Kathmandu - First sights

A Brief History of Kathmandu

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a city with a rich and storied history. It is believed to have been founded in 723 AD, but may have been inhabited as early as 167 BC - 1 AD. The city was originally named "Manju Patan", after the mythical demi-god Manjushree who is said to have created the Kathmandu Valley by draining a lake with his flaming sword. The word "Patan" means "to arrive" or "arrival".

In 1596 AD, the then king built a huge temple called "Mandir" with wood harvested from a single tree. This gave the city its current name, "Kathmandu" (Kath = wood, Mandu = temple).

Kathmandu is a melting pot of cultures and religions, and is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including the Newars, Tamangs, Gurungs, and Magars. The city is also the only Hindu country in the world and has a non-rectangular national flag.

Tribhuvan International Airport

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. It is located about 6 kilometers east of Kathmandu city center. The airport is relatively small but easy to navigate.

Thamel

Thamel is a popular tourist district in Kathmandu. It is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels. Thamel is also a good place to find trekking supplies and other outdoor gear.

Durbar Square Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the heart of Kathmandu. It is home to a number of temples and palaces, including the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, and Kasthamandap. Durbar Square is a popular tourist destination and a great place to learn about the history and culture of Kathmandu.

A Stroll Around Durbar Square I took a stroll around Durbar Square on my first day in Kathmandu. I was immediately struck by the beauty and grandeur of the temples and palaces. I also enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the square, with people from all walks of life going about their daily business.

I visited several of the temples, including the Kathmandu Durbar Square and Hanuman Dhoka. I was particularly impressed by the Kasthamandap temple, which is said to have been built from the wood of a single tree

I also enjoyed watching the people in Durbar Square. I saw merchants selling their stuff, pilgrims visiting the temples, and children playing. I also saw a number of tourists, who were all eager to take photos of the beautiful architecture and the vibrant atmosphere.

My stroll around Durbar Square was a great way to get my bearings in Kathmandu and to learn more about the city's history and culture. Jason Pratt arrived soon after my morning reconnaissance walk.

Lunch was at Alchemy Pizzeria, met up with Kay Sherpa (from Ian Taylor trekking), had coffee at Himalaya Arabica Beans Coffee, then walked over to the Svayambhunath temple area. On the way we had fun walking across the street in heavy traffic. Jason owned the road.

Evening happy hour was at the Kathmandu Guest House, KGH is an amazing place, kitty corner from our hotel. Its the oldest hotel in Thamel and famous for having hosted numerous celebrities (writers, musician, climbers). Dinner was at our hotel's roof top restaurant where we met 3 other members of our group.

Misc details for the day: Walking steps: 20,606 Water intake: 3.75 liters. Elevation gain: 357 ft. Sleep: Jetlag, Cat naps at night !!