The sites and sounds of Kathmandu

We're starting to feel comfortable and excited with this trip. 
Yesterday we walked over to Swoyambhu, which is termed the Monkey temple for westerners.  This is a famous Buddhist temple in the city, and in all corners of the grounds monkey can be found swinging from trees or eating food thrown about. 

 

 

We were unprepared for the very steep flight of stairs leading to the temple grounds.  What most people don't expect, me included, is how warm the climate is in Kathmandu.  The last few days wondering about can get hot and sticky in the sun.

 

 

 

 
Today we did a walking tour, taking us through a couple of religious sites, Adan tole the busiest intersection ok Kathmandu, and finishing up at Durbar square.  Durbar square was the site of the old royal palace.  The buildings were carved with very intricate wood work.   We were bombarded with request from children for food, guides offering their services and genders selling everything from live chickens to madalas to fruit I'be never seen before.  I took a picture with a sadhu, a vagabond holyman.  The custom is that you must pay them in able to photograph them. 
No matter where you go in the city there is are constant horn honking.  The streets are narrow and filled with cars, motorcycles, bikes and people.  Traffic signs are non existant.  You can get sensory overload very quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

In Kathmandu

We were able to get take a few hours and get out of the Hong Kong airport.  We took the tram to down town and then walked to Victoria Peak, which is a high point over looking Hong Kong.  The city was really easy to get around in and we weren't intimidated in the least of the city. 

Another long plane ride from Hong Kong via Dhaka, Bangladesh and we landed in Kathmandu at 11pm.  The experience of making it through the visa process and getting our bags was not as horrifying as what others have made it seem.  The first impression of the city, mind it was driving through it at midnight, was a bit jolting.  The roads are mostly dirt and bumpy, with no signs and several street dogs about.  Since it was so late there is a curfew and no one was about, the street system is a maze of confusion.

However now in day ligh, comfortable in our hotel, we are starting to feel the excitement of what were getting ourselves into.  We talked with a guiding service and got an idea of who we're dealing with and what they'll charge.  We've taken a walk to Thamel, which is the near by tourist ghetto, where all trekking needs can be satisfied....and where once we're done with the trek, I will have so much fun shopping for goodies.
 

Pic of the streets of Themal (nice electrical lines)

So what the Hell are we doing?

We've been surprised how many people have asked us why were going to Nepal.  There's several reasons and too many probably to list here.  It's an opportunity to see a totally different culture and some beautiful scenery including some of the highest mountains in the world.  One of our goals is to complete the Annapurna Circuit, which is generally considered to be one of the best treks in the world.  Backpacker mag has a good description of it.  If you're wondering why were on this journey I hope you'll read it and gain some understanding of why we want to see this small corner of the world.

Backpacker mag description

It's 5 pages long but we hope you read it.

LAX

We're at LAX waiting to check into our flight to Hong Kong.  We've been here since ~4pm and won't take off until 1:30am.  My first international flight!  Exciting!  (and scary).

We'll travel through the night (14) hours and get to Hong Kong at 730am.  We're thinking, if we can figure the tram system out, we'll go sight seeing for a few hours.  Our layover is 12 hours and although the Hong Kong airport is rated one of the worlds top airports, how awesome would it be to see part of the city.

From here we travel to Kathmandu, with a brief stop in Bangladesh.  Kathmandu's airport will be busy and scary and an exercise in patience.  Luckily our hotel will have a car picking us up and we won't have to hassle with a taxi at 10 at night.

What an adventure. Our first international trip together and we chose something crazy and logistically complex.  We're nuts.