I can remember the Bob Seger double live album. I bought it while I was in college. My favorite song was Kathmandu. Bob said "I think I'm going to Kathmandu." But you know what? He never went! The big liar! Ok , it was just a song.
I went there and I couldn't get that song from my head. But the city of Kathmandu was not the highlight of my trip to Nepal. Cities seldom are. Kathmandu is not a destination many set their sites upon. I don't blame Bob for not going.
The real appeal to the country of Nepal is the Himalayan mountain range featuring the tallest mountain in the world, Mt Everest. But that is not the only appeal. The countryside drive was quite nice as well. For me, the country is always more appealing than the cities.
This post is mostly just a photo essay of my ride through Nepal. This is not a particularly big country in size. The roads are not plentiful nor in that great of shape. It reminds me of my drives through rural India.
This gives you a flavor of the housing and living conditions in this country. Although this is a poor country compared to western standards, poverty is relative. This is not the poorest region in the area.
These roadside food stands are ubiquitous in many Asian countries. I love these places because it is always local food and it is always inexpensive. Some avoid these places because of hygiene concerns, but I doubt there is any more concern than any other area of the world your food is prepared by others. I think it more sanitary than McDonalds anyway!
This trip I hired a car and driver for this ride. Many factors go into the decision to self drive vs other means to travel. Among them are: is an international driver's permit required, cost, comfort factor with roads, insurance concerns, and navigation concerns. But the biggest one is cost. If I can hire a car and driver for $50 per day or less, I'll take that route! So much more relaxing, especially in Nepal where, like India, you have to watch out for the cows!
Tea is a favorite crop everywhere in this part of the world. It borders China, and who hasn't heard the phrase "for all the tea in China!" Yeah, there's a lot.
This is a flavor for what Nepal looks like. Bob Seger was probably wise not to go to Kathmandu, but he missed out on their beautiful countryside. Oh well Bob, Turn the Page!
Anytime I hear Kathmandu, I to immediately think of Bob Seager. He was definitely one of my favorite bands growing up. I am pretty sure that you and I went to see him in concert. What a great concert. I really can’t see Bob Seager in Katmandu 45 years ago. 😀 Thanks for sharing and reminding me of Bob Seager.
I am really glad you only referenced the song by Seger and chose not to sing. Interesting how these people live and make a living. Mt. Everest has its own story in itself. There's a movie about a guy that climbed all the major mountains Everest K2 and a few others. He did them all in a short time. Quite an amazing feat