Mountain flight

We got a mountain flight that took us around the Himalayas, making us feel like "guests in the snow". We were, quite literally, on top of the world.

Bouddhanath Stupa

One of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal, believed to date back to the 5th century.

Buddha

This is a new temple that has been built within the Bouddhanath Stupa in order to worship the future Dalai Lama (who hasn't yet been reincarnated according to Buddhists).

Bouddhanath Stupa

The other side of the beautiful Bouddhanath Stupa.

Candles in Bouddhanath Stupa

Devotees light a candle after their prayers.

Saadhus in Pashupathinat Temple

Me and Isma mingling with the Saadhus who have dedicated their life to the worship of Lord Shiva. I wonder if they ever get stressed about anything.

Funeral Pyre

Dead bodies are cremated until the ashes can be disposed of in the holy, albeit now heavily polluted, Bagmati river which leads to the river Ganges in India. Apparently this river used to be crystal clear.

Pashupathinat Temple

Devotees pray for fertiliy in these temples.

Shiva Linga

Here, in the temple devoted to Lord Shiva, the reproductive organs are worshipped.

Lord Shiva Temples

Temples dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva

Durbar Square Temple

One of many temples in Durbar Square where the children play "catch the pigeon".

Bhairab, aka Shiva

"Bhairab"" is the most fearful form of Shiva. According to legend, anyone who tells a lie in front of this statue in Durbar Square dies instantly. Anyone up for a game of truth or dare?

Coronation Courtyard

Courtyards built for the Malla Kings dating back to the 12th century.

Indian goddess

The temple walls have beautiful, intricate details such as this goddess.

Wooden beauty

The wood in Nepal is extremely strong and is therefore carved and used to decorate windows and door frames that will consequently last thousands of years.

Swayambunath Temple

Referred to by locals as the "monkey temple" for obvious reasons, this Buddhist temple is a something of a mystery as nobody knows who built it. It consists of a large ensemble of shrines and temples and also includes a Tibetan monastery.

Monkey Magic

The whole of Kathmandu Valley can be seen from Swayambunath Temple, which is 6.5km wst of the capital city. This temple is said to have originally existed on an island on a huge lake - when all the water was released by the Gods, land appeared and Kathmandu City was built.

Bells in Monkey Temple

Thunder, thunder

This weapon known as a “thunderbolt” is what Lord Vishnu is said to have used to defeat all demons. Male devotees place their forehead on this huge sculpture in order to gain virility. Isma preferred to call it "El Supermegatron".

Prayer wheels

Ain't nobody got time to read prayers! Just spin the wheel and efficiently read 2 weeks worth of prayers in a matter of seconds - available in all Buddhist temples all over Nepal!

Dragon Power

This dragon is attached to the bell that promotes female strength. This was next to the "Thunderbolt" in the Swayambhunath Stupa or "Monkey Temple".