Nepal 2018

A 17-day adventure by Jan Read more

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Trip start
February 14, 2018
Nepal 2018 Traveler
From Prague to Kathmandu
February 14, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Wooow the first day... just imagine you're entering airport to meet people you've never met and you should be their yoga instructor and guidance for 16 days... weird feelings for me.
At the airport everybody goes by themselves so we (two ladies for organizations and me) have a time for a beer and talk to each other... both flights were ok. There were no problem during the transport in Istanbul and also the second flight was, also thanks to good Turkish red wine ok. And here were are, the group of 20 people in Kathmandu...finally
Really? Never, ever thrown out your boarding pass with luggage note in Kathmandu, they'll check it during the leaving...
But Nepal is so... peaceful and quiet. There's madness of Indian traffic but in combination with Nepal peaceful. Weird but comfortable...
Our place is good it's old monastery with education for all people, old, young, everybody. we've met each other in the temple. There were a huge puja (celebration) today. To send all the badness away! So afternoon were spent with observation of festival and also of huge fire where was all badness and ego burned.
In the evening we had Momos, finally amazing food from small local restaurant. It's really funny, you order a food and they are going to shop next to you to buy ingredients, everything is fresh.
Our first day we ended with local beer and rum on the top of the roof of our hostel. Amazing...Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Time to practice...and drink
February 15, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Mmm the first yoga lecture, 18 unknown people where some of them never practice yoga and some of them are also yoga instructors - difficult to set some middle level. But apparently it was good, everybody was happy so... And straight to the restaurant for breakfast! Well... It's terrible to go to small restaurant with huge group. We were eating for 2 hours! We had to wait so long! But as a reward - banana pancakes and masala tea, love it!
After breakfast it was time to visit the local holy place Swayambhunath stupa. It's amazing place on the top of the hill, just check the pictures. I also refreshed my bargain skills and we had for 7 people from our group free entrance. bargaining is perfect sport for me!
Aand we're hungry, again. So now to the city centre with line of 5 small cabs and directly to the garden restaurant. Such an amazing place! The only disadvantage is, again, the size of our group. We were waiting for the food for 3,5 hours.But nobody cares.
We went to the city centre to do some shopping and it's time for welcome drink. I have to say, Budha bar in Kathmandu is one of the best bar I've ever been. Amazing mood, food, drinks, music, everything! What nobody expected was that we stay there for 5 hours and everybody will be dancing! And drinking so much. Actually we had to stop the party and take the people home because of tomorrow schedule. Such a big party Never happened before, my friend said...
And as the perfect point in the end. We stopped 5 small cabs, took it and they were riding in one line on some secret road to our monastery and stopped perfectly on the point where we needed to - magical.
So perfect day. But I'm quite getting worried if we'll be able to handle drinking every evening and waking up for a yoga lectures.Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Yoga, monastery and dead bodies
February 16, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
I love the mornings with yoga. It's so powerful and also on the top of the monastery, magical. This day should be a relaxing. We received the invitation from monks to eat with them and visit puja! Such honor! So we spent morning with sitting around main hall and talking with monks and Sun above us. I don't have enough beautiful words for this...
In the afternoon we should were with monks again but there was a change a plan, as always. So we went to Pashupatinath. It's a place in Kathmandu where dead people are burned with whole ceremony. It's hard to talk about it, on one side of the bridge you can see a couple of fires and you realize there are bodies inside and on the other side you see ceremony where family is saying goodbye. Very powerful.
Well after kind of difficult afternoon was time for excellent dinner! And also our rooftop session.
These days are like... dreams...Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Celebration of Lokar and Buddha stupa
February 17, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
It's not so good to wake up after evening with Slivovice, Merunkovice, wine and rum and go to practice yoga. At least according to my friend. I didn't have such a big problem but many people had. It's weird yoga retreat, whatever.
In the morning we went to Buddha stupa in Tibetan quarter. It's Mekka for Budhist. A huge stupa in the centre of the quarter. Walking around you're sending away all bad so we were walking, shopping and walking. Also we had amazing lunch in the rooftop restaurant. Aand we received the message from our monastery. The famous young boy invites us for a dinner and evening games with lamas from monastery.
So after a small nap (everybody needs to, alcohol is taking his price) we went to monastery and all children were there preparing games. It was just wooow, we were just laughing and cheering.
The main part of the evening was before us. The dinner with all members of the monastery and also some people whose came before celebration of new year. And with him, the famous 13 years old boy who is reincarnated rinpoche. You can feel his energy when he's walking around you. When you look at him you can feel peace, knowledge but also he is still child it's so strange.
So we end up with photos and the best part is, tomorrow again! For example our group leader is visiting this monastery for five years. She has met him one time before this occasion and according to her we're probably the last group which had such a big luck.Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Just... not enough words
February 18, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
Noo I don't wanna wake up. 6am and no yoga class today. Everything because of amazing trip to the mountains. Finally! Outside of the city.
We went to saint place of Buddhism to the monastery where Buddha lived one of his lifes. Here he sacrificed himself to mother lion so she can feed her babies and these ones become his followers.
It's amazing place on the top of the mountain where people are going to visit, meditate in same cave as Buddha and hang the flags with prayers. We also bought some flags and we wanted to hang them. We wrote our wishes and went to the special place. There we met two young boys and they helped us with hanging. But it was amazing. They were climbing on the trees barefoot like a monkeys. So in the end we merged 7 flags together and we also have our footprints on this place.
After than we had lunch in small village, finally, home cooked food!
When we get home some of the people still have energy for yoga! So why not, with Sun set, wow...
And again dinner with monks and the famous rinpoche as yesterday. But this day we had presents for them and also ice cream! You should see their eyes and pure happiness, that's so awesome.
We finished our evening with one of our rooftop sessions and also rum with honey, mnam!Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Back to nature
February 19, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
It's here, we are leaving Kathmandu straight to the nature, actually back to nature, that's the name of the camp.
The journey wasn't so interesting 8 hours in bus. We survived, that's only important.
Finally, Pokhara is waiting for us. In the end of the road we met Dambar, amazing person, camp owner and went up to the hill where the camp is. So surrounded by nature in "back to nature" the second part of our trip is beginning. It's just... just tents, trees, nature woooow. Also cold water because the water is heated during cooking. I love it!
And in the evening we needed some relax. Well... We went to bed around 1 am. Quite a big party with dance, talking about the nature...
Here you can feel that you're alive.Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Meditation in the jungle
February 20, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Just imagine the feelings when you open your eyes and you're looking directly to Sun rise. I'm sleeping outside! It's just....
So morning yoga session with Dambar, it's nice I have free time to practice.
After amazing breakfast we were ready for trekking. We went through the jungle to waterfall, barefoot! And the water was really cold! But, the energy in water, really powerful. And in combination with singing bowls meditation... We were speechless...
In the afternoon we were supposed to stay in camp but someone wants to go for more hiking, well why not! So one more trip with 4 friends through the jungle.
When the evening came we were waiting for shaman. Real shaman respected in whole area! He blessed us so now we are protected.
As yesterday we spent the rest of the evening with laughing, drinking and talking...Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Trek, visitors and pure happiness
February 21, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
I love to sleep outside! Rising Sun above large lake, I'm laying covered with blanket and I have to only open my eyes.
The first thing in the morning is yoga session, of course! And with Dambar it's just, you don't know if you should laugh or cry because it's belly workout.
After breakfast is time to go! Short trek through the jungle and villages. Just imagine, you're walking and the lady just invites you to her home because it's special. And we got homemade honey! Everybody has feelings to give them everything what we have. The most amazing thing is, they don't need it. They're happy and it's pure happiness in their eyes.
In the end of the trek we had some energy left with Andrea so we run the stairs back to the camp! It was quite demanding but we made it!
And people still wanted to practice! Headstands, reverse positions, simply playing with the body. Just imagine that 65 years old man made headstand! The most magical thing was chanting the mantras before. It was outstanding.
Every time I have feeling that it couldn't be better but... In the evening the locals came to our camp and show us their dance and songs. We were dancing playing games drinking... We have so many things to learn from them...Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Sleeping in the village
February 22, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C
The morning program is still same, yoga and breakfast. With rising sun, chanting and detox workout!
After breakfast we had tour through ayurveda garden. Well it's not any special garden it's whole camp! Every tree, every plant has its own meaning and healing powers.
The main thing of the day is trip to village over the hill. One hour of stairs, love it! In the village we had welcoming program and we were separated into many families. So every small group went with their new householder for meet his family and for a dinner. Our householder was leader of the community. He came back to the village because his father pasted out to take care of his mother. And because he was bored, he create community to help locals develop their own business, homestays, to teach them how to grow new plants, everything. It's so nice! And together their are able to provide food for whole community, repair the roads, selling organic food in city market....
We were talking a lot but it was time for evening program performed by locals for us. Again traditional dance, songs and we also met Nepal top comedy actors. in the end was time for us! We sign as a one man and two couples were dancing polka. Proper representation of the Czechia!
Now when I'm writing this footprint I know that the dinner should be skipped...Well, food poisoning in Nepal.. I just have to try everything.Read more
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Back to the camp
February 23, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
Aaa morning... well what can I say. I knew I shouldn't ate the last piece of the chicken on my plate... We went to visit local school, all children were standing there singing songs, dancing and also we had gifts for them. And I was occupying toilet for a whole time...
The worst was we had to go back to camp and in my state. And also there were steep stairs, rain during the night, just awesome.
But still. When I saw pictures of children...Again the pure happiness in their eyes.
The best moment came in the evening. One woman of our group has decided to help to small girl from local village. This child doesn't have parents and her uncle is drinking.. and I was middleman. We settled some conditions and we made a deal! I have to admit I was crying when I saw happiness in their eyes..Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Panchase peak
February 24, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Today we're going to big trip. We had to wake up early and go down to catch a bus. This bus took us to village in the mountain where we started our hiking trip. The journey was amazing (not for everyone). The road is, well it's just narrow strip of sand and stones so you can imagine that some for the people weren't so happy about it.
Hiking trip was short, about one hour but we reached very important holy place on the peak.
On the top we had dancing meditation with Dambar, just move in the sound. I like it!
Nevertheless we hadn't seen mountain yet, still cloudy. Only once or twice for a short moment we saw beauty of Annapurna in the clouds.
The way back to our starting point was quite fast. My stomach has a little crisis during the lunch so I was just taking sunbath, still some consequences from yesterday...
We also survived the way back! I don't understand how they can drive a bus on this road down from the hill...
And this day is our last one in camp! Tomorrow we're getting back to city Pokhara.. Well I can't drink so much but we had also birthday party so at least some drinks, cake, dance, sing... wonderful...Read more
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Pokhara is waiting for us
February 25, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The last morning... Last waking up outside with sounds of the nature. Last yoga class with Dambar, amazing breakfast from our master chef... And also paying the bills! After five days, someone has quite a big one.
But it's time to pack and go! New experiences are coming. Pokhara city is quite close, only 30min of ride. And for us... deliverance. I haven't mentioned yet but in camp we hadn't got a hot water and luxury hotel was waiting for us!
After some preparation we went to check a city, we had really good food, coffee, amazing dinner... awesome time.Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
I believe I can fly
February 26, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C
This day was absolutely amazing. In the morning we went for a breakfast and after few moments, for the first time, we saw them! Himalayas. All Annapurnas in their whole beauty. Finally, clear sky. So breakfast on the shore of the lake with these views...
And it will be even better! Because this day we went up to the hill for paragliding. You can imagine combination of Himalayas, clear sky and flying over the lake. What can I say... woow...
During paragliding we were also doing some acrobatic stuff. I don't know the names of elements but I was screaming and laughing for whole time.
When we landed we received also photos and videos and we still had free afternoon.
Above the city is World peace stupa. Holy place with amazing views. So we rented a boat because you have to cross the lake and climb there. It was nice walk and on the top beautiful views, sunset...
To make walking more interesting we went down barefoot. Nice feet massage when Japanese tourists and cows were looking at us quite suspicious.
In the end of the day we had energy only for dinner so we booked tables in the restaurant with lake view and had some food, wine...
And that's all, it was enough for me so we were in the bed around 9:30pm totally exhausted.Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Back to.. Buddha bar!
February 27, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
It's time to leave Pokhara... but at first we went to visit view point to see sunrise. We had to wake up at 4am, we had to climb the stairs for half an hour but it totally worth it! Clear sky, sunrise, Himalayas. I know that I'm still writing the same but...
Nevertheless it's time to leave. So we were packed and ready. The journey took us around 7 hours, not so pleasant but we survived it.
The main plan of this day was farewell party in our favourite Buddha bar. We also met there Dambar and our master chef from camp. What can I say, we celebrated a lot. And because it was our last evening inside the city centre we visited local club. We were dancing till 3am. In the row! Such a good time!Read more
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Shopping in Kathmandu
February 28, 2018 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Wow help of the party last night but in the morning we were (some of us) ready to spend our last rupees in Kathmandu city centre.
We spent 3,5 hour with shopping! Unbelievable for me! But thanks to our group leader Veronika we had really good prices in her suppliers shops so...why not...
After amazing lunch in Thai restaurant we went back to monastery get ready for the last dinner with monks and lamas. And also one young couple from our group had quite amazing message for us! Tomorrow morning there will be a wedding in monastery! Wow!
So we went for the last time to our rooftop place, just talk, drink some wine and relax...
Tomorrow..It's time to go.Read more
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Time to leave, Istanbul is coming
March 1, 2018 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
So at first, pack all things and get ready for the wedding!
This day we had fast breakfast and soon we were waiting in old monastery hall which was ready to Buddhist wedding ceremony.
It was gorgeous how they were sitting there and old Lama was saying prayers for their happiness in Tibetian language. Powerful moment and I think for them this one was more important that wedding back in Czechia...
But it's time to go! The cars are waiting and thanks to Holi festival (festival of colours) the traffic is good. At the airport we had to finish big bottle of rum, we couldn't throw it out, it's obvious. That was beginning of our end. During the flight we finished aiplane's bar! They run out of beers, red wines, white wines and we we started with whisky... better to have some sleep.
Finally we arrived to Istanbul. Everything went really good for us, just some of us were a little tired. However, the surprise in hotel was huge. After staying in monastery we have large luxury room, in my case also huge bed only for me!Read more
TravelerYou went to a wedding ?!!!😱😱 Where are the pics!!
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TravelerUploaded 😉
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Nepal 2018 Traveler
Time to go
March 2, 2018 in Turkey ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
This is it. Our last day together. So after amazing breakfast we went to the city centre. I don't know, somehow I don't like Istanbul. I don't feel good here. After terrorist attack in 2016 everybody is looking suspicious to you. And also normal people, they look angry, unfriendly. For us huge change after Nepal where everybody was kind.
Nevertheless we went around historical centre we visited Grand bazaar and also some of us tried "famous" kebab. Well, because of my food poison experience I'm refusing to eat meat for a while but no one had finished the food! Probably not the best restaurant. At least the tea and also coffee was really good!
Finally it was time to leave. As fast as we can we went to the airport, find our airplane...
Prague is waiting for us. Home sweet home.Read more
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Trip end
March 2, 2018