One, just one, of the massive bucket list highlights of our tour of Tibet was visiting the Sera Monastery. This Monastery just outside Lhasa city is the place to come if you want to see Tibetan Buddhist monks debate. This is something I never dreamed I'd see for myself. But I did, along with our small group of travellers, my husband and kids. It was a highlight of a … [Read more...]
Asia Travel Archives
Asia Travel Archives
Freak Street Kathmandu
Freak Street Kathmandu was the final destination of the hippie trail back in the 60s and 70s. It still exists in Kathmandu, Nepal but it isn't officially called Freak Street. It is Jhochhen Tole and it exits the south side of the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Today it's nothing special, just an ordinary street much like any other in the historic centre of Nepal. The name Freak … [Read more...]
Lumbini Nepal- Visiting Buddha’s Birthplace
Lumbini, Nepal is the birth place of Lord Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Today you can still see ruins and the exact spot of his birth marked and enclosed by a temple. The tank next to the Maya Devi temple is said to be where his mother bathed before delivering the miraculous baby, born walking and talking. The birth site is celebrated with an international peace park. A … [Read more...]
Altitude in Tibet. High Passes and Diamox
So here's the thing, Tibet is way, way high. Crazy high. Everyone knows that to trek in the Himalayas you'll have altitude issues and probably need to take diamox and have acclimatisation days and such like, but before we set off to Tibet last week I hadn't actually thought much about the altitude of the Tibetan Plateau. The altitude of the passes you will cross to likely get … [Read more...]
A Tibet Travel Blog – Our Experiences
I honestly don't know where to start with Tibet. We've just spent 8 incredible days travelling through Tibet from Kathmandu and those 8 days were some of the most mesmerising of our last 6 years of full-time travel. I now need to create a Tibet travel blog to record our memories before they fade and to give you the low-down on this beautiful and inspiring place. I'll … [Read more...]
Chitwan National Park Nepal – The Tame Rhino at Sauraha and Safari Fails 2018
Before I start I want to say that we like Sauraha a lot and we're glad we came. Chitwan National Park is doing some superb conservation work and animal numbers are increasing impressively. We just want to warn you that you're quite likely to not see any large wildlife on your jeep safari or other expensive day in the park, but the tame rhino in Sauraha, he should be around. Let … [Read more...]
Everest Base Camp Trek Difficulties and Hardships – Top Eleven!
We got back from Everest yesterday. It's been an amazing 3 weeks, ( yes, 21 days, not 14) and it's been tough, so, a few things you need to know about difficulty levels on the Everest Base Camp trek ( EBC) both for your entertainment and general information, and to help you decide if this Himalayan hike is for you. There are hardships, problems and pitfalls. Hopefully we can … [Read more...]
Nagarkot Nepal- Is it worth the trip ?
Nagarkot is a funny little place. I would have loved to see it 20+ years ago before mass tourism took hold. Was there anything there back then? Today it seems that every building is a hotel. Precarious-looking multi-story guest houses cling to the mountain sides promising spectacular Everest range views in Nagarkot Nepal. What else is there in Nagarkot? Well, other than … [Read more...]
Bhaktapur Nepal- Staying and Visiting
Bhaktapur is a lot quieter than Kathmandu and has the third, less visited, Durbar square of the Kathmandu Valley. All are UNESCO listed, all are magnificent. Why is Bhaktapur less touristed? Well I guess because it's more difficult to get to, being a fair way out of Kathmandu, and most people will be Durbar-squared out after seeing the two in Kathmandu. That and of course, 3 … [Read more...]
Arriving in Kathmandu ( With Video of Thamel)
It's so good to be back in Kathmandu! This is our third visit to Nepal and it will be our longest. We are in possession of 3 month tourist visas and have plans to make the most of them. Empty time stretches ahead of us, no more rush, stress or anxious preparations. Let's just do this thing! It's 20 years since we first flew into Kathmandu in daylight via Bangladesh, all … [Read more...]
