Art + Travel Adventure to Nepal – Kathmandu
![Boudhnath Stupa, Nepal - Pilgrims circulate clockwise, spinning prayer wheels](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231169.jpg)
Discovering Kathmandu
Discovering the allure of the Kathmandu valley with its ancient history is all-embracing. It is small and compact covering an area of 220 square miles. There are seven World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO which is a number unrivalled anywhere else in the world.
![Boudhath Stupa and the surroundings of Kathmandu - Adventure to Nepal - Kathmandu](https://donnamcgee.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2050_12311711.jpg)
We travel to Swayambunath, a 2000 year old Stupa situated on a hill and surrounded by temples and shrines, we come upon The Monkey God – the guide tries to impart the great religious significance of such monuments and their role in the predominantly Hindu and Buddhist belief system.
![The Monkey God](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_12310281.jpg)
![At the old palace, Kathmandu](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231029.jpg)
![Swayambunath, Nepal](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231041.jpg)
![Kal Bahirav](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231035.jpg)
![In praise of the Gods](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231032.jpg)
![Swayambunath, Nepal - It’s all seeing eyes gaze in all four directions of the valley, protecting all from harm and the nose that looks like a question mark is actually the Nepali number one – a symbol of unity.](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/swayambunath.jpg)
![Taleju Temple](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231020.jpg?w=533)
![Taleju Temple - feeding the pigeons](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231023.jpg?w=533)
We see Durbar Square, a World Heritage Site, the Old Palace, Hanuman Dhoka, Kal Bhairav and Kasthamandap, a temple built from the wood on one tree.
We hear stories of the hippie paradise Kathmandu became in the early 1960’s when the Beatles came to find Nirvana leaving with a trail of musicians in their wake.
![Selling their wares at Durbar Square, Nepal](https://donnamcgee.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2050_1231012-001.jpg?w=533)
It is clear at this stage that the warm Nepalese friendliness and hospitality more than makes up for the country’s poor infrastructure and shortcomings particularly in relation to hygiene.
Kathmandu is exciting!