Blogs from Nepal, Asia - page 308

The only thing I knew about Nepal before coming here is that they invented that less-than-clever combination of vanilla/chocolate/strawberry ice cream. Or is that NEA-politan? Well now I know one thing for certain about Nepal-- it has the most gorgeous scenic drives I've ever been on. I'm not saying it has the best scenery (though it could easily contend) but it simply has the best scenery from just the highways-- passing along hillsides overlooking steep, lush valleys, with fantastic shades of green and yellow foliage and white sandy beaches and emerald streams Our Tibetan driver left us at the Chinese border town, Zhangmu, and we were then on to Nepal. The border crossing was surprisingly quick and easy-- in Kodari, on the Nepal side, 10 mins and $30 US for a 60-day visa and we were ... read more

DÍA 210. 22 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2005. POKHARA, NEPAL: UNA SITUACIÓN DELICADA Para ningún país es sencillo tener un vecino excesivamente grande. México, que no es ninguna miniatura, lo sabe muy bien por compartir más de tres mil kilómetros de frontera con la mayor potencia de la historia. Pero Nepal lo tiene mucho más difícil: no sólo es una adelgazada salchichita de Viena frente un gordo enorme, sino que son dos mastodontes gigantescos y voraces que la tienen aplastada entre sus panzas hacen lo posible para alcanzarla y engullirla. Comparada con Nepal, India es mucho mayor: 30 veces en superficie y 50 en población. Y China lo es más aún. El paisito de la cordillera de los Himalaya está atrapado entre ambas. Su diplomacia es de contención y trata de poner a una potencia contra otra ... read more

Early summer and early Autumn in the Himalaya of Nepal is an equisite experience and the remote picturesque village of Manag and Mustang districts of Nepal is an idle walking venue .The superb mountains scenery and intoxicating quality of air gives this holidays a special atmosphere . It is the real way to experience Nepal and different cultures and ways of living of mountain people .... read more

The annapurna base camp (ABC) situated at an altitude of 4130m surrounded by famous and beautiful mountains and has consistently been much cherished dream for many adventurers and exotic lands to spend their vaccation ,that will renew their soul and invigorate their lives . This is indeed Shangrila ,God's own paradise. Through tiny villages ,deep dark forests and waterfalls, trekking in the Annapurna region is a wonderful adventure and enriching experience. One can observe social customs,local rules,habits and ways of living of Gurung people inhabited in this region .Stone houses with blue tin roofs and kind hearted Gurung people of tiny villages are profound lovers of nature and are warm inviting. ... read more

Hello everyone! This is Tim and Leslie blog time! (the other entries were from the girls--great job, eh?) Since our first glimpse of Mt Everest out the airplane window we've been enchanted. We're in Pokhara on slower computers so unfortunately photos will have to wait. First of all it's been really great to have our adopted daughter, Rebecca, along---she's easy going with a great sense of humor (and not afraid to "try" new foods--you'd be proud Gary and Elaine!) --which every traveller needs in a 3rd world. We can't brag enough about her photographic skills--watch for more (a future journalist for sure) After negotiating, haggling and promising our next born, we secured a guide and 2 porters at a reasonable rate ---we're all healthy (knock on wood and stay away from the fish balls--another story for ... read more

After writing our blog last night, we went to dinner with Dibya, his wife Mira, and his daughter Pratista. The resturant (only a couple blocks from our guesthouse), Nepal Chulo specialized in traditional Nepali foods. Upon arriving, we removed our shoes (a very common practice here) and recieved a tikka, the red dot on our foreheads which means we have been blessed. We sat down on the floor at the small table and were immediatly served with rice alcohol, ginger-spiced peanuts, and and momo, which is a delicious kind of dumpling. These, along with other great foods were only the appitizers. The meal itself came soon, along with a live performance of traditional Nepali dances. We ate the traditional Dahl Baht, which is rice and lentils and other dishes. Everything was very very good and ... read more