Travel Notes from Bode, Thimi, Nepal

The drive from Dhulikel wasn’t too long as is the book to get an In Drive Driver. Nagarkot was a totally different case. In Dhulikel, it seems there are many more taxi drivers en route to and from Banepa Highway. After chatting for a bit and relaxing at the porch at Dhulikel Lodge Resort, it was time for me to move forward with my trip, and go back to the grounds. This means my trip to the mountains is finally over. On my way back to Kathmandu, i thought of stoppong by Bode. Initially, i thought Bode and Thimi are two different places. Little did i know, Bode is actually a part of Thimi in Bhaktapur. So the drive going there, we did pass by Bhaktapur and from there, it’s only about 4 kilometers away. 

As soon as you arrive in Bode, you will be greeted by a huge Kamal Pokhari which is a huge pond. During the season, this pond is filled with lotus flowers. When i arrived, it was barren and but still beaming at noon. You know the feeling when you arrive in an old Newari town in Nepal, that’s the feeling in Bode. At around 2PM, the elders congregate around the town overlooking the pond. I didn’t get too much stare from them considering i look like half of the people there. With a shame, i took out my monopod to take a selfie video. That’s when i got the look. I moved forward going down the steps that lead me to a quiet, unassuming Hindu Temple. It must have been the weekday or perhaps it’s still early in the afternoon, coming from Sankhu, the place is peaceful and calm. I sat for a bit, and prayed. I watched the day go by, as it had sweeping views of the town below. Still, there was nothing. Nothingness. 

Moving forward, i walked up west to the roundabout and saw old historical buildings. Like anywhere in Nepal, it’s all two storeys with colorful paints of aquamarine and salmon. Looking back at my first impression of Bandipur before, this is the same feeling. I felt like i was transported back in time. Surely, there were more old people than young. I haven’t seen a hotel. One which i would fancy staying at next time. Afternoons are well spent chatting with a neighbor, cleaning the household and just relaxing. 

I would have wanted to stay a bit longer not because there were so many more places to visit but because i would have wanted to sit with the lovely chaps, and just people watch, daydream and look back how fortunate i was to be able to visit Bode. I then realize, maybe it’s not just about the mountains of Nepal that make it unique, maybe it’s something else. Something no one else can see but probably feel. , my Newari driver, was so weirded out when i opened the car and got inside. He was staring at me the whole time. Finally, i broke the ice and started talking. He kept on looking at his rear view mirror. That was our story.

The drive from Dhulikel wasn’t too long as is the book to get an In Drive Driver. Nagarkot was a totally different case. In Dhulikel, it seems there are many more taxi drivers en route to and from Banepa Highway. After chatting for a bit and relaxing at the porch at Dhulikel Lodge Resort, it was time for me to move forward with my trip, and go back to the grounds. This means my trip to the mountains is finally over. On my way back to Kathmandu, i thought of stoppong by Bode. Initially, i thought Bode and Thimi are two different places. Little did i know, Bode is actually a part of Thimi in Bhaktapur. So the drive going there, we did pass by Bhaktapur and from there, it’s only about 4 kilometers away. 

As soon as you arrive in Bode, you will be greeted by a huge Kamal Pokhari which is a huge pond. During the season, this pond is filled with lotus flowers. When i arrived, it was barren and but still beaming at noon. You know the feeling when you arrive in an old Newari town in Nepal, that’s the feeling in Bode. At around 2PM, the elders congregate around the town overlooking the pond. I didn’t get too much stare from them considering i look like half of the people there. With a shame, i took out my monopod to take a selfie video. That’s when i got the look. I moved forward going down the steps that lead me to a quiet, unassuming Hindu Temple. It must have been the weekday or perhaps it’s still early in the afternoon, coming from Sankhu, the place is peaceful and calm. I sat for a bit, and prayed. I watched the day go by, as it had sweeping views of the town below. Still, there was nothing. Nothingness. 

Moving forward, i walked up west to the roundabout and saw old historical buildings. Like anywhere in Nepal, it’s all two storeys with colorful paints of aquamarine and salmon. Looking back at my first impression of Bandipur before, this is the same feeling. I felt like i was transported back in time. Surely, there were more old people than young. I haven’t seen a hotel. One which i would fancy staying at next time. Afternoons are well spent chatting with a neighbor, cleaning the household and just relaxing. 

I would have wanted to stay a bit longer not because there were so many more places to visit but because i would have wanted to sit with the lovely chaps, and just people watch, daydream and look back how fortunate i was to be able to visit Bode. I then realize, maybe it’s not just about the mountains of Nepal that make it unique, maybe it’s something else. Something no one else can see but probably feel.