dieser berg ist beeindruckend und schlaegt ein absolut in den bann. wir sind zu dem hoechstgelegenden tempel der welt gekurvt auf 5000m und von dort [View Full Entry]

By Out of Scope
March 1st 2006

Chayna

Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu

Pashnupatinath
This is Pashnupatinath, the first temple to which we were denied entrance.

Kathmandu is definitely a kind of sensory overload. I imagine the experience will be repeated in most of the overcrowded, underorganized cities of South Asia, but this is where I will have to become accustomed to it. Chayna (pronounced like the country that produced Mao Zedong), the title of this entry, is the Nepali word for "no" and has myriad applications. For the past two days, Eddie and I have toured the city with Michelle, Eddie's girlfriend who has been here for two weeks, and a local guide assigned to help us out by Michelle's Nepali friend. Although the guides are [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Asia » Nepal » Kathmandu