Bhaktapur and Nagarkot, Nepal

Bhaktapur is the third largest city in the Kathmandu valley and was once the capital of Nepal.

Prior to the 2015 earthquake, Bhaktapur had the best preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal. It's listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artworks.

The affects of the 2015 earthquake is clearly evident today.

The destruction it caused was extensive and as I walked the streets and saw the devastation first hand, I asked myself how is anything still standing. 

Accomodation and places to eat are limited. I had hits and misses in both areas.

In order to enter the city there's a $19aud fee that needs to be paid.

Despite the fact that cars are supposed to be banned from the site there's quite a lot of vehicles around.

The town shuts down at about 9pm and everyone disappears.

It's not the cheapest place to stay for a backpacker but it's definitely worth the visit. It's peaceful and charming

Nagarkot is about 20klm heading straight up the hill from Bhaktapur.

It's about 2400 metres above sea level and very cold.

Disappointingly the weather was bad. When I say bad I mean the fog is constantly in the way from seeing a beautiful scenery.

I should have been able to see the mountains that reside over the Kathmandu Valley but unfortunately, no.

It's a small town consisting of a couple of cafes and a few tin sheds that sell packet chips and a booze shop. It doesn't have anything to offer except nature and it was nature that I went there for. 

Side note: After I watched my driver hand over a wad of cash to a guy on the street my curiosity got the better of me. 

The guy on the street was taking the money to the bank to pay some of the loan for the car.

A simple people moving style van, which he uses as a taxi, costs him around $20,000aud once all paid.

I should say this van was crap. It would be worth about $1500aud.

And so the story grew.

The bank charges 80% interest on the loan!!! The cost of the car itself is extreme due to import taxes.

My fare cost $15aud to travel around 40klm which took about an hour.

I later learned my driver only gets $10 of that because the guy who hooked it up (this guy did nothing except ask me if I wanted a taxi) takes $5.

I have no idea how how he makes any money.