Tibet & Nepal : Part 16 - Sight-seeing in Kathmandu!

I know I did write a post titled 'Farewell Kathmandu'. And I realised I must have misled readers who clicked on the link and thought they were going to read on places to see in Kathmandu. So, hence I am going to write a post on the places I went to in Kathmandu right after we finished our Annapurna Base Camp trek. I believe I may be going to Nepal again for the Everest Base Camp trek. Cross my fingers, please let it come true. Please please please. I realise I love nature so much. I love being surrounded by trees, by the skies, by the silence of the night. 

So, here in Kathmandu, we were given a place to stay - Hotel Shanker which is part of the trekking package. Which I do not really fancy. First, it is so far from Thamel Street i.e. 30 minutes walk. How can you separate girls from shopping? Haha! Second, the room we stayed in is a fancy posh room which has stairs! Oh my. After the trek, I do not want to climb anymore steps for a long time. So, on the same day itself upon checking out, we requested a place to stay in Thamel Street! 

We took a taxi and went to our first place of visit - Swayambunath Temple. Also known as Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in parts of the temple in the north-west. But I didn't see any monkeys. As we kept walking up the stairs, I realised the stairs never seem to end. And as we walked further, I could see an interesting set of eyes! They are Buddha's eyes. Mesmerising. Also, a smart thing I noticed was upon reaching the last 20 steps to the top, the ticket counter was there. And you have no choice but to buy the ticket unless you want to walk down 380 steps. *gasp*

From the top of the temple, you can see the whole of Kathmandu!

The hotel guide told us it was a walking distance towards Durbar Square. So we walked, as we were told it was 15 minutes. Also, this is one of the transportation mode in Nepal. it's a public van. Walked and along the way, asked the way to Durbar Square. Most of them didn't understand when we mentioned Durbar Square. I think we needed to roll our tongue for the 'r'.

We hired a local guide, who convinced us that if he was good in explanations, we pay him Rs1000. We agreed, because my friend said that there is no point walking if we didn't understand the history.

The first temple we stepped in was Ganesh Temple. There were 4 statues of Ganesh at every corner of the temple. It was told that it was like doing a pilgrimage around Nepal. Also, it was believed that the temple is made from a single tree.

Next up, was to see the Kumari Temple. Kumari is the Living Virgin Goddess of Hindu religion. She must not bear any body marks or injuries and when she reaches puberty, she is replaced by another Kumari. She must also born on the full moon. This is considered a very strong woman, and therefore, men are afraid to marry her, as he will not live long. To be a Kumari, the girl must pass 2 tests - 1) Be put in a dark room and men with scary mask will dance in front of her. She must not cry. 2) An animal will be killed in front of her, and she must not cry. If she does not cry, she is said to have the Kali goddess a part of her. 

We were told that the Kumari was coming out at 4pm, and since it was only 1.30pm, we had time to walk around and come back.

Opposite the Kumari Temple is the temple of Lord Shiva and his wife. Every couple wants to be like Lord Shiva and his wife. They are always inseparable and loving. Lord Shiva and his wife are said to be looking after the Kumari Temple.

We walked towards Freak Street. Nothing freakish about it. It is said that it is the historic home of western hippies seeking enlightenment.

At 3.45pm, we hurried back to Kumari Temple. We waited to get a good spot to see Kumari. There were no photos allowed. I could hear her footsteps running towards the balcony. She appeared for about 10 seconds, look around. She was dressed in red, and her eyes were thickly lined in black. And then she ran back inside.

After looking at the Kumari, we walked back to Thamel. It was just a 20 minute walk under the drizzle. You know how one loves walking, when the person walks even if it is raining. :-)

This is the hotel we stayed in Thamel Street. I think it is called Mandala Hotel. Cheap for USD30 per night.

Time for dinner! We had dinner right across the street. Grilled chicken and spaghetti. And chocolate cake. It was said that there is some shop in Kathmandu that has the best chocolate cake. I did not manage to find that!

The next day, we had another day to venture to a UNESCO area.

For my previous posts, you can read Tibet & Nepal : Part 15 - Farewell Himalayan Mountains