Nepal!! What was a spur of the moment decision turned out to be one of the most surprisingly fun trips Felix, my husband and I have taken. This Summer of 2018, For the first time ever we decided to go without the kids! We left with great trepidation and carefully contained excitement.
But Nepal went way beyond our ( I must admit initially low) expectations and was a Cornucopia of beautiful green mountains, placid lake, dusty busy city, 8 hour luxury bus rides, calming Temples and Stupas,fun adventure, loving friendly re-unions and aaamazing food!
Felix and I were completely de-stressed and spent some very precious quality time together.We walked for miles, laughed like maniacs, ate with gusto and slept so well we'd be up by 5 am everyday!In fact, I'm pleased to share that we didn't have a single argument, not even a minor disagreement in all the days we were there. Such was the Peaceful Effect of Nepal!:)
Since there were so many things that made this trip memorable for us,condensing everything into one post just wouldn't do it justice, so I'm going to be breaking it down into parts.
So here goes!But Nepal went way beyond our ( I must admit initially low) expectations and was a Cornucopia of beautiful green mountains, placid lake, dusty busy city, 8 hour luxury bus rides, calming Temples and Stupas,fun adventure, loving friendly re-unions and aaamazing food!
Since there were so many things that made this trip memorable for us,condensing everything into one post just wouldn't do it justice, so I'm going to be breaking it down into parts.
PART 1- The Absolute Top Highlights. These are experiences that were a first for me and unforgettable
Nap, Shower and Go at Delhi Airport
So Felix, my hubby and I looked up Flights to Nepal via Delhi online one night and thought they weren't too bad at all and we booked in a split second decision. We flew IndiGo all the way and it was an ok flight experience.
But in our excited haste we foolishly overlooked that we booked our flights to Nepal such that we had a FIFTEEN HOUR Stop over at Delhi airport between flights!! We realised it too late.
And for some reason that I can't recall right now, ( mostly we were in a bold and jaunty mood thinking we would be kid and stress free
), we decided we'd wait it out at the Airport...Overnight...for 15 hours...yeah.Like we kept asking each other " HOW HARD COULD IT BE?"
Well, turns out kids or no kids we learned that we're now old farts too used to our middle aged comforts.. haha
We landed in Delhi at 8 pm and then took a transfer to the International "lounge" (The place barely deserving to be called that
).It was about 9 ish. Our flight was at 11 next morning!By 2 am, after endless walks, looking at the same little shops, sitting on hard horrible chairs, having death races for the meagre loungers,we realized that we'd had enough!!!
Thank Goodness for PLAZA PREMIUM LOUNGE!
They're a "Nap, Shower and Go" place inside the Delhi Airport. You pay by the hour for a tiny Luxury Room with all the amenities of a starred hotel.
We paid 5000/- for 6 hours ( light refreshments included) and i don't regret it one bit!
It was a first for me and a very nice experience too!
After a superb nap, shower and coffee in bed we were popping to fly the next morning!
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| at 2:30 am... |
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| light refereshments |
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| fresh to fly! |
Multiple Cremations at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu
I have never seen a Hindu Cremation. Naturally. But, In Nepal I was witness to Three that were happening simultaneously at the famous and very revered Pashupatinath Temple that is located along the Banks of the Bagmati River!
This sprawling Hindu Temple Complex houses many Temples and Ashrams and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List. The twelve Jyotirlinga (in India) are the body and the Jyotirlinga at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu (Nepal) is the head over this body.
However, besides its importance as site of pilgrimage what draws crowds of people(Both locals and Foreigners) to this unique temple is its open cremations.
Along the ghats there are many plateaus built for the open air cremations that take place on a daily basis. I learn that even in death there are disparities among humans. For there are designated places for the cremations, one for the royal family, another for affluent and well connected families and then several others for the regular people. The cremation places for the common folk are located on the other side of the bridge, out of sight from the places that are used by the royals and the rich.
As much as I wanted to experience this,I was also quite apprehensive.I didn't want to witness anything grisly or be disrespectful to the families of the deceased. But it was nothing like that, like everything else in Nepal, the serenity took over. There was calm and dignity and acceptance of the fate that ultimately awaits us all.
And when it rained while we were there, it felt fitting.
365 Steps to Illumination: The Monkey Temple of Kathmandu
On the little hillock of Swaymbhunath in the northwest of the Kathmandu Valley, sits the Swayambhunath Temple overlooking most parts of the valley. Its popularly also known as the "Monkey Temple" and we saw why..There were several monkeys frolicking everywhere! The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point.
For the Buddhist Newars, in whose mythological history and origin myth as well as day-to-day religious practice Swayambhunath occupies a central position, it is probably the most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudha.
The complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, a Tibetan monastery and a museum and library are more recent additions.
This is a good place to experience the communal harmony in Nepal and take in the amazing panoramic views of pretty much the whole city.
But for me, Swaymbhunath will always be memorable for my climb up its exceedingly steep stone steps leading up to the shrine sitting atop the hill. 365 steps in all. Yes. And being as I am right now , probably at my worst, physically, this was quite the challenge!
I breezed through the first 200 or so but as each step got steeper and higher, I pondered my prudence in not taking the straight road that leads right up ( Yes, there's an easier access but where's the fun in that right?). By the time I reached the top, huffing and puffing and legs trembling I felt like I had taken a bit of a pilgrimage myself, haha.
When I slowly walked around the Stupa, taking in deep breaths to calm my racing heart, that familiar tranquility that Nepal exudes came back..The sweat from my brow dried instantly in the cool, soothing breeze.The (also now familiar) words and melody of the Buddhist chant " Om Mani Padme Hum" fell on my ears, I put my hands to the spinning Prayer Wheels ,thanked God for this moment and continued around the Stupa in reverence on my shaky knees.
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| at the start: doesn't look that bad! |
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| Finally: What the hell was I thinking?!! |
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| Prayer Wheels... |
Rowing On Fewa Lake
From Kathmandu we drove down to touristy Pokhara for a couple of days. Pokhara Valley is a great place for a variety of adventure activities like hiking, trekking, paragliding etc.
On the first day there we went out on a rented row boat in the absolutely still Fewa Lake.
The lake is a major attraction to those who are drawn to water sports or families who simply love absorbing the beautiful scenery. The Annapurna Range and the Dhaulagiri Range loom in a distance and are mirrored on the calm surface of the lake.
Away from the shore, the water is clean and deep and the dense forest along the south side of the lake is rich in wildlife. The lake also holds religious importance.The holyTaal Barahi temple is situated on an island in the lake.
The Barahi temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, who protects the gods from demons. Durga takes in the form of a boar called Barahi to pierce her evil enemies with her pointed tusks. Barahi is pictured with the face of a boar. On Saturdays, devotees make their way to the temple carrying animals for sacrifice.
So, we had the idea to row to the temple but unfortunately for us it was too late and we were told the temple was closed for visits.
However that aside, the row boat experience was a memorable one for me. What I found out was that I absolutely SUCK at it. All I did was move the row boat in circles...They make it look so easy in movies!
Luckily Felix was a natural..or we'd still be there on the lake like a dog chasing its own tail! haha
Paragliding in Pokhara
From Kathmandu we drove down to touristy Pokhara for a couple of days. Pokhara Valley is a great place for a variety of adventure activities like hiking, trekking, paragliding etc.
On the first day there we went out on a rented row boat in the absolutely still Fewa Lake.
The lake is a major attraction to those who are drawn to water sports or families who simply love absorbing the beautiful scenery. The Annapurna Range and the Dhaulagiri Range loom in a distance and are mirrored on the calm surface of the lake.
Away from the shore, the water is clean and deep and the dense forest along the south side of the lake is rich in wildlife. The lake also holds religious importance.The holyTaal Barahi temple is situated on an island in the lake.
The Barahi temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, who protects the gods from demons. Durga takes in the form of a boar called Barahi to pierce her evil enemies with her pointed tusks. Barahi is pictured with the face of a boar. On Saturdays, devotees make their way to the temple carrying animals for sacrifice.
So, we had the idea to row to the temple but unfortunately for us it was too late and we were told the temple was closed for visits.
However that aside, the row boat experience was a memorable one for me. What I found out was that I absolutely SUCK at it. All I did was move the row boat in circles...They make it look so easy in movies!
Luckily Felix was a natural..or we'd still be there on the lake like a dog chasing its own tail! haha
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| Come on! Move! |
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| sooo easy! |
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| Beautiful Fewa Lake! |
Paragliding in Pokhara
In Pokhara, I also ticked off a major experience from my bucket list. I flew in the sky like a bird!
Yes, I had the most amazing moment when we went Paragliding off the hills in Pokhara. Despite my many doubts and hesitations, I took the plunge (literally!) and it was an experience of a lifetime!
Team 5 Nepal Paragling, was the team of experienced pilots and instructors who made it happen and I can't praise them enough. These guys were friendly and extremely capable. They made sure my first paragliding experience was one I will always remember!
The churning of adrenaline in your belly as you race towards the edge of the cliff, that exact moment when you realise your feet are no longer on firm ground and everything is in slow motion except your racing heart and mind and the complete exhilaration when you just soar over open skies...I tell you it was beyond sensational!
Yes, I had the most amazing moment when we went Paragliding off the hills in Pokhara. Despite my many doubts and hesitations, I took the plunge (literally!) and it was an experience of a lifetime!
Team 5 Nepal Paragling, was the team of experienced pilots and instructors who made it happen and I can't praise them enough. These guys were friendly and extremely capable. They made sure my first paragliding experience was one I will always remember!
The churning of adrenaline in your belly as you race towards the edge of the cliff, that exact moment when you realise your feet are no longer on firm ground and everything is in slow motion except your racing heart and mind and the complete exhilaration when you just soar over open skies...I tell you it was beyond sensational!
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| My turn next...heart in my mouth! |
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| Wohoo! On top of the World! |
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