The NepalABOYS

August is my usual time of the year to roam around. With 2 holidays, 21st (fixed date to celebrate Ninoy Aquino's martyrdom) and 26th (tentative for the last Monday of the month to celebrate the United Nations), which normally crosses one to two weekends, made August my favorite month to travel for a longer period of time than other months.

So this year 2019, I planned to reach South Asia's northern part: India and Nepal. This time I traveled with new company, Kuya Louver -- a friend from my home province, Surigao del Norte. We spent decades together in the youth ministry, in the Catholic Diocese of Surigao, since my school years.

Destination #1: Kathmandu (August 21-23)

Kuya Louver and I headed to Nepal that night of August 20th via AirAsia flying from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and caught the connecting flight with Malindo Air from KL to Kathmandu in the morning of August 21st.

At the airport's arrival area

It was quite easy to obtain Visa on Arrival. We each paid $30 and off we went... Our reservations at The Alpine Hotel was in Thamel tourist area. On arrival day, we acquainted ourselves with Thamel area and visited the Garden of Dreams.

We dropped by the Tredevi Temple on our way to the Garden of Dreams

Nepal is simple and laidback but friendly and religious. Here every tourist attraction is basically untouched, unspoiled, unhurried, except for the damages due to 2015 major earthquake.

One of the interior sections of Swayambhu Temple

In one early morning, we strolled all the way through the Swayambhunath Stupa, the temple on the hill. We joined the Buddhist crowd in their morning rituals. Some came in groups, singing; others have instruments, drums and bugles.

At Swayambhu Temple

Then the rest of the day was on packaged tour. A young man, named Yudin, was sent as our tourguide taking with him a private sedan.

At Patan Durbar Square

Nepal is Time-turner. Its history revealed that there were 3 kingdoms within the Kathmandu Valley until the time it was united and later the monarchy died. One and the youngest of them is in Patan. The Patan Durbar Square is a must visit complex of palace and temples in unique structural designs made of stones and woods with intricate details and carvings. Bhaktapur and Kathmandu Durbar Squares are equally majestic although most are in ruins as the aftermath of the major earthquake in 2015.

At Baktapur Durbar Square

Within the complex of the oldest palace in Kathmandu Valley, called the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, there is this famous “Peacock Window” which an artist of old have perfectly carved. This has become the model for all peacock windows from then on.

At Kathmandu Durbar Square

Despite the destructions caused by the 2015 major earthquake, the heritage site of Kathmandu Durbar Square is still impressive. Much restoration works are happening now in preparation for the country’s big tourism year in 2020. The ancient arts and architecture are visibly one of a kind.

Our 3rd day was supposedly the Mount Everest Flight but was cancelled due to thick haze. 3 days in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is historic for Kuya Louver and me. We prepared for a cool weather but it had sunny days so humid with rains in the afternoon.

Destination #2: Pokhara (August 23-25)

We travelled that afternoon to Pokhara on board the public utility van with Yudin, tourguide turned local friend. During the full day tour, we instantly had a click. Since it was a public holiday that day in the country, Yudin went home to his parents. Their residence is midway through Pokhara, so Yudin insisted to drop by and say hello to his parents.

A day in Pokhara, Nepal was a unique adventure for Kuya Louver and myself. Our usual morning stroll happened along the Phewa Lake’s bank.

Source of water, source of life! Nowadays, bars and restaurants surround most touristy lakes which breath life during nighttime... and Pokhara’s is no exception.

At the Phewa Lake

Then our day tour led us to climb up the World Peace Pagoda, climb down the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave under the city proper, enjoy the mists of Davi’s Falls, cross the Vayam Suspension Footbridge, look down the gorge where the white, icy water falls, learn about Goorkah’s gallantry at the museum, and take a paddled twin boat to an island temple at Phewa Lake.

The beauty of Pokhara Valley can be viewed from up the hills. To be at the World Peace Pagoda is one that gives a vantage view of the city below. It is a Buddhist-style pagoda; a monument for peace.

At the World Peace Pagoda

Don’t be fooled by this majestic structure, which look like one of the sets of Alladin’s movie.... It is actually a decorated entrance to a cave at the heart of Pokhara City.

At the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

Davi’s Falls

No swimming here! With its tragic history, and it’s propensity to harm curious people by its raging falls, the whole area is heavily fenced. The only wonder here is the appearance of rainbows for as long as there’s sunlight.

Vayam Suspension Footbridge

Pokhara Village is divided by gorges and the only connection is through suspension footbridges, which motorcycles, bicycles and 4-legged animals also cross. Crossing it firsthand is acrophobic.

A photo opportunity with the locals clad in flamboyant and beautiful costumes for women... A wonderful cultural immersion!

Goorkah Museum

One full day around this mountain city was a very long hot day!

August 25th was purely travel back to Kathmandu City. There are no overnight travel; all bus trips are under broad daylight.

Destination #3: Mt Everest (August 26)

The Epic Adventures was able to secure our slots for the Mountain Flight. This was the cancelled flight on August 23rd. And today, we were granted with clear sky.

At the domestic airport waiting for our flight with Shree Airlines

Not everyone can climb Mt Everest and come down alive. So it is wonderful to know that Nepal promotes the Mountain Flights as a tourism program. Even in a distance, Mt Everest is one and only beauty that shoots up the sky over and above all other peaks. You see not clouds but snow caps, the alps...

Flying over Himalayas Mountain Ranges and spotting Mt Everest from a distance

The fly came with certificate

Indeed, seeing Mt Everest and all other peaks of Himalayas Mountains is an experience of a lifetime. Another tick off my bucket list!!!

At the airport's departure area