India Nepal Trip...Part Two

This is just a small square in front of some old houses in the section of Old Kathmandu above the main market area. People leave small offerings of food at the temples every day.
Vegetable sellers at Thahati Tole. Squares are called Toles. There is a good sized Buddhist Stupa a couple of blocks from here and numerous shops selling beautiful brocades, prayer beads and prayer flags.
Guardian figure outside a small temple at the Tole.
Janet looking at Thangkas in a small shop. Thangkas are Tibetan Buddhist paintings that depict fierce protective deities, aspects of the Buddha, historical figures, a mandala (geometric design) or the wheel of life. She bought several during the week.
One of my favorite places to eat in the morning is Pumpernickel's Bakery. How can you beat bread and croissants fresh out of the oven in this delightful garden.

The trees are full of grapefruit.
The Kathmandu Valley originally contained four seperate kingdoms. After a few wars hundreds of years ago they joined together. My favorite of the former kingdoms, and the best preserved is Bhaktapur a few kilometers east of the main city of Kathmandu. They have cordoned off the main temple area which is traffic free except for the occasional motorcycle. The scaffolding is on the 55 window palace which is currently undergoing some restoration.
Krishna Temple from the 1600's. Most of the buildings are several hundred years old.
King Bhupatindra's Column. The area's most popular Malla King built in 1699. Local schoolboys.