We planned to spend two days at Nagarkot, a village located 32 km east of Kathmandu at an elevation of 2,195 meters above sea level.
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We travelled there by car and our driver took a scenic route via Bhaktapur, passing many tiny villages along meandering mountain roads.
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We stayed at the Hotel Country Villa which is situated on a hilltop, with breathtaking mountain scenery and the most impressive views of the sunrise and sunset. At this hotel, every room has its own balcony facing the mountains.
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The view from our hotel balcony
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After settling into our room, we took a walk to explore the area.
We discovered hotels, guest houses and tea rooms with the strangest names!
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This lady was on her way to fetch water, but stopped for a chat.
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We met a Nagarkot family who were very eager to talk to us in their broken English.
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A typical ”outdoor restaurant”!
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The next morning we woke early, keenly awaiting the rising of the sun over the Himalayas.
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We were not disappointed.
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After breakfast we took a walk to a nearby Tamang Village in the valley. Early in the morning the snowy mountains were still visible.
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A housewife stopped us and invited us for tea which we had to refuse since we have just had breakfast.
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We eventually caught sight of the Tamang Village in the valley below.
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One of the villagers greeted us and showed us around.
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A little Tamang girl saying “Namaste!”
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One of the hospitable tea-house owners offered us sweet spicy tea which was very welcome on this hot, dry day.
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A typical Tamang house with rooms underneath for the animals
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On our way back to the hotel, we noticed this lady sleeping in the long grass next to a buffalo. She woke up on hearing our voices.
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The restaurant at the hotel includes an open terrace area which with breathtaking views of the valleys and high mountains.
They made the best banana dumplings ever and we had it as often as we could during our two day stay!
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We departed from this beaufiful village too - with sad hearts – as we returned to the polluted and overpopulated Kathmandu.
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