Kathmandu - Bakhtapur

It was the second day of Dashain festival when we arrived back to Kathmandu from Chitwan, while the usual busy street of Thamel appear to be exceptionally quiet and lots of shops were also still closed for the festival. 

The next morning I recall it was a very slow day, without any plan we walk out of Khangsar and Hanuman Durba Square was where we ended up at, it was by following the crowd along the way from our hostel. As it was the Dashain festival, many families were out doing their Pilgrim walk from temple to temple in the area.

hundreds of pigeon at the square

Locals queuing to get into the temple - there were too many lines which I couldn't really figure how many temple there were

line from a different side to another temple

While walking, we bump into thiis couple and they insist to post for a picture for me, thereafter they asked for money....

prayers stuf, i see there is a banana, a rope, petals of flower, spice and candle - not too sure what's they represent

 

One of the Hanuman Square entrance

local Nepali snack

the square was crowded with people that morning - lining up to get into the temple

Having spend some time observing the day passes at the square, I can confirm that the local Nepali are all very devoted to their prayers time, although the need to spent the long hours out in the square, queuing for their prayers turn which I can imagine it can challenge one's patience, but they did not give up. Fascinating.

Later on, while resting at the top of one of the square's building watches what's happening around the square, we learn that there were some that are starting to slaughter animals. Immediately I went hide away, couldn't bear to witness the bloody scene. Cultural differences here in Nepal vs home is definitely there. Animals sacrifices made here is also very much different from what I learn from the bible, for example Hebrews 9:26. 

Anyway, this end our sight seeing day in Kathmandu, we later on went loitering around Thamel, and spending quite a bit of time at Khangsar, surfing the internet, chatting with Raj who later treat us a bottle of Everest beer.

Initially we plan to  trek from Kathmandu valley up to Nagarkot, however due to some lack of human and financial resources issues, Julie and I decided to venture up to Nagarkot via public transfer which we reckon can work. (well, at that time, all we want was to get out of Kathmandu...

The journey started with us getting to the bus stop from Khangsar, it was an approximately 20 mins walk, we left the hostel with only a few lines of direction from Raj, it was some left and right turn, and clock tower is what we was looking for. Anyway, I think even without the instruction you will still be able to find the bus stop by asking the local, most of them can understand simple English. You only need to say - bus, Bakhtapur and a Namaste if they give you an answer :)

In our mini bus to Bakhtapur @ NPR50 - approximately 45mins

Reached Bhaktapur - gate into the square is across the road

 

Walking to the square, it was so crowded but I was somehow finding this place nicer than Hanuman

varieties of tea

Someones dog looking out to the bazaar which later we met the owner and learn that her name is Gipsy

Gipsy longing to go somewhere

wood carving at Bakhtapur is amazing, here's one of my favourite piece

is Darshain, people are sitting around, chatting and chilling

Apple was sold everywhere here, wonder if these are from Mustang

In conclusion from this quick passing by, in personal opinion I prefer Bakhtapur than Hanuman square, as I think Baktapur is richer in culture compared to Hanuman. Especially as a photographer point of view, there are lots of photographic opportunities here, now I wish I could have spend a bit more time walking around at the square!