Rafting on the Kali Gandaki

We went rafting for three days which was so fun. The scenery was amazing, but I couldn't take pictures of it because I kept my camera in a dry box strapped to the raft. We went over two sets of big rapids the first day. We were in the raft of the leader of the trip we went first and of course we flipped over! There were many people in kayaks who grabbed us out of the rapids and pulled us to shore. The second and third day were not as exciting, but still enjoyable as we saw many amazing waterfalls and cliffs covered with beautiful plants.


























Al in front of the bus we took to the river.

We slept under the rafts.

Local people came out of the mountains and set up a bar for us. They stayed there for several hours with beer and rum. It was very funny.

Peace Pagoda in Pokhara

While I was in Pokhara for the second time we went to the Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa on a hill next to Phewa Lake. These pictures are from that hike.

Water buffalo.

The Peace Pagoda.

The view of Pokhara.

Manakamana

Manakamana is a town with a very important temple at the top of a mountain. Pilgrims use to walk for hours to get to the temple, but now they take the cable car as we did. Newly weds go to the temple to pray for sons. It is believed that if an animal sacrifice is mad at the temple then ones prayers are sure to be answered. There are special cars on the cable car just for goats. We saw many people with chickens under their arms going to the temple.

I don't know what this is but I thought it looked neat...

Millet

"huh, you talkin' to me?"

There are terraced rice fields all over the mountain.

Durbar Square Kathmandu

Durbar square is full of old buildings. Many of them are Newari style.




























This is where the Kumari lives. She is said to be the living incarnation of the goddess. We were not allowed to take pictures of her.

Swayambhunath

Swyambunath is called the monkey temple in english, but it is so much more than just a hang out place for monkeys. The stupa is in Kathmandu at the top of a very long flight of stairs. There are many small buildins surounding the stupa with statues and carvings and a monistary. There were many people there doing pujas and making offerings.















Butter lamps at the base of the temple.

A monkey eating a banana in front of a Buddha statue.
I looked one of the monkeys in the eye and he chased me. Eeeek!
















The view of Kathmandu.

The stupa.