Festival of Samyak Mahadan

The Newari Festival of Samyak Mahadan occurs once every five years. On March 11, 2008, we were fortunate to be present for the celebration at Nagbahal in Patan city, near the Patan Durbar Square.

Nepalvision 2

Money changer

Visions of Nepal

Cotton candy for sale in Kathmandu

How many rupees for a bag?

Monks in front of a Monastery near the Boudha Stupa in Kathmandu

The Boudha Stupa, with prayerflags flying



Check out his bag (left-click to enlarge image).

Origin and spread of Buddhism

This monk is using his cell phone to capture an image of this display featuring the origin and spread of Buddhism in the Patan Museum. We visited Lord Buddha's birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal on March 18.

Electrician's challenge

A couple of shots, on the fly, as we were heading through main streets in Kathmandu towards the Patan museuem.

Who is wired to whom, and who keeps the records?

We stayed for a few days at the Hotel Vajra (good hotel, in the heart of Kathmandu, within walking distance over a partially paved road, to the "Monkey Temple"), and were introduced to the art of "load shedding", the periodic loss of electic power (often without warning, as, for example, in the middle of a shower). It seems that the water flow through the main rivers is so low this time of the year, before the monsoons kick in, that hydroelectric power is at a premium. Happily, we were always within reach of a pocket flashlight, to guide us to the candles that needed to be lit for the duration.

This Rhesus Macaque (one of MANY), at the Swayambunath "monkey temple" has a commanding view of Kathmandu.

Tibetans protest at Kathmandu Airport

Some of the first images upon arrival in Kathmandu, on March 10. After leaving Kathmandu on March 23, unrest continued and Tibetans protesting in front of the Chinese Embassy were savagely beaten.

Arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal

Being greeted by the Nepal Expedition team upon our arrival at the Kathmandu Airport, March 10, following an 18 hour flight to Bangkok and another 4 hour leg to Kathmandu.