Kailash Manasarover Yatra-- Kathmandu to Nylam

11th June 2006 --Kathmandu to Nylam

As we boarded the bus at Kathmandu there was serenity in the atmosphere. We could feel the reverence and Bakthi with the yatris. Bhajans were played on the audio and singing started. And naturally the singing shifted to "Sim Sim Pani ...raicho baimani", a popular Nepalese film song.

The ever vibrant Kalamegam was at his best providing amusement and fun. Shri Ramachandra Iyer cracked jokes, told anecdotes and sometimes puzzled us.

Traveling through the scenic Himalayan ranges and passing through traditional towns we reached "Banepa" town where we took a few photographs of our group and with the Bus crew -- Dinesh, Sivaramakrishnan & Lakshman.

The journey after this was on the banks of rivers Indravathi and Bate Koshi River flowing with the sound of music. The roads were rather steep and slushy. The Hanging bridges and sites for "Bunky Jumping" were a treat to watch.

We reached Kodari and crossed the "Friendship Bridge" and into Tibet (China). The Nepalese at Kodari are poor and children carry luggage for Rs 10. Here we exit Nepal to enter China. We are checked with the passports and fill up Visa application. We change to Chinese vehicles to go towards Zangmu & Nylam.

The Immigration & customs check is carried out at Zangmu by young and smartly dressed Chinese police and officials. Here we can exchange Indian Currency for Chinese Yyuans. We paid Rs 6 per Yuan as against the official rate of Rs 6.70 paid by our travel agent.

After the climb of nearly 3000 meters in two hours we reached Nyalam, for a full day to be spent for acclimatizing to high altitude.

Most of the Yatris were tired and sick.. fighting to keep warm.