Swayambhunath – also known as the Monkey Temple
It is with sad hearts that we leave Nepal but our journey continues.
We leave a part of those heavy hearts behind and our footprints.
We have shot many, many photos.
and we take with us thousands of precious memories.
Dhanybhad, Nepal!
The temple from our rooftop
The view from the temple
The view from the temple
The temple, a very important Buddhist pilgrimage site, is
perched high on top of a hill, overlooking Kathmandu and the valley.
I was keen to walk it but Neil hasn't trusted my distance estimations since Bali 2010 and our 'short' stroll to the Elephant Cave outside of Ubud. We have yet to see the cave as Neil and Selina both bailed, just around the corner from it, I'm sure. So instead of walking we got a taxi. Just a short drive after all, but, up hill alllll the way.
Once out of the taxi, we climbed a very long, steep flight of steps. I was so relieved that we visited after our trekking or I may have/would have, found them daunting. But 365 steps? Puh, easy as, peanuts after the thousands and thousands we have stumbled up and down recently.
Once out of the taxi, we climbed a very long, steep flight of steps. I was so relieved that we visited after our trekking or I may have/would have, found them daunting. But 365 steps? Puh, easy as, peanuts after the thousands and thousands we have stumbled up and down recently.
Through the arch then up!
Now the real climb begins
At the top looking down
Swayambhunath consists of a stupa, a variety of
shrines and temples, and a Tibetan
monastery, museum and library. It is a holy site for both buddhists and Hindus.
Me! Of course I am not going to go the snip on that bag!
No temple would be complete a souvenir shop
Final images of Kathmandu
Thamel
Noisy, dusty, colourful and in its own way charming,
Thamel was our Kathmandu home. It is tourist central – narrow lanes, hundreds
of tourists day and night, tiger balm hawkers, hashish hawkers (you want smooooke?),rickshaws, blaring horns, great restaurants, markets and shops,
markets and shops, and ........ a few more markets and shops.
If you can’t find hundreds of options for pressies back home .... you really aren't trying. It is a great place to people watch, a great place to dine and, of course, a great place to shop once you have your price haggling routine down pat. Some start at ridiculous prices but with a bit of good guy/bad guy team work the price soon becomes more realistic. Thamel is not a holiday destination but since we had to come and go from Kathmandu several times, not a bad place to hang for a brief time.
If you can’t find hundreds of options for pressies back home .... you really aren't trying. It is a great place to people watch, a great place to dine and, of course, a great place to shop once you have your price haggling routine down pat. Some start at ridiculous prices but with a bit of good guy/bad guy team work the price soon becomes more realistic. Thamel is not a holiday destination but since we had to come and go from Kathmandu several times, not a bad place to hang for a brief time.
After a while it is only natural to get your favourite haunts.
The New Orleans was a favourite for breakfast and many of our evening meals,
for lunch - a german bakery, a favourite stop for many.
Top of our list were the spinach and musroom quiches! Mmmm!!!
and this little coffee shop - for a proper capuccino for Neil
or a hot chocolate for me!
Kathmandu street life
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