A Newari town.
Trip Start
Aug 04, 2009
1
25
26
Trip End
Oct 03, 2009
Where I stayed
Bandipur Guesthouse
Bandipur, Nepal
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I hopped on the bus that goes towards Kathmandu and got off aboot 1/3 of the way in Dumre. Then grabbed a public jeep to get me the rest of the way, uphill for one hour, along a high ridge, to Bandipur. The jeeps are always jammed pack and that denotes their leaving time..so i opted for a 'seat' on the roof rack, which i had yet to experience in Nepal but is most definitely the normal for any public transportation. It was much cooler, more novel and the scenery was undeniable...himalayas staring at me once again in most directions and in the other directions, huge rolling green hills. Just captivating.
The town itself is a treasure with authentic Newari culture, untouched for hundreds of years and the way of living remaining the same for the most part. Most of the buildings are traditional Newari houses, with carved wooden windows, overhanging slate roofs and undeniable character and charm that fills the town. Small temples, wee farmland, footpaths, and narrow streets and countless different views makes up the rest of Bandipur. Even better is that somehow, Bandipur has managed to escape the ravages of tourist development with only a very few restaurants and guesthouses (all in engaging Newari buidlings though) and few tourists. I hope it stays that way.
So i simply enjoyed Bandipur's character for what it was... dainty and alluring. I walked, i wandered, i viewed...i embraced, i enjoyed. I loved.
