Above Kathmandu...
As the main road takes a sharp right and all that mayhem with it, I'll take the left fork which looks considerably less congested! A quiet lane with some nicely constructed and colourful villas with the occasional hovel alongside. Dogs and chickens, free range, poking around in the garbage. Free range kids too, playing on dusty open spaces when they ought to be in school I suspect. And then there are the really little kids, the ones sent out to beg - dirty, bedraggled but experts in picking out tourists from a distance.
More lanes as my inbuilt directional systems indicate straight on is good for that temple on the hill. A bridge across a rather wide river, it's railings painted yellow - another useful landmark for the return journey. A river that serves as the city dump, sewerage outlet and playground for pigs! Moving swiftly on as a whiff of poo sticks to the throat. Across the bridge then and it looks like the next steps are up, up and up. Plenty of people milling about as well as a few monkeys. Actually these steps are never ending, I mean I don't see the top but I do see statues and religious architecture periodically.
Finally, almost there but not before a man wants to relieve me of 200 Rupees before any onward travel. Well, I've come this far, to tired to argue and it's a long way down again! Actually it's quite a view looking back through the trees. Pretty much the whole city can be seen through the mist and haze.
A good couple of hours wandering around the terraces of the 'Monkey Temple' and monkeys there are - must be at least a hundred, but all seem pretty well tempered, so far! Stunning views high above the City, the valley and surrounding mountains with sky high peaks with mist adding a slightly mystical dimension. It's warmed up a bit too and a nice escape from the mayhem far below. Hawks circling above on thermals before swooping to pick at the garbage below.
Time for a cup of tea before heading back. After satisfying myself I was at minimal risk of getting poisoned I took the plunge and placed the order. So, for 10 rupees I got hot tea with cinnamon, cardamon, bay leaf and cow milk! Actually it's not bad - tea the Nepali way, and among well behaved monkeys.
Getting back should be easy enough, just across that bridge, along those lanes and follow the mayhem back to Thamel and a good, freshly made local curry.
As the main road takes a sharp right and all that mayhem with it, I'll take the left fork which looks considerably less congested! A quiet lane with some nicely constructed and colourful villas with the occasional hovel alongside. Dogs and chickens, free range, poking around in the garbage. Free range kids too, playing on dusty open spaces when they ought to be in school I suspect. And then there are the really little kids, the ones sent out to beg - dirty, bedraggled but experts in picking out tourists from a distance.
More lanes as my inbuilt directional systems indicate straight on is good for that temple on the hill. A bridge across a rather wide river, it's railings painted yellow - another useful landmark for the return journey. A river that serves as the city dump, sewerage outlet and playground for pigs! Moving swiftly on as a whiff of poo sticks to the throat. Across the bridge then and it looks like the next steps are up, up and up. Plenty of people milling about as well as a few monkeys. Actually these steps are never ending, I mean I don't see the top but I do see statues and religious architecture periodically.
Finally, almost there but not before a man wants to relieve me of 200 Rupees before any onward travel. Well, I've come this far, to tired to argue and it's a long way down again! Actually it's quite a view looking back through the trees. Pretty much the whole city can be seen through the mist and haze.
A good couple of hours wandering around the terraces of the 'Monkey Temple' and monkeys there are - must be at least a hundred, but all seem pretty well tempered, so far! Stunning views high above the City, the valley and surrounding mountains with sky high peaks with mist adding a slightly mystical dimension. It's warmed up a bit too and a nice escape from the mayhem far below. Hawks circling above on thermals before swooping to pick at the garbage below.
Time for a cup of tea before heading back. After satisfying myself I was at minimal risk of getting poisoned I took the plunge and placed the order. So, for 10 rupees I got hot tea with cinnamon, cardamon, bay leaf and cow milk! Actually it's not bad - tea the Nepali way, and among well behaved monkeys.
Getting back should be easy enough, just across that bridge, along those lanes and follow the mayhem back to Thamel and a good, freshly made local curry.
