Day 1: 19th Nov, Hello Kathmandu

Long day with flight leaving 12:30am.
So arrived at the airport and met my new partners in crime. All from Melbourne.
Ron and Norma are a couple, then Lyn, Michael and myself are here with no ties. Finally there is our fearless leader Cecilia who organised this and has to keep us on the straight and narrow. Of course I will be no problem for her. 17 hours 30 minutes after leaving we arrived at Kathmandu.
She who we have to listen to arranged window seats for all of us so we got great views of the Himalayas flying into Kathmandu.

And so we arrive at Kathmandu.

We are picked up at the airport and I am not sure if we were a bit smelly after 18 hours or the locals are really nice but the had good smelling flowers around our necks in no time.

Streets are crowded but to morrow looks like it wil be a great day for exploration. Great accommodation organised by the boss. Just enough time for Lyn and I to plot tonight over a drink.

Thamel is where it all happens, apparently the meeting place of trekkers. (Maybe we will see Captain Kirk or Spock!)
This place buzzes at night.

Day 2: 20th Nov, Bhaktapur, Pashupati and Boudha Stupa

Our day started driving through the traffic for an hour to Bhaktapur, about 3 km away. This is the culture centre of Nepal.
How is this for culture!

We wandered through the city starting at Durbar Square. As you see the effects of the 2015 earthquake is evident.  But there is still plenty to see.
Amazing temples and then the stalls with wonderful pottery,  I will let the pictures do the talking.

This is the little piggy that went to market

The beautiful coloured clay works

The men discuss whose wife is working the hardest

The rice is spreat out to dry and allow the airborne dust to settle on it giving it that rich earthy flavour.

Great stop Cecilia!

Pashupati, the Hindu temples where the dead are cremated.

The family of the dying prey for a good death in the temples

The dying spend their last days in the white building. Once dead they are carried down to the river and their feet and face washed.

Meanwhile fires for the cremation are being prepared.

The wood type varies depending on their budget. Usually sandlewood is used

Finally the body is placed on the fire with local rituals. 

There are other religious rituals going on at the same time

Very educational! 

Onto the Boudha Stupa

Boudha's eyes follow you everywhere! 

Long day but the warriors still look strong