Kathmandu, Dreamland in the Heavens
 

Journeying to Nepal is intense. A few moments at eye level with the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, then you disappear into whiteness, dropping through clouds, emerging in a wide valley and crossing over into a kind of otherness. It's a feeling akin to leaving the world of the air and entering the world of the sea, overwhelming you from the moment you touch the ground. Visiting Nepal is travel in the true sense of the term, it jars you from your sensibilities and shocks you with unbelievable wonders. It's a place graced with heights of earthly beauty and burdened by many troubles. It takes and keeps a piece of your heart.
 

Those aren't just clouds back there, it's Everest!

Birds take flight in ancient Patan.

Child monks play for the camera.

One monkey grooms another on the grounds of the aptly named Monkey Temple.

This lady followed me around until I took her picture...and tipped her.

Sadhus, wandering ascetic Hindu holy men, perch at the entrance of Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most holy Shiva temples in the world.

The burning of the dead at the sacred Bagmati River.

A monk in a reflective moment at Bodhnath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world.

Even the cows are adorned with a Third Eye.

The view on the trek up to Thulo's house.

Our dear and valiant friend Thulo, who took not only care of us during our stay, but responsibility. And his wife cooked us an amazing Nepali meal!

The sun sets on the valley, and Patti and me.

The sun rises on the Himalayas. Spectacular!