Temple hopping in Kathmandu (Under construction)

Monkey sitting on a wall at the Monkey Temple
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Managed to change our flight without any issue, so we got back to Kathmandu on the 23rd.  Bit of a scarier flight this time, since the day was much more cloudy than the previous flight to Lukla.  Plus, we had heard the day before that a similar airline had had a crash in Western Nepal a few days before, killing all those on the plane.  Fortunately, we made it back safely to Kathmandu, but with very little view of the valley this time.

The plane was slightly delayed, so we waited until the signal to head over to the flight.  Just before it got there, a siren sounded at the airport, signalling that the plane was on the way.   Great for just-in-time airport arrivals!  We got there pretty close to the time to leave, so they rushed us through security to get on the plane.  No pat-downs or bag checks this time - apparently it was enough for my guide to tell them that we had nothing bad in our luggage!

Boudha temple near Kathmandu
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Had a nice breakfast with Keisha, and then set out to explore the Thamel area of Kathmandu a little more thoroughly.  Wandered the streets and spent a bunch of time in internet cafes.  I was a little beat still from the trek, so this was a down day.

Stopped into a steakhouse that was recommended by the Indian guy, and had a fabulous dinner!  Two filets (~1 1/2" thick and 3" in diameter) plus grilled mushrooms, onions, chips and veggies, and a coke to drink, for ~$5 including tip!  Can't beat that! Especially since it was perfectly cooked!  Forget Morton's...

A set of shrines at Boudha temple near Kathmandu
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Wandering the streets in Kathmandu is actually not that big of an ordeal, since the touting and begging is really not too heavy compared to other Asian cities.  They tend to ask once and then leave you alone, and there are much fewer than in other places.  Plus, the streets are often filled with nice smells of incense, etc. so it is a pretty pleasing experience.

Probably the highlight of the day though, was the shower in the hotel.  First real shower in 10 days, so it was a heavenly experience!  On the trail it just made little sense to shower since there were no real facilities, and it was pretty expensive (relatively) to have hot water, so I skipped it for the whole trip.  Besides, I had no one to impress anyways! :)

View down from Boudha temple
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The following day I spent sight-seeing at a few of the numerous temples in the city.  Went first to Boudha to see the largest stupa in Nepal.  Very famous here, and people come regularly to circumabulate (walk around) the stupa.  They walk in a clockwise direction around the shrine in order to get good luck.  It is a pretty large structure, surrounded by small shops all around the exterior (mostly selling tourist goods of course!), and also small monasteries.  Really quite a serene setting despite the tourist trap stores.

Boudha temple near Kathmandu
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(Still under construction)