Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was one of the GREAT men. An anti-apartheid revolutionary and President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
I honour the amazing things he accomplished in one lifetime.
I’m headed back to South Africa, arriving JOHANNESBURG on Jan 16th.
Swoyambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley … It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living (there) …
The Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. …
The stupa consists of a dome at the base, above which is a cubical structure painted with eyes of Buddha looking in all four directions with the word “unity” in the main Nepali dialect between them …
The 4th time I’ve been there, far fewer monkeys and feral dogs roam the complex than in the past.
see all my high resolution photos on flickr
I spent 30 days in Nepal, starting and ending the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bhaktapur. It’s a living museum of temples, wood, metal and stone artwork.
You could set a film there from hundreds of years ago without changing … anything.
Bhaktapur and the Monkey Temple are my two favourite places in Kathmandu.
I left a review of the excellent Shiva 1 Guesthouse on Trip Advisor.
See all my high res Bhaktapur photos on flickr.
Trip reports coming soon. In the meantime, here are a few of my favourite pics from 18 days trekking around 3 of the highest peaks in the world.
🙂
A delay in starting a big trek due to holiday turned out well.
Tihar … also known as Deepawali in terai region of Nepal is a five-day-long Hindu and Buddhist festival …
The name Tihar means the festival of lights, where many candles are lit both inside and outside the houses to make it bright at night. …
The second day is called Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja (worship of the dogs).
In the ancient World Heritage site of Bhaktapur, it’s even more evocative.
more photos of Bhaktapur.
UPDATE: All is well on the Manasulu so far. Two more days until we cross the BIG pass. Mike and I are trekking with a couple from Alaska and a couple from Colorado.
Manasulu Circuit with Mike Howarth (UK).
Mostly offline until about Nov 20th.
We’d planned to start trekking the Manasul Circuit (11 days) on Nov. 4th at latest.
Unfortunately government offices are closed for 3 days due to National holidays in Nepal.
Even the dogs are off work.
The city is lit up like Christmas in Canada.
So … our new start date is Nov 7th.
We’re doing the lightest, fastest trek allowed under Nepali law. Two hikers, one guide. Total cost is about $500ea.
The big news in Nepal is the upcoming election:
As the country goes to the polls on November 19, tussles among contesting political parties and election candidates could pose a bigger security threat than underground outfits or poll-opposing parties in the central Tarai, police have said. …
We’ll likely still be in the mountains during the election.
… I’m sure he’s going to settle down sometime soon. 🙂
The second time I’ve celebrated my birthday in Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a 55-window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. …
Here’s the view out my window. ($6 / night)
Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork.
There are more French international tourists than any other nationality.
Surprisingly, there was also a very large group of Chinese tourists here today.
It’s not difficult to spot the Chinese. 🙂
Lunch at my home away from home, Shiva 1 Guesthouse.
$5.50 including a pot of coffee. 🙂
more Bhaktapur photos
Bhaktapur is relatively CLEAN … for the sub-continent.
The $11 entry fee is used, I hope, to keep the suburb like Kathmandu 1970 something …
related – FILTHY INDIA – NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS! (47 PICTURES)
Some Californians just back from Pokhara, Nepal told me it’s now just as polluted as Kathmandu. 😦
It was paradise last time I was there.
Rick McCharles 