Titles are not my forte

 So, after scalding my fingers and getting chilli in my eye, I was sitting on my couch whilst nursing my wounds and trying to decide what to write about this week.  This, you may not be aware, is probably the hardest part of blogging for me: trying to come up with something new each week becomes quite a daunting task after a year or so.  As I sat there lamenting that garlic and chilli oil I just had to make, it hit me!  I haven’t spoken about where I’ve live for ages and I certainly haven’t given much travelers tips about it recently either!  So, I decided that the next few weeks will concentrate on this area!  So this week is going to be my top 5 things to do where I live: my flat!!

1.       Flop onto my couch:  THIS IS MY COUCH, THERE ARE MANY LIKE IT, BUT THIS ONE IS MINE.  MY COUCH IS MY BEST FRIEND.  IT IS MY LIFE.  I MUST MASTER IT AS I MASTER MY LIFE.  It’s pretty comfortable actually.

2.       Jog in a circle round my living room: For those of you with excess energy or a passion for fitness.  Just watch out for multi-plugs and you’re peachy!

3.       Play a game of risk:  Can your washing machine finish its load before load-shedding kicks in and your battery overloads?  Who needs Vegas?

4.       Flick the switch:  Take your pick, I have hundreds of them.   Better yet, I only know what a fraction of them do.  It’s a surprise every time!

5.       Be a commando for the day:  Feel like a real commando as you roll about or crawl on the floor as you suddenly realise that your bedroom curtains are slightly open on your windows which are at eye level for your neighbours and you’re just out the shower!

What?  You don’t want to hear about my flat?  Especially not when linked with showering?!?  Ok then, I suppose I will just have to talk about Kathmandu then.

Five things to do in Nepal that are similar to your guidebook but with a slight twist,
or
‘I know what you did last summer and it looked kind of fun and not in any way psychotic so I would very much like to try that’

 I may have got carried away with the title.  Regardless, I’m going to be talking about my top five things to do in Nepal, some with a slightly different twist.  So here we go (for real this time - Ed).

1. Exercise with the Monkeys
Now, I've spoken about Swayambhunath before (i.e. the Monkey Temple) and it is great for sightseeing but it also has a fun second function as well.  It's a great place to work out as well.  Now, if you're in the main area then it will be too crowded to get anything done but if you head to some of the lower sections (it's on a hill) then there are a lot of flat areas with enough room to run around a lot, and stairs to run up/down. Surrounded by trees, with sun flashing through the leaves and monkeys cheering you on, there aren't many better places for a work out.  The cool breeze is a lifesaver as well. 

There are lots of flat areas like this for working out

The setting really adds something to your mood as well

Thankfully I didn't have to run up these!

2. Get lost in Shivapuri
Now, I wouldn't usually advocate getting lost on a hill but this actually can be beneficial.  You see, Shivapuri is a great walk which is near to Kathmandu (just out of the city) and is doable in a day. However, the biggest problem is that it's heavily forested meaning you don't always get great views of the surrounding mountain ranges.  This is where the getting lost can help: if you follow a couple of extra paths, as opposed to just the main path, you can get some great views of the surrounding area.  Plus, if you go off the beaten path, you might even find the monastery on the mountain.

This is the kind of view you get if you head off the path a little.  This was taken on a large rock on the edge of a cliff

The forestry is beautiful but blocks the view

Cooling after a long day's walk!

This is the monastery that you can find if you take a slight detour

3. Have Breakfast in the Rain
Obviously I don't actually mean sitting there getting wet (though it's up to you really) but if you head to the 1905 restaurant, you can enjoy the monsoon weather in style.  Set away from the noise and dust of the roads, you can sit in your own private world with some delicious food.  With several roofed veranda's, you can sit at one of their tables , or if you get their early enough, on one of their outdoor couches whilst you have your breakfast as the rain falls around you.  I would recommend the yoghurt, fruit and granola or an omelette from the market.

One of the seating areas

A place where you can sit in the shade a little bit

The garden makes for a great place to relax

4. Then get your dinner for the day
After your breakfast (or before), you can wander down into the 1905's garden and visit the farmers market held there every Saturday (it also has a roof).  Here you can get items from around the world!  Looking for French cheese?  No problem!  Moroccan sausages for a lunch?  Done!  Italian pasta for a romantic meal? Ha, easy!  Nepali sweets for the kids?  Sure, why not?  This is a great place to supplement your weekly shopping with some more unusual and handmade items.  Plus you can get vegetables and fruit straight from the farms.    

It fills up quickly, so go early

Jam!

Salsa!

5. Get blessed at Boudhanath

Now, for someone who isn't particularly religious nor spiritual, I can still say that this an interesting experience to go to.  As great as it is wandering the Stupa itself, make sure that you visit a couple of the temples as well as they are stunning.  If you have some spare time, pick up some of the traditional red string used for bracelets and charms from one of the local shops and get it blessed by one of the monks in the temples.  It makes a great gift and the experience of the ritual will really stay with you for a long time.  Make sure to spend some time here to do this!

Pick of the Week

The Dark Knight Returns - Now, in the shadow of the Dark Knight Rises, this film duo may have been overlooked but it is a great take on the Batman story.  Based on the classic graphic novel of the same name from Frank Miller, it follows Batman after he has disappeared for several years but now he has gotten old. He then returns to the cowl to face off against a band of mutants, followed by the Joker and then Superman himself.  It's a great story with good action and interesting characters and is really worth a watch if you like Batman at all.  Plus it really shows what happens when Batman is pushed to his absolute limits.

Music of the week

This week, I think we should take it easy and enjoy a little bit of tango!  I give you Hugh Laurie and Gabe Moreno - Kiss of Fire which is based on a popular Tango song.  Enjoy!  

So, that's it from me this week and next week I will continue with my Nepal tips.  Now, if you'll excused me, I'm off to pretend to be a productive member of society.