Kathie checks in from Kathmandu

Old Oct 21st, 2008, 05:16 PM
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Kathie checks in from Kathmandu

Namaste! We arrived yesterday afternoon. We had a good flight, and got a great view of the Himalayas from the plane. Cheryl took some photos from the plane, but of course they are never as breath-taking as the experience of actually seeing them.

The Hyatt is lovely. Set within gardens, the air here is cleaner than anything I remember breathing on my last trip. Of course, once you get out to the steets, it's the same diesel-scented, gritty air I remember so well.

We walked to Boudnath. It's supposed to be about 10 minutes walk from the Hyatt. We were caught up in the color, and Cheryl was caught up in taking photos, and after a half an hour, I said I know we've passed it. Sure enough, we turned around and walked back 20 minutes and there it was. We were only able to miss it the first time because we'd crossed the street to get out of the sun.

We circumambulated the stupa several times. The feeling of being caught up in the flow is so timeless.

I will check in from time to time but will (of course) write a detailed report when we return. The internet connection here is slooooow.
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Old Oct 21st, 2008, 05:21 PM
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Thanks for checking in. HOpe you and Cheryl have a wonderful time at the top of the world. Please give us your usual super detail.


Never for a moment did the panel think there was the slightest chance of a penalty.
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Old Oct 21st, 2008, 05:25 PM
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Yay Kathie! You've made it!
Now, are you going the short cut to Boudnath? When you're at the computer, facing Boudnath - get up now, take a look out the window... the secret path to Boudnath goes off to your LEFT. Go look. You'll see a nice guard and a big gate. He'll open it. Then he'll let you in when you come back. To get there, go down in lift, out thru biggo restaurant, then go look.

I think you went the long way out the front entrance?

Don't give any monks called Dorje and money. He already has one mobile phone.
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Old Oct 21st, 2008, 05:30 PM
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great start...can't wait to read more and of course to see the pics..
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Old Oct 21st, 2008, 06:38 PM
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Ya, can't wait to read more..only 3 more weeks til we are there!!
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Old Oct 21st, 2008, 08:20 PM
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Have a wonderful trip.

I stayed at the Hyatt in Kathmandu for 5 days in July and really enjoyed it. I've been away from this forum for so long, I never did post a trip report...my bad!

I loved walking over to Boudnath, and wandering through the side streets around there. It's a magical place.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 01:51 AM
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Hello again everyone.

Dogster, you're right, we went the long way. A guy at breakfast this morning told us about the short cut, which we'll take next time.

We went into Kathmandu this morning and spent several hours at the Durbar Square. It struck me in Kathmandu how much better the air is now than 14 years ago. Then, the streets were filled with tuk-tuks that spewed black smoke. The air was so full of particulates! Don't get me wrong, the air is still polluted, but nothing like it was. Cheryl got lots of good photos and took some flip videos she'll post as well.

Dogster, as you can understand, this was a great disappointment to me but they have recently named a new Kumari. So I guess the coalition government relented. She's three and a half and clearly had better qualifications than I do.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 02:56 AM
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I just wanted to wish you a wonderful trip-you've been very helpful with my Asia trip planning and I am stumbling through China as I type. Enjoy Kathmandu! We were there over 20yrs ago and I have very fond memories of the place. Are there still a lot of hippies there?
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 04:42 AM
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Just go to Boudnath every day late afternoon Kathie - verrry good for the soul.

Yup, i knew you'd gone the long way. BTW - on the long way, about opposite the end of the Hyatt property fence, on the far side of that road, you might see a lonely shop selling Bhutanese [laugh] stuff. Go in. This guy is very fine and straight. Buy. There are oddities here you won't see anywhere else. I go there every time.

Dorje - your crafty monk - IS worth meeting Kathie. Think of the main entrance as 12 o'clock. As you go clockwise round the circle, Dorje's temple is at about 6 o'clock - OR if you come the back way - it'll be on the corner of the street you emerge into the circle from.

It's the one with the balcony. Go upstairs to first floor - voila - lovely temple, many monks and Dorje. He'll find you.

Go inside temple if prayers. Sit. Dorje will be the guy running everything. He's on one of the long trumpets. Ask about his mother in Lhasa - lol.

If you need hashish you'd better go into Thamel. Lol. I just know you're hanging out for a block...

Have you tried the canapes yet? The six o'clock swill in the Club Lounge? Give them regards from the Australian who eats 200 hors d'oevres each night.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 04:53 AM
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Oh, BTW - when you go to Boudnath the back way - you don't have to pay. Well, I didn't.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 06:51 AM
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It sounds like a very promising start to the trip! Enjoy, and thanks for sharing information and impressions as you go. It is lots of fun to follow along.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 08:03 AM
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Do they still have elephants walking down the main streets? I remember exploring the dusty shack-lined streets wondering if, for all I know, I was in the their equivalent of southcentral LA (ghetto and dangerous). What an amazing place.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 09:08 AM
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Hi Kathie, Glad you like the Hyatt as much as we did. Bodnath between 5-5:30 is unforgettable with thousands of people circumnavigating the stupa. If you like Italian food, try the Italian restaurant at the Hyatt. It was very good, although a little pricey. As for the short cut from the hotel to the stupa, they discouraged us from using it, so if you want to use it, be persistent. Just make sure there will be someone at the locked gate to let you in if you return that way. Have a great trip.

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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 09:15 AM
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Glad you two are having such a wonderful time already. Someday David and I will get there! Until then, I'll live vicariously through your reports.

Tell Cheryl to get those pictures up on the site--dying to see what you're seeing!
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 09:31 AM
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Have fun! Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 04:26 PM
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We had been planning to go to Bhaktapur today. It's not clear whether that will happen as there are rumors there will be general strike.

Dogster, thanks for the tips. We plan to return regularly to Boudnath. We've read about a walk between the stupa and Pashupatinath and plan to try that as well.

I haven't seen any elephants in the streets. I can't remember seeing elephants last time either. Perhaps you were here at the time of a particular festival, ncounty.

Shelly, the Hyatt is very nice - and the spa is great. One of the nice perks of the Regency Club is that we get free access to the steam, sauna and jacuzzi.

More later...
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 04:51 PM
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Kathie, so sorry you missed out on the job but then it would have been so restricting. So far your trip sounds great - keep enjoying.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 08:27 PM
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It was a very long time ago, Kathie....1989. Didn't seem like a festival. Just seemed like a casual nobody paying much attention to the elephant walking down the street kind of thing. It was pretty cool.
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 08:46 PM
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So glad you and Cheryl are already in the swing of your adventure. Your descriptions are wonderful and evoke special memories of my time in Nepal in 2000. Thanks for taking us all with you
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Old Oct 22nd, 2008, 09:57 PM
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Thanks for sharing. Sounds beautiful. Look forward to reading more.
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