NAMCHI

NAMCHI
Arrived here around noon in a bus, the first time I have seen one on these narrow roads. It was a lovely drive with the range of snow capped mountains visible most of the time. This is a lovely little place, it has two main squares, fountains and lots of spring flowers. It is mainly known for having two vast statues facing each other from opposite hillsides. One is a Buddhist Guru Rimpoche standing 45M high in shimmering copper and bronze. It is visible for miles around. The other statue is 33m high and is of Shiva. I walked up there this afternoon and the site is enormous with workers toiling away like ants at a surrounding complex of temples and pavilions. The site is expected to become a major pilgrimage site. The statue and surrounding area are in various stages of completion. Gardens are being planted, statues and images are being sculpted and painted, pathways and drains are being laid, a large guest house or hotel is under construction
While wandering around the hotels upon arrival, a very nice man spoke to me and offered his help. He recommended a lovely guest house named Dungmali up on the hillside under the Shiva statue. It is about 4 kms out of town but I had a look around before I left. I have a really lovely room here and managed to get a good price as the place is empty. The meals are cooked by the family and there are nice balconies with the rooms.