Nepal [antikvár]

IntroductionDraped along the greatest heights of the Himalaya, the kingdom of Nepal is a land of eternal fascination, a place where one visit is rarely enough. It's a land of ancient history, colourfiil cultures and people, superb scenery and some of the best walking on earth.Nepal's history is closely related to its geographical location, separating the fertile plains of India from the desert-like plateau of Tibet. Its position between India and China meant the country was able at times to play the role of intermediary - a canny trader between two great powers - while at other times it faced the threat of invasion. Internally, its history was just as dynamic, with city-states in the hills vying with each other for power until one powerful king, Prithvi Narayan Shah, overran them all. That history is very visible today with the three greattowns of the Kathmandu Valley - Kath-mandu, Patan and Bhaktapur - still bearing witness to their days as fiercely competitive mediaeval mini-kingdoms. Indeed, in Nepal it's often possible to suspend belief and mentally roll the clock right back to the mediaeval era.Behind the time-wom temples and palaces of the Kathmandu Valley, above and beyond the hills that ring the valley, another 'kingdom' rises skyward. The 'abode of snows', which is what Himalaya means in Sanskrit, is a natural 'kingdom' and a magnet to mountaineers from all over the world. Fortunately you don't have to be a Sherpa and your surname doesn't have to be Messner or Hillary in order for you to get in amongst these great mountains. With a dash of enterprise and a modicum of fitness most