Bhaptapur
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Bhaptapur is one of the former three capitals in the central area of Nepal. Once there was a king with three suns. He decide to divide the country and give each a part of it. Enormous rivalry arise. Three beautiful cities were the result: Patan, Bhaptapur and Kathmandu. The three kings try to get the best artisans and architects. Some creator of the most magnificent temple were afterwards cut out the eyes so he couldn't do the same for some rival...
The cities differ. Kathmandu is the most vivacious. Crowds wriggle through the streets. Patan is a nice city either. Much smaller, less thriving, but thrilling. Baktapur is a museum. The whole of the centre is approachable for paying tourists only. Although beautiful not very exiting. The city suffered some time ago by a earthquake. The centre is fine restored. Outside this area everything is still distorted. Some building aren't really secure...
Worth seeing are the squares with their splendid temples and pagodas. These are build from heap up pavements, stairs and wooden pagoda sometimes with several roofs or made from stone. The stairs are escorted by statues from peoples, animals and mythology figures. The squares are huge and there are few peoples. The whether was nice, but the blazing sun wasn't very well for taking pictures.
On the central square there is a palace of one of the three kings. Currently it is used for something military. Guards are al around. Taking pictures is according our guide not advisable. Inside there was some of the nicest wood carving of Nepal. But nobody can shoot picts without taking any guard. Besides there was a real medieval swimming pool.
Like everywhere in Nepal they have in Bhaptapur a lot of wood carving. Almost nowhere else you see that much decoration. Sometimes it is painted, most not. Regularly there are beautiful supporting constructions beneath the roofs. It isn't easy to get them right on the pictures. After processing at home you can see the figures, but the real color and atmosphere get lost. You have to choose. The beauty of the Cities in Nepal is remarkable. Poverty is obvious relative.
Hundreds meters on wards you have the famous square with pottery. It is quiet a walk. But everywhere there are signposts. We liked this part of the city more, then the gaudy squares and temples in the centre. There are a number of busier streets. Enormous richness were alternate with heavily damaged buildings by the earthquake. The nice by Unesco protected centre enclosed only a couple of hundreds meters. But that is more beautiful then elsewhere.
