Nepal#2

Nepal#2


Immediately after I returned to Nepal, I drove to Bardia National Park and again visited Johnny and Sitaram at the Wild Trak Adventure Lodge.

I went back to the jungle with Sitaram. This time we saw no tiger, but two group elephants with a total of 38 animals. The water level was much higher and the vegetation was very lush.

Slowly the rainy season started. The heat mixed with the humidity was sometimes hard to bear. After 5 days, it was time for me to continue cycling. I hope I can return to this beautiful place again.

Johhny had recommended an alternative route through the mountains, so I did not have to drive on the highway anymore. So I drove north from Kohalpur.

Once you leave the main roads in Nepal, it gets really adventurous. The roads turn abruptly into huge steep gravel roads and through the rain I had to push my bike mostly.

For that, I got to see the right Nepal. For more than 2 weeks I have not seen any tourists. The Nepalese are very reserved and very helpful compared to their Indian comrades, which I really liked.

Most of the songs "Welcome to the jungle" by Guns n'Roses and "Englishman in New York" by Sting went through my head. Actually, I wanted to make a trip to Pokhara. For the detour, however, I had more time than originally planned.

From Tansen I drove back to the highway and directly to Kathmandu. There I arrived quite exhausted after 16 days. Many things on my bike and equipment had to be replaced or repaired.

My mother decided to visit me spontaneously. I was very satisfied and we explored the Kathmandu Valley together. She also brought me important spare parts for my bike.

Although many landmarks were badly damaged during the Great Earthquake in 2015, they are still very impressive. We first visited Kathmandu and then the Patan Durbar Square.

Durbar Square is the generic name used to describe places and areas opposite the old royal palaces in Nepal. Before the unification of Nepal Nepal consisted of small kingdoms. Especially famous are three Durbar places in the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. All three are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In Bahktapur we spent 2 nights in a traditional guesthouse. Bhaktapur was the largest of the three Newar kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley and was the capital of Nepal during the great "Malla Kingdom" until the second half of the 15th century.

Especially the woodcarving art I found very impressive. Not far from our guesthouse is the Pujari Math with its famous carved Peacock Window, an artistically designed wooden sculpture.

The days together were like flying and soon I had to say goodbye to my mother. Many thanks for everything!

Back at the hostel I met a well-known. I met Jock from Scotland 3 months ago. He brought me into contact with Sonja and Akos.

Just over a year ago, they drove their bicycles from Germany. Now they have rented an apartment here in Kathmandu. Coincidentally, there was an apartment next to them that I could use for a month.

Trekking is a must in Nepal. Together with Akos I went to Helambu Trek. Helambu is a region of highland villages about 80 km from Kathmandu. The Helambu region starts at the Pass Lauribina La and descends into the Melamchi Valley.

Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side. In addition, we were attacked by leeches every day. They really made us hell. Akos had problems with his shoes and I with the backpack.

In Gosaikund we decided to leave the journey and we took the bus from Dhunche to Kathmandu. There were only a few days left until my departure.

Originally I wanted to travel from Nepal via India and Burma to Southeast Asia. Traffic, especially in India, is in my view far too dangerous for cycling. Every day I saw serious traffic accidents.

So I will continue my journey to East Asia. I really enjoyed the time here in Nepal and would like to thank everyone for the great meetings in this country. The country has great potential and hopefully will implement it in the future. I am already looking forward to the next visit to Nepal.