Nepal is a place associated with the distant and the incredible.

 

I’ve always wanted to return to this mysterious country if not for this pandemic which made it impossible to travel. I can still remember the thousands of visitors who savour the spirit of Nepal each year going home laden with things considered “Nepalese” – religious objects, antiques, carpets, pottery, embroidered clothing, gems and silver. You can see the excitement on their faces as they carry their amazing finds.

 

It was closed to autumn when we visited, so you can just imagine the cool weather condition. Even during summer time, the weather is unpredictable and it varies considerably with elevation. Looking at the photos we took then, the skies were clear and sunny, temperature range from warm in the lowlands to crisp in the mountains. We stayed a week so we ignored the weather and just seized the moment and enjoyed its mystique.

 

Nepal’s splendour will forever be registered in your mind. As you walk through the roads and alleys, you experience the intense culture of the Hindus and slowly submerge into the quiet serenity of the Buddhists.

 

 The practice of religion in Nepal is a mixture of Hindu and Buddhist ways of life, which the Nepalese have merged. These beliefs are evident in their art as well as their surroundings.

 

Wandering into the heart of Kathmandu, up and down narrow alleys and passages, you pass little shops and old houses with intricately carved window frames. The shops sell thangkas (religious paintings) and shawls made from pashmina in different colours and quality. Their appearance startling in the dusty dimness. Every lane seems to lead to a little square. Soon you’ll find roving in Durbar Square encircled by gilded spires and domes of countless temples.  I hate to think of the recent fire that gutted many houses, stores and temples in Kathmandu. I can just imagine the elaborately carved windows, pillars, domes and beams destroyed by the fire. Looking back, Durbar Square is an amazing sight. Every corner shelters a shrine which houses a God such as Ganesh (the elephant headed God) or Hanuman (the monkey God); carved on the side of a phallic representation of the Hindu God, Shiva is Buddha. All around, pigeons flutter from rooftop to rooftop.

 

About thirty minutes from Kathmandu is the city of Patan. It offers a feast of diverse temple styles. The maze of temple shrines, small stupas and stupas, grinning Gods and Goddesses all intricately carved and ornamented give pleasure to the eye and bewilder the mind.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/travel-and-leisure/the-spirit-of-nepal/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2021-03-24
 

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My Top Three in Asia are Cambodia, Nepal & Japan.

 

I long to go return to Nepal as well, it was love at first visit, plus many good friends of mine live there.

Can you please explain why you picked each one? I long to return to Bali myself.

Kathmandu today is a bit of a mess with a heavily polluted water table and Pokhara is a hundred times the size it was back in the mid eighties but I believe the reason why is termed 'progress'.

 

On a positive note if anyone ever has the chance to do the 15-18 day Annapurna trek go for it. Sensational.

Nepal scraps quarantine policy for vaccinated tourists

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/travel-news/nepal-scraps-quarantine-policy-for-vaccinated-tourists/as81724692.cms

2 hours ago, andy said:

Nepal is still closed though.

Nepal is open and quarantine free for those that have been vaccinated against Covid.

 

https://kathmandupost.com/national/2021/03/19/in-a-bid-to-boost-tourism-nepal-lifts-mandatory-quarantine-for-vaccinated-tourists