Napal

 Day 9, Monday - Flight from Delhi to Kathmandu 

This morning, we departed India for Kathmandu, Nepal via Indigo Airlines. Nepal, "The Roof of the World". 4.5 million people live in the Katmandu valley and 30 million in all of Nepal.  Nepal has 92 different languages and 127 different political parties. You might think Katmandu higher in elevation but it's just 4400 ft. Nepal = Never ending peace and love.

When we arrived, we were welcomed with a traditional flower garland.

The 1st part of our journey, immediately after leaving the airport, was to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pashupatinath. It's the place where the Nepalese Hindu do cremations in Katmandu.

This is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines in the world, attracting many thousands of pilgrims each year. 

The Temple, on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, a tributary of the Ganges, is renowned for its beautiful architecture. Home to Kathmandu's funeral ghats, a series of cremation platforms that are spread along the river. It's like a Hindu Mecca. 

These are actual burning of bodies. They are on the other side of the river. When the cremations are finished, they throw the ashes into the river.

Many people wear masks because of the smoke and smell.

This bull decided to visit.

Part of the complex.

There were 5 cremations going on at the same time. The family stays the entire time.

Preparing for a cremation.

The flag of Nepal. Only nation with flag shaped like this.

Katmandu streets are worse than Delhi.

Nepalese Tuk Tuks seat 4 or more passengers.

These could be the biggest mess of all that we have seen, worse than India.

The view from our hotel the 1st afternoon in Katmandu. Most of the haze is from forest fires.

We had a nice infinity pool.

That night, we partook in a traditional Nepalese dinner with entertainment. We liked Nepalese food much more than Indian food! 

Saki pour.

The only ostrich in Nepal.

Katmandu at night.

Day 10, Tuesday –  Nagarkot and Bhaktapur Cities 

The day begins with a visit to Nagarkot, renowned for its breathtaking views of the Himalayas on clear days. 30 miles, a mountain drive and 2 hours later, it was not the day.

After that disappointment, we went back down the mountain to the medieval city of Bhaktapur, known as the "City of Devotees" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We walked along the maze of winding streets lined with homes and temples dating back to the 13th century. We marveled at the intricately carved deities of the richly molded Golden Gate and the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows, with its exquisite wood carvings. 

Ornate woodwork.

Yes, the poles help keep the building up.

Renovation. 

We viewed the Golden Sprout, the Taleju temple complex, and Nyatapola, the five storied temple in Taumadhi Square. 

They are building this for a festival, only to gets used for this one festival. 

Temple offering.

The following pictures are from our walk around the town. They are carrying gravel in those sacks attached to their heads.

After lunch, we visited Boudhanath, the largest Stupa of its kind in the world and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the unique aspects of this extraordinary Buddhist monument is the hundreds of prayer wheels and 108 images of Buddha set into the niches around this mesmerizing structure from the 5th century. 

Pigeons like this Stupa.

DAY 11, Wednesday - Everest and Kathmandu City  

We started the day crazy busy day very early with Mt Everest Flightseeing on Buddha Air. The flight was an hour of spectacular scenery over Mt Everest and the surrounding mountains. Including Everest there were 8 peaks over 8000 meters. 

We were happy to be flying. It was only after our flight that our tour manager told us there had been no flights for the 4 previous days due to clouds. 

Everest is in a lot of these pictures.

Everest!

Next, we toured Kathmandu City, capital of Nepal. We visited Durbar Square, an amazing cluster of ancient temples and palaces epitomizing the religious and cultural life of the people.

I think these soldiers were just on a hike.

We stopped at the sprawling Hanuman Dhoka, ancient palace of Nepalese royalty. 

The Temple of Kumari, home to Nepal's most important living goddess. 

This is a picture of the living goddess Kamuri. We saw her but weren't allowed to take her picture. Once she hits puberty, she will be replaced.

See the stone carved statue of ferocious Kal Bhairav, a colorful memorial to the Hindu God of destruction, followed by a view of the magnificent Temple of the Goddess Taleju. 

Another pigeon hangout.

We continued to Swayambhunath, a 2,500-year-old Buddhist Stupa, celebrated as the oldest Buddhist shrine in the world, with its lofty copper spires adorned with fluttering prayer flags. This majestic ancient structure crowns the hilltop overlooking the Kathmandu Valley.  The four sides painted with the compassionate eyes of Buddha.  Swayambhunath is one of the most recognizable symbols in Nepal and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More monkey greeters. 

Steep climb up.

Nice view of Katmandu.

After lunch we went to Patan City, known as Latipur or the "City of Beauty". Patan is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Katmandu area, there are 4 of them. The city is filled with Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments exhibiting skillful carvings.

 

Short doors.

The walk back to the bus.

Day 12, Thursday - Depart Nepal - Transfer to the airport for flight to Dubai