A FooDiva Peak
Kathmandu; Well as I sit bleary eyed in the Kathmandu sun (lucky for me winter does not arrive until next month) sipping jasmine leaf tea, here’s a bit of an update.
Mount Everest (it's the highest peak in the centre far back)
Incase you’re wondering, the red eyes are thanks to a 4.30am start all for the sake of Mount Everest. Lazy me, opted for a jetstream flight over the many peaks – it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity so if you’re not trekking as clearly I would never be, then you’ve gotta make the effort. You’re in the air for an hour and even get to visit the captain in the cockpit for a better view! I hope my photo does it justice.
On your return from the airport, do while away a couple of hours in Bhaktapur, the best preserved of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu and Patan being the other two). It’s all narrow cobblestone streets, red brick houses, plenty of squares and courtyards filled with artisans, and temples of course – and practically traffic-free unlike its noisy neighbour.
Bhaktapur
There’s plenty to see and do in Kathmandu itself. Impressive Durbar square is worth a wander, as is shopping in touristy but atmospheric Thamel. If it’s lunchtime, I would recommend the rooftop of La Dolce Vita, a fabulous Italian trattoria. I ordered the melt-in-your-mouth spinach, goat cheese and walnut ravioli – clearly the city can tailor to international tastes.
Swayambhunath Buddhist temple
With your energy restored, do take the stone stairway with hundreds of steps to the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, otherwise known as one of many monkey temples. You’ll then need to chill so head to the Garden of Dreams’ Kaiser Cafe (Austria financed the garden’s restoration) and order a divine silver lip tea.
Kaiser Cafe @ Garden of Dreams
More later once I’ve figured out where to dine tonight.
Namaste.
FooDiva. x
It seems you are enjoying it all!!!!
You did not manage to see Mount Fuji in Japan due to cloudy skies but you were lucky with Mount Everest.
What is next???
Yes good food is a huge attraction! Kenya next month, and all that lovely wild meat. x
Love the blog….makes me hungry though and during the day not always the best thing when trying to write a press release about handbags:)
Let’s catch up over a meal when you’re back
where do you go next?
K
Thanks for loving FooDiva Katherine! Next month it’s Kenya. Will be in touch when am back. x
Was it a bubbly view of Mount Everest?
Unfortunately not – we’ll need to hire a private jet next time!
Flying over Mt Everest was such a divine experience. I have also written a post on it. We had a a lot of drama though – the first day our flight got cancelled and I insisted on re-scheduling them on the very day we were coming back to Dubai – so practically spent the last day in airports and flying! But it was absolutely worth it:)))