We joined the others in the tour group at Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu. The hotel is the brainchild of Dwarika Das Shrestha who used the buildings and grounds to maintain the regional heritage. The buildings are basically a living museum of Nepali/Newari architecture and wood carving. It is a beautiful oasis of calm in this chaotic (and unbelievable dusty) city. This is one place where wearing a face mask makes good sense. Apparently widespread regional construction and the nonstop flow of cars and motorcycles fill the air with dust. The insane flow of traffic makes me think of a Canadian reality TV show: “Don’t Drive Here!”

We got up early to catch a flight to see Mount Everest. It was a quick (~1 hour) flight that flew by the mountain, made a U-turn and headed back to the airport. It is an amazing feeling gazing at the top of the world.

In the morning we toured the Boudhanath Stupa and a Thanka school run by the Dalai Lama

The afternoon was spent touring the old town squares and palaces of Patan and Kathmandu. We visited the Kathmandu area several years back (~2008) and the town squares felt a window into human brilliance and exotic architecture from times long past. Given that, it was a shock to see them now. The devastating earthquake (~8 on Richter scale) of April 2015 caused massive damage to many buildings throughout the Kathmandu Valley and these sites were not immune. Some buildings were (seemingly) unaffected but several temples, heritage buildings and homes collapsed or were so badly damaged, they had to be torn down afterward. Lumber and steel buttressing is being used all over to help support structurally damaged buildings. Some buildings that are still standing that are likely beyond repair and will have to be demolished. It will take many years of work to restore these UNESCO World Heritage sites to their former glory. The experience was a sobering reminder of the power of Mother Nature.