Nepal

Kathmandu & Pokhara:  July 2013

Courtyard at Thamel Eco Resort

Room at Thamel Eco Resort. Not sure where the resort part comes in.

Bathroom at Thamel Eco Resort. At least there’s running water.

We flew Buddha Air to Pokhara.

A section of Kathmandu from the air

One of many rivers flowing down from the Himalayas

Rice paddies in Pokhara, full of water

Phewa Lake in Pokhara

Our Buddha Air flight, just landed in Pokhara

Silver Oak Inn in Pokhara

Room at Silver Oaks Inn. We’d end up spending a lot of time here.

Buddhist monastery in Pokhara

Pray wheels at monastery

Buddhists write down their prayers on a piece of paper and put them inside the wheels. They then turn the wheels. The bigger the request, the more they spin – sometimes for hours.

Devi’s Falls in Pokhara

Strange cave to HIndu god. This is where Aidan started to get sick.

Aidan, sick and vomiting.

Trek to Annapurna

We begin the trek walking through this village (name unknown).

Our porter, Santos, loads up with help from our guide, Rosan.

Santos has a great attitude, considering he’s carrying 30 kg on his back!

Bridge crossing in Birethanti

Women wash dishes at community faucet. The little boy is helping too.

Plowing rice paddy

Welcome to Birethanti

Little boy getting his bath

Woman separating some sort of grain

Just in case you’ve never used a squat toilet…

This photo is for real. Aidan is beside himself when he realizes an hour into the trek that there’s still 3 hours to go.

Aidan, Nathan, and Santos hiking along the Seti River.

The Seti River roars like a freight train.

Boys having drastically different experiences

This is the only moment that Aidan enjoyed.

After 4 hours of trekking, we reach the teahouse.

Teahouses are pretty basic. The boys are giving their assessment of the trek.

Gorgeous view from teahouse

While the vast majority of Nepalese are Hindu, many people in the mountains are Buddhist. These are Buddhist prayer flags.

These flowers grew all along the path.

Glistening rice paddies

Bougainvillea

I hung these clothes, knowing that they’d never dry. They didn’t.

The view out the window during dinner

I only look in the kitchen after the meal. That’s the kitchen sink on the floor on the right side.

We begin Day 2 a bit defeated.

Beginning of day 2, Aidan is still not feeling it.

Nathan seems to be in his element.

This is my “wish we could go on, but know that we can’t” face. It’s also my “really need a shower” face!

Sharing the path

There’s something very beautiful, yet simple about terraced rice paddies.

Waterfall crossing

Look at those blue wings.

We saw some of the most lovely butterflies along the path.

So many butterflies

Bridge across the Seti River.

Nathan on bridge

Nathan crossing bridge

Path to bridge

Waterfall

RIce paddies along the Seti River

He has the right of way.

Signs of hope

The guard at the top of these stairs

This little Nepalese girl kept repeating “namaste, namaste.”

Everyone, including the children, use these large baskets to carry just about anything.

Almost there…

The instruments on the left are used to cut grasses and ferns; cookware sits on the right.

Cookware on the stoop

Temple Tree Resort & Spa in Pokhara

Boys are very happy with the accommodations.

A Western-style bathroom

Yep, we were so excited to see a toilet that we took a photo of it!

Nathan and Aidan, content once again

Aidan’s mood improves considerably.

Nathan enjoying the pool

Pool at Temple Tree Resort & Spa

Nicest pool yet on the trip

Pokhara

Nathan and Aidan are holding the bags that we’re bringing to the orphanage. Aidan had picked out this hat to wear on the trek. We thought it looked like a yak.

Namaste Children’s Home in Pokhara

We visited Namaste Children’s House in Pokhara.

Dining hall

Kids playing board game, Bagh Chal.

Library where older kids study

Group bedrooms

This boy was especially friendly.

Like in India, cows are sacred in Nepal and roam the streets.

Weaving loom at Tibetan refuge colony in Pokhara

Shellie gets a weaving lesson. The woman was amazingly fast.

Shellie was a pathetic weaver!

Yak rug in the making

So many rugs and so little room in our backpacks

Everest rug

Annapurna rug

So much work goes into these large handmade rugs.

Brotherly trust?

Not so much…

Synchronized “diving”

Synchronized entrance

Synchronized splashing

Yoga on the roof of the hotel

Standing Tree pose… no so easy

Yoga instructor demonstrating the Cobra position.

Aidan was the only one of us who could actually lift himself in this position.

Dal bhat

View of Pokhara from the Peace Pagoda

This is one of 71 peace pagodas built around the world by a Japanese Buddhist group. It sits on a hill overlooking Pokhara.

One of 4 Buddhas at the Peace Pagoda

Aidan and Nathan at the Peace Pagoda overlooking Pokhara

Another Buddha

Aidan on steps, wondering how long he has to stay at the Peace Pagoda. Don’t worry, 10 minutes, tops.

Nepal is one of a handful of countries that has an irregularly-shaped flag. It’s kinda cool.

Aidan and Nathan start on the rocky trail down to the lake. Note the sign: Typical Restaurant this way.

Row boat across Phew Lake

I bought a necklace from this woman. She made it. She was sweet but a tough negotiator.

The only food that Aidan has truly enjoyed in Nepal: banana split.

Behind those clouds is the Annapurna Range of the Himalayas. The sun is just about to rise.

Nope, despite getting up at 4:30 a.m., we didn’t see the Himalayas at sunrise. Too many clouds.

Boy, do the clouds roll is fast!

Kathmandu

One of hundreds of vendors in Thamel

Thamel district, touristy area of Kathmandu

Hindu-Nepalese art

The streets are so crowded with cars, motorcycles, bikes, and pedestrians. You really have to be careful not to get hit.

Many beautifully handcrafted items here

Amusing sign in Thamel district

Nepalese mask

We ate lunch (pizza) at this Italian restaurant. Then we just decided to go back for dinner. Lazy? Maybe.

Score! American-style plugs! We charged everything, since our hotel lost power.

Ok, this place was like heaven, Himalaya Java. Good coffee, WiFi, electrical outlets.

Aidan, Shellie, and Nathan in front of Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, in Kathmandu

The reason that this place is called the Monkey Temple

Aidan tries to get coin in pot so that his wish comes true. Didn’t happen.

Nathan misses too.

On the left, you still the gold top of the stupa; on the right, you see the top of the Hindu temple.

Score! American-style plugs! We charged everything, since our hotel lost power.

Worshippers at Hindu temple at Swayambhunath

Burning offerings to Hindu gods

Boys spin Buddhist prayer wheels

Spinning prayer wheel

If a Buddhist commits a serious sin, they may circle the stupa 108 times, spinning the prayer wheels as they go, in hopes of forgiveness.

Temple guardian

Red monkeys grooming each other

Part of Durbar Square, the oldest area in Kathmandu and an UNESCO World Heritage Site

Home of the Kumari, a young girl who is chosen to represent the Living God until she is 18 years old. Then a new Kumari is selected.

The Kumari appeared at this center window a few minutes earlier; however you’re not allowed to photograph the girl.

Gong at palace

Two different styles of palace buildings, each built by a different king

Aidan is more focused on his new toy that he bought from a street vendor than the guide’s lecture.

This toy keeps Aidan’s hands busy.

The toy folds into different shapes.

Detailed woodcarvings everywhere

From top of palace, Aidan points to Monkey Temple in the distance.

Another view of palace courtyard

Nepal was never colonized by British, thanks to the Gurkhas and this weapon.

Shellie, Aidan, and Nathan at Boudhanath

Doorbells to the gods

Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, an UNESCO World Heritage site

Giant spinning prayer wheel

Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Asia

Our guide, Vijay, explains the Buddhist and Hindu views of reincarnation using this circle.

Even monks need to make cell phone calls.

This woman will slide on this board 108 times, reciting her prayers.

Buddhist prayer flags

Thanka painting school

The Master applies gold leaf. The painting has such fine detail.

An artist may use a brush with only one or two hairs to do the detail work.

New student at work

Kathmandu from Monkey Temple