JAP | ENG

We planned to transfer in Kolkata from Singapore, where the altitude is less than 10 meters, and head to Kathmandu, which is 1,400 meters above sea level, and then meet up with a friend’s family from Tokyo in Nepal.

I don’t remember how we managed to plan our travel schedules and arrange a time and place to meet in 1991, at a time when there was no internet or smartphones.

The Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu was said to be a difficult airport to take off and land due of its location surrounded by high mountains. At the time, the airport did not have radar facilities, and the landing was only relied only on radio contact and visual observation, which was considered a problem (risk).

Two years later, in 1992, two planes crashed in succession, one by Thai Airways and the other by Pakistan Airlines, due to landing failures.
At the request of the Nepalese government, the radar facility was installed as part of Japan’s ODA (Official Development Assistance), and air traffic controllers were trained and the aging facility was repaired.

It was an old-fashioned hotel, but I chose it here because of the good location.

Photo by author, 1991

The altitude of Kathmandu is 1,400 m. It’s early January, so it’s very cold.
The temperature is about 20°C during the day, but drop to around 5°C at night.

Photo by author, 1991

The family from Tokyo and the family from Singapore meet safely at a hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal, as planned, and immediately enjoy Nepalese food.

Photo of author and friends, 1991

Kathmandu is a basin and is surrounded by mountains.

Photo by author, 1991

Photo of author, 1991

After leaving the hotel, we walk around the city with the help of a map, allowing our minds and bodies to get used to the different cultures.

Photo by author, 1991

The distance between humans and livestock is very close.

Photo by author, 1991

We came across a souvenir shop.

Photo by author, 1991

Small shop along the street.

Photo by author, 1991

Photo by author, 1991

Photo by author, 1991

Photo by author, 1991

Bodhi trees and brick walls coexist.

Photo by author, 1991

People waiting on the street

Photo by author, 1991

We came across a square where a lot of people gathered.

Photo by author, 1991

A tractor entered the narrow crowded street.

Photo by author, 1991

We saw human porters on the street.

Photo by author, 1991

A row of shops was located on the first floor of an ornate building that was likely part of a palace.

Photo by author, 1991

People transporting goods on bicycle.

Photo by author, 1991

There are almost no cars on the streets, making it an ideal city for sightseeing by strolling.

Photo of author, 1991

Photo of author, 1991

Photos by the author in January 1991