Wednesday, January 22, 2014

traveloguing pt 2: kathmandu

If going to Hong Kong was a little difficult, going to Kathmandu may be considered downright crazy. We stayed here for about 5 days, sandwiching a 2-day trip to the Chitwan National Forest in Nepal which was a highlight of the trip and a post for another time.

I read before going to Nepal that the best recommendation for Kathmandu is to get out as soon as possible. I can see why. Urban. Crowded. Dusty. But I also found the city captivating, vibrant, and unique - I was glad for a chance to get to know the place a bit.

I'm actually having a hard time finding words to describe our experience there, although I have some vivid memories that I believe are very uniquely Kathmandu. And I'm afraid if I don't get this post out now, it will just never happen. So here are some photos - but for me I wish I had the thousand words instead.

 Driving through the city.

 Eating momos near the market on a night out from the hotel with bros-in-law. Poor Abe sick and on child duty.

Xena vs dragon at the hotel.

 Genghis vs. dragon. We spent a lot of time at the hotel.

I got a night out. Abe got to do an early morning flight over the Himalayas.

At the Pashupatinath Temple. Xena is saying Namaste.

The first two days in Kathmandu were spent doing a mural art project at a local school. The children helped to paint this 2-wall mural designed by Abe's brother.

Complete.

More city pics.

And more. We sadly don't have any photos of the morning that Abe and I together took the 3 children out for a walk to the market. The street looked much like the one above. We were trekking through it, me with Isis on my back, Abe with Xena on his and Genghis riding his shoulders. Once we arrived at the market, which is a known tourist location, we had several shop-keepers ask to take a photo of us. Sadly, we forgot our own camera. Maybe try an image search for "crazy american family in nepal"?

Isis looking great in my scarf. Every Nepali wanted to squeeze her cheeks. I mean, how could you resist?

Thursday, January 16, 2014

traveloguing

The real results of our passport photo extravaganza was an amazing trip over Christmas to Hong Kong and Nepal to visit Abe's family. All of the immediate family gathered to celebrate Abe's dad's 60th birthday. It was also our first time to see where his parents have been living for the last few years.

A few travel stats from the trip:
- 13 days
- 8 airplanes
- 65 hours in airports or on airplanes. For our family of 5 that multiplies out to 325 hours or 13 1/2 days.
- Travel by airplane, taxi, train, double-decker bus, ferry, ox cart, canoe, and elephant.
- 16,000 miles traveled, give or take.

And, some photos from Hong Kong. Credit: most of these are courtesy of Abe's dad, who is an excellent photographer!

Streets of Hong Kong.

Building where parents live. Check out the sweet circular picture window at the top! 

Birthday dinner! 

Skyline. 

In the days that followed, we were so grateful for the ipad mini Christmas gift. 

Isis at her adorable best. 

Xena waiting to pounce on prawns. 

 Lots of random sleep time.

 Stanley market.

With kids in tow.