Kathmandu, Nepal (MUST KNOW)

ภาษาไทยคลิกที่นี่ค่ะ
The last minute trip for our Christmas was “Kathmandu” the capital city of Nepal.
Nepal is a landlocked country in Southern Asia, between the Tibet autonomous region of China and India. It contains eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest – the worlds tallest.
Nepal also means “The wisdom eyes…” as you will see so many things with the Eyes of Buddha sign around the town…

Actually, we planned to take a trip to Bhutan but it looked like I didn’t get good plan for it. The online tour company who I chatted with, didn’t get a good report on Tripadvisor. And the payment was strange, as they wanted us to send all money in full to New York city before we could see our tickets…. So the trip was cancelled just 4 days before the Christmas!!!

So we headed back to our “wish-list” and picked Kathmandu in Nepal…

As I mentioned, Kathmandu is the largest city and capital of Nepal. Nepal or Nepali people speak Nepali language and about 80% of Nepalis practice Hinduism.

Visa was easy…
It’s kind of easy to apply for the visa for Nepal for both Thai and foreigners who live in Thailand.
Just complete the form and you can have a messenger drop the application at the Nepal Embassy in Bangkok, or check out the website of Nepal embassy here. http://www.nepalembassybangkok.com
But it’s still available on arrival for citizens of most countries, and one passport-sized photograph is required. To complete the process, you must pay a fee (it makes it much easier if you bring the fees in US dollars): Transit ($5), 15 day ($25), 30 day ($40) or 90 day ($100.)

Air Ticket from Thailand, it’s only Thai airways that operates flights from Bangkok to Kathmandu. My round trip ticket was 22,975 THB or $765. And it took about 2.20 hrs to get there.

Kathmandu airport is named Tribhuvan International Airport but before landing the air hostess will announce that “This airport does NOT allow you to take any pictures over (from the plane, or inside the airport” —Don’t worry – there is nothing for you to take picture of anyway….

At the security check on the way back, they separated the line between ladies and gentlemen. And more surprised ! when we tried to boarding, they asked the ladies to board before gentlemen too!

Nepal Money is RUPEE and I like them because there are so many color picture of different animals on the money. Well, I don’t see that they are using coins, only banknote 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 that I used during the trip.
The exchange rate is about 2.71 Rs. per 1 THB or 86 Rs. per $1. But most of the shops accept all the kinds of money! Only something that is very cheap, you will need to have some rupee for that.

The local time in Nepal is 1.15 hrs slower than Thailand. Or Standard time zone is UTC/GMT +5:45 hours
The Hotel…
We picked the Shangri-La Hotel through Agoda. Thought it would be nice hotel since it costs about $220 per night (or 7,000 baht!!!). But it’s just fine hotel – the room is kind of smaller than I expected comparing with the price to other hotels in other countries. But it’s nice service, good location, good breakfast and a free Wi-fi! Our tour guide confirmed that this is the best hotel in Kathmandu.
Rickshaws can be found around the tourist area of Thamel and (very small) taxis are everywhere. Negotiate on a price before you get in. Or check with somebody (guide or hotel help desk) for the right price. Our hotel told us that 200 Rs. was about right for a trip into Thamel from the hotel… So we didn’t ask, we just had the 200 ready and jumped out when we got to / from the shopping area in Thamel.

Kathmandu looks like it’s under a lot of road construction and had a general lack of street names (signs) except for major roads. Renting a car without a driver is a silly option because the way they drive is kind of INSANE. Especially, since so many roads are under construction, and I think it would take over a year from now to finish (it’s Dec 2012 now).
It’s kind of scary for me when my iPhone needed to re-charge! What the heck are all those holes for!!! But once we checked with the Shangri-La, it’s good luck that they provided adapter for all the guest.
But if your hotel doesn’t have an adapter for you, check it out in Thamel (shopping area).

Nepali Food? I think you don’t have to worry if you are a Western, you will easily find a hamburger and French-fries here (or everywhere in the world!).
But I’m ok with the local foods, it’s a good chance to try something different. Nepali food looks like the Indian food for me…smell of seasoning, spice and oil…

It’s fun to watching what the local people like to eat. Just like this kind of food, I saw it around wherever we go. The tour guide told that this is kind of Nepali snack. The round shape is fried potato.

When they served, they will make a hole that fried potato, and put some paste and some light souse on it. Served one at the time. It’s kind of spicy from the paste but it’s nice to try. This is 10 rupees for 4 potatoes! Very cheap, just 3 THB or $0.11!!!

Fruits and vegetables are selling around the town.

Especially, oranges!!! But whatever they sale, they are using the old style weight…!!! I don’t see any modern weight checker in Nepal (only in the airport for bags checking!!!)

Also, the peanuts which cost about 10 Rupees for small can and 20 Rupees for big can. Try some, it’s the original town for peanuts!!!

There are NOT many convenience stores in Kathmandu. Mostly the shops are owned by the local people and still keep the way of old day.

Just like this Coke shop that’s painted in coke color. I mean, not many shops use the computer printing to decorate like the shops in other capital cities!!!

What to buy? Remember that Kathmandu is a SHOPPING PARADISE!!!
Most of things are hand-made products, I would recommend you to get wherever you see that you like. Because you can find something close but not the same since they are all hand-made products!
Go to Thamel, it’s the shopping area and it’s my favorite area in Kathmandu. (the taxi from our Shangri-La hotel to Thamel is 200 Rupees (55 Baht – ~$2).

The most popular product here are the mask and puppets. The price is kind of cheap but it’s very heavy!!! Because the big mask is made from big read wood!!!

But they do have some light souvenirs around too, t-shirt, magnets, key chains, jewelry, etc.

The best thing about Thamel is FOOD – the restaurant. There are so many nice restaurants around the area and serve different kinds of food. Thai, Mexican, Western, European or the local food!

Last, the tour package!!!
Actually, I’ve been talking with the Shangrila tour operator but each time I check the price goes up. So I decided to find a local tour company when I get there! At least, I found out that the taxis are everywhere in Kathmandu, so in worse case, we will take just the taxi around the town!!

But it wasn’t that bad!!! Easy to find the tour company at the airport (he came with the taxi!!!). But he showed us the office in Thamel area. (so the other good thing about Thamel is, the tour company is also around this area as well!!!).
As we didn’t have time to check about the price that much, but it’s kind of cheaper than the one from Shangri-La. So the cost for full 3 days trip for both of us is $600. So the minimun cost for this trip per person (without shopping) is 50,000 THB or $1,667 for all I have mentioned above…

If you are Facebook fans of Somethingjam.com, please view more pictures about Kathmandu at: (click at picture below)

Or become our fan at : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Somethingjamcom/254331504636030