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Mt. Everest

One of the reasons we chose Nepal to visit was the opportunity to see Mt. Everest by booking a flight on the Everest Express.  The flight is about an hour long.  Its flight path takes you by 22 Himalayan mountains over 20,000 feet high.  At 29,029 feet, Mt. Everest, also known in Nepal as Sagarmāthā, is the world’s highest mountain.

On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary made the first official ascent of Everest in 1953 using the southeast ridge route.  We both read Hillary’s book High Adventure and Jon Krakauer’s National Bestseller Into Thin Air about the 1996 ascent that went horribly wrong.

We made our conquest of Mt. Everest on our 2nd attempt.  Flights only leave when there is a clear view of the mountains.  Our flight yesterday was cancelled due to cloudy weather.  Every one is guaranteed a window seat.  This was great to see!

In Kathmandu there are several 5 star hotels including the Hyatt, Raddisson, Yak & Yeti, and Sandy’s choice, Dwarika’s Hotel.  The hotel is like no other we have stayed.  It is like stepping into a Nepali art museum.  The hotel houses an extensive collection of artifacts from the 13th century onwards, and the buildings and courtyards house some of Nepal’s best craftsmanship.  We felt pampered being always greeted with “namaste” and meticulous attention to detail.  This is a true santuary.

Dwarki’s Hotel

Durbar Square, Kathmandu, N

Visiting Nepal gives us a chance to learn about the Himalayas, the Nepalese people, their Hindu and Buddhist religion, and their culture, arts, and foods. Nepal was ruled by a monarchy most of its history, and was closed to outside world until 1950. In 2008 elections favored the abolishment of the monarchy and the establishment of a multiparty democracy. During our visit all the newspapers covered the commitment to finalize their constitution by mid-October by the interim parties and government.

We start our tour in the capital Kathmandu also called the “City of Glory”, named by 2013 Trip Advisor as #1 Asia Destination and #3 World Destination on the Rise. Durban Square is the plaza in front of the old royal palace. It dates back to the 10^th century. The buildings showcase spectacular architecture and the craftsmanship over a millennium. Everything is made of brick, mortar, and intricately designed and carved woodwork.

In most traditions goddesses are only spritiual.  In Nepal they live and breathe.  In Durbar Square is the Kumari Ghar which is a three story brick building with wood carved reliefs.  It is the home of the Kumari – the World’s only living Goddess who is believed to be the incarnation of the demon-slaying Hindu goddess Durga, and the earthly manifestaion of divine female energy.  These pre-pubescent girls are selected as children, they live in temples, are carried in chariots during festivals and are worshipped by thousands of Hindus and Buddhists. They retire upon puberty.

We were able to enter the courtyard with more carved wooden reliefs and were able to see her in a brief appearance from one of the first floor windows.

Kumari Ghar

Living Goddess Balcony

Fortunate for us the annual three day national festival celebrating the Kumari started the day were were there.  One part of the festival is to have the Kumari parade in sections of Kathmandu over the three days in a one of three giant gold guilded chariot pulled with a big rope by men.  Here is a picture of Sandy seeing if she can get a ride on the Kumari’s gold chariot.

Kumari’s Gold Processional Chariot

Finally, a picture of the Hindu Goddess Kumari.

Kumari
Hindu Living Goddess

Our next stop was to the Swoyambhunath Stupa, said to be one of the oldest Buddhist Stupas in the World, which is set majestically high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley.  It has 400 steps for pilgrams to climb, but we opted instrad to have our driver take up most of the way leaving only 100 steps to climb to the top.

Swoyambhunath Stupa

It is nickmaned the monkey temple after the trible of monkeys that look after the hill and mainly amuse visitors, especailly at their designated swimming pool.

Monkeys swimming

The top of the Stupa is circled by rings of prayer bells where we each said a few prayers and spun the wheels.

The 150 meter vanishing infinity pool at the SkyPark at the Singapore Marina Sands Hotel offers dramatic views of Singapore from 58 stories above.  The remainder of the top floor offers 360 degree views and has a restaurant, private club, and a hotspot night club, Ku de Ta.  The complex developed by the Las Vegas Sands contains a casino, exposition center, and large retail complex.

Here are a few pictures to show the sights from the SkyPark.

The monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali  have lost all fear of humans and most animals due to the 10,000 tourist per month.  While we were there guides instructed the visitors on the Do’s and Don’ts to safely react to the monkeys.  The forest of about 27 acres of wandering paths contains Hindu temples for bathing and creamation, as well as over 115 species of trees.

Mom and their babies are quite attached and a lot of fun to watch and photograph.

Feeding the monkeys is fun and safe if done according to the guides instructions.

Our hotel, Tegal Sari, is in the middle of rice fields.  Today we were able to get up close a personal photos of the women who do the rice harvesting the old  fashioned way.

The evening ended with dinner on tables and chairs in the sand on Jimaran Bay, which is know for the best sunsets in Bali.

Outside of Ubud is the villiage of Tengallalang which offers amazing views of rice terraces.

We stopped for lunch at another restaurant that was 4 – 5 levels below street level,

but facing another dramatic view across the valley.

The food at the Teras Padi Cafe was another example of traditional Balinese food.

Pictured below is Nasi Kuning which consists of a cone of yellow rice, small omelete, fried chicken, and shredded shrimp and coconut.

Legong Dancer in Ubud

The highlight of the evening was the Legong Dance in Pura Delem Temple in Ubud.

Each evening there are several dance companies that perform a variety of traditional Balanese Dances.

Each morning starts with men in the rice fields yelling in loud voices or banging corrugated metal to scare the birds away from the rice.  It may be old fashioned, but it is quite effective.

Sandy was able to meet the man who reproduced a festival dragon head from a picture she took while we lived in Tokyo.

There was a minor miscommunication however, Sandy wanted it to be 40 inches, he made it 40 centimeters.

She took it anyway and ordered the larger one also.

Murni’s Wartung is a great Indonesian restaurant in Ubud that is 4 – 5 fligts of stairs down from street level in a river gourge.

The tropical vegatation is 80-100m feet high and offers a spectatular view especially when lite up at night and you see the occasional Komodo dragon wandering the river bank.

The food is special as seen in the picture of the Balanese duck entree.

Trip Advisor gives the restaurant special commendation.

Hindu Temple

This is one of the Hindu Temples in Ubud, Bali.

Many more to come.

Here is the walk to breakfast in the hotel’s lush tropical grounds.

Sandy sneaks a picture though the vegetation of John at breakfast.

Getting a pedicure at the Pertenim Spa, which is Balanese for bodycare.

John had the traditional Balanese massage.

Warren and Annabelle’s Comedy Magic Show

A clerk in one of the Hyatt’s shops told us “You must go see Warren’s and Annabelle’s magic and comedy show”.

It was great advice, this was the most entertaining magic show we have attended…what a treat!

This is not big box magic, but up close, sleight of hand magic.  It happens right before yor eyes, and  even in your hands.

Not just a magic show, the magician is also a great comedian as well.  You will laugh and be truly entertained.