Kathmandu

I was lucky enough to travel to Nepal back in November 1992 and I have blogged about my trip previously. I see now that I only covered the trek around Annapurna, plus the early starts to watch every sunrise. It seems I never wrote about Kathmandu and that is a great shame. We spent four days there while the details of our trek were being finalised and perhaps I had some of the best adventures ever. I was the only single person on the holiday and although the tour company had organised coach trips, I had no wish to play gooseberry. So I spent the best part of three days wandering around the capital on my own.

I should have taken more photographs, but fortunately, the memories are still crystal clear. One day I walked down to the river, which at that time was mostly dry. I had spotted a circus setting up on our arrival and I was tempted. It was either that or a couple of hours in the local cinema watching the latest Bollywood movie. The circus seemed a better bet for a lone female traveller. It was magical, with some of the best acts I had ever seen (bearing in mind this was before Cirque du Soleil).

I wandered around the famous Durbar Square alone, until I was approached by a gentleman who spoke perfect English. He gave me an unofficial guided tour and wouldn’t accept any payment, saying he was proud to show off his country. Before leaving, he placed the traditional orange dot on my forehead, known as a bindi. I felt honoured and perhaps that may explain why I took no images at all in that incredible place. At the time it seemed as though I would reduce myself to a mere tourist.

The photograph featured at the top was taken a short drive outside Kathmandu. I wish I could recall the name of the place because it was stunning. We wandered around one afternoon, stayed one night and rose early to climb a nearby hill to watch the sunrise. The image below was taken at some point on that short trek.

Back in the capital, there were many monkeys to be found on the ancient temples.

I watched these two children as they climbed the steps. We had been told that each statue represented a God and those on the higher steps were more powerful than the ones below. It seemed strange to capture two small humans sitting at the very top.

Selling grain in one of the oldest parts of the capital and a small boy watching people passing by.

Finally, colourful clothes for sale on one of the old buildings.