2018-1 – Happiest Places

Friday, April 6, 2018 Spent the morning visiting the suburb city of Thimi, about 3 km from Bhaktapur. Tried to find the famous potter’s square but to no avail. Did find a few interesting temples and got to see what

Thursday, April 5, 2018 Another amazing Durbar Square, plazas and areas opposite the old royal palaces, and our hotel was just steps away. Explored Durbar Square, nearby Taumadhi Tole & Potters’ Square, and finally Tachupal Tole. Most areas were severely

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Up early to try to catch one of those famous ‘sunrise over the Himalayas’ shots. Got some colourful pix, but not exactly mountain vistas. Went for a short hike on a nearby “Nature Trail” then taxied

Tuesday, April 3, 2018 Very early morning drive back to Paro to catch our flight back to Kathmandu. Gorgeous views of the Himalayas. Headed out to the Kathmandu Valley to try and catch some more mountain vistas but clouds and

Monday, April 2, 2018 Spent the day taking in the sights of Thimphu. First stop was the Memorial Chorten (stupa) built in 1974 in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan. Everyone walks around it at least 3 times every

Sunday, April 1, 2018 Took a pass on a long, hot hike to Khansum Yuelle Namgyel Chorten. Instead visited a nunnery nearby our hotel. Great views of the valley below. Also saw the Queens’ father drive by with his cavalcade,

Saturday, March 31, 2018 The most important day of the Paro Tshechu is the big reveal of the largest silk Thangkha of Guru Padmasambhava at 3am. We weren’t quite so devoted so we waited until 6am to go. Most impressive

Friday, March 30, 2018 Early morning start on our hike up to Taktsang Monastery aka Tiger’s Nest. High altitude made hiking challenging as did the steep, rocky trail. Amazing views made it all worthwhile. Monastery itself is iconic, perched on

Thursday, March 29, 2018 Skipped lunch to go straight to the Paro Tshechu (a Buddist religious festival) as it was supposed to end at 3pm. Festival was not what we were expecting. Lots of colourful costumes and all the spectators

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 Great free walking tour of Kathmandu with Shiva from Himkala Adventure. Started at the Garden of Dreams then wandered through Thamel visiting several temples and shrines around Thahity. After visiting Katheswoyambhu and Bangemudha, we headed for

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Flew to Delhi on Monday afternoon no problem but when we arrived at the transit desk, found out our flight to Kathmandu was cancelled. After much waiting and negotiating, managed to get on a late night

Sunday, March 25, 2018 Lazy day on the beach swimming, reading and watching the turtles. In to Unawatuna for a fabulous dinner at Bedspace Kitchen restaurant. Headed for the airport in the morning. Transiting through Delhi, India to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Saturday, March 24, 2018 Took a tuk tuk to visit the colonial city of Galle about 6 km north of our hotel on Wijaya beach. The Fort was founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Later it was occupied

Friday, March 23, 2018 A long day’s drive from Ella to Unawatuna on the southwest coast. After a very tasty breakfast, stopped at Ravana Falls just south of Ella then continued on through Ella Gap to Wellawaya. Seven amazing stone

Thursday, March 22, 2018 Spent a lazy morning lounging around our hotel. After a late lunch hiked to the Nine Arches Bridge, built by the British in 1921, just outside town.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 Fate conspired against us. We were trying to take the train all the way from Kandy to Ella but it broke down near Colombo. Fortunately we had another option. Our driver drove us part of the

Monday, March 19, 2018 In the evening, checked out Kandy Lake then visted Kandy’s most famous and revered site. The temple houses Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – the tooth of Buddha. Wandered through various Halls and Museums including

Monday, March 19, 2018 Early morning start on our drive on the A9 to Kandy. First stop south of Dambulla at the Nalanda Gedige, a south Indian style temple built from 8th to 11th century. Then a tour of a

Sunday, March 18, 2018 Early morning climb up the famous Lion Rock in Sigiriya. Started the climb at 7am to avoid the heat and the enormous crowds. Sooo many stairs ….quite exhausting but well worth the effort. Beautiful frescoes halfway