Nepal.
Incredible exoticism. Kathmandu and funeral ceremonies.
Pashupatinath Temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
When we planned our trip, we had to choose a suitable season, considering that the places we were going to visit were located in different parts of the globe. We had to provide different clothing and shoes - from the mountains of Nepal, through the plains of Australia, to the beaches of Rio. And all this must be collected in a compact backpack that can be carried on the back. Of course, we must also provide a place for the souvenirs that will remind us of the unique journey. That's why we chose September-October. And so, on September 16, 2016, the journey began.
Finally, the plane descended to Kathmandu airport.. The hills around are so high that we can see in the windows of the houses on them, the people getting ready for work, the children going to school.
At the airport, we go to get our visa. The clerk takes our passports and tells us that we have to pay at the other counter. After we waited, the same clerk arrived, took our money and of course returned you to the "other counter", where he gave us the already prepared passports. At the exit, the car sent from the hotel was waiting for us.
One recommendation: Always try to secure a transfer to the hotel in advance. Don't rely on a random taxi. Usually, hotels offer one.
We arrive at a pleasant hotel, reminiscent of the good times of Queen Victoria. We check in and after a quick shower we go to get our bus tickets to Pokhara. The hotel offers to take us to the bus company, but we proudly refuse, as it is only two blocks away. We want to get a direct impression of the air in Kathmandu.
The first impression is striking. After the silence of the hotel, we go out to a noisy and crowded street, where the traffic rules are completely unknown territory. Pedestrian crossings are placed so that pedestrians can be a clear target. We managed to take the two blocks to the agency in twenty minutes.
A clarification: in order to get a better look at Nepal, we decided to go to Pokhara by bus and return by small plane.
At the hotel, we engage a sightseeing excursion to Kathmandu for the next day. We are recommended Pashupatinath Temple ant Bagmati River and Kathmandu Durbar Square.
In the morning, a kind driver with a nice car is waiting for us for the tour. From the car, the noise and chaos are not noticeable. Only from time to time do various annoying pedestrians cross the road.
Our first stop is the great Boda or Bodnath Buddhist stupa. The temple is in a closed complex with various specialized shops around.
We performed all the necessary rituals appropriate for this temple. Finally, we were rewarded by being offered to make a traditional Tibetan mandala with wishes for health, success and prosperity especially for us.
We arrive at Pashupatinath Temple At the entrance, we are met by a guide, without whom we cannot enter. We haggle for $15 and the tour begins. Right from the start, the guide warns us about the strange smell that makes some people sick. I admit that we had no preconceived idea about the place we were about to visit. Entering, the smell grew stronger and an unexpected sight opened before us. By the river, pyres were being prepared, a final washing of the dead, further down the pyre was burning, with another body, further down another pyre was burning, and nearby the bereaved relatives were making the ritual meal and washing the dishes in the same river.
Apart from this ritual, the temple complex includes many large and small temples as well as those dedicated to various deities. They say there are about twenty million of them in this valley.
Next stop on our tour is Kathmandu Durbar Square. Only one year had passed since 25 April 2015, when an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.9 (Mw) hit the region and severely damaged the Square, reducing several buildings to rubble.
Nevertheless, the beauty of the dilapidated buildings is impressive. We roam tirelessly, trying to avoid possible collapses, as well as not to cause further destruction.
After the tiring tour, our driver takes us back to the hotel where we can relax by the pool in anticipation of the next day's adventures. Pokhara - a completely different city at the foot of Annapurna
To be continued!
