Thru the lens: The beauty in culture and Nepalese

This is a photo-blog of my favorite faces and locals’ moments in Nepal (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Pokhara) thru my camera lens…

Nepal’s Beautiful Durbar Squares

If you like to be transcended into a totally different place, free of modernity but full of culture, Nepal is one good place for you to visit.

Nepal is a growing tourist destination apart from its Mt. Everest. The country is tucked in between mainland China and India, thus the juxtaposition of the locals’ friendly faces. There are a lot of things to do and see around the country. My lone (but very fulfilling) journey started off at its capital (Kathmandu) before I happily concluded my trip in Pokhara (with surrounding views of the Himalayas).

This writing/photo-log will focus on the 2/3 Durbar Squares in Nepal (all are UNESCO World Heritage sites) which I have visited –the Kathmandu (Basantapur) Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. “Durbar Square” is what they generally call the plaza or place around a palace/kingdom (several Kingdoms exist before it becomes a “unified” Nepal). It consists of amazingly old but beautiful architectures of courtyards and temples (now with added shops for tourists), accented by locals going about their daily lives.

KATHMANDU/BASANTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE. Make sure to visit Kumari Bahal, the residence of the “living goddess” a girl which shall be kept and revered as a living goddess until her first menstruation; depending on her mood she will show up briefly on the window, so I am one lucky tourist to have a 5 seconds glimpse of her – she looks to serious for a kid tho, probably because of the strong eyeliner *no pun intended.

 

BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE. I love Bhaktapur (20mins off by taxi or >10km from Kathmandu) and its Durbar Square – so full of life, culture, and it felt like I was shifted to a totally different place with its exotic or more like ethereal beauty. There are no motors or even tuc-tucs allowed inside which is absolutely not a problem for me wandering around in this place with awe on foot. 

It briefly rained in Bhaktapur while I was having my tea break at one of the rooftop restaurants with a small umbrella sheltering me. It was a sweet and peaceful moment -seeing the rain drop down to the roofs of old architectures, while you sip your tea and munch on local food, with your notebook on hand doodling poetry from what you see. It’s just pure love! 🙂 

Things to do in Pokhara, Nepal

With only 6 hours bus ride or 1hr flight from Kathmandu, a visit to the charming town of Pokhara is so worthy –if not a must. Green and peaceful, with the Himalayas on the views. Best time to visit is October to January if you’d like to see the Himalayas all time of day. Otherwise expect cloudy days and get lucky for clear views of that fish tail at the Himalayas.

A ‘con’ on traveling in Nepal, there are curfew times for electricity (hence no A/C,fan,wi-fi at times) throughout the day. But that’s a good push to go outside, enjoy nature and get lost for a while.

Some things to do: Boating at Phewa Lake with the Himalayan mountains as your backdrop! Hike, trek, walk around and enjoy the natural scenes -get your legs working. Paraglide from Annapurna and fly like an eagle (well, almost). Eat like a local. Get a well-deserved spa massage.

A surreal and fulfilling trip –especially being on solo. Cheers!