"Best" or favorite place to get prayer flags in Kathmandu?

[RRainey]

What is your favorite or best place to get prayer flags in Kathmandu?

[Sharon]

Bodnath is my favourite place for shopping.

[Suginami]

Can you get Tibetan temple hangings the white ones with the geometrical patterns in black. red or green? I have several that make wonderful curtains. They don`t sell them at Kopan. I got mine in Pokara

I will try Bodnath before skipping over the road to the Dwarika for Thai style veggie green curry.

I can`t wait to go.

[thesilvertops]

There are a couple of shops on the main road at Bouddnath and also one at the Sherpa centre. You should also go down some of the side streets from the stupa and you will find more shops there that deal with all kinds of Buddhist items. (You will also find many more gompas - Listen for the drums and horns!)
There also used to be a good shop in Thamel opposite Shona's but nearer to the crossroads (Taxi corner!) I have built up a collection of these items over the years and I have some very nice wall hangings

[kiwigirl]

Bodnath is my favourite place for shopping.

where is Bodnath?:)

[Escher]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2361073023_15fed9d743_b.jpg

Bodnath is the big Stupa back towards the airport (and also the area that surrounds it) and is where a lot of the Tibetans reside so there are lots of shopping opportunities for carpets and the like. Did you not go there? Didn't you do the Swyambu, Pashupatinath, Bodnath standard tour? Do you drink a lot as you seem to being saying cheers with a beer on every post you make? Am I asking too many questions? What's the capital of Borneo? I'll stop now...

[Escher]

More gratuitous Bodnath pictures (Oli started it):-

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/2379966545_5b95ea53b1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2413531157_54ffcb6497_b.jpg

[kiwigirl]

they are awesome photos!
No I never went there. no one told us about the Swyambu, Pashupatinath, Bodnath standard tour.
I rarely drink, I just like that icon . .. . .
we just got told to visit Thamel and Patan while in Kathmandu. we only had 2 days before the flight to Lukla and as soon as we got back to Thamel we were due at Pokhara then Chitwan then home.
I am pleased that it has been mentioned because it is something to look forward to for next time, and the friends who are coming with me have not been to Nepal before.
Although we did visit the Leprosy Hospital, only 5 Leprosy research labs in the world and 2 of them in Nepal!
Borneo consists of Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, I dont think it has one capital . . .. .:D

[Oli]

No I never went there. no one told us about the Swyambu, Pashupatinath, Bodnath standard tour. ... we just got told to visit Thamel and Patan while in Kathmandu.

What?! :( Then you have much left to see in Kathmandu and around the valley. Swayambhunath (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swayambhunath), Bodhnath (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhnath) & Pashupatinath (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashupatinath_Temple) - two massive Buddhist stupas and a Hindu site. My fav is Swayambhunath, aka the Monkey Temple - it has some great views out over the Valley.

You know that "Kathmandu" is actually three cities? The main one (that contains Thamel etc) is actually called Basantapur. Patan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patan,_Lalitpur) (aka Lalitpur), south of the Bagmati river, and Bhaktapur (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaktapur), to the east, both used to be seperate kingdoms until they were united under the Malla dynasty in the 12th century. The Durbar Square in Patan is more extensive than the one in Basantapur. Bhaktapur is full of old world architecture and craftworking, worth visiting for a day or two and I recommend a side trip up to Changu Narayan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changu_Narayan).

UNESCO heritage sites galore! :)

[Escher]

Never one to pass up an opportunity.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2275/2372259494_fda7906e43_b.jpg

Swyambunath

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/21/33860184_277a60f4a3_o.jpg

Pashupatinath

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/33852178_f167b8bcc5.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/325234408_fcfd2bdeb0_o.jpg

Wonky slide of Patan

Patan is great. A really interesting and much more chilled place to walk around and explore, especially after the full-on bustle of bits of Kathmandu.

[Oli]

Rickshaw to monkey temple sir?
Anyone tried this? Odds on they won't really take you all the way as there is a big hill.... they will take you over the Bishnumati river, then stop at the bottom of the (steep) hill and point you in the direction of some steps up to a (small) temple. That is actually Bijeswori, a nice little shrine but certainly not Swayambunath which is another half mile or so further up the hill. :mad:

I've been in this situation twice. The first time my friend was most insistent that our driver do as he said or would not get paid a single rupee, half way up the hill we got out to help push for a while until we gave up and paid him off. :o The other time (aware of the ruse) I told the guy that if he only took me part way he'd only get part pay, he assured me he'd take me all the way there and yet was quite indignant when I refused more than half the fare, but he preferred that to peddling up the hill :rolleyes:

Take a taxi there and walk back. ;)

[Oli]

where is Bodnath?:)

Well if Escher is going to post photos then I'll post maps :D

Boudhnath (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=27.721344,85.362128&spn=0.003338,0.009007&t=h&z=18)

Swayambunath (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=27.715104,85.290374&spn=0.003339,0.009007&t=h&z=18)

Pashupatinath (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=27.709984,85.349103&spn=0.003339,0.009007&t=h&z=18)

Patan (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=27.67301,85.325199&spn=0.00668,0.018014&t=h&z=17)

Bhaktapur (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=27.672255,85.429012&spn=0.00334,0.009007&t=h&z=18)

Changu Narayan (http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&hl=en&ll=27.716395,85.427713&spn=0.003338,0.009007&t=h&z=18)

Nice to see Google maps coverage of Kathmandu is getting quite good :)

[Sharon]

I really love Bodnath. I go there at least twice on every visit. The side streets are where you get some really great deals on Buddhist items. In the morning it is so peaceful and in the evening jammed with sherpas doing there koras.
There is a place for fabulous carpets near Bodnath behind the police station. Very good quality much nicer than in Thamel. Course withthe surcharges etc I don't see how I'll be bring home the carpets the way I have in the past. They can really pack those carpets into small little packages.

[Suginami]

I was taken by Pradeep to a kind of warehouse over near Patan which had tons of really good Nepalese and Tibetan things from tankas to glass balls, carpets. Yes commercial and buses go there but the stuff was good and I could use a cc.

But I will take my neice to Bodnath as I am sure she would love it.

When I first ever went there the stupa was entirely clear from the road and Bodnath was out in the countryside. We cycled there on the way to Pashputinath which was also way out in the countryside. There were no cars then.

[Sharon]

I went by rickshaw to Monkey temple a couple of years ago. It was hilarious and yes we got out and helped. The next afternoon we went by rickshw to Bodnath. Now that was a trip. We screamed at times, pushed at times and walked a lot. The rickshaw driver spoke practically no english but he escorted us all afternoon. We then bumped into my porter and took the bus back after paying off the rickshw driver with a healthy tip.
I do most of my souvenier shopping at Bodnath now. Better prices than Thamel.

[Suginami]

I hate rickshaws. They thump along the road, its painful to ride and to watch. I rather just give the guy a few rupees out of pity. As for getting to the Monkey Temple that is just cruel even walking is hard. I go on the back of a motor bike and go in from the back to avoid the stairs. Good birding up there. Minivets, rosefinches and woodpeckers and sunbirds.

I might but some prayer flags for my balcony. Its time to cut down the vine so prayer flags will look nice fluttering in the wind.:)

[Spaceman347]

Swayambunath is a great walk, across town and up the stairs, good preparation for the trek to come :)
You get to see a different view of the city on the way across

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/1786161626_fdf6975d15.jpg

Pashupatinath is quite a nice walk too. I like to experience not only the site itself but also the approach and the surroundings.
I'm also not a big fan of the local taxis, I pretty sure that one of the taxis I got into last time I was there didn't have a passenger side airbag :eek:

[julia]

I love Bodnath too. I agree with you Sharon, getting there early is a must, it seems to have a magical air about it. Wish I was there now.

[Escher]

I went to see how statues are made when visiting a friend in Patan. So much effort goes into making them. One guy in the family was the master craftsman, he created the original wax models and performed the whole casting process. The heat coming from the molten metal was tremendous and I could barely peep round the corner to take pictures and they had no safefty/specialist equipment at all. The whole family relied on the main guy for the whole process, if he got injured during the casting they would not be able to produce any statues. Each wax model would make ten or so statues, once cooled they would then pass through several people to be finished. The amount of labour was quite surprising especially for the low price they sold them at in the end. I searched and searched for the nicest statues I could find (I have quite a collection at home), and these were it and it is all down to the wonderful skills of this one guy. If you want to buy any statues, let me know and I'll tell you where to find them, you won't be disappointed with their statues at all. They are top notch and the best I've seen - and I have looked at a lot!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/325250323_5a3a9642cb.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/325250650_1564d90ccb.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/325251374_a575a1402b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/325250028_7056182f9a.jpg

[Escher]

I love rickshaws! I've ridden one (as in peddaled it myself - or at least in relay with a friend) from the airport to Thamel during a bandh and also from Bharatpur to Sauraha (that is quite a long way though). Great fun! The ride from the airport especially so and it caused much hilarity with the locals at roadside. I am not sure Julia was so keen when I decided I should pedal us back to the hotel one evening last trip, but it was fine, I only crashed twice and she didn't scream all that much!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/132767422_800fcf0e1a_o.jpg

[Landfall38]

My vote is also for Bodnath! Wonderful atmosphere.

We also usually go Swayambunath specifically for the walk as it is easy from Thamel (oh but I hate those stairs -- I always wonder "If these are so tiring, how will I make it over the pass").

But I am definitely NOT a fan of those monkeys at the so-called "Monkey Temple".
They may look cute but...! Naughty at best, possibly evil... don't look them in the eye, they will swat you if close enough (saw that twice last year, as tourists made faces at them and got a swat in return.) Then there is my wife's first experience on her first visit back in 1996: an animal lover, she thought she'd bring some bananas (hidden in a bag) for them. Well, she never had a chance: didn't take anything out of the bag, but they jumped her & grabbed the bag (it was quite funny though scary as she momentarily had a push-pull struggle to keep the bag then she quickly realized "Nope, this is not smart, you can have the bag"). Four returns to Swayambunath since then, she never has any food on her while climbing those stairs!

They seem the worst on the stairs. Fun to watch, yes.

[Oli]

But I am definitely NOT a fan of those monkeys at the so-called "Monkey Temple". They may look cute but...! Naughty at best, possibly evil...
And beware that some of them may carry rabies. If you are unfortunate enough to get bitten by one then seek medical advice. I have heard of someone being bitten on a visit to the temple before their trek and had to self-inject anti-rabies serum whilst on their trek - no fun!

[julia]

[QUOTE=Escher]I love rickshaws! I've ridden one (as in peddaled it myself - or at least in relay with a friend) from the airport to Thamel during a bandh and also from Bharatpur to Sauraha (that is quite a long way though). Great fun! The ride from the airport especially so and it caused much hilarity with the locals at roadside. I am not sure Julia was so keen when I decided I should pedal us back to the hotel one evening last trip, but it was fine, I only crashed twice and she didn't scream all that much!

QUOTE]


The rickshaw driver ran along beside us, he was mightily confused as to why a tourist would want to drive the rickshaw, but went along with it (literally)!

Escher has not passed his rickshaw driving test yet, plus being under the influence made him think he was more in control than he really was and it was dark, the electricity was off so there were no lights. I was terrified of looking behind us at the carnage, we may not ever be allowed to go back there! We finally came to a halt when going round a bend towards the hotel, the front end of the rickshaw went round but the back didn't. No damage tho! So we got off at that point and walked the last 2 mins to the hotel!

Great fun!

I had a weird dream last night, dreamt I was in Nepal dressed as monk, I wonder what the meaning behind that is? Who knows!

[julia]

This is a nice little video clip of Swayambunath Stupa, Kathmandu


Perched atop a forested hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, Swayambunath Stupa is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine.

Swayambunath is also known as the Monkey Temple, and as you start up the hill, you will likely begin to see the monkeys that lend the stupa this alternate name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-H_Z_WQOQ


I had a monkey pinch my sandwich in Kenya, a whole group of them came down and marauded the landrover, there was nothing you could do except let them get on with it.

Then a raccoon pinched some pizza at a restaraunt in Yosemite, they were really scary, they look the part too, with their cute little masks on. A squirrel also bit me on the finger whilst there, it really hurt, I don't think it had rabies, Im still here and still relatively normal, even though some might disagree!

But yep, you need to be careful, feeding them is def a no no, it encourages them to be naughty little devils!

[Sharon]

Here it is the Whiski Jacks. They will fly up and take the food right out of your sandwich while you are taking a bite. There is a junction on a hike up to garibaldi lake where you sit down and suddenly you are swarmed by them. The chipmonks by the lake can also be bold.

[Landfall38]

Here it is the Whiski Jacks. They will fly up and take the food right out of your sandwich while you are taking a bite. There is a junction on a hike up to garibaldi lake where you sit down and suddenly you are swarmed by them. The chipmonks by the lake can also be bold.

All true! But the Whiskey Jacks are SOOOOOO cute and do not bite!

[Whiskey Jacks do not drink Whiskey and are also known as Canada Jays -- they should be the official bird of Whistler....]

Another animal-lover-wife story: she got in trouble from the Garibaldi park ranger this past Sept for feeding the whiskey jacks! Just like bears, "A fed Jack is a dead jack" Oh come on! :mad: [FYI: substitute "bear" for "jack" and you have a local mantra which IS true for bears] Well, the Park Ranger was very nice about it... and wife has no intention to stop feeding the whiskey jacks. (Such a rebel she is.)

[yakshaver]

I went by rickshaw to Monkey temple a couple of years ago. It was hilarious and yes we got out and helped. The next afternoon we went by rickshw to Bodnath. Now that was a trip. We screamed at times, pushed at times and walked a lot. The rickshaw driver spoke practically no english but he escorted us all afternoon. We then bumped into my porter and took the bus back after paying off the rickshw driver with a healthy tip.
I do most of my souvenier shopping at Bodnath now. Better prices than Thamel.

Your experience reminds me...
During our last trip in Dec/Jan, our group hired four rickshaws and we had a competition from Durbar Square (KTM version) to Tuckuche Thakali Kitchen in Durbar Marg - Narayanhiti end. It was during peak hour traffic at about 4 or 5 pm and it was on of the most thrill seeking crazy things I have been part of. We gave all drivers good tips, of course. In hindsight, this would probably encourage them to continue to do stupid things like this an risk their lives and the tourists' in the future... It was a lot of fun.

[Suginami]

There is a legend that at night there is a ghost rickshaw that rides around at night in KTM bumping and thumping around but there is no driver. Many people claim to have heard it and some have seen it.

The rick shaw picks up unsuspecting drunks or people out too late and they are never seen again.