Kathmandu - The Ancient Capital of Nepal
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Kathmandu can be an extremely cheap place to vacation in if you avoid the tourist pitfalls. The eclectic mix of Hinduism and Buddhism is almost magical in terms of cuisine and culture. Nepal is rich in scenic splendor and cultural treasures. The mornings are beautiful, to wake up snuggled in your duvet, cradled in a bowl between snow-capped mountains, light glistening off the mountain tips as the sun rises greeting a new day with fresh crisp air is pure bliss.
Nepal has a variety of eating places which offer the world for a few dollars. You could eat local cuisine which is basically dhal bhat, the staple diet of the Nepalese from one of the many dhabas or small restaurants. It consists of rice, dahl, potatoes, yoghurt, and some spicy sauce and is absolutely delicious and wholesome, the spicy barbequed meat and steaming hot momos are a must have. Thamel House Restaurant serves traditional Nepalese food as well.
If you don’t care to eat local food visit “Fire and Ice” run by an Italian lady, it serves excellent Italian-style stone-baked pizzas and pastas. The chocolate sundae is heavenly with layers of ice cream and sauce. Snowman is especially worth a mention for their light as air cakes and pastries. Just Juice and Shakes is very popular with Israelis and westerners. It serves great coffees, fresh juices and smoothies. Helena’s Rooftop Restaurant has some appetizing food at modest prices. Also the tallest rooftop restaurant it is popular for its views of the city.
Thamel is the tourist hub; the Kathmandu Guest House is in the center of Thamel and is therefore surrounded by restaurants, small shops, trekking offices, grocery stores, and many kooky hippy cafes. The restaurant at the hotel is recommended for its breakfasts, which you can polish off sitting under the pagoda listening to the rustle off the leaves from the tree that is growing through the center of the pagoda and the rush of water from the fountain next to you.
Nepal is full of handicrafts and other accessories that you can take back with you. Steer clear of the Thamel bazaar which is overpriced and packed with foreigners. Instead try picking up things from the roadside, Nepali’s roam the streets selling everything from giant Gurkha knives to exotic silver jewelry, handicraft and statues can be bought from the local bazaar. Cashmere shawls and sweaters are available at a fraction of the price elsewhere. The silver jewelry is extremely reasonably priced and its worth knowing that traders from Bangkok come all the way to Nepal to buy precious stones and silver. Other items of interest are tankha paintings, silks and brocades and Gurkha knives.
Getting there by Air
Katmandu’s Tribhuvan airport is the international terminal linking the city to the world. Many airlines fly direct to Kathmandu. Domestic airlines fly throughout the country - the most popular route is Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Getting There by Rail
Two stretches of the Indian Railway Line run to the border with Nepal, where cycle-rickshaws and tourist taxis are available for onward journeys.
Getting There by Road
Kathmandu is connected with India and Tibet by new and picturesque highways through the fertile plains of the Terai.
Bus services operate from all border points to Kathmandu. However, during the monsoon season, landslides can often make border points impassable. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars provided they are in possession of an international carnet. For information on how to obtain an international carnet, visitors should contact their national Automobile Association.
If you’re adventurous, and have time on your hands, then the overland route is always the most exciting. Kathmandu is linked by good road transport from bordering cities of India like Birjung, Bhairawa, Kakirivitta, Nepaljung, Mahendranagar, Janakpur etc.
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