The Hickman's visit Kathmandu

04 January 1999 - Kathmandu, Nepal

The Hickman's discover a new destination Kathmandu, Nepal The much anticipated arrival of the Hickman family was witnessed by throngs of people at Kathmandu International Airport today. The family of four disembarked from a Thai Airways flight and after one and one half hours waiting in the immigration lines they emerged and starting wading through a sea of professional baggage carriers, hawkers of all kinds of wares, and many who just seem to be waiting at the airport. Not really waiting for anyone but also not going anywhere....

Having explored many parts of Asia over the years, they were looking for something new, exciting, unusual ... They found it in Nepal! On 3 January 1999, Joe, Gerri, JR and Alexis boarded Thai Airways flight 402 which departs Singapore at 0830 and arrives Kathmandu at 1245 (3 1/4 hour time difference and a stop in Bangkok). After a rather lengthy immigration process they were taken to the Yak and Yeti Hotel which is strategically located right in the centre of the city. Upon arrival at the hotel they were whisked up to the Tibet Suite located on the 7th floor. Bhaktapur & Kirtipur Bhaktapur is a home of medieval art and architecture. Shaped like a conch shell, Bhaktapur means "the city of devotees".  Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. The city lies about 14 kilometres east of Kathmandu. Kirtipur is a small town eight kilometres southwest of Kathmandu on a hill top. This historic town has many things to see such as old shrines and temples, typical houses and people dressed in traditional costumes while working on ancient looms. Patan - Durbar Square The ancient city of Patan is situated on the southern bank of the river Bagmati and is about five kilometres southeast of Kathmandu. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments with bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings. Durbar Square is full of ancient palaces, temples, and shrines noted for their exquisite carvings. The main attraction of Patan Durbar Square is the ancient Royal Palace itself. It consists of three main chowks, or courtyards; the central Mul chowk, Sundari Chowk and Main Keshab Narayan Chowk.

The tallest triple roofed octagonal tower, Taleju Bhawani Temple, was built by King Shree Niwas Malla in 1667. Nagarkot Nagarkot is located 32 kilometres east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2,175 meters (4,785 feet) above sea-level. From Nagarkot you get a panorama view of the major peaks of eastern Nepal Himalayas. Himalayan peaks like Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Choba Bamare and Gaurishanker are also clearly seen from Nagarkot. Boudhanath The stupa of Boudanath lies eight kilometres east of Kathmandu. On this colossal and ancient stupa, one of the biggest in the world, are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is said to have been build by Lichchhavi King Mana Dev in the fifth century A.D. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath Temple Swayambhunath is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist stupas. It is said to be 2000 years old and is often call the "Monkey Temple" by foreigners. The stupa, which forms the main structure, is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides are of spire are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath Temple is five kilometres east of Kathmandu on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river. With its two-tiered golden roof and silver doors, it is famous for its superb architecture. Entrance to the main temple is limited to Hindus only. On this day we witnessed cremation, bathing and animal sacrificing all happening at the same time in the same water....

The second picture down on the right... That is his hair.. not a hat! Wandering and Shopping around Nepal Wonderful scenes... A computer store that didn't appear of have any computer equipment inside...The countryside, like stepping back 200 years. Temple of Khalid, the blood sucking god, Goats, chickens, sheep, ducks all being sacrificed while we looked on...Some of our purchases.  Joe enjoys collecting Buddha heads and Gerri helped the Tibetan Refugees buy purchasing some of their handmade carpets. Stopover in Bangkok After leaving Nepal we flew to Bangkok and checked into the Shangri-La Hotel. The Chandra Suite on the 22nd floor was home for the next few days. Gerri's birthday and our 23 anniversary were both celebrated in Bangkok. And yes, Gerri's favourite flowers are orchids... How did you guess?

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