Adventure Trip - Nepal (Kathmandu) Part 2

I'm back to share with everyone of you on my Nepal trip part 2. I believe some of you had already read about my Nepal trip part 1 on my previous post if you have not read it just click it and read it now. ( :
The previous post I only share about my 1st and 2nd day trip in Nepal. Now I'm going to share about my 3rd and 4th day in Nepal.

As usual we had our breakfast in the hotel before we head out for more adventure trip. On our 3rd day we asked the hotel staff to recommend us 3 places that is nice to go to in Kathmandu, first place is Bhaktapur Municipality, Bhaktapur is another cultural and historical heritage place to go and know more about Nepal. When we arrived we get ourselves a tour guide to tour us around in Bhaktapur and he is quite a nice guy and he did explain to us quite clearly and brought us to quite a few alley which I don't think we will manage to find it if we walk on our own.

So first of all the tour guard did a slight introduce of Bhaktapur to us which I can see it in the map of Bhaktapur. ( Shown Below )

 

and not to forget that we always have to buy an entry ticket before we can go in the entry ticket is selling at (RS 1500.00) which is about (SGD 19.00) but I find that it's okay to pay for this price because I get to go in to see and understand more about Bhaktapur in Nepal.

 

( This is how the entry ticket look like as you can see the price is stated at the top right hand corner)

Bhaktapur is another cultural and historical heritages durbar square in Kathmandu, but is different from the first Hanuman-dhoka durbar square that I went earlier on my 2nd day.

The different between this two is : Hanuman-dhoka durbar square is more of a temples and shrines of both Hindu and Buddhist but for Bhaktapur is you can see more of handicraft produce that is made by their own local people.

 Look as you can see from the moment you're at the entrance you can already see all this handicraft thing that made by them hang up on the wall for sales is nice and I'm really amaze by their work that do for sure I can't do it like that look at the 3rd photo above.

Further up when you walk inner you will get to see more interesting things inside, like the photo you see below actual there's some shop house inside selling other stuff too.

But of cause this place is not a place for you to shop this is a place for you to understand a little bit more about their cultural and historical heritage.

Look at the Durbar Square of Bhatgoan. In

Us standing on the stair of Vastsala temple

The big bell, the bell of barking dogs.

Me following behind the tour guide entering the golden gate. This Golden Gate statue of King Bhupatindra Malla perching on the top of stone monoliths. 

the guide told us that this is the king's shower.

The above picture is The Golden Spout.

The picture above is the popular 55 Windows Palace.

Why 55 windows ? The tour guard said in the olden days when female that is not married can't step out of the house and whenever they have any event they only can look from the windows that's why they have this 55 windows palace. 

After that our tour guide brought us to this alley that their local make their own pot.

This is where they heat up the pot after shaping it.

This is a way they dry the pot and from what the tour guide said the men they are the ones that make the pot and the women will be the ones that help them to sun and dry the pot.

Us standing infront of the Siddhi Laxmi Temple, 17th Century

After that we had our lunch at one of the restaurant which you can sit and the roof top and see the whole view of Durbar Square.

Yummy Yummy look at their local food is always at a portion that is just nice for me and is always come in a balance of vegetable and meat I find it healthy. ( =

After our lunch we went to this temple called Pashupathinath.

Pashupathinath is the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. 

The temple was built in the 17th century by King Bhupatindra Malla after the previous building had been consumed by termites. Surrounding the main building itself are newer structures.

Situated along the banks of the Bagmati river this bustling place is rich in culture and heritage.

 

As we proceeded further, one event that caught our attention was the actual cremation of human bodies by the river banks, Something that we do not see here in Singapore. At the river banks, the body is prepared for cremation traditionally on funeral pyres.

After that we went to another Heritage site called The Great Boudha Stupa.

This great Majestic Boudha Stupa stands approximately 6 - 7km North East from center of the Kathmandu valley. This Great Stupa is also called the Stupa of enlightenment or Bodhi Stupa, it is also known as Jhyarung Khashyour and is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist monument in the world.

While we're walking we saw a lot people walking at the top of the Boudha Stupa so we also went inside the temple and walk a few rounds too.

 

Most of the people or local will circumambulation and offering of Boudha Stupa and they will walk around in a clockwise direction. Just like most Hindu and Buddhist will do when they go to a temple to pray or to wish for something or you could say is like their devotional practice.

After this we when back for our dinner and went for some shopping.

Take note : I will advise people that is interested to go to this few places that I wrote about you can go at almost anytime of the year but if you want to see and experience more about their culture you might want to consider to go maybe early of the year from Dec to May because they will have some Festivals Celebrated at certain temple. But of cause you could always find it out more before you go.

That's all I'm going to share about it of my 3rd day in Kathmandu Nepal. Will be sharing more about my 4th and 5th day in Kathmandu Nepal real soon.

Flea Maket

On 31 Aug 2014 , Sunday I went for my very first Flea Market. What do I mean by my very first flea market is not my first time went to a flea market to shop BUT it was my very first time selling at a flea market.

It was a nice and good experience. Though it was not as easy as you think because before the day of the flea market you got to spend time to pack your stuff and do pricing for all your item and on top of that at a flea market you're not able to sell your thing at a unreasonable price or to expensive. So let me share with you my very first experience doing a flea market.

Let's GO...

First of all I notice that not all items can be sold on a flea market, flea market is not a garage sales this two are two different thing. So first of all we must take out all the stuff that we plan to sell and then we have to sort out everything.
Secondly, we have to see which location out flea market is at and what kind of customer you will get in that location. This will help you to sort out your items faster and easier too. Like for the flea market I had last sunday is at Woodlands Housing Estate area. So what do we have to put into consideration is housing estate area we cant sell our stuff too expensive. So after sorting out what to bring to sell during the flea mart I start to do pricing I have a headache doing it because i'm thinking how much should I sell for my clothes that is all brand new with were not sold on Mini LinNe's and I have to sell lower than what I sold on Mini LinNe's. No only that those other items like female make up pouch, belts etc etc etc..

 ( This is part of the items we are selling on that day)

During that day although the flea start at 9am but we arrived around 8plus because we got to find the location of our table as in our store number and also to set up out store that's why is better to reach there early. One more thing is that if you're there early to set up your store those passes by people will walk stop and see what you're doing and at the same time you can promote your stall and at the same time you can tell them what you're selling. So always remember to be there early to start up your stall and get ready.

(Picture of me at the stall)

(Jerome & Me at the stall)

Back to the top, I believe everyone of you should know that for sure all sort of customer you will met while you're doing business that including flea market too. You will met people that will just walk pass and see but don't buy anything from you, some will touch and ask a lot of question but end up also never buy it from you. I believe you have met such customer before maybe some even worst. ( Feel free to share your experience with me on what kind of customer you met before while you're doing your business or flea market. )

Thankfully on that day for me such customer not much. Most of the customer that come to our stall they will buy it from us I still remember our very first customer of the day is one lady bought a mahjong key-chin which I'm selling only at $1.00. Haha..  But I don't mind I take it as a good start first customer of the day. xD

I also remember that there's another customer bought a few items from us and after that she came back and get more. I'm really glad to met such a nice and good customer on that day of cause not only this customer we have other customer also we have kids from other stall that came to buy thing from us.

I got to thank to those customer that stop by and bought things from our stall and those that stop by and have a look and of cause I'm going to thanks a few person that helped me out on that day. First of all thanks to Jerome, his cousin Justin and his dad for waking up early to came over my place to pick me up and bring those stuff that we wanted to sell to the location and also help to sell.

Also need to thanks my mum, my sis and Jerome mum and bro for coming down to support me.

Once again Thank to all of you. (-:

Hope that I will be having my 2nd Flea Market soon.

Adventure Trip - Nepal (Kathmandu)

Hello everybody this time round I'm going to share with you on my latest trip in Nepal (Kathmandu).

Wondering why I went Nepal? I can't believe I will went to Nepal too. But deep in me was thinking why not just go and explore just like I always like to do thing and tell myself " You never try you will never know " and after this trip it gave me a big surprise out of it. ~ WOW ~

Wanna find out more about it let's continue reading it and you will find it out more. Come Let's GO. :)

From Singapore to Nepal(Kathmandu) flight time is roughly about 5hours plus. But there isn't much direct flight from Singapore to Nepal. Unless you pay a little bit more around $100 sgd to $200 sgd (just for the air ticket) and you will be able to get a flight directly from Singapore to Nepal (Kathmandu). But if you choose to save up a little bit on the air ticket then I believe you got to choose other flight and do a transit just like me.

For me I chosen to go with Thai Airway and do our transit in Bangkok and catch our connection flight from Bangkok with Thai Airway, but unfortunately things didn't go smoothly as what we've plan. Why because the schedule time for our flight from SG to Bangkok suppose to be 7.40am (SG Time ) and estimated time to arrive in Bangkok airport at 9.15am (Thai Time) got delay and we missed out our connection flight from Bangkok 10.15am (Thai time) and estimated time to reach Nepal Kathmandu is afternoon 12.30pm (Nepal Time) For your information the time different of SG and Nepal is : 2hr 15min)

But like I mention the flight was delay from SG side. So by the time we arrive in Bangkok we missed out our flight and we have no other choose and thankfully the airport staff is nice and efficient enough to approach us on arrival and arrange everything to get us the next available flight to Nepal(Kathmandu).

I remember when we step out from the airport in Nepal and get a cab to our hotel the road is so dark without any street light so can you imagine how dark is it on the street and one thing I remember clearly is once we arrive in our hotel the guy at the reception court asked us this question : How come we arrived so late ??? so of cause I told him due to the flight delay.
Therefore this how I spend my day one of travelling a tiring day one. Haha

( P.S : But I still enjoy the day one trip although is just keep on transiting flight one to another . To me I feel that is an unforgettable experience and I feel like a traveller. Hehe xP )

Early next morning, when we woke up we when down for our breakfast in the hotel. Although their choice is limited but we still enjoy eating our breakfast there. Partly is because of the environment and the people over there is very nice and friendly.

this is what I had for my breakfast almost the same for the rest of the other days while I'm staying there but is okay for me because is nice and simple oh especially their tea I like it so much.

This is the view of the outdoor of the hotel. You're able to have your breakfast outdoor too. They have a little garden at the back of it is really a nice and relax place to sit down and have your breakfast.

After our breakfast we get back to our room and get ready to change up and go out and start to explore Nepal(Kathmandu) Thamel Street for a walk and look around to see what they have but during the time when we wanted to go out is raining but we still went out without fear.

I look so lost by looking at the street don't know where to go first.
After a walk on Thamel Street we when back to our hotel to put our stuff that we bought, have our lunch and of cause to get some little rest before we head down to other place.

The above picture show what we eat for our lunch.

Late afternoon around 3plus to 4pm we went out again, this time round we went to this place called : Hanuman-dohok Durbar Square. This is one of their Heritage site to go when you're in Nepal (Kathmandu) but we have to purchase the Entry Ticket before we can enter the ticket is selling at (RS 750.00 )

This is how the Entry Ticket look like and from the entry ticket above you also can see the Opening Hours.

 

 Let's took one picture before entering.

Once we walked down and we show this  Kal Bhairav. 

Saw the picture above ?
That's Kal Bhairav, this huge stone image of Bhairav represents deity Shiva in his destructive manifestation, It is undated, bu was set in its present location by King Pratap Malla after it was found in a field north of the city. This is the most famous Bhairav and it was used by the government as a place for people to swear the truth.
So remember when you're there don't lie. Haha.. xP

After that we walk ahead to this Jagannath Temple.

This temple is the oldest structure of the square and is noted for the erotic carvings on its roof struts. The image of Jagannath situated inside temple dated back to 1563 during the rule of Mahendra Malla. The temple has a three - tired platform and two storeys.

( In front of this temple have a lot of pigeon as you can see from the picture above and they allow people to feed those pigeon but of cause you have to pay for it.)

I didn't pay to feed the pigeon I just stand by there to take a picture where else the uncle is feeding as you can see from my other picture. ( :

 After that we move on to Chyasin Dega.

 

The temple of Vansagopal (which means Krishna in he act of playing the flute) was built in 1649 by Pratap Malla in meory of his two dead queens. It is architecturally interesting because of its octagonal plan, Along with deity Krishna, Rukmini & Satyabhama are inshrined. Renovated in 1967.

Next want follow by the Trilokya Mohan Narayan and Kumari-ghar

First let's talk about the one on the left you see in the picture that's Kumari-ghar.(P.S Sorry that we did't take a proper direct picture of this Kumari-ghar).
Built in 1757 by King Jaya Prakash Malla, Kumari ghar is the home of the 'Kumari' or living goddess who is considered to be an incarnation of the goddess Taleju. The Kumari ghar is a three storeyed quadrangle lavishly decorated with fine woodcarving. It is the third storey of the building that is especially attractive with its fine bay windows, in which the Kumari appears form time to time in the company of her guardian priestess to see and be seen by her admires.

Now the white color building you see behind Jerome that's Trilokya Mohan Naryan.

Built in 1690 by Queen Mother , Riddhi Laxmi, this temple stands on five-stage plinth and has three roofs, The roof struts are carved with different images, while the templeas a whole is dedicated to Vishnu. There is a large kneeling image of Garud in the western side, The temple is connected with Indrajatra festival, during which large crowd come to see the ten incarnations of Vishnu, which are enacted on its pedestal. Also called Das-abatar mandir.

This is what I've seen at Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square, actually they have more to see. So if you're interested in this square visit it yourself when you're there in Nepal(Kathmandu).

 

After visiting Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square, we start to walk back to Thamel and along the street there's shop house and it look like the picture shown below :

While we're walking half way we happen to small this small alley and inside the alley I show this smaller version of Boudha Stupa. I still remember that I thought we came to the actual Boudha Stupa. Haha..

We stay here to took some picture and after that back to Thamel and have our dinner and do some shopping. It's Shopping time. Haha. But over that their shop will close early before 8.30pm (Nepal time). Why so early right ? Because over there remember I've mention in the earlier part of this post they do not have any street light so by night time the whole street will be super dark. Expect for a few shop or mini mark that is open till slightly little bit later. Other then that most people will be back at home or hotel to chilling.

Okay this is all about Nepal(Kathmandu) but no worries this is not the end of the adventure trip I have to share with all of you about Nepal (Kathmandu) this is just Part One. So continue to read my blog to find out more about it.  xD