Bhaktapur: Saving the Best for Last

I came to Bhaktaphur expecting a lot because of the strong recommendations I read in the internet and from some people who have been to the place. What I saw and experienced exceeded my expectations!

Bhaktaphur is the best preserved among the medieval cities of the Kathmandu Valley. You therefore really feel that you are traveling back in time. Ancient houses, grand squares, and iconic temples continue to be inhabited by locals who go on with their lives observing ancient practices, traditions, and religious rites. It was like being in a theme park except that this one is for real!

The US$ 10 entrance fee is well worth the experience of living in the olden times. It was a wise decision for me to stay 2 nights inside the city of Bhaktapur for it allowed me to soak up the atmosphere walking through the cobblestone streets and observing local life at its ancient best.

Truly, Bhaktapur is the best place I visited in Nepal. And it was good I made it my final destination. I left Nepal with unforgettable memories of a country rich with ancient traditions, magnificent temples, awesome sceneries, and sincerely good, friendly and kind people.

Proud Patan

Patan is proud for a good reason. Its Durbar Square is smaller in area than the Durbar Square of Kathmandu. But its temples are much more ornate and elegantly designed that makes them the most visually stunning Newari temples in Nepal.

The temples date back to the 14th century and and is probably the finest collection of temples and palaces in Nepal. Patan is easily accessible from Kathmandu through a short 30 minutes taxi ride. The opportunity to visit this ancient city if your already in Kathmandu should therefore not be missed.

Sarangkot at Sunset

For truly spectacular and 360 degree views of the Pokhara area, the place to go to is Sarangkot. Here you get panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks, the Machhapuchhare, Annapurna, Lake Phewa, and Pokhara town.

I timed my visit to Sarangkot in the afternoon to catch the sunset instead of the usual sunrise views. Here I experienced the transformation of colors of the horizon from orange to red to blue as the sun disappeared and the moon made its early appearance, as the day changed into night. It was an awesome experience.

World Peace Pagoda: A Hike in the Clouds

It was a cloudy day when I made my climb up to the World Peace Pagoda, the white stupa built by Japanese Buddhist monks. The Pagoda is on top of a hill on the other side of Lake Phewa. It is visible on a clear day from Pokhara town.

I opted to do the trek to the World Peace Pagoda by taking a boat from Pokhara town to Lychee Garden Resort which is at the base of the hill. The resort provides free round trip boat rides from Pokhara to the resort provided you take your meals in their restaurant. I had my best meal in Nepal in Lychee Garden Resort feasting on traditional nepali food.

The climb to the World Peace Pagoda takes about an hour. It was a bit difficult because the path was slippery due to the rains. But your efforts are well rewarded with truly incredible views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Picture Pretty Pokhara

Pokhara is a lakeside town that serves as the base for hikes and treks to the Himalaya. This town's cool climate and serene lake and mountain views makes also for a relaxing holiday. After the chaos of Kathmandu and Chitwan's tiring jungle treks, I was so happy to be in Pokhara.

Was lucky to find a small hotel where I got a room with a real picture pretty view of the beautiful Lake Pweha and its surrounding mountains. Unfortunately, it was the end of monsoon. The snow capped Annapurna Range and Mt. Machhapuchhare (fish tail in nepali) were covered with clouds and not visible. Had only a glimpse of this dramatic mountain scenery on the morning of my departure from Pokhara. Perhaps, intended to provide a reason for me to visit Nepal again if only to complete my Pokhara experience.

Spent most of my 4 days stay in Pokhara resting, reading, and enjoying the tranquil scenery. Did also a half day tour of the sights ( Seti River Gorge, Devi's Falls, Tibetan Settlements, and the Old Town) around the town. But these places were not really impressive and not worth the exorbitant fare that taxis are charging for the around 2 hour trip.

Chitwan's Elephant Safari: The Real Thing

Was not excited about taking the elephant safari which was part of the package tour that I took in Chitwan. This was because I previously did a jungle elephant safari in Chang Mai in Thailand which was not great. The elephant just went around a river which run parallel to a hill and that was it.

Furthermore, the jungle walk that we did in the morning in Chitwan was a disappointment. We walked for 4 hours in the jungle and saw only monkeys, and foot prints of a tiger according to our guide.

The elephant ride turned out to be the best part of my Chitwan holiday. We were taken to a real jungle and saw at a vantage point seated on top of the elephant, Nepal's wildlife including one horned indian rhinoceros, spotted deer, crocodiles, and monkeys. This experience is one of highlights of my Nepal vacation.

Sunny Days at Chitwan

Chitwan is the only place that I went to in Nepal where I perspired a lot. It is hot and humid during the day in this Unesco World Heritage Site. Chitwan is famous as a premier wildlife national park in Asia.

I did not enjoy my stay in Chitwan because of the intense heat and the fact that the landscape is similar to the tropical forests of the Philippines. Activities here include visits to a Tharu village of local people and elephant breeding station, jungle walk, elephant safari, and a Tharu cultural show in the evening.

Nonetheless it is still worth a short visit if only to experience the elephant safari which will be the subject of my next feature.

Bodhnath Beckons

A short 30 minute walk from Pashupatinath is the impressive Bodhnath. Centerpiece of Bodhnath is the best and biggest stupa in Nepal. In ancient times, traders from Lhasa, Kathmandu, and Tibet made a stopover here to pray for a safe journey before climbing the Himalaya.

At present, Bodhnath remains to be an important religious site where Buddhist pilgrims continue to make their clockwise circumnavigation of the dome. As in the other stupas, there are prayer wheels which the Buddhist turn around clockwise with their hands to remind them of the law of karma, "what goes around, comes around".

There are cafes and restaurants around the stupa providing tourists opportunity to leisurely observe the rich and authentic religious rites that Bodhnath is known for.

Sacred Pashupatinath

Had an eerie feeling when I went to Pashupatinath. I was not prepared to be welcomed by a row of dead bodies being cremated along the Bagmati river. The smoke emanating from the on going cremations blankets the riverside giving the place a solemn and sad atmosphere.

Nevertheless Pashupatinath is rich with exotic temples and shrines, and inspiring stairways and walkways making a visit to the place truly worthwhile.

Swayambhunath Soars

Swayambhunath is a Buddhist temple soaring above Kathmandu City on a hilltop. The long walk up the stairway is rewarded with scenic views of Kathmandu valley, a glittering stupa, and a very atmospheric small town. On the way to the top, you will see monkeys roaming freely which is why Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple.

This place defines the common scene in Buddhist temples in Nepal... a small community surrounds a stupa which is topped by gilded spire and painted with the eyes of Buddha.

Kathmandu's Pride: Durbar Square

Kathmandu's main tourist attraction is the impressive Durbar Square. In the square are a number of truly awesome wood and brick temples done in traditional Nepali architecture.

Durbar means Palace in English and this was therefore where Nepali kings were crowned, lived and ruled.

The square attracts both the locals and foreign tourists. I spent some time at the top of one of the taller temples to enjoy the truly inspiring scenery of beautiful temples and the colorful world of Kathmandu go by.