Trip to India & Nepal - Changu Narayan

Perched on a narrow ridge to the north of Bhaktapur, the beautiful and historical temple, Changu Narayan is a living museum of carvings from the 4th to the 9th centuries. On the way back to Kathmandu we drove up the narrow winding road and began the walk through town toward the temple.

Daily life goes on despite the influx of tourists. However, this is probably the least visited site in the Valley because of its location.

Doing the daily wash.

Typical architecture.

Unfortunately at this point Barbara became quite ill and we had to return to the hotel in Kathmandu.

Of course there are the usual vendors selling to tourists along the way.

A quick glimpse of the mountains.

Some animals in the yard along the path.

The Changu Narayan Temple...if we had made it to the top of the hill. It is a World Heritage Site of course. Its guarded on all sides by mythical beasts.

The front door.

Trip to India & Nepal - Nagarkot& The Himalayas

No trip to Nepal is complete without seeing the Himalayas at some point. While you can get a glimpse in Patan and sometimes by the Tundikhel Parade Ground in Kathmandu, the best local views are around 30 miles to the East. One of these towns is Nagarkot.

We headed up there after Bhaktapur through beautiful views on winding country roads through farms and small villages.

Our first stop to look at the views was the Hotel View Point which was aptly named with several high terraces for the best views.

Of course, there are dozens of hotels all around the rim, and those with views, of course, commanding the highest rates.

You can just barely see the snow blowing off the top of the mountain in the center.

The terrace of the hotel where we ate lunch, the Club Himalaya Resort. Unfortunately it was too windy to eat outside.

India & Nepal Trip- Bhaktapur Part II

There are similar buildings to this one all over the Kathmandu Valley. They were originally traveler's rest houses.

I just love these statues which seem to be everywhere in different versions in Bhaktapur

The main gate to town where most tourists enter (after paying the $10 fee)

The Royal Palace. Now a Museum.

Bhaktapur is, of course a World Heritage Site.

The famous Golden Gate to the Palace with a 55 window courtyard inside.

Statues inside the courtyard.

A great deal of restoration work was done here in the 70's through a German foundation.

The bronze statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, one of the best known kings of Bhaktapur, erected in 1699.

The clay for the pottery in Potter's Square protected from drying out.

This woman was sitting on this ledge waiting for tourists to come along and take her photo...for a fee of course.

There aren't nearly as many cows wandering around in this predominently Hindu country as there are in India.

Trip to India & Nepal- Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur also called Bhadgaon is an ancient Newar town in the east corner of the Kathmandu Valley. It is the third largest city in Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal during the great Malla Kingdom until the second half of the 15th century.

Bhaktapur is listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artwork

I thought this tractor was fascinating. I've never seen anything like it anywhere. I saw people riding through town on them on their way to their fields and it looked like a really uncomfortable ride.

These stone lions were installed in 1701

One of the great things about Bhaktapur is that the main areas have restricted motor traffic.

Two of the temples in Durbar Square are flanked with wonderful statues along the steps.

And, of course, their are shops selling souvenirs.

We stopped for a break at this coffee shop.

This is the most expensive town to visit in the Kathmandu Valley ($10) but worth every penny.

Some interesting carving in the coffee shop.

A typical alleyway. Note the brickwork on the left. (No, its not all that unusual) The Kathmandu Valley is prone to earthquakes.

The famous Potters Square. A huge public square flanked by hand powered power wheels.

Pottery drying in the sun waiting for firing in mud covered straw kilns.

The clay.

Women turn the pots to aid in the drying process.

You can purchase fired pots in the shops around the square.