Just before Christmas, starts the month of the goat, or what you might simply call as the zodiac Capricon. Target driven in whatever they do, Capricorns travel with set aims. While some harbour dreams to conquer Everest, others go hopping across town in search of delicacies. Needless to say, they are self confessed foodies too.
Keeping in mind their other loves like photography and curiosity for culture and learning, I could not think of any other place more perfect than the neighbourhood wonder – Kathmandu.
Everest Base Camp And More. Choose Your Target!
Photo Courtesy – artist in doing nothing
There’s such love for trekking in Nepal that they have got nicknames for mountains. Consider Chomolungma for Everest! Choose from some really fascinating ones including the Langtang region, Annapurna trek, Tsume Valley or more. Then, there’s “the” Everest too. Other than the treks, there’s Taudaha Lake and Gosainkunda Lake.
Food that’ll make you fall in love with it.
Photo Courtesy – Official Website
If you find it hard to choose between various suggestions as to the best restaurants in Kathamandu, I’ll make it easier. Keeping in mind that Capricorns value their money like no other sun sign, I’ll take you straight to the Pilgrims’ House, the best place for Nepali food. Go north from Thamel Chowk to reach here. Other options that are worth exploring are Or2k, La Dolce Vita and Mike’s Breakfast.
Mysteries to be chased. Myths to be revealed.
Photo Courtesy – cjkern.net
Capricorns can’t sit idle. Knowing that, I figured some of the mysterious places in Kathmandu Valley for them. Start from the house of the living goddess or the Taleju Temple. While this isn’t generally open to the public, you might have some stroke of luck. March on towards more wonders, including the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites that include the Pashupatinath Temple, Bauddhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa. The golden pagodas of Pashupatinath Temple will have the inquisitor in you satiated with mythologies that connect it to as back in the history as 400 AD and mysteries of it being the best place in Kathmandu to get marijuana! Some mystery that!
Shoot and keep shooting. Kathmandu will never tire of posing.
Photo Courtesy – cloudship.blogspot
I haven’t yet met a Capricorn who’ll shy away from a camera. And if you think that I’m hinting at their 24×7 smiles, you got to add more to it. Capricorns love their camera like their babies. Or perhaps, even more than that. With their ability to deal with multiple lenses and many cameras singlehandedly, I couldn’t think of a place more photogenic than Kathmandu. To list some great places, you can’t skip the views from Dharahara Tower, Pashupatinath Temple, Thamel Square, Swayambhunath Stupa and Langtang National Park. This, clearly, isn’t all, for you cannot miss those very cute, giggling Neplaese kids.
Embark on a monastery trail.
Photo Courtesy – Dhilung
Always the learners, Capricorns take keen interest in arts, religion and culture. With their adeptness at being pally, they can be seen chatting with complete strangers, natives, artisans, monks or anyone for that matter, nosediving into some sort of cultural exchange. For such a hefty dose of it all, you simply got to visit the Kopan, Amitabha, Kwa Bahal (the Golden Monastery) and Shechen Monastery. You can also go for a volunteering experience at Kopan for a more interesting visit.
Now, as my mind wanders off to its other wonders and Everest, you can choose from this list of things to do at Kathmandu. Or, choose it all. Don’t forget to write back and tell us how the trip went.
Till then, happy travelling.
About the author
Shikha Gautam loves to play with steering wheels, roads, words, flute and guitar among other things. Not necessarily in that order! You can contact her on twitter @ShikhaGautam
