Him A-Layin' 'Round 3
- krolesh
- Feb 3, 2024
- 2 min read
Patan
The Kathmandu Valley hosts three traditionally independent kingdoms, which, over the years, had their fair share of wars and disagreements with each other. The three kingdoms, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, all have historic old centres, and their own durbar squares.
I went for a long stroll to Patan one day.
Traditional old residences and shops in old Kathmandu, heading southeast.
I came across quite a lot of earthquake damage and construction sites, many repairs left unfinished due to lack of funding.
Crossing the Bagmati River
Wow, these guys really caned it
Beautiful Buddhist archway into old Patan
Patan Durbar Square is just as speccy as the Kathmandu one, but a little smaller.
The streets were packed with shoppers.
Top brass hangout zone
The swastika is actually a very ancient symbol. Shame that Austrian guy Adolf commandeered it.
Ok then, let’s just slide into the next section.
Swayambhunath
The Kathmandu Valley also hosts a number of important Buddhist enclaves.
One of the most important monasteries and stupas is at Swayambhunath, to the northwest of Thamel.
I walked over one late arvo.
There’s a hint of Christmas here. But only a hint.
I prefer the marigolds myself
Wacky mannequins
Bugger, I’ll miss this one.
The Nepalese flag is really nice
It’s such an interesting shape, unlike the boring old regular rectangular flags. But it must be annoying for international event organisers. The flag is actually 2 pennant flags joined together, the symbols are the sun and the crescent moon, the symbolism being that the Nepali nation will have the longevity of these 2 great celestial beings.
Good luck with that one, with China and India next door.
The moon’s fulling again
Astro hedge
Ummm, how can coffee be Javanese and Himalayan? Java is about 7,000km from here, as the vulture flies. A blend?
They must use unglazed ceramic chai cups
Late arvo apartment living
Eventually I made it to Swayambhunath Hill. And up I went.
These three well-dressed girls were begging. Cheeky.
I finally made it to the top, it was a monkey-infested climb, they were everywhere.
The stupa at the top is magnificent
And if I thought the monkeys on the way up were bad, it was next level up there. They were literally everywhere you looked. Just zoom in anywhere.
The views were stunning. I’m getting so sick of beauty, it’s so boring.
Devolution. I bet her mum never even knew what a phone was when she was her age.
I eventually headed down, and passed this beautiful gompa on my way back to Paknajol.
A crisscross of alleyways
I ate in this place, a cafe run by a co-op, which was set up to provide employment and training for young homeless kids in the city. They were all really super nice in there.
Go to Part 4
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