SWAYAMBHUNATH OR THE "TEMPLE DES APE"
12 DECEMBER 2014

For nothing to hide, Kathmandu is for us a beautiful city, but too touristy for our taste.
It must be said that the shock is great, with what we have seen previously in China. Le'occidental here is no longer a curiosity but a real silver tank, impossible to stop watching anything without getting interpellate one way or another for money (begging, taxis , Rickshaw or sale of various objects). We who seek human encounters are not really the ideal. Strongly that we find the roads of Nepal.
Meanwhile direction Swayambhutna better known as "Monkeys Temple".
Three small kilometers through Kathmandu and here we are before the 365 steps of Swayambhunath.
D'after Wikipedia: "The whole valley was formerly occupied by a huge lake, in which grew a lotus Valley was then called Swayambhu meaning." Self-created "The name comes from an eternal self-generated flame (. Svyaṃbhu) on which was later built a stūpa.
The Bodhisattva Manjusri had a vision of the lotus at Swayambhu and went there to venerate it. Seeing that the valley could be a good basis to make the site more accessible to human pilgrims, Manjushri his sword opened a passage Chovar. The water was drained from the lake, leaving the valley in which Kathmandu is now. The lotus has turned into a hill and the flower become the Swayambhunath stupa. "Http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambunath"

The climb is rough but not so unpleasant, we take the time to watch the monkeys wandering between the statues and Katamandou below.
Arrived at the top impossible to dodge the payment (not for the premises) of the entrance.
We probably lucky, tourists are not so present and friendly place apart two American "forms plasticized" climbed on sacred statues posing for their cameras as pinups, beautifully driven by a Buddhist by none Of the great: "No Good !!! No good !!!" The discolored blonde retorting with kicks and fists, but the none was the strongest.
Except this time Kungfu the moment is really appreciable, we can take our time to contemplate this building accompanied by the smell of incense and the sounds of prayers and Buddhist music. The atmosphere is filled with spirituality where even the Hindus practice. It is one of the characteristics of Kathmandu to see religions come together with so much ease and simplicity.
We like these places where time seems to go at another speed where the tour is neither guided nor timed.

To be in the heart of Monkey Temple with google map

ROAD OF NEPAL (FROM KATHMANDOU TO INDIA)
19 DECEMBER 2014

It was not for failing to try the stop in Nepal, we did not get there. It should be said that three out of four cars are taxis. The time we are trying to make the taxis understand that their benefits do not interest us the fourth car runs before our eyes.
So to reach the border of India we fall back on the bus.
We can divide the buses of Nepal into four categories.
The first are buses full of colors, they are often well dented and patched up from all sides and there is no guarantee to have a seated place to see a place simply inside the bus (view people hanging on to Outside the bus). It is the bus of the premises because the prices are unbeatable.
The second category is written on the buses "Tourists", they are much more sober and especially much safer because in a much better state, seated place assured.
The third category is always written on "Only tourist", if it is not a joke! They look similar to the previous category just a little more classy, ​​a complimentary drink and one is just between tourist.
The fourth is the green line company, which is the super class buses with drink and meals served. This time the Nepalese is allowed but as he can not pay his place, tourists always stay between them ...
You know us, our taste of colors makes us choose the first. Already first adventure before the start is to negotiate the price without forgetting to look if the tires are not smooth (tires in perfect condition must not dream ...) and the condition of the driver.
Then we can sit, every time, people are amused by seeing us, they are not used to seeing Westerners on their bus.
First trip Kathmandu - Pokhara.
We find seats, the bags on our thighs, however you should know that the bus is not designed for the legs of Europeans (Nepalese are small) so our knees touch the front chairs.
We left for 5 hours of dodgy roads, impressive descents along vertiginous ravines (Himalaya oblige, we see the Anapurna in the distance). The sound of taule is incessant and with each right turn a large "clang" metallic sounds. It's a real sensation ride! We smile even if sometimes we squeeze the butt especially when we cross another bus or worse when the two pound because they are face to face!
At the end of 3:30 the bus stops, the driver goes down and inspects the back of the bus, we have to go down apparently the bus is no longer able to reach Pokhara and we go up without waiting in another bus. Consequently we are even tighter, but no big clang at the right turn but a big "wroom" in the turns to the left and a smell of gasoline and burning is spreading more and more along the kilometers. It's the trouble again! The driver succeeds in repairing everything and here we are in Pokhara.
The next day, not discouraged we take a bus all colored, we prefer a hundred times to be the heart of the population than the well being of an air-conditioned coach with large armchairs.
The landscapes are fabulous and lush nature (banana, coconut, mandarin tree etc ...) but frustrating not being able to take pictures so we are shaken. We arrive at Butwal where we spend the night. We won our day in Lumbini, birthplace of Siddhārtha Gautama future Buddha. It is one of the four most important pilgrimages for the Buddhists. The place is perfect for resting on Nepalese roads, it is calm and serene, the majority of the visitors are pilgrims and the tourists are respectful, which allows to install a atmosphere full of spirituality and meditation.

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