22 Apr 2017 – Updating Kathmandu KTM
Tue 4Apr: checked gears, gadgets and bought my first pair of hiking boots. Appreciations to CC for the use of 3-in-1 jacket, extra sleeping bag if needed and a duffer-bag to fit everything.
First experience to a country sandwiched by the world’s 2 most populated countries, India & China! Nepal’s pop 26+mil; 147,181 km2(56,827 sq mi), also the birth country of Gautama Buddha (563–483 BCE).
Wed 5Apr: SilkAir SIN-KTM 4hrs 45mins – full flight and a slight misunderstanding for the visa duration, otherwise everything went smoothly. The contrast from SIN airport to KTM airport is quite something!! From the airport to the Thamel (app7km) where Hotel Moonlight was located would take anything from 15mins-1hr depending on traffic. Appreciations to Dipak from Adventure Tours for meeting us.
KTM, pop 1+mil; 49.45 km2 (19.09 sq mi) choking in dusty roads and heavy traffic. After checking into the hotel and a light lunch, it was time to explore the surroundings.
Had to buy a mask to continue walking – felt I was choking in the dust. The Garden of Dreams, also, the Garden of Six Seasons, is a neo-classical garden in Kaiser Mahal built in 1920 and supposedly one of the most serene&beautiful places here.
KTM Guest House (1967) is Thamel’s first and oldest hotel is converted from a Rana Dynasty Mansion. The Beatles stayed there in 1968, but the majority of KTM is still very much a 3rd world scene! Sadly the 2015 earthquake did some damages around.
Dinner at this new place that is so new that it has no name! The lanes were so narrow that it was amazing how the van could manoeuvre here without any scratches or bumps!! Good food but too much. Also entertained by local dancers. Calvin forgot about the red-dot and keep rubbing his forehead 🙂
Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before – Dalai Lama. And so I did 🙂 🙂 🙂