I'm not convinced...
Trip Start
Sep 01, 2010
1
50
79
Trip End
Ongoing
Lumbini, Nepal
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Lumbini is a massive complex of monasteries, a kind of Buddhism Disneyland. Its a bit of a dump to be honest. The whole place was designed in the 70s (yep, that great decade of architectural design) and they're still building it. Except by the time they finish a new bit, the old bit has fallen into ruin. The monasteries are all represented by the countries that built them. I was thinking I should get Wales to build one, but to also install a waterslide and bowling alley (to alleviate the tedium).
The main focal point is Buddha's birthplace. In the middle of a big, ugly, white building is a piece of plexi-glass under which is a stone marking the exact place where Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born. Utter horseshit if you ask me. People don't go around putting down birthstones just in case your baby turns out to be the Buddha!!. The best part for me was discovering a turtle living in the beautiful pond (now a pool of dirty water surrounded by concrete) where Maya Devi (Buddha's mum) is supposed to have bathed.
In the evening I accidentally upset some fellow travelers by getting drunk on roxy (rice wine) and bad-mouthing Lumbini. How was I supposed to know they were taking it seriously!?!. Our hotel also became infested with the worst kind of hippies... Dancing slowly with their eyes closed 'feeling' the music whilst another hippy plays shit music on the guitar...
The next day, at the earliest possible moment me and the Germans left Lumbini and headed for Bardia national park. The most hilarious place on earth...
