Michael and Ellie-dog... hikin' - Kathmandu

Sarah adopted Ellie about a year ago and now she loves Michael as well. Michael walks her, feeds her, etc. Ellie loved our hike! She enjoyed the hot hike, tried making friends with ALL the animals along the way, and basically just loves life... as doggies should.  : )

It was great to spend a week with a dog around.

animals from Sankhu to Nagarkot! hikin'... Kathmandu

Many, many goats, cows, and chickens along our hike!!

Ellie-dog wanted to play and make 'friends' with everyone... especially the chickens, who weren't too sure of her. The people we came along also weren't too sure of Ellie. She is a gorgeous golden retriever but most Nepalese have never seen this breed of dog before. ...We really scared one guy! Whoops!

Nepal's people along the way... hikin'

There were not many people along our hike... other than some that lived in the houses and others that seemed to be working and/or hiking with goods to a next town... Everyone was friendly and I enjoyed being able to say hello to everyone with a 'Namaste!'

hiking - Sankhu to Nagarkot, Kathmandu

Sarah's boyfriend, Michael, and I took a day-hike outside the valley of the city and it was really nice. We even brought their golden retriever, Ellie, along! The day was hot but it was great to get outside the city, breathe fresh air, and see more of the land... and animals!

We walked from Sankhu to Nagarkot - both small towns.

Top of the World Cafe - Kathmandu

Kathmandu definitely has some hidden gems of cafes and restaurants! Within walking distance from Sarah's house... we had lovely dinners each night... and I also enjoyed coffees each day (sometimes twice!) at a great cafe... Top of the World Coffee.

The cafe is beautiful and includes an outdoor sitting area, there is free Wifi, it's all fair trade, the coffee is delicious, the staff is super friendly, and... the cafe has a great atmosphere! I even picked up some coffee to bring back to Italy with me and am still enjoying it.

With Sarah on my last day!

Garden of Dreams - Kathmandu

The Garden of Dreams in Kathmandu (not far from the Thamel area) is a gorgeous spot to take a quiet break from the city...

The grounds are pretty large and nice to walk around... but the rest of the photos I'll share here are simply of the gorgeous flowers within the grounds! This spot is so peaceful... and just outside the walls is the craziness and noise of the city. It reminds me a lot of the Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado! - A lovely oasis set within a lovely city.

Asan Tole - Kathmandu

Asan Tole is a market in Kathmandu (near Thamel - the backpacker area), which is along a street and sells clothing, shoes, spices, teas, etc.

I enjoyed walking through the market in the morning. From Asan Tole, I made my way into Thamel... but Asan Tole was great because it was not nearly as touristy... but is, instead, where many locals buy goods.

...Those wires!!

A small stupa:

Spices galore!

prayer flags and prayer wheels - Swayambhunath, Kathmandu

Like the other stupas that I saw throughout Kathmandu, there were many prayer flags hanging on and around the stupa when I visited Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple). There were also prayer wheels surrounding the stupa, which a person can push to rotate as he/she walks around the stupa.

Some of the prayer flags were strung along the outside of the stupa's plaza on top of the hill, as well as along the walk up to the stupa... the view of the city was wonderful!

Swayambhunath - Kathmandu

Swayambhunath is a large stupa set atop a large hill in Kathmandu. The stupa itself is great... and there are a number of other temples surrounding the stupa, as well as some shops and stands selling souvenirs, jewelry, Buddha statues, small prayer wheels, etc.

monkeys on the way dowwwwn! Swayambhunath, Kathmandu

More monkey photos taken at Swayambhunath - 'Monkey Temple' in Kathmandu.

Right next to the large stupa... searching through the trash:

This mother monkey was picking fleas (or something) out of the younger monkey's hair. 

She had a nice, strong hold on the younger monkey whenever s/he tried to move or get away!

Buddha monkeys!