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Wednesday 5 May 04 "Fiona's birthday" Early start for Ed
and I as we headed off to the British Embassy to meet up with Major Bullock
who provided us with the latest intelligence brief and a Satellite phone
for comms during our trek. Inside the compound of the embassy it is very
peaceful and tranquil relieving you from the hustle and bustle of the
outside world. |
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| Back at the hotel and fully fed, Bhim and DR took us to a tour around the Monkey Temple, where we heard our first hearing of the latest tune "Om mani padme hum". | |||||
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Back at the hotel and fully fed, Bhim and DR took us to a tour around the Monkey Temple, where we heard our first hearing of the latest tune "Om mani padme hum". In glorious sunshine we had some superb views of the city and watched the main statue being white washed, while local people paid homage to Buddha with offerings of rice and food. I noted that there were fewer monkeys than last year. After several guys descended and ascended the 365 steps we moved on to our next venue of Patan. Here we | ||||
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visited various temples including going inside one of the Kings chambers
in an area where 118 animals are sacrificed by Hindus which is also the
same courtyard where Buddhists who are against killing also worship their
relevant God. The next area we had to remove our shoes due to the leather.
We witnessed families making more offerings of rice and food while worshiping
their God as well. Finally we drove to Durbar Square to see even more temples
but decided to take lunch in a four-storey roof top restaurant. Good food
of chilli chicken and our second hearing of our favourite tune "Om
mani padme hum". After
this the group split up, some back to the pool, some to see more temples
and some to go shopping for cameras. Electronic items can be purchased
so much more cheaply than the UK but note the Cameras do not receive a
worldwide guarantee, don't get conned. This area led everyone into Thamel
the main tourist shopping area where everyone bought there final bits
for the trek and then Rickshawed home. During this ride we witnessed a
street riot and had to detour around the effects of CS gas, which was
being used by the police to calm the crowds down. After
concluding our final packing, |
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we all met down stairs for 3 briefs, 1 from Ed on the admin, 1 by Duncan on medical procedures and finally by me on altitude and kit to carry. Our evening meal was taken at the Him Thai restaurant which provided great food and refreshments, we all sang Happy Birthday to Fiona then headed home early as we had a 0445 hrs start in the morning. Well almost everyone headed home; several troops stayed our sampling the local beers of the Red Onion bar again, till the wee hours of the morning.Next Page | ||||