Belém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent in Portugal – photograph

Belém Tower or the Tower of St Vincent

Photograph of Belem tower in Lisbon Belem tower is also known as the Tower of St. Vincent. It’s a fortified tower located in Lisbon and built in the early 16th Century. The tower played an important role during Portugal’s impressive maritime period during this time. The tower was a defensive building long the river Tagus. …

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Gai Jatra in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Cow statue being taken through the streets of Bhaktapur during Gai Jatra

The Gai Jatra festival is the Kathmandu Valley’s second largest festival of the year with Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan usually attracting the most festivities. This year I attended the Gai Jatra Festival in Bhaktapur which many people consider to be the best place to experience it. Last year I went to the Kathmandu Gai Jatra festival …

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The decaying decadence of Nepal’s caste system

The Nepali caste system is alive & active even if it doesn’t officially exist Today there is still a very active caste system in Nepal. Primarily associated with India, caste systems in one form or another are evident the world over. The difference with Nepal is that the ideals behind the caste system were made illegal in …

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Shivaratri in Nepal: festival of Shiva with sadhus, crowds & hashish

Pashupatinath Temple complex

Maha Shivaratri in Nepal Shivaratri is an annual Hindu festival popular in both India and Nepal. Of all the many festivals in Nepal this is probably my favorite for many reasons. The primary being that there not too many tourists around as it’s usually held in the second or third months of the year which is the …

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Help save the Holi festival of color and fun in Nepal

Tourists covered in color in Nepal for Holi

Nepal’s Holi festival takes place every year If you live in a country that has a Hindu population, or enjoy looking at websites that publish lots of photos you might well recognize the Holi festival due to its dazzling colors. The annual Holi festival takes place over the course of a week including in Nepal where it’s a national …

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Kathmandu Durbar Square at Dawn: part 2 – a morning of light & life

Sunshine brings life to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square Durbar Square exploded into a brilliant warm red beacon of life as the sun finally spread its warmth and light over the surrounding buildings. The air is still cold and unless you are lucky to be standing in the sun’s rays it’s like waiting for a giant swivel …

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Kathmandu Durbar Square at dawn: part 1 – a black & white world

Dawn in Kathmandu still contains the linger of a different night The air is still filled with the night fires that burned throughout the old city. Heat, food and light are scarce during the dark hours of this ancient capital. Smoke still hangs thick in the entrapment of Kathmandu valley. With clenched teeth I throw …

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