March 29

Yesterday, I awoke having not slept well. I just couldn't get to sleep until after midnight☹️.  We got around and went for our hearty breakfast. Finished, we went back up to our room; gathered our laundry; and Jeff took the laundry to a cleaners, cheapest yet, as they charged by kg. Total was 400 ($3). We then went out, deciding to go to Royal Palace, but changed our minds after we arrived.  The air is very damp feeling and heavy. It looks as though it could rain any minute also. So we found a lunch place, Mahaaja Restaurant and ordered Pumpkin Soup, Buffalo Keema Noodles, Cranberry Mojito, and a Beer. Both dishes were great and hit the spot on this overcast, cool day, We left and went to ND's for dessert😋.  I had Chocolate Truffle Cake, Jeff had a Rum Ball, and we split a little 1/2 cup serving of ice cream. Yum and neither the cake or ball desserts were overly sweet! As we were pressing our luck, weather wise, (we did get some spitting of rain) we went back to the hotel. I fixed our day use bag with some old fashioned hand sewing. We did go back out for supper, to Masangalli Ko Famous Momos. We both had an order of their Buff Momos. Finished we decided to go back to ND's; got some cinnamon rolls; and took them back to our hotel. It turned into a foodie day, nothing wrong with that. 😋😂

Today, I awoke refreshed – great night of sleep. Jeff on the other hand… well, he had been awake since, like 0350 am!🤯😲!  Anyway, we got around after our morning coffee and hot chocolate; went down and had our hearty breakfast; and out and about. We trekked 5.2 km (3.2 miles) to Patan Darbar Square, past many places we have already been by.

We paid the foreigner entrance fee, 1,000 Rupees ($7.50) each, (Nepalese are free) and entered. It is another large area of many temples, statues, and a palace. The whole complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 (one of seven World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu area, I don't remember if I mentioned there are seven sites here before.) The site is a center for both Hinduism and Buddhism Religions. The layout of the square is actually a bit more organized, at least to me. The temples face east – towards the palace, which faces west -looking back to the temples! As with so many sites the 2015 earthquake caused much damage. Unfortunately, the palace complex was just completing a ten year renovation (that was planned and being done, 2005 to 2015)! Bad timing! Wow!!

The main museum, housed in the old palace, is the only building set you can enter. It is a grand entrance of a gold-gilded archway guarded by two lion? (I think) statues.  I really enjoyed this museum! I guess I was ready for a museum😂!! We spent a good amount of time and I took a bunch of pictures!!! Anyway, through the grand entrance, you arrive to a square – courtyard area, displaying the Keshav Narayan Temple. You pass through this square, to the opposite side to actually enter the museum. From here you can go to two different ways and parts of the museum. We followed the traditional way, going through eight different galleries, starting on the second level, up to and through the third and partial fourth levels.

The second level was about Hinduism and it's various gods – Shiva and his consort Parvati; Ganesha; Hanuman; and Vishnu. Then the throne of the former kings of Patan. Next, the third level, is a conclusion of Hinduism, with the next two galleries about Buddhism. The last gallery on this floor is some initial pencil drawings, to intricate carvings, and the metal works done all throughout Nepal's temples, shrines, sculptures, and palaces. I could have spent all day here just absorbing the drawings, but we were both getting hungry, I think Jeff was zoning – museum done mode. The fourth floor was a display of photos and watercolor paintings from early 1900's of Patan Durbar Square.

We left here and went through a smaller courtyard, the Sundari Chowk, and past the Tusha Hiti Step-well, which is quite something, of its own. It is small for a step-well, (but would have just been for the palace residents? Questions??) and it is oval-shaped. Next, we entered a garden area behind the palace and saw the Bhandarkhal Tank. It still holds water, due to extensive restoration in 2012 (and not ruined in the earthquake three years later). It has turned into a beautiful day, making the little garden area extra nice.

We exited back through the two courtyards and out of the palace (now museum). We meandered about the temples and statues, finding a restaurant. It was Momo King, Roof Top Restaurant – Highest Point 360 degrees. We, of course, had Momos – as in their Momo Platter: 4 steamed, 4 fried, 4 Kothey, and 4 Chilly Momos. Oh my! They were all Buff-filled and oh, so good! I had a Peach Iced Tea, Jeff had a Iced Lemonade and we split an Oreo Milkshake (with actual scoop of ice cream and an Oreo garnish. It was great way to end our Patan Durbar tour overlooking and eating!

We went back trekking to our hotel, stopping at the Equestrian? training, (it's a bunch of horses jumping gates and parading about). We have past by here a couple of times, but only stopped to watch some today. Actually, we saw maybe a Calvary?? show also. Leaving from here, we arrived back at our hotel.

We cooled off, I started this blog. We took a break, ate light supper of salami & yak cheese with crackers. We showered and Jeff went and got our clothes from the laundry/cleaners. I finished the blog as Jeff read. Bed by 2130.