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Saturday, 16 September 2006, 17:13 GMT 18:13 UK

In pictures: Nepal VW Beetle rally

Beetles at sixth Himalayan Volkswagen Beetle Rally

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Dozens of Volkswagen Beetles - also known as bugs - have converged on the Kathmandu area for the sixth rally run by An-Bug - the Association of Nepal Beetle Users Group.

An-Bug President Gopal Kakshapati with his Beetle

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An-Bug President Gopal Kakshapati says hippies driving to Kathmandu in the 1970s brought the iconic car to Nepal. This is his sixth. The frog-like design is by his daughter.

Beetles at sixth Himalayan Volkswagen Beetle Rally

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There are 84 listed Beetle owners in Nepal. The rally was flagged off by Beetle owner and German Ambassador, Franz Ring, who says there was even a Beetle club in Burma.

Beetle owner Satendra Bajracharya and six-year-old Suvineet.

Beetle owner Satendra Bajracharya and six-year-old Suvineet.

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For Satendra Bajracharya, Beetles were "a childhood obsession". He bought this one seven years ago: "It was junk. I restored it gradually." The sponsorship is for this event only.

Beetle owners Anjam Bisht (left) and Madhuri Rana

Beetle owners Anjam Bisht (left) and Madhuri Rana

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Anjam Bisht (left) bought her cream Beetle third-hand, about 25 years ago: "I feel secure and safe - there's solid metal around me. I've been hit by a minibus without realising."

Children in back of VW Beetle

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These children happily squeezed into the back seat. The event's proceeds will fund two new teachers for a rural school and also pay for operations on children with cleft palates.

Beetle owner Anup Maskay and his wife Shaila

Beetle owner Anup Maskay and his wife Shaila

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"I also have a Nissan but on weekends I prefer a heavy, sturdy car like this - it's a matter of passion," says Anup Maskay. His father bought the Beetle in 1980.

Beetle fans show off interior of car

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Beetle owners prize their cars' classic interiors as much as the exteriors. Many enthuse about the cars' reliability - but one woman says spare parts have to be imported from Brazil.

Beetle undergoing maintenance during rally

Beetle undergoing maintenance during rally

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During the rally, one of two of the Beetles did fleetingly fail the reliability test...

Beetles arrive in world-famous Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu.

Beetles arrive in world-famous Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu.

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...but they did reach their string of destinations including the world-famous Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu.

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