Tibet Guest House Kathmandu

Oh Dear! It's been a long time, I know. I have been having the time of my life these last couple of months, severely neglecting my blogging duties. My sincerest apologies. I have now happily landed in Australia staying with Simon. But before we get to that, I have many tales to tell... I last blogged on my travels through India with my Mom where we were in McLeod Ganj, a Himalayan hilltop town in the very north of India, and a Tibetan stronghold. On our last full day there I was kindly told t...

As the flight neared Kathmandu, I got a hint the Himalayas were in sight when passengers lining up to take photos out of the emergency exit window. I thought I missed out as I looked out and saw nothing but some clouds. Looking again it was Mt Everest sticking out majestically above the clouds. Kathmandu from the air looked like all the buildings had been placed randomly. Kathmandu is chaotic, busy, noisy and the people friendly. Venturing out was exhilarating. Pedestrians, dogs, cows, motor ...

A local guide chauffeured me around a number of sites around Kathmandu. Shree Boudhanath, also referred to as the Monkey Temple, is a Buddhist stupa with many Dalai Lama dress a likes (Tibetan Monk) worshiping at the temples on top of the hill. Part of the ritual involves throwing rice and flowers at the statues which feeds a throng of monkeys which are climbing all over. It would have had a great view of the valley if it wasn`t for the haze. At the base was a newer shine with interesting art...

Hearing great wraps for Bhaktapur (City of Dreams), I thought I`d check it out myself. Bhaktapur has many magnificent historic buildings and Hindu shrines along with many fine wood carvings and pottery. There was a funeral procession through town with the deceased on a stretcher followed by family members wrapped with white clothes and openly howling. Each was being consoled by a friend. Also in the procession were guys carrying bails of hay assumable for the cremation. It was not appropriate...

With 4 days of trekking coming up, today is to be an easy day, so after my fill at the buffet breakfast, I took my The Australian from last Thursday up on the roof garden. Apparently some guy called Obama won some election, and Aborigines claim Rudd is doing nothing for Aborigines after his being Sorry. What a surprise, but that all seems a world away. I have read the local English papers which includes important news from Australia like our Olivia is getting married again. Then off to the Ga...

We thought our introduction to India wasn't great (bag broken into and hair clippers stolen) but that was a breeze compared to our first impressions of Nepal! We knew that we would have to pay for a visa when we arrived at Kathmandu Airport; Jet Airways had told us that it would cost about 1000 Indian Rupees so we brought more than enough. Besides, most airports have an ATM near to the customs desk so that you can withdraw the necessary payment. The Nepalese visa required payment in either US...

The bus back to Kathmandu was a bit bumpier than the previous one to Pokhara, and for some stupid reason we stopped for our buffet lunch at 10:30 am - no-one wanted it! It was still good value though. Back at the Tibet Guest House we weren't able to get the room we had booked (Suite) but got a cheaper Super Deluxe which actually turned out to be better. We picked up our Chinese Visas after several more turns in a queue, and a spot of preferential treatment for anyone with darker skin. We got ...

We have arrived in Kathmandu! After traveling for over 24 hours, our Thai Airline pilots landed us safely into Kathmandu; after some stomach-turning drops and turns. Our journey began Friday evening in southern California. For Connie, it was San Diego and for me, Los Angeles. I decided to drive up to LA to visit with my grandpa at the hospital before heading out. He looked good and his breathing was not so laboured. Grandpa - I love you and hope you continue to recover! Flight summary: I met ...

We bid a fond farewell to Nepal on their New Year's day, April 14, 2006. Even though it was New Year day, there wasn't much celebration going on because of the threat of more pro-democracy protests. Santaman, our trekking guide, stopped by to say goodbye before heading out to a protest. The friendly hotel staff at the Tibet Guest House was also on hand to wish us farewell. The hotel and Santaman wrapped katas around our necks. It's a white scarf that the Nepalis give to friends upon their dep...

Het heeft eventjes geduurd vooraleer ik de kans had om Kathmandu en de omliggende vallei te verkennen maar afgelopen week is het dan toch gelukt. Het is een erg gevarieerde week geweest met veel leuke, verrassende momenten. Kathmandu is een fascinerende stad die balanceert tussen verleden en heden, religie en het leven van alle dag. Deze vreemde spreidstand maakt dat je bij een wandeling door Kathmandu van de ene verbazing in de andere valt... niet zelden in combinatie met een brede glimlach ...