Update diary: Wednesday 4 February Kathmandu

Got up about 11.30! "Jet lag" must be done and over with now.
A rickshaw ride (100 Rs = 1 euro) to Kathmandu Durbar Square.

Most of the cultural centres of Nepal are concentrated around the Kathmandu valley. The most important one is the Hanuman -dhoka Durbar Square.
The mystical charm of Durbar Square allures the visitors to spend hours wondering around the area or observing it from one of the roof top terraces.
Dozens of temples are situated on Durbar Square.
It is located at the heart of ancient city Kathmandu, a complex of beautiful temples and shrines, both Hindu and Buddhist. The square with its old temples, palaces, depicts/shows the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal were crowned and their coronations solemnized. Until the early 20Th century the Durbar Square was the King's residence. It is a living open museum of Nepal.
The square area is actually made up of two subareas. The outer complex is renowned for numerous interesting temples, while the inner complex comprises the old palace area, and its courtyards. There are many temples in the inner complex also, most notable being the Taleju-temple dedicated to royal female deity.
This temple was built in 1564 by King Mahendra Malla. The temple stands 36.6 metres high, residing on a twelve stage plinth. Its three roofs soar above the rest of the Hanuman-dhoka complex and until very recent times, it was considered very inauspicious to build a house higher than this temple.
The area includes ten courtyards these days, but prior the great earthquake of 1934, the area was expanded up to the New road Gate including 35 courtyards.
Besides the magnificent temples and shrines- of which the exceptionally fine carvings and architecture makes it one of the most important sights for travellers to see, the other interesting aspects are various festivals, cultural activities and traditions people are following for centuries presented.
The site is enlisted in the World Heritage site of UNESCO (entrance price Rs 200).

A walk around and then watching the world go by from a rooftop-terrace.
The sun is shining, which makes it hazy, so we can't see the Himalayan Mountain range.
But a wonderful view of Kathmandu and Swayambhu Temple (Monkey-Temple).
The smell of spices, herbs, scents.
Children playing, people trying to sell whatever you can think off: spices - vegetables - materials - shoes - kitchenware - car parts etc. etc. etc.
Walking back through Thamel. Shops - bars - shops - restaurants and more shops.

In the evening to the Northfield Cafe for a "small" meal. I ordered a light meal: beans and mushrooms. When they put the plate in front of me I said I did not order this: it was a huge plate, looking like a salad. But under the salad was the small portion of mushrooms. As usual I could only finish half.
Showing Rita2 the popular bars of Thamel: Rum-Doodle and for a night cap to Tom & Jerry (sorry Mike :)). Funny enough a glass of wine is 250 Rs, a cocktail 180 Rs and a local brandy 160 Rs.
So, that is sorted!