Mountains, Temples, Architecture and People make a heady mix when it comes to the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Once is never enough for nature lovers and for those who seek adventure.
As one meanders through the myriad bustling streets of Nepal, there is plenty that meets the eye and kindles a fantasy that one wishes to live in his lifetime.
Nepal is home to Eight of the world’s Ten tallest mountain peaks and the majestic snow capped ranges can leave your overwhelmed as you watch them in flight even before you land in Nepal and as you leave, nostalgia seeps into your soul as you fly past them.
The rich cultural heritage of Nepal reflects in the many temples as in the famous Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Changu Narayan besides in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur besides many others, while the Durbar Squares in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur are the royal complexes with courtyards with fabulous architecture.
Much of Nepal is under reconstruction, having suffered major devastation in a recent earthquake but areas like Thamel in Kathmandu continue to manifest the indomitable spirit of hospitality of the Nepalese with innumerable shops and bars for the locals and tourists alike. Popularly known as the “Garden of Dreams”, Thamel is dotted with shops selling handicrafts, jewellery and trekking equipment / gear.
Potter’s square is another attraction in Bhaktapur where you can see several potter’s wheels, firing kilns and clay pots crafted and kept in the Sun to dry or to be sold by locals.
Pokhara city is another attraction and a must visit place for anyone travelling to Nepal that offers panoramic beauty that manifests in Phewa Lake, a fresh water body that is stream fed but regulated through a dam. A boat ride is the lake is an awesome experience and one can enjoy a visit to the Tal Barahi temple located in the middle of it.
West of Pokhara is a village called Sarankot at an altitude of 1.6 KM above the sea level where people throng in the dark to witness the Sunrise at dawn each day besides enjoying breath taking views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu ranges as the visibility permits. Sarankot is also a choice of adventure seeker for it offers paragliding to those interested.
For the spiritually inclined, a nature lover of an adventure seeker, once is never enough.