N E P A L LAND OF MYSTERY
Nepal is a beautiful country rightfully called a paradise on earth. Nepal has diverse ethnicity, rich culture and awe-inspiring natural beauty. With a wide variety of flora and fauna in the country, Nepal holds some of the rarest species like the one-horned Rhino, the Bengal tiger and the national flower Rhododendron.
Nepal is truly a god’s playground with stunning landscapes, majestic mountains and mesmerizing lakes.
Nepal is the birthplace for the Lord Gautama Buddha. It has the densest concentration of World Heritage Sites. Kathmandu valley alone has 7 World Heritage Cultural sites within a radius of 15 kilometers. No wonder Kathmandu is called the living cultural museum of the world.
When I was about to land at Kathmandu Airport, I was spellbound watching the mighty Himalaya Mountain on my right from the Airline’s window seat. I just couldn’t take my eyes off the stunning beauty of nature.
It was so frightening to see the aircraft descending into a deep valley as it approached to land in Kathmandu. I think this was the most amazing as well as the most frightening landing I had experienced.
As I stepped outside the airport terminal, I was shocked to see the country similar to India with narrow roads where cattle crossed, dogs roamed and poverty written on either side. The taxi spoke a thousand volumes. It was a small vehicle not even big enough to put a medium suitcase. All the taxis looked the same.
As the taxi rocked me through the narrow dusty streets, with its windscreen wide opened, the cool mountain air was rewarding in a way. I checked into a hotel in Thamel area, which I had pre booked. But, I was quite shocked as it was entirely different from what I read and saw in photos.
Kathmandu has power cuts every day. They happen randomly, at different times of the day, and for different lengths of time. They usually occur in the afternoon and early evening and last anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours!
As soon as I woke up the next morning, I went looking for a better hotel. I had no problem, as there are plenty of hotels to choose in Thamel area. I found a new modern hotel and the staff was so kind that they sent a bellboy to carry my luggage from the old hotel. This hotel had free Wi fi service but only usable when there is electricity.
Although Kathmandu is a fairly large sprawling city, most of the main sights and attractions are all within the city limits. Thamel is the main ‘tourist ghetto’ district. From here, you can reach Durbar Square within 10 minutes or Swayambhunath hill top temple in about 30 minutes. All the narrow streets between Thamel & Durbar are full of interesting shops, temples & Nepali daily life.
Several main attractions, though, are not really within easy walking distance. They include Patan, Boudhanath Tibetan Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. To reach these sites, you’ll need some sort of transportation.
Pashupatinath Temple is a world heritage centre and you can see thousands of devotees flocking here. When I entered the gates of Bhaktapur, which is like one open ‘art gallery’, I was amazed at the medieval art and architecture.
The Pashupatinath Temple, in Bhaktapur, features erotic wood carvings engraved throughout the support beams. Erotic artwork is a common theme across many temples in the Kathmandu valley. Bhaktapur.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the important historic and tourist destinations in Nepal. This massive complex is home to palaces, temples and courtyards. Kathmandu Durbar square has various historical royal and governmental institutions mixed with temples of different styles and ages.
The palace grounds are within a walking distance and the palace has a sad tale for tourists. The former Narayanhiti Royal Palace has now been turned into a museum after Nepal officially abolished its monarchical rule.
Food was not much of a problem and tea with cow’s milk was cheaper than mineral water. So guess what? I drank glasses and glasses of Nepalese tea. Drinking tea is a daily ritual for most in Nepal, an integral part of life. The day doesn’t start without a cup of it in the morning, and sometimes it doesn’t seem to move on without another during the day. Regardless of the time of the day, tea is the first thing offered to visitors and guests at home or at any place. Tea stalls and small bakeries are ubiquitous on Kathmandu’s streets
My limited time did not allow me to go to mountain campsites but I opted to take a flight to Pokhara. I took the local domestic airline- Buddha air.
Pokhara’s bewitching beauty has been the subject of many travel writers. Its pristine air, spectacular backdrop of snowy peaks, serene lakes and surrounding greenery make it ‘the jewel in the Himalaya’. It is indeed a place of remarkable natural beauty. The magnificent Annapurna range forming the backdrop and the serenity of three major lakes are breathtaking.
Pokhara is the ultimate destination for relaxation. Pokhara Valley, gateway to the Annapurna region where many a trekker finds his Shangri-La, sits high on the list of ‘must visit’ places in Nepal. Pokhara, without a shadow of doubt is a gem for a beauty-searching adventurer like me.
Don't miss the lake for dancing reflections of beauty on its calm waters.
Colorful boats can be rented if you are interested in trying out its waters. The lakeside offers a great view of the Himalayas, which is why numerous hotels are there.
I was told to head to Sarangkot (1,592 m) to see a panoramic sweep of Himalayan peaks either at dawn or dusk. I chose the former as I could catch the sun picking out the peaks in brilliant colours.
Driving up before the rising sun was an adventure itself. The main village is just below the ridge, but a set of concrete steps leads uphill to a dramatic viewpoint in the ruins of an ancient fort. The Nepali army currently occupies the fort, but photography is fine, as long as you don't take pictures of the soldiers.
I booked a taxi the previous night and he picked me up at 5.00 am for the 12 km ride which took almost 40 minutes. I was surprised to see many tourists from different countries already reserving chairs and facing the east to see the sunrise beyond the rolling majestic Himalayas. I sipped hot mountain tea while waiting for the rising sun to open the veil to show the glittering mountain range.
It was a breathtaking scene to see Mother Nature displaying a view worth watching and a trip worth taken. 
The villages here were fascinating and the villagers were welcoming . The smiles from the children were enough to tell you the happiness in simplicity. I was touched ,warmed and felt life is a bed of roses here.
My journey back to Pokhara was memorable as I stood on the roof of the Pokhara airport watching aircrafts taking off and disappearing into the morning mist covered mountains. An hour’s flight full of fear and cheer brought me to Kathmandu. I was shivering on landing as I was only wearing a T-shirt. I took a taxi back to my hotel and spent the rest of the day capturing the sounds and sights of Kathmandu streets. What is sad is that the whole town is dead after 10 pm and stray dogs invade the streets and darkness forces you to return to your hotel. room.
I enjoyed my trip to Nepal so much and I want to go again to see the places I have missed. Nepal is totally different. It is far from the tall man made iron and steel structures. But, it has flowers, cool air, butterflies, smiles and rich heritage amidst God given natural beauty.
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