Having just been there, it feels paradoxically strange to focus on the "best" in Nepal (Bhutan was spared), but maybe that's the best thing to do right now. If you feel inclined, the most effective way to help is by donating to one of the many charities that are responding to the needs of the Nepali people.
Click the links below to visit pages of my trip blog, which has photos and a narrative of our adventures. Or go to the home page to scroll through all of the experiences. And check out the videos linked below.
It wasn't hard to pick our favorite destination of the six weeks. Our stay in Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang, near the Tibetan border, like the journey there through the spectacular Kali Gandaki Valley, was a trip back in time. Riding horses through the snow-decked expanse [video], I felt I could have been a trader plying this route centuries ago. The people here are gentle yet rugged and make do with what they have. Thanks to our savvy guide Namdu, we were the only outsiders in the ancient kingdom of Lo.
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| Monument to Tenzing Norgay |
Our six-day trek to visit the village of Tengboche, halfway to Everest Base Camp, offered spectacular vistas of the Himalayas and Everest itself. Climbing the trail at high altitude was a workout, but there were places to stop for lunch and tea, and we felt great. We became great friends with our trekking partners Kellie and Tim, and many thanks to our guides Bhakta and Rai for leading us.
[video: crossing suspension bridge over river]
[video: exciting takeoff from Lukla airport]
Bhutan and its wonderful people are one of a kind. Our guide "Tim" was an encyclopedia of Tibetan Buddhism and Bhutanese culture, and the crazy gaiety of the Paro festival was unforgettable. We learned that the fearsome deities displayed in the temples and dances actually serve as a positive force in the culture.
[video: Paro festival dancers]
[video: Lord of Death paraded]
[video: Paro festival crowd, 17th century thangka unveiled]
Bardia National Park in southwest Nepal was a changeup in culture, climate and environment. Here we encountered wild elephants, rhinos, crocodiles, and even a far-off tiger in its natural habitat.
[video: elephant herd]
[video: rhino]
From the chaotic bustle of Kathmandu to the mountaintop solace of Nagarkot, the other destinations were a mix of the fascinating, bizarre, and beautiful. All worth visiting:
-Doha and its stunning Museum of Islamic Art
-The laid-back lakeside city of Pokhara
[video: paragliding]
[video: wedding celebration dance]
-Kathmandu in its chaotic bustle, sadly with many landmarks now destroyed
[video: Dashinkali Hindu temple offerings]
-The ancient city of Bhaktapur, likewise hard hit by the earthquake
[video: Taumadhi Square drummers]
-Nagarkot and Namo Buddha in the peaceful mountains outside Kathmandu
[video: kids carrying "children's god" figure]
It's been fun sharing this great adventure with you. Many more await!
