{"id":2003,"date":"2023-01-29T11:42:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-29T11:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalsmiletravel.com\/?p=2003"},"modified":"2023-01-29T11:44:22","modified_gmt":"2023-01-29T11:44:22","slug":"de-apentempel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalsmiletravel.com\/en\/de-apentempel\/","title":{"rendered":"The monkey temple"},"content":{"rendered":"

After several attempts by China to annex Tibet, the Chinese army entered the autonomous country in 1950 to 'liberate' the population from the ruling spiritual leaders. (Gosh, where do we know that from?!) Many Tibetans fled to Nepal and settled near Boudhanath, the Tibetan quarter in Kathmandu where I live.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Close to my guesthouse is the Buddhist Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in Nepal and the world. All day long, people walk at least 3 circles around the stupa with a japa mala, bead necklace, in hand to pray. Instead of pronouncing a prayer or mantra, one can turn the many prayer wheels, on which the prayer is written. So easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is a very relaxed atmosphere, it smells wonderfully of incense and there are many shops and restaurants on the circular road where the praying people walk. Every day I come here to sit in the sun, drink coffee or people watch. My way of meditating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yesterday I met 70-year-old Eric. He sold all his possessions in America when he turned 60 and has since lived in several countries. Now he has been living here for 7 months, in this guesthouse. He asks me if I want to go to Swayambhunath, or the so-called 'monkey temple', to share the 6 km taxi ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swayambhu is one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. The complex is located on top of a hill and consists of a stupa, several shrines and temples, some of which date back to 460 BC. The many monkeys that reside there are sacred and very cheeky. It is especially careful with a bottle of soda because they love that. Unfortunately, the incense can hardly dispel the smell of a zoo, but it is a beautiful place with a beautiful view of Kathmandu and its almost 1 million inhabitants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the way back we also stop at the 'Garden of Dreams'. A nice garden in the middle of the city. It must have been a short dream, because the garden is not very big. Very nicely laid out and maintained and I continue to be amazed that so many beautiful flowers and plants are in bloom in the middle of the mild Nepalese winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We end the day with dinner at the Utpala caf\u00e9. A hidden spot in Boudhanath with a lovely garden and hip, Western-style facilities. However, it takes getting used to the free hot drinking water that is served everywhere with the food. Tea 'light' I'll think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After several attempts by China to annex Tibet, the Chinese army entered the autonomous country in 1950 to 'liberate' the population from the ruling spiritual leaders. (Gosh, where do we know that from now?!) Many Tibetans fled to Nepal and settled near Boudhanath, the Tibetan quarter in Kathmandu where…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[24,157],"tags":[],"post_series":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t