A life of leisure, in an age where experiences are meant for pictures as much as memories, can become a burden, distracting from life and leisure themselves. As the world changes at a speed that would bewilder our forefathers, reprieve in permanence offers balance and comfort. Atop the Himalayas, Mt. Everest sits as it has and will for millennia, often veiled by clouds, occasionally glistening below a frustratingly shy sun. To view it is a meditation on patience—a quiet joy in knowing the wait is private, personal. Plan for at least five days: a few for the majesty Mt. Everest and the rest for a captivating Kathmandu, the capital rich with UNESCO sites and vibrant in its people, cuisine, and energy. If one must, capture a few photographs, share them, if only for others to learn of its magic.

Hotel Everest View, Buddha Stupa, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and various alleyways and intersections of Kathmandu