Bhaktapur in Kathmandu
Ever since Nepal made front page news for its political troubles, it has been struck off as a holiday destination by most Indians. But surely Nepal’s charms must still be holding good? Ajay Jain hit the road in his SUV to re-discover Nepal he last visited in the 1980s as a school boy. And came back giving a thumbs up to the country. [continue reading…]
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Bandipur,
Bardia,
Bhairavsthan,
Bhaktapur,
Birds,
Buddha,
Chitwan,
Fish Tail,
Gorkha,
Janakpur,
Kathmandu,
Koshi Tappu,
Lumbini,
Mayadevi Temple,
Nepal,
Pashupatinath,
Patan,
Pokhara,
Shivratri,
Shuklaphanta,
Tansen,
Temple,
Thamel,
The Great Himalayan Drive,
wildlife
Even when sin is for sale, there are no taboos in invoking the Gods to close a deal.
Here is the not so surprising part: Walking around in Thamel in Kathmandu after sunset, I had a few boys come up to me and whispering if I would like to smoke hash. No thank you I said. And then one came up asking if I would like ‘some enjoyment’ with beautiful women. I smiled at the guy with a shake of my head to say, “Thanks, but no thanks.” And then came the surprise. [continue reading…]
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Drugs,
festival,
Hash,
Hindu,
Kathmandu,
Nepal,
Prostitution,
Red Light,
Sex,
Shivratri,
Thamel
The many faces of Thamel in Kathmandu in Nepal
I set out from Gorkha for Chitwan National Park on a rainy morning – only to realize jungle safaris may not be possible in such weather. I decided to turn towards Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, a place I have been waiting 24 years to go back to. My previous trip was a family visit during school days.
And my destination was Thamel, the backpacker’s hub with its famed eateries, shopping and nightlife. It is/was known as the most ‘happening’ part of Nepal. Of course, I had been warned that things are no longer the same like they were in the 1990s. Here are some impressions I came back with: [continue reading…]
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cafe,
food,
Great Himalayan Drive,
Internet,
Kathmandu,
Laundry,
Nepal,
Nightlife,
Parking,
Shopping,
Thamel