the Travel Enthusiast
- 08 May
The Tragedy of Nepal
Kathmandu under construction. ©United Nations Development Programme /flickr
Update on the Nepal catastrophe: second earthquake hitting the region on May 12 2015
Nepal has still been in the process of recovering after the devastating earthquake of 7.8 magnitude when it was hit by a second one just today! The epicenter of this second earthquake was near Mount Everest in a depth of 10.1 miles and its shock waves were felt even in the Indian capital, Delhi. It was of magnitude 7.1, later upgraded to 7.4. Although, data about the damage is yet unavailable, it is imaginable how much it affected the country still suffering the consequences of the first quake of April 25.
The first catastrophe killed over 8,000 people and destroyed entire villages and towns leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. Now the world fears not only for the lives of the Nepalese but also the many doctors, rescue teams and other volunteers who were still in the Nepal helping. According to the few reports that already arrived, the people of Kathmandu were panicked when today’s earthquake reached the city, immediately trying to call their loved ones and rush home. The quake lasted for over one minute and probably caused further damage but hopefully not more deaths. The climbing expeditions of camp Everest were called off today for the following months.
Unfortunately scientists are predicting more trouble ahead.
According to the publication Science
“Most of the region’s substantial earthquakes have occurred south of the line, where the plates are locked together and strain builds up. North of this “lock line,” however, the Indian plate dives downward and the character of the rock slab changes. Under higher temperatures and rising pressures, the brittle rocks become more plastic, and they creep past the Tibetan crust without rupturing. Or so researchers had thought.”
Gavin Hayes of the US Geological Survey states:
“We therefore have the potential for bigger earthquakes than we might have otherwise expected.”
He estimates, that we can’t exclude even magnitude 9 earthquakes, not only in the region, but throughout India.
You can also help the recovering country in many ways. One of the most noble causes is helping the children who lost their families and homes. You can donate to the Nepal Earthquake Children’s Relief Fund of the Save the Children charity. Even the smallest amount counts!
- 05 AprAdam in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
Kathmandu, A Place with Many Gods
Stupa Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal ©Brandon/flickr
The capital of Nepal is filled with a wonderful world temples
Kathmandu is surrounded by a mysterious air when the morning fog comes from the cold and frozen valleys of the Himalayas. The temples and statues of deities are covered with snow and the strong wind blows the gongs while you can smell the cold smoke of a burning rotten wood. The Newar locals believe the fact that this atmosphere brings spiritual purification, all the bad thoughts and sins being taken far away by the smoke. This is Kathmandu, traditional yet extremely beautiful in its own way.
- 03 Novpapillon in Travel Planning | NO COMMENTS
Top 10 sights in South Asia
Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan
The next installment of our series of posts about the absolute top ten sights on each continent will probably offend geography purists, but given the sheer size of the Asian continent, coming up with only 10 attractions is a difficult task. So instead, this post will present the best sights in each part of Asia.
South Asia is still a pretty big place, and there are far more interesting attractions beyond those that made the list. So, in no particular order, here are the tourist destinations that should feature on anyone’s list of things to see in South Asia. …
- 04 Octkachou_n in Amazing Places | NO COMMENTS
Amazing places: Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Long time ago, travelers who wandered into Nepal came back with the conviction that they had found the famed Shangri-La, the symbol of an earthly paradise in the Orient. The place that they visited was actually Kathmandu, the Nepalese capital, and while these travelers might have been a little romantic and naive, they were right about the beauty of this exotic city.
Nowadays, Kathmandu is a magnet for indie travelers looking for something different, but there’s a little something in this city for everyone. It does feel like a place outside time, sometimes, but that only makes it all the more exciting. …
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