A quiet day in Kathmandu today. I walked round Thamel and initially bought a Nepali pair of trousers and a kurta to wear down in the village. There are two protest marches taking place around Thamel District this morning by a Maoist group wearing headbands, carrying red hammer and sickle flags and chanting slogans. It is part of a bigger mass demonstration in Kathmandu demanding changes to the constitution. Political instability and corruption are big problems in...

This afternoon's first visit was to old Patan - a city built in the 3rd century and the narrow bumpy roads with little shops is not really a place for the modern world of motor bikes and cars. The smog, dust and pollution today is appalling and many Nepalis are taking to wearing facemasks, especially the traffic police. I saw Durbar Square which is similar to that in central Kathmandu and enjoyed sitting for a while to take in the ancient city which was has thriv...

I have divided today's blog into a morning and afternoon section to do it justice - It's been an amazing day. The first place to visit with Rup, my guide, was to Boudhanath which is a huge complex with a giant stupa as its central feature. It is holy place for both Buddhists and Hindus and is very colourful with prayer flags blowing in the breeze. The next place was quite a culture shock. Pashupati has been cremating people for over two millennia on this site whe...

I arrived very late last night in Kathmandu. My contact Rup was there to meet me and we travelled through dark deserted streets of old Kathmandu to my hotel. It was down a dark potholed street in the Thamel area and was all shuttered up! After bashing at the door, finally a sleepy member of staff appeared and I was ushered up to my bedroom where I was asleep as soon as my head the pillow. This morning it's raining heavily with big thunderstorms and lightning - al...

Just time this morning for a quick walk around the neighbourhood and to look at Portuguese architecture in the adjoining streets. Some buildings are being done up and freshly painted, whilst others definitely look that they are well past their best. The shops still retain many Portuguese names such as Fernandes and Menezes and nameplates adorn the walls of private houses. Late morning, it's off to the airport for the first of three flights today with stopovers in...