Crazy Kathmandu

November15

Kathmandu is a feast for the senses. We stayed in the typical backpacker area called Thamel. It is full of places ready to part you and your money. T-shirts, knock-off versions of expensive outerwear, trekking tours, books, teas & spices, incense; whatever you are looking for, it is here.
thamel signs
Thamel at night:
thamel street
What a crazy place:
thamel
There are many, many restaurants to choose from in Kathmandu. We had delicious Thai, Italian, Nepalese, Indian and Mexican food. The desserts weren’t half bad either…
baked alaska
We went to see Nepal’s largest Buddhist Stupa, Boudhanath. A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of a Buddha or saint. Who is entombed underneath this one has been historically a topic of much debate. It is one of the most holy sites for Buddhists nonetheless. It is surrounded by over 1000 prayer wheels that religious devotees circumnavigate in a clockwise direction rotating each one.
stupa view
A close-up of the ‘wise eyes’, as Emily calls them (from the book, Ping):
stupa
After that we went to a Hindu holy site, Pashupatinath Temple. It is the one of the largest Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world located on the banks of the Bagmati River. This river is considered very holy since it flows into the Ganges in India. There is a cremation site on the banks of the river and the deceased are floated down to the awaiting fires on their final journey.
Hindu ceremony
Hindu holy men, or Sadhu:
2 holy men
This one was very flexible:
holy yoga man
Hindu widows that did not have children in their marriage end up as Holy ladies:
holy ladies
The next day we visited the ancient city of Bodhnaranth. This was a stop on the old spice and tea trading route between Tibet and India. There is a palace built by King Jitamitra Malla, and various Temples. This king was very vain and jealous. The following beautiful stone carving was so beautiful that the king ordered the artisan’s hands cut off so that he could not create another masterpiece for anyone else. Talk about ingratitude!
stone carving
The cobras surrounding the king’s outdoor bathing pool, to protect him from evil spirits:
cobra
Here are a few of the beautiful buildings:
temple
old city

4 Comments to

“Crazy Kathmandu”

  1. On November 28th, 2010 at 6:41 am Katrina Says:

    oh i love katmandu! what great photos. xo

  2. On November 29th, 2010 at 2:05 pm Laura Says:

    Fabulous!!!

  3. On December 4th, 2010 at 7:15 am julia Says:

    It’s thrilling and beautiful and inspiring to follow your journeys and see the great joy and love in all of your faces. Well done Pauline and fam! xxx.j

  4. On December 4th, 2010 at 10:45 am pauline Says:

    Thanks, Julia!

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