Bye Bye Nepal

I am sitting in the airport getting ready to leave for New Delhi. Abilas met us this morning and came with us to wave us off.We will miss that little guy!

Abilas with his farwell presents!

It feels like we have spent far longer than one month in Nepal, it has really become a second home. The people as so welcoming and friendly and do their best to help in every way possible. We didn't move around so much this time so really got to know lots of the locals..and word travels fast in Kathmandu. There was one guy in particular who was obviously told my name by someone else and would go out of his way to shout at me any time I passed!

Even though we were staying down a very dark lane way which looked very scary at night, we were advised how it is still very safe to walk there as there is a massive presence of 'tourist police.' Basically, if something happens a tourist, or even if there is a bad tourist who accuses a Nepalese person in the wrong, they will get into huge trouble from the tourist police. In all the time I was there I genuinely felt completely safe. They really want to do their best for tourists, a massive 45%of their economy is based of the tourist boom so you can imagine how they want and need to protect this industry.

Nepal is a truly authentic country and oozes in the authenticity which is in depletion in places like Thailand and Malaysia. Driving to the airport today, I was reminded of our drive from the airport to Thamel and how my mouth hung wide open for the entire drive! Culture shock does not explain it!! It really is something that has to be seen.

The one thing I did not grow fond of during my time here is walking around the streets. There are no footpaths so you are walking on the road where there are cars, buses, motorbikes, bicycles and tuk tuks driving straight for you at every angle, hoking their horns furiously for you to get out of their way. It enraged me and I still haven't gotten used to it! That was the only negative for me though. And anyway, what you see when you walk along the roads makes up for the headaches!

I'm not sure if anywhere will ever effect me the way that Nepal has. It was my first experience in a third world country and it is one I will never forget. There is something in Nepal for everyone, trekking, boating, paragliding, shopping, eating...everyone is catered for and I have seen such a huge variety of travellers here to prove it. I have gotten a taste of this beautiful country and I will continue to return for more, I have no doubt about that

It is written everywhere and it is true...

N never

E ending

P peace

A and

L love

visit to Abilas's home

We got to met our Nepalese friend from trekking, Abilas, again today. We were delighted he got in contact as we didn't expect to see him again after trekking. In true Abilas style, he rocked into the hostel at 7am and got us out of bed!!

early morning walk through Kathmandu

We took a rickshaw out to his village which was is about thirty minutes outside of Kathmandu.

 His house is based in a beautiful area that was a complete contrast from the hustle and bustle of the city. Green fields dominate the area which house plantations of barley, potatoes, tomatoes, onions and rice. The clean air left the scent of the growing vegetation linger all around us and we felt like we had reached Havana! It's amazing how we have gotten used to the smog and dust pollutants in the city but coming to the country side made us remember how things should be, and how bad the air quality really is in Kathmandu.

Abilas rents a room which he shares with two of his college friends. The room consisted of a double bed, a single bed, gas stove and a book shelf. So basic but the sense of contentment from them was so genuine and lovely...makes me question why I want and need so much at home.

We took a walk around the village and Abilas brought us to some houses where he is doing some side work as an electrician. Like Abilas's home, everything was very basic and the people were very welcoming.

When we returned to his room he spent some time showing us family photographs and pictures he had received from other trekkers who he has met along the way. His job as a guide/porter is actually very cool because although he is not leaving Nepal it is almost like he is travelling the world as he gets to meet so many different nationalities.

I was looking through his books and he pointed out that he is also learning Chinese, German and studying tourism and hospitality along with economics and accounting....is there anything this guy can't do?!

Next Abilas and his friend started preparing lunch. His landlord came in to say hello to us and erupted into laughter as she saw them trying to figure out how to start the cooking process. When she finally calmed down she took the vegetables and went off to prepare them, arriving back with a beautifully presented plate accompanied by home made hot pickle sauce!

We had a delicious lunch and sat around chatting for a while, laughing and joking about different things and pondering our futures. We took a rickshaw back to Thamel and went to the hostel for a nap...not used to these early mornings any more!!!

This evening there was a huge thunder storm lingering in the air above Kathmandu and so we sat on the roof top and watched the spectacular display.

An impressive natural firework display to ring in the Nepalese New Year :)

an UNBELIEVABLE picture of the chef sitting on the roof caught by Lukey!

Turning 25 :)

Yesterday was the big change of age!! Very strange waking up in another country and still being surprised by presents from home (thanks Mum and Nan!)  Also, one of the perks of being in beautiful Nepal is the fantastic treasure to be found on endless street stalls. As a result I got a fabulous silk pashmina scarf, bracelet and handmade Tibetan earrings from Lukey :)

We spent the day relaxing, drinking coffee and talking on the phone to home. When we returned to the hostel in the evening we were welcomed with a party on the roof top garden! Complete with party food, whiskey and a delicious personalised chocolate cake, it was an unbelievable surprise and I really didn't expect such a night being so far away from home.

Perfect example of the generous and hospitable Nepalese people and reaffirms that we found a perfect haven here in Shangri-La guest house. I am so grateful that we have met such brilliant people.

I missed the fun and frolicis of home but the powers of facebook mean we are never too far away. I recieved so many lovely messages from my beautiful buddies....cheers guys :)

A very clever present from afar...thank you Anna bee and Blue :)

All in all it was an amazing start to what I'm sure is going to be a great year...here's to being 25 :)

Shangri La guest house, Kathmandu

After booking for just one night, we have spent almost a week here in the guest house and will find it very hard to leave. Sabin and Amit have been the most welcoming people we've met during our travels so far. They have created a beautiful guest house which is really a home away from home. Whether its relaxing on their roof terrace eating a lovely breakfast or drinking in the chill out room at night, Shangri La was a very special place for us.

As always, we arrived completely confused as to what to do, where to go, but Amit and Sabin helped us plan our entire trip in Nepal, they are so helpful. We intend to return here at the end of our tour of Nepal :)

Níl aon tintéan mar do thintean féin
Our contribution to the wall :) inspired by the lovely Ann Dunphy

21st March - Buddhantha Stupa and Pashupatinath temple

Today we set off to see some more temples. First we went to see the Buddhanath stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Quite similar to yesterday but bigger!

There is always a crazy amount of pigeons that gather at the Stupas

 

After spending about two hours at the Stupa, we walked half an hour to another site, the Hindu temple Pashupatinath.

This is one of the most significant places in the world for Hindu worship. We walked for a while and came to the Bagmati river which cuts through the space. We could smell bonfire and wondered what was going on so we walked up the bank towards the river.

open cremetorium

Concrete blocks lined the river and on two blocks about ten spaces apart was a mound of reids and wood. A Nepalise guy came over and explained that this was the place of cremation for Hindu's and on closer inspection, we could see the body in the middle of all the reeds. It was strange. Really really strange. The wind changed direction and the smoke was pluming right into our faces....we were breathing in this burning dead person?? I know it's not as basic as that but it really was a strange event to behold. We stood mesmorised at the open cremetorium, not knowing what to say.

We continued walking high up on the hill, dismissing the many many people trying to sell things to us. Luke left my side for about thirty seconds and when he turned around a Hindu guy dressed in orange robes with long grey hair and blessed me, crushed some flowers in my hair, marked my forhead in red ink and tied a bracellet around my arm. He then asked luke for 200rupees...Luke gave him 50 and told him to bugger off!!



there were monkeys everywhere!

sun setting over Pashupatinath

We came back to our lovely guest house and had drinks again with Sabin, Meoko and Amit. Meoko is from Tokyo and we asked her about the disaster last year. It was surreal listening to her explaination of the events. She said for three months solid aftre the earth quake they would feel up to ten tremors a day, reminding everyone of what had happened and stirring fear once again.

She also said after Fukishima she, and many other people felt very odd. She explained that they would feel stabbing pains around their diaphragm area, which is one of the key symptoms of being exposed to radiation.She also said people slept and slept, having no energy. She said it was a very strange time.

We both spoke about it later when we got back to our room and thought about how lucky we are to have never encountered such a problem. We often say that we have no stories to tell and we spend our time listening intently to other people...we then realised we are actually really lucky to have nothing to tell because it means we live in quite a normal and peaceful place.

Especially listening to Amit and Sabeen talking about Nepal, its corruption and the difficulty the citizens have in obtaining a visa to travel anywhere else in the world. We are so so lucky to be Irish and to have all the opportunities handed to us, opportunities that so many people dream of.

　

20th March -Swayambhunath 'Monkey temple' Kathmandu

This was our first real day exploring the city. We were advised to go and see the monkey temple. Sabeen told us to walk east in a straight line and we would find the temple no problem. The thing is..there are no straight lines in Kathmandu!


one minute we're walking a road you wouldn't see on a building site..

and then we are alongside some beautiful allotments..the contrast is unbelievable

Each road meanders into another splitting again, side streets leading in different directions again..it is an absolute maze!

Luke, using his Bear Grylls

The climb to the temple was pretty big, we took our time and eventually came face to face with the gigantic shrine.

 We were greated by bright colour prayer flags dancing in the sky, 'Om Mani Padme Hum' mantra echoing all around, a spectacular view of the urban chaos of the city surrounded by breathtaking mountains, the pictures will tell the rest...

March 18th - Kathamandu

We just arrived in Nepal. The journey went so smooth too..for once!! The 16hr stop over flew by and we got to Kathmandu airport, got our visas, collected our baggage, all so easily. Too easily! We got outside and are met with as barrage of taxi guys. Our guest house came with free airport transfer, wasn't sure if they would actually meet us though.

After about thirty seconds outside some random Nepalese guy turns to me and asks if I'm Lisa? After my response there is a Chinese whispers...or more like shouts, "hey, I found Lisa," "Lisa's over here," and so on until it reaches the guy who's picking us up holding a handwritten sign with my name! I felt like a bloody movie star!

He brought us to his miniature van and off we set for the guest house. The roads, buildings, streets and people are like nothing I saw in Thailand, it is completely completely authentic. No high rises, brightly coloured block buildings stacked on top of one another. Rubbish piled high in the river. Amazing Indian dress and colourful jewelry. No 7/11's!

We got to our lovely little guest house, looks like something I'd imagine to find in Russia?! We are welcomed with Nepalese tea and told about the area and what we should do.
Oh I never mentioned.....ITS ALMOST COLD HERE!! Well 21 degrees but it is the most refreshing air we have felt since the 31st of January!

We went outside to explore. I have never never never experienced such a sensory overload. The photos will have to explain...







these are pictures of the main river than runs through the city..

 We got back and met the guys who own the guest house, Amit and Sabeen. They are amazingly welcoming and extremely cool, down to earth guys. We stayed up late drinking in their chill out room.

Nepal....you are our new love..............