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Last about Nepal
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When we ere visiting the Terai, we were taken on a tour of the local area by ox cart, through the rice paddies and villages.The villagers have collected together artifacts fron now and farming years ago. It was very simple but most interesting all about their customs as well, ceremonies of birth marriage and death and rituals. The homes and farmyards are well kept, despite lots of ducks, chicken, goats, buffalo around. Everyone seems to have a pigeon cote as well. There is a Primary School and a new High School and the Guide that we had was proud to tell us of what he had achieved
One of the best couple of hours was bird watching with him. We were out by 5 am and craning our necks up to the branches where there are a multitude of coloured birds and lots of lush tropical vegetation.We stayed in a nice Lodge, amidst the flowering shrubs.
I have not written about PASUPATINATH the most sacred Hindu Shrine in Nepal: it is by the Bagmati river just out of Kathmandu, where the sick or dying are taken for their last days. There are temples and resting houses ( also Doctors and a Hospital ) After death the body is wrapped in a cloth and taken down to the river to be cremated and the ashes eventually swept into the river it is a sacred place of worship. We walked aroud the area : rows of linga, burning of incense,cows and masses of people only Hindus may go into the main temple but we watched them coming out and strolling around and our guide did his best to explain it all to us, which we found fascinating.
Another highlight near Kathmandu is BOUDHANATH a Buddhist Stupa. It is enormous , with flying prayer flags, prayer wheels and bells It has large painted eyes on the top. Many Tibetans have settled in the surrounding streets, which are colourful and lively.
The third notable site is Sway .... ( the Monkey Temple ) As usual it was hot, hot and as usual it involved climbing up many flights of steps but always worth it in the end !
It is a beautiful place with carvings and shrines, set high up above the valley
We stayed in traditional and most attractive Guest Houses. In BHAKTAPUR, one of the former capitals of Nepal we spent happy hours with a guide wandering around the medieval city, it is as though it hasn't changed. It is peaceful and seems to embody the essence of a Newar City. Narrow cobbled, streets or alleyways, and tiny shops everywhere. The festival of Desain was still in full swing and there was much noise and commotion later on in the day, even during the night when the young men led a white stallion through the streets to the main square.This city is a gem ...trite though it is to say it... and we wished that we could have spent longer.
However, by contrast,BANDIPUR, was also a special town. It had been on the main trading route fron India to Tibet but when the new road was built in the valley in the 70s this beautiful town became off the beaten track. We were driven up steep tracks by Jeep with lovely views of the Hilalayas all around. We went ( as usual ) on a long walk through the surrounding area up and down, to appreciate the views and see the houses and way of life
The Guest House was amazing, traditional, wooden and with views that you could look at forever.
The food in Nepal is delicious. We loved it. Curries of all types.Absolutely great.
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