A Quick Nepal Rendezvous with Debs and Ronnie
Sometimes, the best adventures are the unplanned ones, and this trip to Nepal was no exception. With no plans and no regrets, we embarked on an incredible journey that left us with unforgettable memories.
Despite the last-minute nature of our trip, we managed to secure the most expensive tickets for the sector, purchased just 8 hours before our departure. A minor hiccup arose when we discovered that our champion, who had been attending a boarding school in the Himalayas, had an expired passport. Fortunately, Nepal allows minors to enter with a valid school ID or government birth certificate.
We boarded an early Air India flight with credit cards and some cash, and upon arrival, we checked into the Dusit Princess Hotel in the heart of Kathmandu. The staff’s genuine hospitality and warm smiles made us feel instantly welcome. The hotel boasted great rooms, facilities, and a rooftop restaurant and bar that offered a stunning view of the city.
Our guide met us, and we visited the beautifully preserved Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of Nepal’s most impressive attractions despite the earthquakes. Our guide’s proactive thinking and attention to detail ensured that we could revisit the site without paying the entrance fee again if time permitted. We could have spent hours exploring the intricate architecture and soaking in the historical atmosphere, but unfortunately, the rain cut our visit short.
The next day, we took a short Buddha Air flight to Pokhara from the domestic airport, which, despite its initial appearance, proved to be functional and organized. We were greeted by our wonderful driver and taken to the Pokhara Grande hotel, where the excellent staff and GM Pancham made our stay truly memorable.
Coincidentally, our visit coincided with the celebrations of the Hindu New Year, Ugadi 2024. The Pokhara Fewa Festival 2024 was in full swing, with cultural performances, pop shows, and culinary delights. We immersed ourselves in the festivities, enjoying the lively atmosphere and engaging with the locals. The streets were filled with Nepalese stand-up comedians entertaining the crowds, adding to the joyous ambiance.
A highlight of our Pokhara visit was the 10-minute cable car ride to Sarangkot, which offered breathtaking views of the Annapurna Range. The cable car was well-maintained and managed, and we were lucky to have the family of the man in charge guide us at the top. We visited the Annapurna View Sarangkot Hotel, which boasted an excellent view, despite the bushfires due to extreme heat, which have added to the pollution.
The thrill of our Pokhara adventure reached new heights when we braved the tallest zipline in terms of inclination, an exhilarating experience that we will never forget. All three of us took on the challenge, ziplining from Sarangkot down into the Pokhara valley, before returning to the hotel for a delicious meal.
Back in Kathmandu, we visited the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revered by Lord Shiva devotees worldwide. As a devoted follower of Lord Shiva myself, I couldn’t help but feel that this sudden plan was meant to seek his blessings. The temple’s pagoda-style roof and intricate silver-plated doors left us in awe.
We also explored the vibrant Thamel area, known for its nightlife, and climbed up to the serene Swayambhunath, perched on a hillock. The charming souvenir shops around Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar Square provided an opportunity to support local artisans and take home unique mementos of our trip.
One culinary experience that stood out was the Thakali cuisine, a blend of simplicity and finesse that showcases the region’s local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. The Thakali people have preserved their culinary heritage, and their dishes left us craving for more. Although the Newari meal we tried didn’t quite suit our taste buds, we appreciated the small, local restaurant run by happy women and girls, a testament to the professionalism and empowerment of women in Nepal’s culinary scene.
As our quick rendezvous came to an end, we bid farewell to our amazing guide Bikram Thapa and driver Mah