Kathie

I'm glad you enjoyed Nepal. The people really are lovely, aren't they? And the taxis - I found that at sites the taxi drivers knew who was next up for a fare, and there was no jockeying. They treated each other fairly and they treated us fairly.

I'm also glad to hear your comments about the air pollution, as i, too, thought it wasn't as bad as some people say. Indeed, the air qualtyt was better than it was some 20+ years ago, when I first went to Kathmandu.

I'm also glad to hear that you are thinking about returning. There was a video on the NYT website this week of the Nepalese talking about wanting tourists to return. They have reopened some of the historical sites.

LancasterLad

@Kathie<<<I'm also glad to hear your comments about the air pollution, as i, too, thought it wasn't as bad as some people say. Indeed, the air qualtyt was better than it was some 20+ years ago, when I first went to Kathmandu.>>>

Air pollution during a couple of days in Kathmandu might not have much affect, but the longer you stay, and depending on where you spend most of your time, the more you WILL feel the effects of it.

And you can't argue with the facts...

http://crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/2...pollution.html

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/20...ble-smog-paris

rkkwan

To wrap up this report, just want to add a few things. First about the earthquake. From various news photo and videos, I know that:

Both hotels we've stayed in: Mums Home in Thamel, Kathmandu; and Hotel Dream in Lakeside, Pokhara; are undamaged and both open for business.

Swayambhunath, the big white stupa, has some cracks, and some buildings surrounding it have collapsed. The most prominent one is the Anantapur shikra right in front, which totally collapsed. Its twin, the Pratappur that was rebuilt after being struck by lightning in 2011 stands.

At Kathmandu's Durbar Square, many news report has shown the totally collapse of the Kasthamandap, Maju Dewal, and Trailokya Mohan Narayan in the southwest side of the square. These are all built in the 17th C. The older 16th C structure in the NE side are mostly okay. They top of the Basantapur Tower in the old palace also partially collapsed, though we didn't actually visit or take photos of it.

At the Patan Durbar Square, the Hari Shankar Mandir and Jagan Narayan Mandir (which is the oldest there, built in 1565) were compleletely destroyed. And lots of damage to the buildings surrounding Manga Hiti, the public bathing tank.

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Also, as mentioned, I believe it's totally find and safe and go back to Nepal now, as that's probably the best way to support their economy. If you're heading to the Annapurna region for hiking, please let me know and I'll give you contact info for our guide Ramchandra Subedi.