March 22

Today, we got up and had our “simple” breakfast. It is so good and hearty we both love it, but they accidently served us milk coffee, instead of masala tea (Jeff doesn't like coffee and I don't like this coffee – it's instant). We finished and went back showering because we had hot water. Yeah for the little things!! Then we got out of the hotel.

The weather was cool again, but sunny (with chance of rain tonight). We had a destination in mind, so we just wandered along the Google maps route. We passed by many local little to moderate sized temples – some being almost part of the road! Not really, but the curbing of the road butts up to the entryway a few times. We also noticed the “spider-webbing” of power/data lines along the streets and actually saw a crew cutting some out! What a mess that would be!

We got out of the touristy area again and arrived along streets of local shops – selling furniture; kitchen metal pots, all glistening in the sun; and clothes. We even noticed some Holi T-shirts for sale (we may buy one??). Finally, we arrived at Durbar Square. It's an ancient royal complex with temples, palaces, and courtyards. We arrived a little too late for this involved-of-a tour, so opted to come back another day. That was our main destination…

So we changed plans, deciding to just enjoy Kathmandu. We came across a neighborhood square with it's own stupa and “wash”/water pool. It had older and modern – three to nine story houses, couple of hotel/restaurants and mom/pop shops facing the square. The set-up was similar to where we went for our cooking class. There seem to be quite a few of these “local” squares, or neighborhoods. It is refreshing to see them.

Next we did stop at a little cafe, Thamel Mo:Mo Corner & Burger Center.  We split an order of “Buff momos.” (They are buffalo filled momos.) They were tasty! Finished and recharged, we stopped at Garden of Dreams. It is a ticketed entry. The Garden was built as an oasis by a Field Marshall. It's heyday was 1920's (I think, originally, it was built in 1907), and fell in disrepair. It was restored, but only half of its former size, with the support of Austrian Development Aid and Government of Nepal. The garden is a grouping of neoclassical pavilions that pay homage to Nepal's six seasons (six seasons?? questions?). It was peaceful with little cafes and benches throughout a tranquil garden setting of flowers and fountained pools. It was busy with people doing their Instagram shots, but it was quiet enough to just sit, relax and enjoy the sunshine!

Now, we did head back to the hotel and started the yearly deed… of getting our tax stuff going. YUCK!  Enough said here.

We went back out for supper. We had Fried Chicken in mind. There were Korean Chicken places we had been seeing. So we stopped at Hankook Sarang Korean Restaurant. We ordered Original Korean Fried Chicken and Spicy Yangnyeom Chicken (a combo that came with six little sides: a fruit salad, roasted sweet potatoes, fried cauliflower, Kimchi, and a radish slaw; and Jjajang Myeon (Black Bean Sauce with Noodles and Pork). The two kinds of fried chicken were okay, but did not “do it” for us. The noodle dish, though, was excellent! The presentation was cool – like a yen and yang thing – black sauce on one side with the white noodles on the other. Anyway, we finished; leaving we found and stopped at Pumpernickel Bakery for dessert. I got a piece of three layer Dark Chocolate cake and Jeff got a three layer piece of Tiramisu cake. We took them back to our place and indulged, watched some You tube and bed by 2300.