Magic of Google Earth.

Magic of Google Earth.
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

As looking from helicopter 300m up and east of our house! And even the top

of Ganesh Himal behind Changu Narayani is visible.

Proud pappa!

DeeShri & pappa leaving for week-end by ferry to Frederikshavn
Originally uploaded by Bambus.

WildFiber family outing.

Mark "WildFiber" and his kids prepare for an afternoon paddle-boat adventure. We run out of beer, though, and the villages on the other side of Phewa Lake were dry... 

Thapa family - Dasain Tikka 2063B.S.

  

Tikka: It´s Baburam´s turn.

The trusty Tamang with receding hairline receives my blessing, with Indu´s approval and our youngest grandson, Abishek, enjoying the Holy Day (and school holiday as well!)

Dasain 2063 B.S. Tikka

Aah, sweet Dasain time, with swings, kites in blue skies and tikka!Like last year, and years before, this is Hindu X-mas and Easter rolled into one week of puja, tikka giving/receiving. And overeating - it´s estimated that about 75% of meat consumed by Nepalis happens this bloody week.
One change though - this is the first time since Shahi dynasty came to Kathmandu Valley, some 250 years ago, when the top politicians, from PM down, didn´t receive tikka (blessing) from HM the King! 

Bhaktapur walk-about

 

My Grandparents & Uncle. Cemetery Trenčianske Stankovce.

Note there is space left for aunt Blažka´s date of death! And the poor soul died 6 days after my visit. She would have been 80, just three short weeks later. RIP, dear Auntie

Pionier Jawa 50cc - my first motorbike - 1963

 

Saw this bike in village Selec, 5 km upstream from my grandparents´ house. I recollect the freedom this apparition gave me, my first pub-dances, and my first drunk-driving.
It was a bitch to remove all that superlfuous fairing, and even harder to put it back - always few screws short. But for 1960-ties it was great design. One must not forget that till that year - 1963 - Cezchoslovakia made 65% of world´s bikes! Then the Japanese started, today it´s the Indians and Japanes making millions of two-wheelers...

Friend gravely wounded.

A boy from village, now a strong young man, a friend to our boys and a friend of mine, had a miraculous escape yesterday morning. First the news fro0m NepalEyes.com:

13 security personnel, 1 Maoist killed in Kavre clash
Nepaleyes Report Kathmandu, March 21
At least 13 Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers and a Maoist were killed in a clash at Dapcha area of Chhatrebanjh VDC-6 in Kavre district Monday. A local man and three other security men were also injured in the incident. The clash that ensued after the rebels attacked a group of security personnel that had gone to resume the water supply at Dapcha, which had been blocked by Maoists. The clash had lasted for about two hours. A press release issued by Ministry of Defense confirmed death toll on RNA side. It also claimed that casualty on the side of Maoists was also quite high. However, Maoists dismissing the Ministry's assertion confirmed the death of their battalion commander Chaturman Tamang alias Anish. They also said three of their cadres were injured in the incident.

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I have not yet seen him in the Army Hospital in Chhauni, but our doughter called me after visit:
B. (until we win, no names!) and his group were ambushed by the MaoBadBoyz without warning while walking through a village to remove blockade of water channel in Dapche, East of Dulikhel, Namo Budha, abt. 40 km E of the Valley. Yes, the BAD Royal Army of Rapists according to the Divine Communists, went to help the people! For this the bastards were waiting in farmhouses and opened up withou warning. B., as his fellow Gurkhas, was instantly hit. The bullet pierced his side, bypassing (I stop usind the word MIRACULOUS, it will be too repetitive...) any vital organs: liver, stomach, spleen or bone!!! He kind-of lost conciousness, but felt being kicked as some voices said: "This one is ALSO dead!". They took his M16 rifle and left him for dead. All around were his friends, dead or dying...
This is, as said, from second, daughter's hand. I'm going tomorrow to see him, if they let me in.
This sympático guy came back home just 3 weeks ago from UN-deployment in (East-) Congo and we had long talk about the situation there and his experiences, while his 18-months old daughter run around in these silly chinese sneakers with irritating squeaking sound and blue/red LED lights, chasing/being chased by our dogs, as large as this tiny tot... He got a week holiday, after 6 months in the african jungle! , then back to nepali one...
I pray for this guy, may Shiva give him strength and he return to his family here in the village!
Jai Shiva!