Aug – Sep 2019

Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet

A 17-day adventure by skip's retirement travel Read more

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Trip start
August 29, 2019
skip's retirement travel Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet
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- Day 2
- Friday, August 30, 2019 at 10:20 AM
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 1,297 m
- Nepal Kathmandu Durbar Square 27.70365, 85.3089527°42’13” N 85°18’32” E
Durbar Square, Kathmandu
August 30, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Durbar = King's Palace. This is the most recent palace. You may recall that the crown prince massacred the king and the rest of the family (2001, I think). This is where it happened. However, there was an earthquake in 2015 with lots of damage, including royal buildings. These are various views of the palace. 2nd is a Krishna temple. 3rd is a courtyard with pool and a statue of the snake water God. 5th is a lion statue typically with a matching lion at an entry. You can see some scaffolding. Last is a strut supporting a temple eave in the palace complex. There are 84 of them here, each one depicting one of the 84 positions of the Buddhist Kama Sutra.Read more
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- Day 2
- Friday, August 30, 2019 at 11:42 AM
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 1,383 m
- Nepal Swayambhunāth 27.71579, 85.289427°42’57” N 85°17’22” E
Swoyambunath temple
August 30, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Aka the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu. The story has it that an ancient priest got a haircut here. His hair become trees, and his lice became monkeys. They are still here. Interestingly, there are both a Buddhist and Hindu temple a here side by side. It is said to show that Buddhists and Hindus are good friends.Read more
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- Day 2
- Friday, August 30, 2019 at 12:57 PM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 1,307 m
- Nepal Patan Darbar 27.67595, 85.3255527°40’33” N 85°19’32” E
Patan, Nepal
August 30, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
One of the oldest cities in Nepal, located just across the river from Kathmandu. The first three are at the golden temple, followed by a typical street scene, a Buddha statue and another temple with a statue of an old king sitting on top.Read more
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- Day 2
- Friday, August 30, 2019 at 2:21 PM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 1,302 m
- Nepal Patan Darbar 27.67255, 85.3253627°40’21” N 85°19’31” E
Old King's Palace, Patan
August 30, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Various looks at the older palace that seems to have suffered less damage than the newer one.
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- Day 3
- Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 10:43 AM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 1,326 m
- Nepal Jagati 27.67354, 85.4382827°40’25” N 85°26’18” E
Bhaktapur
August 31, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Another city near Kathmandu. This one famous for pottery and woodcarving. First are a couple of pagodas, the 5 level one most famous here. Then a street paved with brick, like most streets in this town with lots of clay works. Next is a look at some of the wood carving, including the peacock carved in the window frame. Notice in the next that the Potter is turning a heavy stone wheel that he uses to work the clay. This is a new type of wheel to me. The last looks down into pottery square from a 6th floor walk up cafe.Read more
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- Day 3
- Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 1:23 PM
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 1,293 m
- Nepal Nepal-Bharat Maitri Dhamashala 27.7088, 85.3488627°42’32” N 85°20’56” E
Pashupatinath temple
August 31, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Hindu temple in Kathmandu. This is the Varanasi of Nepal. Funeral rites, including cremation, are in process in the first 4 photos. The other two are at the entrance to the temple itself, dedicated to Shiva. The top image on the wall is Shiva; the other two are his sons. The bull statue recalls the holy place that cows enjoy in Hindu tradition.Read more
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- Day 3
- Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 2:10 PM
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 1,321 m
- Nepal Bauddha 27.72091, 85.3618827°43’15” N 85°21’43” E
Bouddanath Buddhist temple
August 31, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
5th century stupa. 13 layered spire recalls the 13 levels of enlightenment. The first 2 pics are of the stupa and part of the courtyard. The rest are in the monastery temple there. First the Buddha. Then some of the wall art.Read more
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- Day 4
- Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 4:26 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 2,328 m
- Bhutan Damthang 27.44105, 89.3754727°26’28” N 89°22’32” E
Paro, Bhutan
September 1, 2019 in Bhutan ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The first 2 pics are of Kimchu much monastery, one of the 108 monasteries built in a day in specific locations to tie down a demon that had stolen a king's soul. Next is a dzong being rebuilt after a fire. It was built in the mid-17th century to commemorate a victory over invading Tibetans. 4th is a long view of the Paro Dzong, and last is a street scene on downtown ParoRead more
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- Day 4
- Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 8:12 PM
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 2,330 m
- Bhutan Changlimithang Stadium 27.47139, 89.6378427°28’17” N 89°38’16” E
Thimpu, Bhutan
September 1, 2019 in Bhutan ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Capital of Bhutan. First is Buddha Point up over the city. Second is the national library. Third is the memorial stupa erected in memory of a previous king who decided to build the mind and body of Buddha. He was to gather 1,000 Buddha statues as the body and these are housed at Buddha Point. The mind is a gathering of 1,000 sacred texts, and these are housed in the national library. The memorial stupa is about this goal being fulfilled. 4th is a nunnery. 5th is a farmhouse preserved in a folk museum here. Last is a bit of scenery as n the Thimpu ValleyRead more
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- Day 5
- Monday, September 2, 2019 at 2:23 PM
- ⛅ 25 °C
- Altitude: 3,117 m
- Bhutan Nahi 27.49, 89.7527°29’24” N 89°45’0” E
Duchala Pass, Bhutan
September 2, 2019 in Bhutan ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Spectacular scenic spot to see the Himalayas when the clouds cooperate. Also the site where the queen mother erected 108 stupas to honor the king and the victory in the 3 days war against mercenaries from India. 108 is a sacred number in Tibetan Buddhism. I crossed the pass a second time, but that was worse. We were in the clouds. So no Himalaya photos.Read more
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- Day 5
- Monday, September 2, 2019 at 4:33 PM
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 1,224 m
- Bhutan Punakha 27.58729, 89.8641227°35’14” N 89°51’51” E
Punakha Dzong, Bhutan
September 2, 2019 in Bhutan ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Fortress built in the early 17th century. Dzongs now serve as the administrative center for the districts of Bhutan. The first pic shows the fortress from a distance. Seond is a painting at the entrance depicting an old legend about cooperation. 3rd and 4th are inside the fortress. 5th is the view from there, and last is the downtown of the little town of Punakha.Read more
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- Day 7
- Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 8:20 AM
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 2,921 m
- Bhutan Phobjikha Valley 27.45489, 90.1717527°27’18” N 90°10’18” E
Gangtey Valley, Bhutan
September 4, 2019 in Bhutan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Beautiful valley that is also very important ecologically. This is the place where the black necked cranes come to mate when the fly down from Tibet. The first 2 pics are of the crane, taken at the crane center. One is stuffed and in the museum. The other is a live injured bird housed at the center. The next two are of the valley, taken from opposite sides. The last two are from Lawala Pass on the road to Gangtey. 5th is a long view from the top. Last is a stupa and prayer flags, also at the crest.Read more
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- Day 8
- Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 8:00 PM
- ☁️ 13 °C
- Altitude: 3,249 m
- Bhutan Drugyel Dzong 27.49306, 89.3640527°29’35” N 89°21’51” E
Tiger's Nest Monastery
September 5, 2019 in Bhutan ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Most famous monastery in Bhutan, not far from Paro. The first 3 pics give a sense of the place, it's beauty, it's cliff hanging setting, even a long look as the morning mist was lifting. The 4th looks across from the entry to the monastery at part of the path to get there cut into the cliff side. I was seriously uncomfortable way up there, but I made it. Next is the waterfall in the middle of the monastery, and last is the view.
This is a hard place to get to. The path is 7-8 km each way with about 900 meter of elevation rise. No road access. But worth it.Read more
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- Day 9
- Friday, September 6, 2019 at 8:02 AM
- ☁️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 2,140 m
- Nepal Dilkharka 27.48888, 86.2590527°29’20” N 86°15’33” E
Himalayas!
September 6, 2019 in Nepal ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Finally, enough breaks in the clouds to see these mountains, albeit from 38,000 feet. 6 pics of the mountains showing above the clouds, beginning with Everest. A bonus post from Kathmandu between flightsRead more
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- Day 11
- Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 8:34 AM
- ⛅ 12 °C
- Altitude: 3,799 m
- China Tainbag 29.67407, 91.0482429°40’27” N 91°2’54” E
Lhasa Drepung Monastery, Tibet
September 8, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
The largest in Tibet. Also the home of the Dalai Lama numbers 2-5. This is another beautiful place where no indoor pictures are allowed. So we have a look at one of the buildings near the parking lot. Second is the large incense burner that smokes all morning. Third is the Garden Palace. This was the home of the Dalai Lama until number 5 moved to Potala Palace ( see another post). 4th is the main assembly space/temple where a couple hundred monks were chanting mantras. There are 600-700 monks in residence. At it's height, there were about 7,000 monks here. Most of these buildings were badly damaged during Mao's cultural revolution. They have been faithfully restored. 5th is a Buddha painting on a rock at the edge of the monastery. Last is some of the view from up there at about 3,600 meters elevation.Read more
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- Day 11
- Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 11:55 AM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 3,666 m
- China Jibenggang 29.6529, 91.1282529°39’10” N 91°7’42” E
Lhasa
September 8, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Capital of Tibet. Most of what is here of significance has to do with Tibetan Buddhism, and that is covered in other posts. Most of the rest of the city is reminiscent of other cities in China. 1st is an overview of the city taken from Potala Palace, followed by a few pictures of what remains of the old town. Last is a fountain at night.Read more
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- Day 11
- Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 3:53 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 3,662 m
- China Jokhang 29.653, 91.1315129°39’11” N 91°7’53” E
Jahong Monastery, Lhasa
September 8, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The first monastery in Tibet and the place from where Buddhism spread throughout Tibet. It is also the home of the only statue in the world of the Buddha at 12 years old dating from his lifetime.
The first three pictures are taken around the central courtyard. The last two are of the typical activity at the entrance.Read more
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- Day 12
- Monday, September 9, 2019 at 9:38 AM
- ☀️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 3,671 m
- China Jibenggang 29.65674, 91.117929°39’24” N 91°7’4” E
Potala Palace
September 9, 2019 in China ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Dating to the 7th century, it was updated by the 5th Dalai Lama In the 17th century when it became the residence of the Dalai Lama and center of Tibetan governance.
The first pic is of the palace from ground level. Note the stepped walls. That edges a stairway up about 10 stories to the entrance. The next three are internal courtyards. Again, no indoor photos here. The palace house a vast collection cultural relics and is effectively the Tibetan culture treasure house. And it is spectacular. The 5th picture looks at an area at the foot of the palace near the entrance. The last picture is from the side to give a sense of the ridge the palace is built on.Read more
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- Day 12
- Monday, September 9, 2019 at 3:55 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 3,726 m
- China Sera Monastery 29.69849, 91.1338529°41’55” N 91°8’2” E
Sera monastery
September 9, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Another Buddhist monastery. The main event here is the monks debating. The first 4 pictures look at the gate and buildings. The last 2 look at the monks in active debate. This is a high energy enterprise, with one questioner and one answerer. There is lots of clapping and stamping during the process as the monks test themselves against each other.Read more
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- Day 13
- Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 8:18 AM
- ⛅ 13 °C
- Altitude: 3,598 m
- China Xoi 29.33288, 90.718129°19’58” N 90°43’5” E
Tibet scenes
September 10, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Overlooking the Bramhaputra River. Lake Yamdrok. Yaks dressed up for tourists. Karola glacier. Tibet mountain road, and the crazy part is you can't see the half of it.
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- Day 13
- Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 10:08 AM
- ⛅ 11 °C
- Altitude: 4,796 m
- China Kamba 29.19408, 90.6177729°11’39” N 90°37’4” E
Kambala Pass
September 10, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
4795 meters above sea level. 15,733 feet 6 views from both sides
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- Day 13
- Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 3:55 PM
- ⛅ 12 °C
- Altitude: 5,041 m
- China Kari La 28.89357, 90.1735428°53’37” N 90°10’25” E
Karuola Pass
September 10, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Elevation 5,056 meters, almost 17,000 feet, my first time above 5,000 meters, I think. First is me at the pass, followed by looks at the glacier, a 7200 meter peak and the road ad through the top of the pass.Read more
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- Day 14
- Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 1:13 PM
- ⛅ 10 °C
- Altitude: 5,213 m
- China Mingma 28.95167, 87.4383328°57’6” N 87°26’18” E
Gyasto La pass
September 11, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
5,253 meters, 17,235 feet. Another new high elevation for me. 6 pictures around here. Many if the mountains over 8,000 meters. Tibetan prayer flags, sheep too, if you look closely
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- Day 15
- Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 8:00 AM
- ⛅ 0 °C
- Altitude: 4,876 m
- China Yulue 28.08788, 87.1358428°5’16” N 87°8’9” E
Everest Base Camp
September 12, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
Tibet side of Mt Everest. The first three pics are Everest at dawn. 4th is the monument honoring the geophysical determination of the elevation at the top of Everest. 5th looks at part of EBC, and the last is some of the scenery around EBC.Read more
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- Day 19
- Monday, September 16, 2019 at 11:18 AM
- ☁️ 29 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- Sri Lanka Jaffna 9.66621, 80.012419°39’58” N 80°0’45” E
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
September 16, 2019 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Main city in the North of Sri Lanka and the main city in the Tamil portion of the country. First is the largest Hindu temple in Sri Lanka. The Tamil are majority Hindu. The rest of the country is majority Buddhist. The second pic looks in from out front as no indoor pictures are allowed. Next is Saint Mary's Cathedral, the largest in the North followed by a look inside. Finally is a street scene in the city. Folks here are wondering if the monsoon might come early this year. I hope not. Otherwise it's gonna be a wet couple of weeksRead more
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Trip end
September 14, 2019