I'm back in Kathmandu and almost gone again. I'm flying back tomorrow late at night via Doha, home to Berlin.

Namaste, Kathmandu. I will be back again.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

We got up early to take the road to Jiri, which is - according to what we read - most likely to be the most beautiful motorbike route in the world. It definately felt as if - and luckily the road had just been repaved, so riding was a real pleasure and we rushed through the mountains like a (vibrant) flying carpet... The trees high up were tinted in glimmering ice and fog accompanied us most of the way. In the end it rained a bit, which is not so comfortable riding through the Himalayas on a motorbike - anyway, this was probably one of the nicest and least stressful days I lived through this year. I'm very happy now.















All Photos: Carolin Weinkopf

We're in the mountains around Charikot and Dolakha, will go to Jiri (last more-or-less paved road before Mt. Everest) tomorrow and enjoy every second of it. The mountains have been hiding their highness behind fog and clouds, but unfolded their closer magic within every second since we left Kathmandu valley. The weather is tough, our feet are cold, but we keep up the mood with lots of chocolate and warm thoughts.










All Photos: Carolin Weinkopf

The past days have been mind-blowing with great Himalaya views along the horizon. We're taking the bus to the mountains tomorrow super early for a few days to take photos for one of my next projects and will actually try to breathe and relax a bit. Next stop: Charikot.


Photo: Carolin Weinkopf

All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

Traffic jams and air pollution brought us back to reality right after. Anyway, today the weather cleared and the mountains showed their real beauty.






All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

After we finally wrapped up that pile of work, Nic and I jumped on the motorbike on saturday and went to Dhulikel, a beautiful town in the mountains not too far from Kathmandu. We were searching for our hotel for about two hours and got completely soaked in heavy rainfalls and thunderstorm, but eventually arrived in the coziest little place on earth, took the hottest shower since I'm here and de-frosted in our pre-warmed bed (thank god for electric heating blankets and thank the Nepalis for providing them). We watched movies in bed until dinner and the next day after breakfast, we went up to Namo Buddha, a beautiful Buddhist monastery on a mountain close by. We observed a Buddhist ceremony, some crazy Lama dancing, had tea on a terrace floating in the clouds and lit some butter candles. When we decided to go back short before dusk, heavy fog fell over the lands just on time to make the trip a perfect one.












All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

The past days I spent with this wonderful guy to make an audio slideshow for the CIM returning experts programme. One of the highlights was a badminton session before dawn - and since I didn't use most of these photos for the slideshow, I thought I could share a few of these. Dhanyabad, Khem. I had a great time.








All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

Today my dear friend Philipp and his buddy Thomas took me on a motorbike ride to the outskirts of Kathmandu. We strolled through a Nevari village and ended up in the fields, met some beautiful people, had some Dal Bhat in the dirt and I was taught to harvest rice (and cheered at, when I did it right). It was one of the most layed back and relaxing days in weeks (months?) and I really enjoyed it. I hope there will be more of these after I finnish my work here, finally.












All photos: Carolin Weinkopf

Whole and save, I arrived in Kathmandu after a rather boring stopover at Doha Airport. When I finally landed, got through the long visa line and actually found my lugguage, (and after waiting for 60 minutes...) I realized I had been forgotten at the airport by my lovely boyfriend. After numerous unanswered calls and a short taxi drive (thank god I knew the way) he apologized, as he was 100% sure I was going to arrive tomorrow. Whatever, I'm here, it's cold, it's home, almost.