Nepal > The royal city Bhaktapur

The last day has arrived. This morning we were not woken for the sunrise, which means it’s still cloudy. Otherwise, the staff would have woken us at six o’clock. Still, I was already awake around six, due to the 2¼-hour time difference with Tibet. We stay in bed enjoying the morning until breakfast.

Nepal - Display of pots in Bhaktapur

We leave Dhulikel and head toward Kathmandu. The road is much better, so today we travel in a regular bus. Along the way, we see the busy street life and the beautiful green rice fields. In Bhaktapur, one of the three royal cities in the Kathmandu Valley, we get off to visit the town. Since not everyone is coming along and some are staying extra days in Kathmandu, we already say goodbye to the first of our travel companions. It feels a bit strange. We also take a group photo in front of a very wide tree. The guide is swamped with cameras. After that, the bus continues to Kathmandu, while we stay behind. We walk into the city center. Bhaktapur is comparable to Durbar Square in Kathmandu, but it is less touristy and much larger. At the entrance gate, we buy a ticket and are immediately approached by guides and students who want to practice their English.

Nepal - The narrow streets around Bhaktapur Nepal

Today we are not in the mood for a guide and politely decline (which is not easy). We explore the complex, wander across the squares, climb the temples, and enjoy the views. We also roam through the streets of the city. It’s over thirty degrees, which is quite noticeable. In the alleys, daily life goes on as usual, while we are there with a ticket. Families sit on the sidewalk in front of their homes, children are washed on the street, fruit is sold from the luggage racks of bicycles, and carpenters build cabinets on the street. At the central square, we have lunch in a former temple, with a view over the souvenir stalls and the square. In the afternoon, we leave the neighborhood and find a taxi. The driver takes us back to Kathmandu. The distance is only twelve kilometers, but the streets are very busy. The driver frequently honks (even when traffic is at a standstill) and takes small shortcuts through the city. Fifty minutes later, we are back in the bustling Thamel district. In the narrow streets, we buy the last souvenirs for home. Shortly after 4:30, we leave the hotel (where our luggage was stored for the day) and head to the airport. At the airport, we go through the usual security checks and customs. Our luggage is opened, and I am frisked three separate times. Amusingly, at the third check, just before boarding, a Chinese passenger is found with matches. Shortly afterward, the plane takes off for the flight to Doha, Qatar.