September 19, 2025 • 9 mins
It’s been an extraordinary week in Nepal – going from protests and revolution to a new government and peace in a flash.
Mike Yardley arrived in Kathmandu a few days into the upheaval and can assure that he’s had no issues during his time in the area.
He joined Jack Tame to delve into what his experience has been like and the highlights of his trip.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks. A'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Mike Hardley is our travel correspondent on Saturday Morning's Good morning, sir.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Good morning Jack.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
Oh it's so good to hear your voice.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
I thought this morning, you know, I thought it's gonna
we're gonna have to flip a.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
Coin to see whether or not.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Given all of the events in Nepaul this week, we
wo've been coming through to us. But fantastic to hear
you're doing okay, just to just talk to us, first
of all, about your personal safety.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
You've had no issues over the last week.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Or so, none whatsoever. I come to you without a
flak jacket. It's been the most extraordinary week or so
in Nepal. And I arrived what last Saturday, exactly this
time last week. I was just about to arrive. I
was at Chinga airport when I spoke to you. Yeah,
And I just think back to, you know, the old
(01:00):
saying about a week and politics is a long time
man alive. What a week, cat naan do They've They've
gone from like forty eight hours of gen Z protests
that turned to rioting, violence, mess death, mass destruction, to
a state of an interim government with a curfew which
(01:21):
lasted about forty eight hours. Then too, the fruition of
a new dawn of peace, calm, stability. I just it
was a head spinner last week. So what a lightning
fast revolution. I don't know if the world seen one
so quick.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yeah, it was crazy, right, just to see how much
things have changed. So just to be totally clear the
situation now, we you as okay, the situation in Camp
Mand is okay, right, yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Yeah, very much. The curfew was lifted last Saturday night.
So I know that everyone I spoke to when I
arrived in Captain and that were really concerned about the
impact obviously it was having on tourism, which is, as
you know, Jack, a massive money spinner for the country.
So they were all really anxious to try and convince
(02:09):
me that no, please tell people to come here. And
I have to say there was absolutely no problems at
all while I was there in Nepal, and it was
like people had just dusted themselves off and got on
it with the fresh start with a new prime minister.
I mean, the corrupt old government has just been clear out.
(02:29):
It's just extraordinary the way it was done. I mean,
the one thing you do notice when I was there is, yeah,
a lot of buildings have been scorched, badly damaged, destroyed,
police stations just raised, and yeah, a lot of debris
on the road. But they were dealing to that real
fast while we were walking around, and the major, major
(02:50):
tourist areas were not actually affected. It was, you know,
very much like the political heart of Campman dou where
the focus was put by the protesters. But it was
interesting that, you know, some of the cronies attached to
the old government, they were targeted as well as like
the Hilton hotel, a hotel out of action because there
was delt too, because it was seen that's been way
(03:11):
too close to the crew up side of the old government.
So yeah, amazing time.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, oh gosh, Well, I'm glad that Euroka, I'm glad
that thinks they're a bit calmer.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
And I always think it's amazing to travel to.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
An interesting place an interesting time, you know what, you know,
Y's there's a real I mean, obviously it's a little
bit ropy, but there's a real kind of privilege in
it as well to be there and to experience history
as you have So anyway, when you were planning your
Nepaul adventure, I'm sure top of the list was Everest.
So in contrast to doing a hilary, what are the
(03:43):
easiest ways to see Mount Everest?
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Yeah, a lot of people jack will lot for flight seeing,
a little scenic flight from kat Naand although to be honest,
Paul has a pretty average safety record when it comes
to small playons, so I was dubious about that. I
didn't do it. Option too. You can take this incredible
cable car ride just out of Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hill.
(04:10):
It was closed when I was there last week because
the base station had been torched by the protesters because
they were seeing as cronies of the old government. Yes,
Option three and I would have to say this is
the best of the lot. Is to really appreciate the
vastness of Nepal's high mountain ranges, you've got to head
an hour out of town to Naga Kot. So this
(04:34):
is about two one hundred meters high and you do
notice the temperature change straight away. But the thing about
Nagacot in that high country area is you just get
the most stirring panoramic views of all of the Himalayan ranges.
There are eight Himalayan ranges, so you will see lang
Tang Range, on Napurna Range and Everest Range, and that
(04:58):
really is a sublime sunrise spot. To increase your chances
of seeing the sunrise over Everest December January. I'm viewing time.
It's still very cloudy at this time of year, but
amazing countryside out there.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
So basically you need a clear, unique clear skies in
order to be able to see it from there, right,
And I suppose the only other is to is to
just you know it, yeah, exactly, just boot up yourself,
make your way to base camp, start doing a few
missions up.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Yeah, right, so it would be you Jack.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, I'm not sure my wife would be too pleased
about it. So if you're rising up from the Katmandu Valley,
are the mountain villages suitable for hiking?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
This was my highlight totally. Yeah. So from Naga Coot,
you've just got this cobweb of incredible high country trails
to strike out on and they sort of, yeah, stitch
together all these little mountain villages where time has stood still,
and you just like walk through these villages and all
(05:58):
the goats come sort of charging after you. You just
see sort of Nepal free spring. It is just gorgeous, gentle, innocent,
but it's quite funny though. There are an enterprising lot.
A lot of the kids in the mountain villages are that.
Oh those those tourists, they seem to have money. So
(06:19):
I was sort of like set up little when Promptu
craft stalls so that they can try and prise a
few dollars out of you. But yeah, it is just
the most magnificent area for a walk. And in the
last couple of years they've opened up this two hundred
and fifty meter long suspension bridge, the Runny Jeweler Bridge.
It is the most incredible sorry it's swing bridge, not
(06:40):
suspension bridge. Swing bridge, So just the most immassive bridge
to walk across high above the forest in the nagger
Court countryside. I just love that area. So you can
spend all day there.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, it sounds it sounds amazing. Did you find that
altitude issue because that's just over two thousand meters you
seed right, So was that you're passing or not too bad?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Surprisingly, I found it absolutely fine, no problems at all.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Yeah, I think it's about three thousand when they say
that that's the when the very start gain.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Yes, yes, should be right. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
So back in town, where should you focus your sight seeing?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah, well too areas that were not affected at all
by the protests. Duba Square is the big show stopper
the central Nepal's commercial and political activity for centuries prior
to say, the last century or so. So this is
where you will find those fifty temples, and they Hindu
(07:36):
the Buddhist temples. They stretch back about eight hundred years.
I just love the fact that they all look like
wedding cakes and with the most ridiculous number of tears.
So there are like nine tiered temples. They are all
built out of wood. So that's truly magnificent to wander around.
And tamil Is that is the main sort of tourist district.
(07:56):
So whether you're looking for a Tibetan singing bowl, jack
tane or a bit of mountain gear or the street food,
I would says where you should really tuck into urban catman.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Do Yeah nice, how's the street food?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I absolutely loved it. It can be a little bit
dubious when it comes to hygien I would have to
say yeah, but that's the key. You're right. A couple
of things I would would really recommend you to check
out if you're there, chet pat, which are these flavorful
(08:35):
balls of like puffed rice with vegetables and spices, that crunchy,
that tingy. They're really good. They drinks, Oh you know,
I know you're a fan of sugar caneju They do
the most amazing freshly pressed sugar cane jes is so good.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
And the Lassie. The Lassie is sort of like the
smoke smooth sweet yogurt come condensed milk drink, which is
topped with dried fruits. It's so calling on a hot
day in cat Men do. And if you're partial to dumplings,
look out the momos. Momos are like tinder dumplings packed
with vegetables, light and savory. And if you want something
(09:11):
really hearty, and this is something I checked out a
Nugga court. The Mountain noodle soup is called thuck Pa
and it's got chicken and egg and vegetables, very nurishing.
It's like the ultimate Nipolese comfort food. So yeah, lots
of really nice treats to entertain the mouth.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
Oh, that's so good. Oh man, yeah, that does sound amazing.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I've had a few momos over the years, some everyday food,
your momo is it?
Speaker 4 (09:33):
But no, that's yeah, yeah, yeah, combined with a bit of.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
A lassie or something like that, sounds like a tree. Hey,
thank you so much, Mike. We're glad that you're safe.
We're glad you've had an adventure. And yeah, I'm burning
with envy because Katmandu is certainly a part of the world.
I'd like to visit at some point as well.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Good stuff, man, yet, don't hesitate to go.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
The people are lovely, fantastic. Mike Hardley with us this morning.
He's our travel correspondent.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to News talks'd B from nine am Saturday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks. A'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Mike Hardley is our travel correspondent on Saturday Morning's Good morning, sir.
Speaker 3 (00:18):
Good morning Jack.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
Oh it's so good to hear your voice.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
I thought this morning, you know, I thought it's gonna
we're gonna have to flip a.
Speaker 4 (00:24):
Coin to see whether or not.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Given all of the events in Nepaul this week, we
wo've been coming through to us. But fantastic to hear
you're doing okay, just to just talk to us, first
of all, about your personal safety.
Speaker 4 (00:36):
You've had no issues over the last week.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Or so, none whatsoever. I come to you without a
flak jacket. It's been the most extraordinary week or so
in Nepal. And I arrived what last Saturday, exactly this
time last week. I was just about to arrive. I
was at Chinga airport when I spoke to you. Yeah,
And I just think back to, you know, the old
(01:00):
saying about a week and politics is a long time
man alive. What a week, cat naan do They've They've
gone from like forty eight hours of gen Z protests
that turned to rioting, violence, mess death, mass destruction, to
a state of an interim government with a curfew which
(01:21):
lasted about forty eight hours. Then too, the fruition of
a new dawn of peace, calm, stability. I just it
was a head spinner last week. So what a lightning
fast revolution. I don't know if the world seen one
so quick.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
Yeah, it was crazy, right, just to see how much
things have changed. So just to be totally clear the
situation now, we you as okay, the situation in Camp
Mand is okay, right, yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Yeah, very much. The curfew was lifted last Saturday night.
So I know that everyone I spoke to when I
arrived in Captain and that were really concerned about the
impact obviously it was having on tourism, which is, as
you know, Jack, a massive money spinner for the country.
So they were all really anxious to try and convince
(02:09):
me that no, please tell people to come here. And
I have to say there was absolutely no problems at
all while I was there in Nepal, and it was
like people had just dusted themselves off and got on
it with the fresh start with a new prime minister.
I mean, the corrupt old government has just been clear out.
(02:29):
It's just extraordinary the way it was done. I mean,
the one thing you do notice when I was there is, yeah,
a lot of buildings have been scorched, badly damaged, destroyed,
police stations just raised, and yeah, a lot of debris
on the road. But they were dealing to that real
fast while we were walking around, and the major, major
(02:50):
tourist areas were not actually affected. It was, you know,
very much like the political heart of Campman dou where
the focus was put by the protesters. But it was
interesting that, you know, some of the cronies attached to
the old government, they were targeted as well as like
the Hilton hotel, a hotel out of action because there
was delt too, because it was seen that's been way
(03:11):
too close to the crew up side of the old government.
So yeah, amazing time.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, oh gosh, Well, I'm glad that Euroka, I'm glad
that thinks they're a bit calmer.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
And I always think it's amazing to travel to.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
An interesting place an interesting time, you know what, you know,
Y's there's a real I mean, obviously it's a little
bit ropy, but there's a real kind of privilege in
it as well to be there and to experience history
as you have So anyway, when you were planning your
Nepaul adventure, I'm sure top of the list was Everest.
So in contrast to doing a hilary, what are the
(03:43):
easiest ways to see Mount Everest?
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Yeah, a lot of people jack will lot for flight seeing,
a little scenic flight from kat Naand although to be honest,
Paul has a pretty average safety record when it comes
to small playons, so I was dubious about that. I
didn't do it. Option too. You can take this incredible
cable car ride just out of Kathmandu to Chandragiri Hill.
(04:10):
It was closed when I was there last week because
the base station had been torched by the protesters because
they were seeing as cronies of the old government. Yes,
Option three and I would have to say this is
the best of the lot. Is to really appreciate the
vastness of Nepal's high mountain ranges, you've got to head
an hour out of town to Naga Kot. So this
(04:34):
is about two one hundred meters high and you do
notice the temperature change straight away. But the thing about
Nagacot in that high country area is you just get
the most stirring panoramic views of all of the Himalayan ranges.
There are eight Himalayan ranges, so you will see lang
Tang Range, on Napurna Range and Everest Range, and that
(04:58):
really is a sublime sunrise spot. To increase your chances
of seeing the sunrise over Everest December January. I'm viewing time.
It's still very cloudy at this time of year, but
amazing countryside out there.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
So basically you need a clear, unique clear skies in
order to be able to see it from there, right,
And I suppose the only other is to is to
just you know it, yeah, exactly, just boot up yourself,
make your way to base camp, start doing a few
missions up.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Yeah, right, so it would be you Jack.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yeah, I'm not sure my wife would be too pleased
about it. So if you're rising up from the Katmandu Valley,
are the mountain villages suitable for hiking?
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
This was my highlight totally. Yeah. So from Naga Coot,
you've just got this cobweb of incredible high country trails
to strike out on and they sort of, yeah, stitch
together all these little mountain villages where time has stood still,
and you just like walk through these villages and all
(05:58):
the goats come sort of charging after you. You just
see sort of Nepal free spring. It is just gorgeous, gentle, innocent,
but it's quite funny though. There are an enterprising lot.
A lot of the kids in the mountain villages are that.
Oh those those tourists, they seem to have money. So
(06:19):
I was sort of like set up little when Promptu
craft stalls so that they can try and prise a
few dollars out of you. But yeah, it is just
the most magnificent area for a walk. And in the
last couple of years they've opened up this two hundred
and fifty meter long suspension bridge, the Runny Jeweler Bridge.
It is the most incredible sorry it's swing bridge, not
(06:40):
suspension bridge. Swing bridge, So just the most immassive bridge
to walk across high above the forest in the nagger
Court countryside. I just love that area. So you can
spend all day there.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Yeah, it sounds it sounds amazing. Did you find that
altitude issue because that's just over two thousand meters you
seed right, So was that you're passing or not too bad?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Surprisingly, I found it absolutely fine, no problems at all.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Yeah, I think it's about three thousand when they say
that that's the when the very start gain.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
Yes, yes, should be right. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
So back in town, where should you focus your sight seeing?
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah, well too areas that were not affected at all
by the protests. Duba Square is the big show stopper
the central Nepal's commercial and political activity for centuries prior
to say, the last century or so. So this is
where you will find those fifty temples, and they Hindu
(07:36):
the Buddhist temples. They stretch back about eight hundred years.
I just love the fact that they all look like
wedding cakes and with the most ridiculous number of tears.
So there are like nine tiered temples. They are all
built out of wood. So that's truly magnificent to wander around.
And tamil Is that is the main sort of tourist district.
(07:56):
So whether you're looking for a Tibetan singing bowl, jack
tane or a bit of mountain gear or the street food,
I would says where you should really tuck into urban catman.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Do Yeah nice, how's the street food?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I absolutely loved it. It can be a little bit
dubious when it comes to hygien I would have to
say yeah, but that's the key. You're right. A couple
of things I would would really recommend you to check
out if you're there, chet pat, which are these flavorful
(08:35):
balls of like puffed rice with vegetables and spices, that crunchy,
that tingy. They're really good. They drinks, Oh you know,
I know you're a fan of sugar caneju They do
the most amazing freshly pressed sugar cane jes is so good.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
Yeah yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
And the Lassie. The Lassie is sort of like the
smoke smooth sweet yogurt come condensed milk drink, which is
topped with dried fruits. It's so calling on a hot
day in cat Men do. And if you're partial to dumplings,
look out the momos. Momos are like tinder dumplings packed
with vegetables, light and savory. And if you want something
(09:11):
really hearty, and this is something I checked out a
Nugga court. The Mountain noodle soup is called thuck Pa
and it's got chicken and egg and vegetables, very nurishing.
It's like the ultimate Nipolese comfort food. So yeah, lots
of really nice treats to entertain the mouth.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
Oh, that's so good. Oh man, yeah, that does sound amazing.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I've had a few momos over the years, some everyday food,
your momo is it?
Speaker 4 (09:33):
But no, that's yeah, yeah, yeah, combined with a bit of.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
A lassie or something like that, sounds like a tree. Hey,
thank you so much, Mike. We're glad that you're safe.
We're glad you've had an adventure. And yeah, I'm burning
with envy because Katmandu is certainly a part of the world.
I'd like to visit at some point as well.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Good stuff, man, yet, don't hesitate to go.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
The people are lovely, fantastic. Mike Hardley with us this morning.
He's our travel correspondent.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to News talks'd B from nine am Saturday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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