The next day is the cultural highlights of this colorful city. are temples of various faiths, this time even with a guide (maybe we'll close us about it on our Studiosusfreunden scoured ...),. First stop is the Svayambhunath Stupa in Bodnath is the most important Buddhist temple of Kathmandu Valley. Pilgrims from all over Nepal and Tibet, the stupa transmutor constantly praying and mumbling "Om mani padme hum" in German, "Oh, you jewel in the lotus blossom" and turn it to 211 for the prayer drums. In different positions (crawling and some even lying) circle the Buddhists stupa. A quiet peaceful place you can not call the place. The two big girls are joining the "Om mani padme hum" and turn on the prayer wheels. Whether they really know what they do? The pilgrims do not seem to mind. The stupa is surrounded by rest homes, Homes, souvenir shops and other Tibetan monasteries. A place full of life and watch over all the pairs of eyes painted on the Stupaturm of the Buddha.
Next stop the Pashupati temple in the small Deopatan, a suburb of Kathmandu. This temple in the north-east of the city on the Bagmati river is one of the most important Hindu shrines. A lot of activity, we meet. Children play on the one side of the narrow and, as usual, very dirty river Football - barefoot, of course - burn on the other side their dead families. This ritual action does not look to funeral of our senses, there is a rather busy. In turn are transported to the site for burning bodies pending at intervals of about 30m stake are prepared to wait for the next "customer." Right in the middle to collect the remaining children "donations" Come out of the river and at the same bathroom. Also be used but not completely burned logs again collected and sold less well-off families for their burial. Then again, who have relatives in a white linen cloth wrapped Funeral approached, they put on the stake, walk around the dead several times and finally set fire to it, usually do this the oldest son. Everything appears from a distance rather unconcerned by instead of walking, son of man stands up without uninvolved in sweatpants at the stake and the other mourners not really take part in the procedure. If strange for us in many ways, it is still exciting and just one in India and the Hindus of daily life. Even today discussed focus of the visit of this facility for Antonia is the monkey who steals her cheeky to her great indignation the biscuit out of his hand.
In the course of our temple visit we take on so-called holy men, old and wise looking ascetics who devote their lives primarily to the gods, sacred knowledge in the impact and that probably enjoy the evening of the tourists who pass by for a photograph while small fee. The girls wonder how you can get as long matted hair and why men have such wrinkled skin, feel uneasy, they are not with them. Quite quickly reveals itself to us but an existing secular vein, as we are asked if we tourists slipped from their Euro coins could exchange it Ruppi. As an old tax collector tries Erik them a more favorable rate for us to offer, but they know very accurately the current exchange rate and so it is a fair deal for both sides.
The small group of "pseudo-Studiosus" now attracts more into the approximately 16km away Bhakatapur (City of God in Islam) to the ancient trade route between India and Tibet. The car-free, densely populated old city is a veritable idyll. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere in which medieval City driving, we let ourselves. The café Nyatapola - allegedly used to be a hostel of a local deity - we eat lunch on the terrace and enjoy the view of the Taumadi Square and the two surrounding temples Nyatapole temple and the temple of Bhairava. For the kids there again super fries, which are even made from whole potatoes. particularly Ariane would like to stay longer but the guide urges to leave, because we due to the ongoing strike of the tank guards and related kilometer long lines of cars waiting for petrol to assess the duration of the trip difficult. Basically, in Nepal often and regularly strike, usually with an announcement and for many different goals. Right now, for example, urge the Maoists politically strong separation of Kathmandu and have already come to a district government defines pro forma.
The next day it goes through beautiful scenery in six-hour drive to Pokhara towards trekking. Only Alexia enjoy the ride, unfortunately, little, on longer trips and winding but it is often poor. Pokhara is an old Hippieort of the 70 now developed for tourism than many ski resorts: the main route offers everything that the trekkers, hiking and outdoor enthusiasts require, of course arranged by the familiar Western brands, said it is whether the rates more like plagiarism. seems to us the wealth of products in relation to customers oversized strong, the season is almost over and we enjoy the tranquility of this idyllic town on the lake.
Our 5-day trek at the foot of the Annapurna group is certainly one of the highlights our journey. With an entourage of 12 people, consisting of guide, porters and mobile kitchen, we can spend time. After starting on Pokhara lake is up to the Peace Pagoda, through secluded small Nepalese villages and past the women working in the rice fields. Then again overgrown by beautiful jungle. Highest point is just under 3000m Panchase, not just the Mt Everest with the girls but we did not want too high. The varied landscape, great views of the snow mountains and lots of nice encounters compensate us for this little compromise. The children have a great luxury in each case a carrier stepping in when needed. Once fatigue is sensed, wiry guys take to send them on their shoulders like a win-win situation for everyone involved: we enjoy in peace and without constant pauses the nature and motivate girls betüteln not always have to, the dynamic young Nepalese have great fun with our blonde and the kids happy that they do not have to run as usual. Everything is taken away from us, tents and kitchen team move ahead and overtake us with their heavy luggage in a monkey gear - cliched and notwithstanding any soil changes in slippers. lunch is always surrounded by nature for the delicious food We prepared the evening on arrival is the tent already in the perfect scenic spot, overlooking the mountains and the kitchen is already preparing the dinner. The kitchen team has put together a great menu plan for the kids. Now and then, wonderful french fries from fresh potatoes, tuna in tomato sauce, lots of rice and as a culinary highlight for the girls pop corn in bulk and all cooked in a mobile kitchen. Long we have not eaten so west.
sleep in the tent makes us all great fun, the whiskey every evening by candlelight and even a night under a full moon with a view of the Annapurna II, we both agreed that we in any case do it again a trekking tour or mountain bike ride with no children here. The mood is very good. The girls enjoy romping around with sticks collection and Keep the fun through the Nepalese. The cooler temperatures do not disturb them, of course they are happy that every day there are only "quick wash" that regular hand washing ("Washi Washi") will soon be a fun ritual between the girls and our guides. All are sad when the last night in a tent dawn, and the planning for such trips is already Taunus. Also Nicoletta's birthday later celebration should preferably take place in a tent.
the last day in Kathmandu we use to fly along the Mt Everest to have seen him at least once. After much too short a time our little vacation from a vacation in India is over. 30 hours travel time imminent, until we meet in Gauhati Catherine and Oscar and her two girls and Maurizia Carlotta.
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