Shangri La-tea-da!

We arrived in Kathmandu 2 nights ago, after a long 2 day bus ride from Varanasi. The bus seats had such small leg room that everyone in the isle seats had to sit sideways to fit in. After a long 7:30am to 9:30pm bus ride from Varansi we stayed the night in a nasty little hotel right on the border inside Nepal. The next morning we rode from 6am to 4pm through the lush mountains of Nepal into the Kathmandu Valley. The scenery was amazing, the road twisted around sharp angles right on the cliff side as it winded its way up thru the mountains along side a river. The mountains are covered in lush green jungle canopy with vines and massive boudlers, and several stream size waterfalls could be seen pouring from the tops of each mountain right down to the river or road side. I fell in love with Nepal at first sight.

The traffic is bad and the pollution is thick in the city. The city streets are very different from India's, aren't any tuk-tuks, only a few cycle rickshaws, way more cars, and faster motor bikes. The only street animals are fuzzy docile dogs, much bulkier than their Indian counterparts. There are many signs hanging off the walls in the streets [click for photo] and many quality vendors of brass work, wood carvings, tradition instruments, warm clothing, and trekking equipment. he only new annoyance is having dreadlocked holy men [Sadhus] coming up to me on the street, placing a flower in my hair and red bindi on my forehead then demanding 200 rupees!

We are thinking about staying in the Kathmandu Valley for another 5 days or so to see all the amazing world heritage sites. Then heading to Pakora in the west to do some class V white water rafting, and maybe a 5 day or so trek deeper into the massive Himalayas. With some other options such as canyoning, rapelling down the face of waterfalls, and bungee swinging down a big cliff!

Much Love,
Logan.

P.S. Kalan, email me asap, my account works now. Natureofmind@gmail.com