jussi's "Nepal 2009"

Every tourist visiting Nepal goes through Kathmandu and you'll see it on the streets. In some parts of the city there are more tourists than locals. E.g. Thamel is full of trekking agencies, rickshaws and small shops that sell to tourists (with tourist prices so remember to barter).

Pashupatinath is supposedly one of the most sacred hindu temples in the world. Or so our unofficial guide told us.

He also had vivid stories about how the 'holy men' come to the temple area to smoke weed because it helps in meditation and connecting with gods.

Nepalese hindus burn their dead in Pashupatinath. The platforms by the river are categorized by caste. The higher caste platforms are upriver, which is practical:

the remainings are swept off to the Bagmati river and every now and then some valuables end up to the river with the ashes. Entrepreneurial guys downstream try to find gold and jewellery using a net. (see the photo! this guy is working downstream by a lower caste platform.)

Luckily we had hired a porter. It was a rough and fast-paced hike through the national park to Chisapani but the views were definitely worth the effort. There was only one tea room along the way and the paths were quiet (as in: there were no other people, lots of sound by birds and insects though).

Chisapani was the first stop on our hike around Kathmandu Valley. The tiny village is a good hike from any decent road (although we saw a few people on motorcycles struggling their way through the bumpy paths). The air was very clean and crisp up there.

Banepa is just rows of building on either side of the "highway". Busy, noisy, dirty and nothing to see. We had a rather good lunch in one of the small restaurants in the centre!

Kathmandu Durbar Square is nice, Patan Durbar Square is more interesting and "real", but Bhaktapur Durbar square is the best of the three. Very beautiful place.

Dharan is a small city off the usual tourist routes. The main sight is the clock tower. And the best restaurant of the city is just across the square from the tower. Very handy. :)

Getting to this temple took two hours by 4wd car from Dharan. The muddy road winded along the Khola river and went through a couple of small villages. The villages kept getting smaller and smaller, and in the end we had to leave the car and walk the rest of the way. The whole place was just like in the India Jones movie... :)

We took a ride from Dharan to a small village on the nearby hills. Bhedetar was very quiet and peaceful, and the main sight is the Charles Point viewing tower (in the background of the photo). The view over foresty hill area is definitely worth the trip.

Dry dusty air and hot sun over a vast city. And a lots and lots of people. That's how Delhi appeared to me on our short stop there. Luckily we had a local guide who showed us the local life.

Go here and you'll get a grasp of Indian history, culture and art quickly. Efficient and tiring. :) The museum's collection is huge, presenting multiple perspectives of every era and style. Prepare for information overdose.

Dude, these Sikhs are cool! The temple was a mixture of a market place and quiet decorative indoor hall. We paid a tiny donation and got some food from which to offer to the gods. I guess it means good luck for me for the coming year..

So many westerners dressed in orange here. We happened to be there right on time for the service. The heavy curtains before the altars were slowly opened - and some people started taking photos while others threw themselves on the floor to worship. Strange.

Despite the location, this hotel turned out a great choice. Not least because of the managers who knew how to run a good hotel and were able to provide what we needed. Nice roof terrace, free wifi, no gym.