Sunday 4 October

Today we left Kopan and headed to a city called Patan located on the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. Patan is a world heritage listed city known for its ancient stupas, temples and Dhurba Square. The Square features fascinating architecture and masonry. We are staying in a restored 300 year old traditional Nepalese guest house. The height of the doors and ceilings is about 5'6", and that's in the tall parts. Tall members of our group are walking around with hunched backs!! It's such an interesting place to stay.

Today we donated five wheelchairs (thanks to those who sponsored the costs of the wheelchairs) to a Disability Centre which is supported by the Pashupati Rotaract Group. The Club manages to donate 1200 rupees to the centre each month but is clearly in need of additional funds. Whist donating the wheelchairs, we met eight of the Centre's children: two were blind, one had cerebral palsy, one was autistic and the rest had physical disabilities. In all, the Centre cares for 31 children.

After a delicious lunch, we headed to an orthopaedic centre which receives funding from various Rotary Clubs around the world. Our ortho registrar, Ben, enjoyed the visit and hopes to be able to source vacuum forming machine to help make the orthoses.

We had a lovely dinner in a rooftop overlooking the Dhurbar Square. Damien is now teaching us a new card game called 'Friar Tuck'.