Hello lovelies ~ long time no chat but I am back and this time I have a post for all you foodies out there. I am a big foodie myself and I also love going out for beverages, be it bubble tea, milkshakes, mocktails or cocktails – you can count me in. So, I thought I’d compile a list of some of my favorite places I went to eat and drink in Kathmandu, Nepal from my last trip there. If you are going to Kathmandu, make sure to check out these places. Continue reading “Favorite places to get Food and Drinks in Kathmandu|Nepal Travel Diary #3”→
Boudhanath Stupa (Boudha) is one of my favorite places to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal! This time, I want to take you to Boudha with me!
*Om Mani Padme Hum – take a listen as you read this blog post so you can feel like you are in Boudha with me*
Colourful prayer flags, the Om Mani Padme Hum tune that you hear playing as you walk, turning prayer wheels, stores with traditional items and the rooftop restaurants, where you are able to get good food with a lovely view – all of this can be found in one place. That place is: Boudha.
Who can say no to MOMO (Nepali Dumplings) and a refreshing drink?
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Boudha is a peaceful site where you will find pilgrims and tourists year-round. This stupa is one of the largest in the world and it holds great significance to Buddhists.
I always find myself fascinated by how beautiful the stupa is and how peaceful I feel as I hear Om Mane Padme Hum play in the background when I walk around the stupa.
Exploring the stores around Boudha:
The stores around Boudha sell many souvenir items that you can buy. When in Boudha, I like to see if there are any unique finds at these stores. I suggest you do the same because there is so much you can check out at these stores and who knows, you might find something that you like!
Also, in case you did not notice – the t-shirt that I wore on this day has prayer flags on it. Where can you get the t-shirt? These prayer flag t-shirts are very popular in Kathmandu right now and so you can get it in various local clothing stores, meaning you do not have to go to a specific store to get it. I got mine in Thamel at the Pilgrim Bookstore (as the quality of their shirts are really good) but these stores around Boudha sell this t-shirt too! My only advice would be to check the price for these t-shirts from store to store as you will find that each stores sells it for a slightly different price.
After spending time walking around the Stupa and checking out the stores in Boudha, I like to stop for food because the food in Boudha is really good. I would highly recommend you to have food at one of the rooftop restaurants and/or try Laping!
You must be thinking: Laping? What’s that…Darshana, do you mean… laughing?
No, I did not type ‘laughing’ incorrectly. I know the spelling of the word (I was the spelling bee champion in grade 4) *flips hair* Back to the point, what is laping you ask? That’s the same question I asked those around me when I first visited Boudha as they recommended that I try it. Laping can be found in Tibetian cuisine and it is a spicy mung bean noodle dish. Now, in order to have laping, you need to wander a little bit in the area because the places that offer laping are tucked in behind the stores you will find in Boudha. Simply ask any storeowner and in most cases, they should be able to guide you to a place that makes laping. I had no clue as to what laping was or how it tasted at that time but all I knew about it was that it is spicy!
Do spicy food and I go together? Many people say, Darshana you’re Nepali so obviously you would like spicy food (while it is true that majority of Nepali people eat spicy food, not all of us can). Perhaps it will surprise you but I am one of the few Nepali people that you’ll meet who is unable to eat much spicy food. But does that stop me from trying a new food item? If you know me well, you know I’m always down to try new things, especially when it comes to food. So, despite not being too fond of spicy food, I gave it a shot!
Featured: White Laping w/ Yellow Laping at the back
AND…
The verdict: It was spicy! BUT I have to say, I kinda liked it , in fact… I liked it quite a lot. You see, people are generally divided over laping, some love it while others, meh – not so much. I do think it has an acquired taste. To be honest it took me a while to finish it because of the fact that it was quite spicy but the more I ate it, the more I realized that the taste grows on you. If you are unable to eat spicy food, boy are you missing out on trying this unique dish. So while I do recommend you try laping, I will warn you that it is quite spicy and because it also has an acquired taste, you may or may not like it, but I certainly think its worth a try! ALSO, I was just thinking . . . with all these challenges on youtube (ie. spicy ramen challenge) they should also do a SUPER SPICY Laping challenge – now that would be fun to do/watch wouldn’t it? Hmm.
Fun fact: the laping in Boudha is said to be the best laping in town, so of course I had to include it in this post!
I hope that through this post you can see why Boudha is one of my favorite places to visit in Kathmandu. I also hope that you enjoyed this post! Sending you positive energy and good vibes.
Namaste: a form of greeting in Nepal/India – Direct translation: ‘I salute the God in you’.
Namaste! I was born in the beautiful country, Nepal, a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country. It is also home to the tallest mountain(s) in the WORLD and it is the birth place of Lord Buddha. Sounds like a wonderful country doesn’t it? It is and to give you glimpses of this beautiful country and the lifestyle here, I am starting a Nepal Travel Diary series! So, if you haven’t followed this blog yet – what are you waiting for? Get on the bandwagon (you know you want to) and you won’t miss out on a single adventure!
GlimpsesOfDA(rshana's)World 