I'm not sure whose idea it was but on our free day following yesterday's temple tour Nick and I decided to brave the chaotic road traffic and try out bikes with motors. While the other 4 grabbed a taxi to head towards Bhaktapur, an outlying town with a historic square,we took to a couple of hire bikes.
We set off somewhat timidly to negotiate Kathmandu from West to East, but soon found our confidence on the bikes and with the traffic although directionally we tended to follow our noses which sometimes pointed incorrectly.
We did negotiate the trans city successfully and headed out to the country via very dusty potholed roads. Although we initially missed Bhaktapur and we finished up at an incredible 143ft high statue of Shiva.
Again the multiple components of the Linga was prominent in this site.
On our way out of this site there was a young girl labouring on some reconstruction work.
After asking directions we headed back to Bhaktapur. We found the old town but were unsuccessful at meeting up with the taxi travellers.
We came across a cow with broken leg which had been left on the side of the road, presumably beause the culture prevented it being put down!
The trip back to the suburbs was OK, but when we hit the town we progressed towards our hotel in steps directed in response to questions of the locals. We did eventually thankfully converge on the SansSara hotel.
Nick and I had had a ball on the bikes despite the misgivings of our more cautious compatriots. The bike hire cost us about $8 each with about $10 for petrol. Great value and highly recommended to others travelling to Kathmandu.
No comments:
Post a Comment