Julie & Chris' Asian Adventures: Lumbini

We had high hopes for the birthplace of the Buddha and another bus journey would not damper our mood. Arriving in Lumbini, what a sight! Homeless naked children pulled on our shirts while their dazed mother looked on with doped eyes as she was breastfeeding a tiny newborn. One young child literally pulled the water bottle out of my hands and started gulping down avidly. Confused, we walked down the main road and saw a row of identical looking small guesthouses. We checked in a basic room after realising all the prices and standards were similar, before looking for a place to eat. With only a handful of places swarming with flies on offer, our choices were limited.

Trying to keep a positive attitude, we happily rented a bicycle to go and explore the area, away from the depraved main strip. We rode through the Monastic Zone comprised of temples from many countries as well as the World peace pagoda and the Eternal peace flame. Biking was pleasant although it was very hot and sweaty with a cloud of smog covering the sky.

The World peace pagoda built by the Japanese for 1 million USD!

Wouldn't you want your picnic spot to be clean?

Visiting the different monasteries

Water well

Inside a monastery with colourful ceiling

We had to hop on and off our bicycles when visiting each temple, riding alternatively on wide sidewalks or bumpy dirt tracks. As is the custom in Buddhist temples, we took our shoes off to enter. We only visited half of the monasteries on the first afternoon before escaping from the heat in our air-con room, but we continued our exploration the following day.

A bit shocking, don't you think?

We especially enjoyed the Vietnamese monastery, where huge sarus cranes enjoy living in the wetlands. I met a friendly French-Vietnamese woman who came there for a two-week retreat. Lumbini attracts many Buddhist pilgrims.

Vietnamese monastery - These cranes are real! Unbelievably beautiful creatures.

Vietnamese monastery - These buffaloes aren't real! But the gardens are nice!

We kept riding our bikes, exiting the Monastic Zone and continuing towards the Indian border on the main road. We saw very traditional ways of living in rural houses and oxcarts shuttling people and goods. We had great photo opportunities!