As a base for trekking, Katmandu is ideal; for a location to explore, it's a cosmopolitan mix of poverty, spirituality, souvenirs, party town and Boudhanaths. Our exploration takes us to Swayambhuntha, the monkey temple, where monks seem to hover above rooftops, rabid monkeys prowl for food and the wise eyes of buddah look over the smog drenched valley. At Pashupatinath temple thick clouds of ash fill the sky and the shoreline is alight with flame as the bodies of love ones crackle, pop and dissolve under the fire's caress. Holy men lay in their own excrement and street urchins beg for chocolate, whilst monkeys straddle mopeds and watch events intensely.
Such an experience is confronting and calls for some escapism, so as a group we hit the pubs, cocktails are ordered, beers consumed and dancing and merriment conclude the night.
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