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Published: March 25th 2018
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After a pretty broken sleep by all woke early for our first day in Nepal. Tired but excited to finally be here and getting organised to embark on the trekking.
After an early breakfast at the hotel and coffee next door at Black Olives (a place we frequented last time that serves great coffee) we went for a bit of a wander close to the hotel to get some cash and fill in time until we met Himal, our guide for the trekking.
Met Himal and one of the porters at the hotel. Sorted out with Himal the permits required and cost of them. All very confusing as he got a slightly lower total than I calculated but seemed to have extra costs in it but hopefully he’ll make it work.
Went and got SIM cards for phones so now we all have Nepalese numbers as follows:
Gordy – +977 9823172558
Arch - +977 9823172719
Chris - +977 9823517342
John - +977 9823172718
Lots of issues getting iPhones to accept the numbers and link them to Apple IDs to get iMessaging going, I’m sure there
will be more on this in coming days!
Once we’d got SIMs and thus been able to give Himal our passports went off for a walk to Durbur Square, stopping on the way for McVet to hire his sleeping bag. While in the sleeping bag shop got seduced by lightweight crampons for ice. So now are prepared for anything, perhaps a quick ascent of Everest if we have a few days at the end!
Durbur Square was really interesting but sad. This is the area around a Square where in times past kings were crowned and ruled from. The Square was surrounded by temples and palaces many from ancient times. It was devastated in the 2015 earthquake and is now a mix of rubble and buildings being reconstructed. After been lucky enough to have seen it and explored the temples and palaces prior to the earthquake it was quite sobering to see the destruction that occurred.
Had lunch in the Festive Fare restaurant above the square, becoming a bit of a habit having been there each time we’ve visited Kathmandu. Momos and pakoras as usual plus the obligatory Everest beer.
Wandered back to hotel picking up McVets sleeping bag on the way and for Arch to buy a new warm hat (see photo).
We then decided to go down to Bodhnath for dinner. Bodhnath is the site of Asia’s largest stupa and is visited by thousands of pilgrims daily who make the ritual circumnavigation (kora) of the dome. The dome is topped by a central tower which is clad in gold leaf and painted with the eyes of Buddha. It is really a very special place and even for no believers quite spiritual and almost calming to be part of.
We ate at a restaurant above the square in which the stupa is located and were treated to a great sunset with the sun glistening off the gold and dazzling from the white washed dome.
A great dinner of vegetarian/vegan curry etc.
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