Bridges and Prayers, Khumbu Valley - Nepal In 1999, most of the bridges in this valley were still constructed of metal cable and wooden planks, giving cause for a concerned pace across the ill-alligned and sometime missing foot boards. Now, however, almost all have been painstakingly replaced with these stronger welded aluminum bridges. But even these move and sway during crossing, and two-way traffic - particularly yak traffic - elevates the tension of everyone on board.

Bodhnath, Kathmandu - Nepal One of the largest stupas in the world, Bodhnath was constructed in the 14th century, after the Mughal invasions from India. Now a major tourist attraction, it is also an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis. Here, the great hemisphere of the stupa, symbolizing water, and stained with saffron, streams with prayer flags from its square tower, bearing the omnipresent Buddha eyes on all four sides.

The Orange Hand, Kathmandu - Nepal Within the walls of Pashupatinath, the expansive Hindu temple grounds in Kathmandu, you will find many small doors and nooks; fabulously carved and adorned with dyes and marigolds.