The edge of the valley

After a couple of days in Kathmandu, we decide to head out to the edge of the Kathmandu Valley to immerse ourselves in Nepalese culture and get away from the city. So we head to the local bus station, and jump on a bus to Dhulikhel, around 2 hours east.

The bus trip is fantastic- buses are owned privately in Nepal and each bus has spruikers who hang out the door yelling the destination of the bus, in this case, Dhulikhel, Dhulikhel, Dhulikhel, to pedestrians and passersby, attempting to fill the bus. Soon the bus fills up with all sorts of people and goods.....and we even see goats on the roof of another bus!

Dhulikhel is sleepy and relaxed, with fantastic views of the mountains. At Snow View Guesthouse, we get an awesome third floor room overlooking the mountains. On the third day, the haze clears and we get our first real view of the Himalayas- sharp, snow covered precipices. I can't tell you what it feels like to see the Himalayas with your own eyes for the first time, just awe-inspiring.

At our host's suggestion, we take a stroll to Namabuddha, where a Buddhist shrine commemorates a monk who sacrificed his life to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. We get hopelessly lost, but are assisted by a friendly Nepalese man, who takes us to visit his grandmother. After a refreshing drink, he points us down the correct road.

Along the way, we meet some local children, who challenge me to a game of Carrom- like snooker, but played using the fingers. After a few lucky shots, I am thoroughly beaten by these Carrom sharks- much to their amusement.