12603 km Kathmandu
Door: Erik en Tjeerd
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Erik en Tjeerd
28 December 2007 | Nepal, Kathmandu
There it is the last message of 2007! It's been an interesting cycling year and we hope to have many more good times in 2008!
We have not done that much cycling though since the last time we wrote. We enjoyed some R&R time in Pokhara. We cycled up the nearby mountain of Sarankot to enjoy a beautiful view of the Himalaya. we enjoyed nice lunches, good meals and met lots of travellers from all over the world to enjoy a beer with. We joined a group of parasailers at a party across the lake and had some exiting times crossing the lake with to many people in a very small boat. With barely 10cm between the railing and the waterline we were happy to make it across without taking the involuntarily bath. The way back was even more fun, when the whole process was repeated with all of us drunk and off course it was now dark as well ;)
The next day on the 23rd we decided it was time to leave Pokhara and head in the direction of Bandipur. It was a nice and relaxed day of only 85 km with a steep and nasty climb in the end. Of course Bandipur was build on a hilltop 8km and 600 altitude meters higher than the main road ;) Bandipur is known to be one of Nepal's most authentic towns, though its getting more touristy even as we speak. We had a good time there and met up with a bunch of people working for NGO's. Lot's of respect for the people that go out to places like Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan to try and change things for the better.
After a nice day in Bandipur we headed of again for our last kilometers in 2007 the road to Kathmandu. The first half off the day was a trip down "easy street" first we descended the 600 altitude meters back to the main road and then it was another 300 meters down over the next 40 km. Then the fun really started as we had to climb from 300 to 1500 meters over the next 90km. Yet again we prevailed and made it into Kathmandu around lunch on the 26th. We had expected the worst, lots off travelers warned us for the heavy traffic and pollution of Kathmandu. I suppose we are not easily impressed anymore, because according to our standards Kathmandu is quite a relaxed place and traffic is not that hard to deal with at all. At least no where near as hectic as Istanbul, Tehran, Mumbai or Delhi ;)
Here in Kathmandu we first headed out to visit "Dawn till Dusk" a very well known bicycle shop among "worldcyclists". Here we are getting Tjeerds rear wheel respoked and getting some other minor repairs done. Getting fully ready for the cycling in Southeast Asia that's to come. Off course we visited Durban Square here in Kathmandu. A very impressive set of squares with many many Hindu temples and Buddist stupa's. It's remarkable to see that many of the temples here have double functions and are used by both Buddists and Hindu's at the same time.
The most impressive temple is the temple of Kali. Kali is a demonslayer and the not so friendly incarnation of Parvati (female companion of Shiva). For all off you who have seen the movie "Indiana Jones and the temple of doom" you know who I'm talking about ;) We hired a guide and good some good background information on the history and traditions off the temples on Durban square. Most interesting of which is the story of Kumari: a living goddess aged between 6 and 12 that is selected based on 32 signs of divinity. These have to do with her family background, physical features, but also on how well she can endure frightening things. As part of the test weather the selected girl is indeed "Kumari" and has the divine features the girl is locked in a darkroom and priests are trying to scare her with music and noises. If the little girl endures that she will have to watch the ritual slaughter off 9 bulls and not be impressed. If she succeeds this among other tests she is selected as Kumari, living goddess and representation of Kali on earth. The little girl shows herself at the temple window everyday before 12.00 and after 16.00 and is a major sight for Hindu's here in Nepal. Once a year 108 buffalos, 108 goats and 108 chickens are sacrificed in the 10 day festival for Kali, quite a bloody display.....
the only thing that will flow for us however is the beer here in Thamel, the tourist area in Kathmandu. We will celebrate new year here and will give word back to you all in 2008, next message will be from China!!!
Yours, Erik and Tjeerd
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa310/erikopdefiets/20%20Nepal%20Bandipur-Kathmandu/?albumview=link
We have not done that much cycling though since the last time we wrote. We enjoyed some R&R time in Pokhara. We cycled up the nearby mountain of Sarankot to enjoy a beautiful view of the Himalaya. we enjoyed nice lunches, good meals and met lots of travellers from all over the world to enjoy a beer with. We joined a group of parasailers at a party across the lake and had some exiting times crossing the lake with to many people in a very small boat. With barely 10cm between the railing and the waterline we were happy to make it across without taking the involuntarily bath. The way back was even more fun, when the whole process was repeated with all of us drunk and off course it was now dark as well ;)
The next day on the 23rd we decided it was time to leave Pokhara and head in the direction of Bandipur. It was a nice and relaxed day of only 85 km with a steep and nasty climb in the end. Of course Bandipur was build on a hilltop 8km and 600 altitude meters higher than the main road ;) Bandipur is known to be one of Nepal's most authentic towns, though its getting more touristy even as we speak. We had a good time there and met up with a bunch of people working for NGO's. Lot's of respect for the people that go out to places like Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan to try and change things for the better.
After a nice day in Bandipur we headed of again for our last kilometers in 2007 the road to Kathmandu. The first half off the day was a trip down "easy street" first we descended the 600 altitude meters back to the main road and then it was another 300 meters down over the next 40 km. Then the fun really started as we had to climb from 300 to 1500 meters over the next 90km. Yet again we prevailed and made it into Kathmandu around lunch on the 26th. We had expected the worst, lots off travelers warned us for the heavy traffic and pollution of Kathmandu. I suppose we are not easily impressed anymore, because according to our standards Kathmandu is quite a relaxed place and traffic is not that hard to deal with at all. At least no where near as hectic as Istanbul, Tehran, Mumbai or Delhi ;)
Here in Kathmandu we first headed out to visit "Dawn till Dusk" a very well known bicycle shop among "worldcyclists". Here we are getting Tjeerds rear wheel respoked and getting some other minor repairs done. Getting fully ready for the cycling in Southeast Asia that's to come. Off course we visited Durban Square here in Kathmandu. A very impressive set of squares with many many Hindu temples and Buddist stupa's. It's remarkable to see that many of the temples here have double functions and are used by both Buddists and Hindu's at the same time.
The most impressive temple is the temple of Kali. Kali is a demonslayer and the not so friendly incarnation of Parvati (female companion of Shiva). For all off you who have seen the movie "Indiana Jones and the temple of doom" you know who I'm talking about ;) We hired a guide and good some good background information on the history and traditions off the temples on Durban square. Most interesting of which is the story of Kumari: a living goddess aged between 6 and 12 that is selected based on 32 signs of divinity. These have to do with her family background, physical features, but also on how well she can endure frightening things. As part of the test weather the selected girl is indeed "Kumari" and has the divine features the girl is locked in a darkroom and priests are trying to scare her with music and noises. If the little girl endures that she will have to watch the ritual slaughter off 9 bulls and not be impressed. If she succeeds this among other tests she is selected as Kumari, living goddess and representation of Kali on earth. The little girl shows herself at the temple window everyday before 12.00 and after 16.00 and is a major sight for Hindu's here in Nepal. Once a year 108 buffalos, 108 goats and 108 chickens are sacrificed in the 10 day festival for Kali, quite a bloody display.....
the only thing that will flow for us however is the beer here in Thamel, the tourist area in Kathmandu. We will celebrate new year here and will give word back to you all in 2008, next message will be from China!!!
Yours, Erik and Tjeerd
http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa310/erikopdefiets/20%20Nepal%20Bandipur-Kathmandu/?albumview=link
-
28 December 2007 - 10:12
Gloria & Gerard:
Hi boys!
We wish you "een zalig uiteinde en een gelukkig, gezond en voorspoedig 2008"
This means a good party at the end of the year and a happy, healthy and prosperous 2008.
The same to all that read this message.
-
28 December 2007 - 16:22
Krispijn:
Gents,
Naya Barsa Ko harkik Shuvakamana ?!?
en dat jullie fietsreis ook in 2008 voorspoedig verloopt !
Krispijn
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28 December 2007 - 19:42
Kokkie:
Have a wonderful and happy 2008 !
I'll will be celebrating the turn of the year in Lissabon for a change.
Peter -
29 December 2007 - 10:49
Bart:
Tjeerd & Erik,
The best wishes for the new year.
And lots of cycling fun in 2008, we will be reading your adventures with great interest.
Bart & Anne-Marie
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30 December 2007 - 11:29
Jeroen:
All the best for 2008 and look forward reading your challenges/adventures -
31 December 2007 - 13:34
Sabina En Just, Paul:
Chris viert nu NIEUWJAAR in Nieuw Zeeland! Dus ook zo ver als jullie.
We wensen jullie allebei een heel succesvol 2008. Leuk om meer van jullie te vernemen. Hartelijke groet vanuit Amsterdam Bijlmermeer!!! -
31 December 2007 - 17:45
Hercules:
You're probably a year ahead of Holland now, so happy new year!
-
02 Januari 2008 - 07:55
Peter S.:
BESTE WENSEN KANJERS! -
02 Januari 2008 - 13:47
Houthuyse:
De BESTE WENSEN voor 2008, dat jullie nog maar veel fietsplezier mogen beleven!
Groeten uit Rotterdam
Peet -
02 Januari 2008 - 14:08
Gloria@Gerard:
I saw you finally made it to Hong Kong! Of course we all are curious to know exactly why you travelled via Kuala Lumpur ;) -
02 Januari 2008 - 18:41
Karin:
Super 2008! Maak er wat moois van.... Ik heb helaas niet meer je mailtje gekregen waarin je weer een proza hebt getypt, kun je me nog effe toevoegen...
Groet Karin -
03 Januari 2008 - 19:22
Maarten En Kristina:
Ha Erik en Tjeerd,
Beste wensen!
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