Blogs from Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia - page 146

"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 violence adds to the pub stories. Ok, bad joke. Let me tell you how it's been for me so far. Generally, the situation in Nepal has reached the international community's attention for a couple of ... read more

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 einen froehlich begruesten. danach ging es berg auf, steil nach oben durch bluehende rhotedendronwaelder vorbei an schoensten doerfern und mit staendigem blick auf den himalaya. tja nach dem dritten tag ging es dann ueber den hoechsten pass des weges (3600 m) und was war, zum ... read more

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 hat man eine sagenhafte sicht. allein das licht- & schattenspiel auf dem berg ist so faszinierend und unvergesslich. am naechsten morgen ging es vor sonnenaufgang los zum basecamp. was ne idee, den es war so arschkalt und die luft so ... read more

Well, I made it. This is going to be brief, as it is getting a bit late here, but I wanted to let everybody know that I made it here in one piece. Believe it or not, the three flights I took to get here were very bearable. I stayed up all night packing, so I had no problem sleeping on the first leg. The Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flight was completely abandoned, so I had a bed consisting of the four middle seats. I took off from Newark, and flew right past a toy-model Manhattan. It seemed to say "do you really think you will be able to say goodbye to this?" On the approach to Kathmandu, I caught my first glimpse of the fabled High Himalayas, though I think Everest remained coyly out of ... read more

Back to the bucket bath for my first few days in Kathmandu, staying with friends in Swayambunath. It is shocking how little Kathmandu has changed. The dusty streets seemed dustier after five years and the smog thicker. But no signs of progress or care for the city and its people from the king. A sad state of affairs. Yet there are a host of creature comforts for those who can afford it. After the fall in relative isolation in Xining, I indulge with friends in shopping for pashmina shawls, visiting the foot massage ladies, and seeking out the requisite pizza fix at Fire and Ice. All this reached a feverish pitch on a strange New Year's Eve of squirming through throngs of Nepali men in Thamel, trying to find a good bar. After that, I moved ... read more