Culturally speaking, Nepal has, of course, an ancient history. Shakyamuni Buddha was born within its present borders.

The capital, Kathmandu, has two other cities which share the valley with it. Together they make up the three royal cities. (I don't know if they are still referred to that way since the abolition of the monarchy several years ago.) One of them, Patan, is now a part of the sprawl of Kathmandu. However, once upon a time, it had its own kings, as well. It is simply exquisite and as one walks through it, one can feel the rich, though quite worn, history there. The palaces and temples are multi-tiered - in some cases with many steep steps.

The other royal city is Bhaktapur - also incredible and a must see!

They are a photographer's paradise. I must have a million pictures - in a garage in Los Angeles :-( These few are all I have with me in Germany.

If you have been to this poor country, yet so rich in history and culture, you will know exactly what I am talking about. If you haven't, you should go. There just isn't enough space here to ramble on and on about Nepal - until just a few years ago, the last Hindu kingdom on earth. (Besides, this site is for photographs, not my history lessons ;-)

So, you choose: black and white, or color - or both? Both give me a different feeling; therefore, I included both options.

What about you? Do you have a preference?

STRONG preference for the b/w's! All those wonderful details really call for my eyes to look around longer. Gee... is there any place you haven't been?! :-) A neighbor in Ann Arbor leads women's treks to Nepal a few times a year... I would love to go some time. DancingDolphin · 2010-12-04: 18:13

very nice set ! photodeclair · 2010-12-04: 18:21

Nice shots Massey...I actually prefer the color, esp in 1 and 3, i think it helps to accentuate the depth of the photo kblakes · 2010-12-04: 21:22

Very interesting information and nice pictures.I like colour photos .I prefer colour life-- not black and white. krasotulichka · 2010-12-05: 03:23

Very interesting set especially the information - I used to teach the children of the Gheurkah regiments when they were staioned in Wales and have always wanted to visit. B&w give a sense of the history and age of the country, and colour gives a sense of the modern day atmosphere - so I like them both cariad · 2010-12-05: 04:30

I liked in color and BW :) by the way, I love nepal. it is a country not well known by people!and also, its flag is amazing, its the only country that has not a squarish flag! onlyricky · 2010-12-05: 07:04

Awesome! wildduck · 2010-12-05: 07:59

the first shot is the only one I truly can say NEEDS the color (in my opinion...) the rest seem more drastic in b&w...good choice to include them!!! Great shots dalish · 2010-12-05: 23:03

I prefer the color, I think your shots are amazing as always. And I actually enjoy the history lesson. Suzie83 · 2010-12-06: 08:55

Wonderful set!! I really like the b&w versions. ????? · 2010-12-07: 11:40

Beautiful these old buildings ! bandg8 · 2010-12-07: 21:58

I prefer the color -- the b&w's remind me of old newspaper clippings ????? · 2010-12-08: 10:18

I like them both..the BW have an ancient atmosphere, the colours are full of life. The architecture is amazing! Eiram · 2010-12-08: 15:01

Beautiful. I love the color in the first. ????? · 2010-12-08: 20:44

Generally I prefer color versions, but the last one is quite awsome in B/W! Unchained · 2010-12-14: 12:12

I'm divided, really like both color and B&W, they convey completly different feelings. The guy on 3 is a perfect gentleman, he is carrying both umbrellas, hers and his, isn't that beautiful?? Great capture!!!! ????? · 2010-12-14: 21:31

Tagged: nepal patannepal kathmandu blackandwhite