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ON THE road Three youth icons, Nima Rumba, Deepak Bista and Suraj
Singh Thakuri take the trip of a lifetime, riding bikes to
Everest Base Camp from the Northern side.

THARPU
CHULI
on Destination
Spotlight

50
ultra
light
on Adventure
Intro

56
7 PERFEaCyTs
Getaw
on Trip C

93
lipper
TIMES 09
 30

40

50 72 46

78

Contents
26 NTY 2011
Nepal is all geared up to make the most of its
Nepal Tourism Year 2011 campaign with a roster
of amazing packages to suit one and all.
27 Opinions
NTY 2011 - Ingenuity or Castles Made
In Air?
Travel Times asked professionals from varied
fields, their views on the much talked about
campaign - Nepal Tourism Year 2011.
30 Cover Story
On the Road
Three youth icons, Nima Rumba, Deepak
Bista and Suraj Singh Thakuri take the trip of a
lifetime, riding bikes to Everest Base Camp from
the Northern side.
46 Personality Review 62 People & Culture
An Hour with Vikram Singh Bhagvan Sthapana
Travel Times spends some time talking to and God created the earth and then he created man.
understanding the man behind the management Bhagvan Sthapana documents the ritual behind
of the beautiful Gorkarna Forest Resort - Vikram how man now builds images of god and breathes
Singh. life into them.
50 Destination Spotlight 66 Hotels & Casinos
Getting to Tharpu Chuli Hotel Yak & Yeti
A trek to Tharpu Chuli proves that if you take With a name that beckons at the mystique of
the time, getting there is half the fun. Nepal, Yak and Yeti with its history and fantastic
architecture, is much more than just a five star
hotel.
54 Pointers
Going Trekking?
If you head out on a trekking trip thinking ‘how 72 FOODRINK
Raise a Glass
hard can it possibly be to walk around with a
Some love it while some think it’s over rated. But
backpack?’ you might be headed for trouble.
before you form an opinion, find out what all the
Read this basic guide to avoid disaster.
fuss is about.

40 Global Treasure 56 Adventure Intro

Maldives
There’s something for everyone in Maldives and
more. Do everything or do nothing, Maldives
will not disappoint.
Ultralight
Never mind daydreaming about flying, with an
Ultralight aircraft, you can soar into the skies.
78 Nature and Wildlife
Living in harmony with Dolphin
Learn about one of the most intelligent animals
in the world, dolphins - found even in the laps of
Himalayas.
 66 86

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Sam’s Permanent Vacation
After retiring from his job, Sam puts the traveler
in him first as he travels the world with his wife.
86 Perfect Takeaways
Just Bead It
Beads are one of the coolest things you could
take back from Nepal as a souvenir. Plus they
don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
Get with the latest news and events in Nepal and
around the globe.
22 Market Guide
A sneak peek on what is new in the market.
70 Recommended Restaurants
A guide to the most happening restaurants in
town.
CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES
GORKHA TRAVELS
CRAFT GARDEN
DAKSHINKALI HILL RESORT
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necessarily those of the publisher and the publisher cannot
accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

93 Trip Clipper
7 Perfect Getaways
Deciding where to go can be hard. Travel Times
makes it easy for you by breaking down seven
90 Flash Back
Looking back to our July Edition’s Cover Story
We welcome your feedback. Please send us comments,
suggestions or ideas for improvements at
feedback@traveltimes-mag.com
Writers are encouraged to be part of Travel Times by
sending their stories along with relevant pictures and contact

amazing destinations in Asia.

91 Travel Gallery
Featuring a chosen image sent in by travelers.
19 Nepal, upcoming Destination for
92 Festival Watch
Golf Dashain & Tihar | Celebration in Autumn
With golf courses capable of catering to profes-
sionals amidst a unique Himalayan seeting,
Nepal’s green are all set to bring in a new group
98 Event & Tips
Bored and don’t know what to do this festive
of tourists. season? Why don’t you try out some of these hot
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TIMES 09

INDIA AND POKHARA TO BE
AIR-LINKED
According to Sarat Singh Bhandari,
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation
the government is preparing ground
work to begin air service from Pokhara
to different cities of India to boost the in
flow of tourists from India and around
the world. Speaking at a program or-
ganized by Pokhara Tourism Council,
Minister Bhandari said that such direct
air service was possible provided that the
Indian government was willing to allow
flights in its internal air routes. On the
occasion, he also informed that differ-
ent foreign companies were showing in-
terests for the construction of a regional
airport in the town.
Minister Bhandari also informed that
they were planning to develop Pokhara
as a “SPECIAL TOURIST DESTINATION”.
Chairman of Tourism Council Pokhara,
Bachhuram Tiwari, said that people of
adjoining districts along with denizens
of Pokhara would be benefited if things
went ahead as planned.
NEW SPECIES OF FLORA
AND FAUNA DISCOVERED IN
THE EASTERN HIMALAYAS
A decade-long study made by the World
Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Nepal, India
and Bhutan has revealed the discovery
of at least 353 new species of flora and
fauna in the Eastern Himalayas between
1998 and 2008. According to the reports
released by Minister for Forestry Deepak
Bohara, the discoveries include 242 plants,
16 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 14 fish, two
birds, two mammals and at least 61 new
invertebrates. Some of the species have
been named ‘nepalensis’ attributing their
origin in Nepal.
12 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
TRAVELNEWS NATIONAL
AMERICAN FIRM INTERESTED TO INVEST IN TOURISM IN POKHARA
A US-based organization has expressed its
willingness to put investment into the tour-
ism sector of Pokhara, a beautiful tourist
destination in Nepal. According to reports,
the USAID (United States Agency for Inter-
national Development) has already sent a
TREKKERS TO MUSTANG RECORD TWOFOLD GROWTH
The number of trekkers visiting upper Mustang has
doubled compared to last year due to deduction in roy-
alty and restriction to tourists visiting Tibet.
The beginning of the tourist season has already seen
1,850 visitors entering upper Mustang, whereas the
number of foreign tourists permitted by the government
is 1,000 individuals per year, according to the Annapur-
NEPALESE SITE NAMED AFTER LUMLEY
A popular tourist site in Nepal has been re-
named in honour of actress Joanna Lumley
and her father.
Local people in Pokhara, 200km (124m) west
of Kathmandu, have decided to change the
name of Mattikhan Hill to Mattikhan Lum-
ley View to honor Joanna Lamond Lumley.
She became the public face of a campaign
to provide all Gurkha veterans who served in
the British Army before 1997 the right to settle
in Britain. City officials said the name was
changed as a sign of gratitude to Ms Lumley
for her campaign work and to remember her
late father, Major James Rutherford Lumley.
representative of an international consultant
firm of the USA named Delight.
Representative Marcus Muller was duly in-
formed about natural, cultural and historical
richness of the Pokhara valley which offers
viable investment opportunities. He was also
informed on the immense commercial vi-
ability of adding “man-made” entertainment
zones like Fun Park, Water Park and Bunjee
Jumping in Pokhara.
“USAID can also conduct training pro-
grammes in order to produce skilled human
resources to effectively serve various tourism
related needs of Pokhara,” said one tourism
entrepreneur in Pokhara. The prevailing
political disturbances are said to have been
stifling the travel trade business of Pokhara.
na Conservation Area Project
(ACAP) data.
Tourism entrepreneurs esti-
mate tourist arrivals in the re-
gion to reach 3,000 individu-
als by December. The royalty
to visit the area has been de-
creased this year to US$ 500
per person from US$ 700.
The natural beauty and rich
cultural heritage of upper Mus-
tang which reflects ancient Ti-
betan tradition attracts tourists
to the tiny Trans-Himalayan
district.
“It absolutely caught my throat. It was the
most moving thing in the world, to think
that out here in Nepal my family, particu-
larly my father and me as his daughter, are
remembered in these hills” said Lumley
also hailed as a ‘Daughter of Nepal’ .

VISITOR ARRIVALS BY AIR CONTINUES TO GROW
The figures released by the Immigration
Office, Tribhuvan International Airport
(TIA) reveal that visitor arrivals in the
month of August 2009, compared to the
same month last year, have increased by
5% to 27,676.
In August this year, there has been a ro-
bust growth of 87% in tourist arrivals from
China. Similarly, arrivals from Japan, Sin-
gapore, South Korea and Thailand have
also increased by 27%, 44%, 21% and 9%
respectively. The Asian markets that de-
clined in this month were Malaysia (13%)
and Chinese Taipei (21%). On average,
the Asian segment has registered a positive
growth of 26%.
An overall positive growth of 11% has been
NEPAL ALL PREPARED TO BEGIN ONLINE VISA SYSTEM
The Department of Immigration
(DOI), in an effort to provide hassle
free immigration services, is all set
to introduce online visa application
system for foreigners intending to visit
Nepal.
The DOI is currently making neces-
sary preparations to computerize visa
issuance system at the TIA office and
its Central Office in Kathmandu.
The DOI announcement comes in
the wake of the government’s plan
to increase the number of inbound
tourists to 1 million in the Nepal
Tourism Year 2011.
Immigration officials will be able to
issue visa immediately as the details
To enlist your news send us the details at
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TRAVELNEWS NATIONAL
NTB, NATTA AND HAN ON
observed from the European markets with ar- PROMOTIONAL TOUR FOR
rivals from France up by 9% , Germany by
34%, The Netherlands by 20%, Spain by 9%
NTY-2011
and Denmark by 50%. The only market to
The Nepal As-
decline in this month was that of the UK by
sociation of Tour
24%. Tourist arrivals from New Zealand and
and Travel Agents
Canada have also registered a strong growth of
(NATTA) and Ne-
22% and 88% respectively. The arrivals from
pal Tourism Board
U.S. remained stable whereas the Australian
(NTB) completed
market declined by 4 % compared to the same
Shanghai and Bei-
month last year.
jing and Hong Kong promotional cam-
paigns.
This is the third consecutive month for which
Nepal has witnessed positive growth in inter-
Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation
national tourist arrivals. Recovery in the arriv-
Sarad Singh Bhandari, Nepali ambassa-
als to Nepal in the beginning of the second
dor to the People’s Republic of China
half of 2009 are in line with the marginal
Tanka Prasad Karki and joint secretary
improvement observed in some of the econo-
of MOTCA Pursottam Paudel took part
mies. Moreover, it also reflects the rebounding
in the Beijing campaign coordinated by
confidence of the international tour operators
the Nepal Embassy in Beijing. More
and the resilient nature of tourism economy.
than 100 tour operators and media ac-
tively interacted with the Nepali Tour
A total of 33,685 foreign tourists departed from
operators based in Beijing. Likewise,
TIA in August 2009 up by 20% compared to
more than 90 Chinese tour operators
the same month last year. The number of
including the media participated in the
Nepalese arrivals stood at 46,852 while 51,653
meeting in Shanghai.
Nepalese departed from TIA in August 2009.
of the visiting guests will be avail-
able online.
“Since there is no possibility of
upgrading the capacity of our
airport we need to think of al-
ternative ways to help ensure
early clearance at immigration
for visiting tourists”, said Direc-
tor General Madhav Raj Regmi.
This new measure will greatly
help serve that purpose.
“We are currently studying the
feasibility of making payments
for visa fee online and procuring
Document Examination Device
to help quickly process visa to
identify forgeries in documents
and passports”, said Regmi.
Nepal entry visa is currently is-
sued from eight immigration
offices including Kakarbhitta,
Birgunj, Tatopani, Bhairahawa,
Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and
Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 13

TANGIER MED: AN AMBI-
TIOUS CONSTRUCTION PRO-
GRAM IN MOROCCO
Tangier Med is a new passenger and
cargo port located on the Straits of Gi-
braltar about 40 km east of Tangier in
Morocco and 15 km from Spain at the
shortest distance between Africa and
Europe. The ambitious construction
program was officially inaugurated in
July 2007 by King Mohammed VI and
the government body Tangier Mediter-
ranean Special Agency (TMSA) is over-
seeing the whole project.
Tangier Med Port is determined to com-
ply with the highest international safety
and security standards. It will not only
be compliant with the ISPS Code, but
will also have its security organization
compliant with the requirements of re-
cent European directives and the safety
requirements set by IMO (International
Maritime Organization). The TMSA
has therefore, following a competitive
tender process, contracted TEAM to
design and manufacture four modern
Passenger Boarding Bridges which will
facilitate safe and secure boarding and
disembarkment for the 2 million ferry
passengers expected to transit the pas-
senger terminal.
TEAM will deliver the four PBBs to
the new ferry terminal at Tangier Med
in the first quarter of 2010. Two differ-
ent SEDNA designs will be installed;
two PBBs with two large tunnel sections
leading from the ferry entry door to quay
level, and two PBBs with one large tun-
nel section leading from the ferry door
to an elevated walkway. Both designs
will include a sophisticated cabin and
docking ramp section.
16 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
TRAVELNEWS INTERNATIONAL
MALAYSIA’S MELAKA AND GEORGE TOWN ON WORLD HERITAGE LIST
Malaysia proudly joins the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orga-
nization’s World Heritage List. UNESCO’s
World Heritage Committee has inscribed
Melaka and George Town, Penang, into the
UNESCO World Heritage List.
WTTC LAUNCHES ‘CALL FOR ENTRIES’ FOR 2010 TOURISM FOR
TOMORROW AWARDS
The World Travel & Tourism Council
(WTTC) is inviting tourism companies
and organizations from around the world
that can demonstrate best practice in sus-
tainable tourism development to submit
their applications for the 2010 Tourism for
Tomorrow Awards. The deadline for appli-
cations is Wednesday 2 December 2009.
To quote Jean-Claude Baumgarten, Presi-
dent & CEO of WTTC: “The Awards, now
SOUTH SUDAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION MAKES PROGRESS
In a remarkable effort considering the
present circumstances in Southern Su-
dan, the Government of Southern Su-
dan (GoSS)’s Ministry of Wildlife Con-
servation and Tourism in conjunction
with the Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS) has begun to establish migration
patterns of game moving between the
Boma National Park and other areas of
the semi-autonomous region.
The UNESCO World Heritage List has 878
properties all over the world comprising 679
cultural, 174 natural and 25 mixed proper-
ties in 145 countries. The list, decided by
the World Heritage Committee, is based on
nominations of properties by countries which
have adhered to the World Heritage Conven-
tion. The countries are also expected to pro-
tect the World Heritage values of the proper-
ties inscribed and are encouraged to report
periodically on their condition.
Malaysia has also submitted two other nomi-
nations for future consideration: the Taman
Negara National Park in Pahang and the Lan-
jak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary and Batang
Ai National Park in Sarawak.
in their sixth year under WTTC’s stewardship, ex-
emplify the Council’s multi-stakeholder vision set
out in the blueprint for New Tourism that looks
beyond short-term considerations and focuses on
benefits not only for people who travel, but also
for people in the communities that they visit, and
for their respective natural, social and cultural en-
vironments.”
The finalists and winners, chosen by a panel of
judges comprising of internationally acclaimed
experts in sustainable tourism, will be publicly rec-
ognized and will meet government and industry
leaders at the Awards ceremony which takes place
at WTTC’s annual Global Travel & Tourism Sum-
mit. They will receive outstanding, international
media exposure thanks to WTTC’s extensive me-
dia partnerships.
USAID funded the efforts and the research
work, which extended the states of Jonglei,
Eastern and Central Equatoria and covered
the Nimule National Park, the Badingilo Na-
tional Park, the Jonglei Plains and the Sudd,
one of the world’s largest wetlands. Selected
animals were “collared” to track their move-
ment with sophisticated monitoring equip-
ment, which was also provided under the proj-
ect partnership of WCS and USAID.
The GoSS Minister of Wildlife Conservation
and Tourism Agnes Lukudu praised the ef-
forts. It will for the first time try to determine
migration patterns of wildlife across Southern
Sudan.

CHIVA SOM INTRODUCES UNIQUE VIBRATIONAL
HEALING TREATMENT
A new breakthrough in alterna-
tive therapy, Vibrational heal-
ing is based on the idea that the
human body is made up of fre-
quencies that form a harmonic
and balanced entity when a per-
son is healthy. Vibrational heal-
ing is a process where vibrations
are introduced or transferred
into an individual’s physical and
energetic bodies, to adjust and
rebalance.
DUBAI’S DESIGNER HOTELS
Dubai is the future capital of
couture as two of the world’s
most iconic fashion houses set
to launch their new luxury ho-
tels in the emirate. The Palazzo
Versace Hotel and the Armani
Hotel will offer the ultimate in
designer luxury living, featuring
an array of fabulous facilities
and lavishly designed interiors.
Set to open later this year, the
world’s first Armani Hotel will
occupy the first eight floors and
floors 38 and 39 of the striking
Burj Dubai development. The
hotel will feature 160 rooms
and suites, fully furnished with
sophisticated Armani Casa in-
teriors and will also feature a
BIRD’S NEST LURES MILLIONS OF TOURISTS
With the global crisis and flu
scares looming ominously, put-
ting people off, you’d expect
Beijing’s tourism industry to
flag. But Beijing isn’t giving
up; instead it utilizes the vast
development that the city un-
derwent because of the Olym-
pics 2008 to attract millions
of domestic travelers who still
come to the city to chiefly see
the Olympics venues.
TRAVELNEWS INTERNATIONAL
BUSINESS TOURISM TO GROW IN ASIA
cent when compared to 2008.
Administered by meditation However IHS Global Insight ex-
expert Danchai Chernprateep, pects a recovery to arrive in 2010.
Chiva-Som’s Sound Bath Ther- Asia and smaller Latin American
apy uses a combination of Ti- countries should be the fastest
betan and crystal singing bowls, growing business travel markets
along with soothing harp music through 2013. Larger Latin Ameri-
to promote deep relaxation and can countries and many Western
an opportunity to release mental European states will see a decline
and emotional blockages. Other in business tourism spending over
benefits include improved re- the same period. The steepest
The National Business Trav-
sistance to stress, alleviation of reduction in travel budget (20.6
el Association (NBTA) and
psychosomatic pain, increased per cent) is expected to appear in
Egencia released the latest
energy levels, balanced brain ac- chemicals and the chemical prod-
information from a study by
tivity, sharpening of mental clar- ucts industry. Companies dealing
IHS Global Insight on global
ity and improved digestion. The with communication equipment
business travel spending made
treatment can also help to dimin- and paper products are expected
in over 72 countries all around
ish symptoms of depression due to reduce their spending on busi-
the world.
to the effect of re-balancing the ness travel by 19.7 per cent and
autonomic nervous system. 18.3 per cent respectively. The
The study showed that North
America, Western Europe and only sector that will see a growth
Asia Pacific represented ap- in business tourism spending, ac-
proximately 30 per cent of the cording to the researchers, is edu-
global business travel market cation with a projection of a 2.2
each. Researchers claim the per cent rise.
sector will drop by some 15 per
collection of 144 luxury private
residences; the Armani Resi-
dences. The Palazzo Versace
Hotel is also to be opened in
the emirate’s Culture Village in
Dubai Creek. This stylish hotel
will be the ultimate in luxuri-
ous living with 217 hotel suites
and 169 private residences, all
sumptuously furnished with an
exclusive line of Versace Home
Collection products to provide a
truly opulent stay.
The city was visited by some
85.4 million tourists in the first
half of this year. The number
of domestic travelers also in-
creased by 20.8 per cent to 83.6
million compared with the
same period last year. Among
the popular Olympics venues
in Beijing, the National Stadi-
um or “Bird’s Nest”, manages
to lure 20,000 to 30,000 visitors
every day.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 17
NEP L
UPCOMING DESTINATION FOR GOLF
From a simple game that is claimed to have originated from Scotland with
shepherds knocking stones into rabbit holes, golf has today become a global
multi-billion-dollar industry. Nepal, determined not to be left behind, has around
6 golf courses of international standards. Home to Gokarna Forest Golf Resort,
South Asia’s finest and one of the world’s most spectacular Golf Courses, Nepal
offers high standards, challenging courses and some of the most stunning
backdrops a golf enthusiast could ever hope for.

Undulating bent grass greens built
to USGA specifications and soft
cushions of local Bermuda fairways
await you here. Lush unyielding
forests, meandering streams that
wander through hills and valleys
which open onto a holy river’s
plain make up the course. Curious
monkeys watch your progress while
shy spotted deer peer from behind
the trees. The lofty Himalayas keep
score and cheer you on.
20 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
To promote Nepal as a well known
golf tourism destination, various
niches of golf need to be understood
and targeted accordingly. Three types
of golfing experiences will be pre-
sented in the near future: Holiday,
Business and Event golf.
HOLIDAY GOLF takes place when the
golfers use their time and satisfy their
own particular interests. This broad
category encompasses those who (i)
go on holiday specifically to play golf
and (ii) those that play golf in their
vacation for fun.
BUSINESS GOLF can be categorized
into Incentive Golf Tourism, where
packages are offered to specific par-
ticipants on behalf of a particular
organisation and Conference/ Cor-
porate Golf, which may be the focus
of an event or an add-on to a larger
occasion.
EVENT GOLF is a competition focused
activity, publicised and promoted,
which offers prizes and titles. Events
may be national/international, ama-
teur, professional or both.
Yeti Travels, Nepal’s oldest DMC,
which has served more than 2 million
high end travelers in the past four de-
cades in strategic alliance with Nepal
Golf Association, Nepal’s premier
Golf promotion body is out to make
a difference. The first priority of this
synergistic association is to make Ne-
pal a well known golf tourism destina-
tion in the region.
For more information on unique
golfing packages please visit
www.yetitravels.com
 TIMES 09

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 21

 MARKETGUIDE

A SNEAK PEEK ON
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22 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES


AVCO AUTO SHOPPE LAUNCHED
AVCO Holding and Investment Group launched AVCO Auto Shoppe, a
subsidiary which will deal in buying, selling and exchanging used cars at the
best prices.
“Currently, we offer the service to Hyundai car owners, and we will be
expanding the service for other brands,” said Binita Pradhan, executive
chairperson of the AVCO Holding and Investment Group. The new firm aims
to provide buyers of used vehicles with a high degree of trust and also offers
a two-year warranty on used vehicles they sell and every car on offer at AVCO
Auto Shoppe comes with eight free servicing.
The new services will be based mainly from AVCO´s recently opened showroom
in Subidhanagar, Tinkune. Pradhan also said that major financial institutions
were positive on financing the used vehicles.
A NEW LOUNGE STUDIO AT BLUEBIRD MALL
MOODS, where entertainment goes hand in hand with culture, tradition and
heritage is a one of a kind lounge bar. This is the first lounge in Nepal to install a
system of recording live music that can be turned into a music album.
Moods Studio Lounge presents the beverage habit with the creation of art,
skill and professionalism. It is a true memento for those who drink and enjoy
a cheerful evening with family, friends and associates along with food in all
its appetizing best, from oriental to continental cuisine, a vital ingredient to
complete the evening.
To feature your product send us the details at
marketguide@traveltimes-mag.com
SPICE S-5330 AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET
Teletalk, the sole authorized distributor of Spice Mobile phones in Nepal,
has launched Spice S-5330. With the purchase of an S-5330, customers will
also get a free USB card reader. According to Teletalk, the mobile phone
features MP3 player, FM recording, 2 GB extendable memory, 3D display
menu, GPRS and mobile tracker. The new slim phone supports almost all
music formats and provides shuffle and repeat options. Sending e-mails to
SMS facility, ring tone shuffling, mobile tracker, black and white listings of
numbers, panic button and contact backup are some special features that
the set possesses.
SAMSUNG USHERS IN NEW ERA FOR
FLAT-PANEL TELEVISIONS
HIM Electronics Pvt. Ltd. has announced the launch of its new, advanced line
up of LED High Definition TVs in the Nepali market, Samsung LED TVs which
bring Mega Clarity, Razor Slimness and Improved Energy Efficiency to the
living room.
Mr Shekhar Golchha, MD, Him Electronics Private Limited stated,” Samsung
stays committed to developing technology and products that go beyond
current expectations of value, quality and innovation. Our LED televisions
redefine the standards for design, viewing experience and energy-efficiency
in Colour televisions.”
Each of the three Samsung LED HDTV Series for 2009, boasts Mega contrast
ratios, and an adaptive “Natural” mode. Samsung’s LED HDTV can combine
the recognized brightness, advantage of LCD, and displays cinema-like
viewing experience of plasma displays. It incorporates a number of innovative
features to reduce motion blur and image judder. At just over an inch thick
(1.16 inch or 29.9 mm thickness), the set remains trim without cutting back on
connectivity options and includes a built in tuner.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 23
24 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 25
 NTY2011

AFTER THE VISIT NEPAL TOURISM PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN

IN 1998, THE HIMALAYAN NATION IS SET TO ENTHRALL
TOURISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AGAIN WITH NEPAL
TOURISM YEAR IN 2011. WITH NEW SPECIALIZED PRODUCTS,
THIS CAMPAIGN IS TARGETED AT OVER A MILLION POTENTIAL
VISITORS FOR THE ‘NEPAL TOURISM YEAR 2011’.

Located in the lap of the Himalayas, the
country with its natural beauty and multi-
cultural society has established itself as a
unique travel destination. Nepal - whose
area includes eight of the ten highest
mountains of the world including the
highest, Mount Everest, is a hotspot for
mountaineers. Its diverse land patterns and
moderate climate teeming with a wealth
of wildlife, thundering rivers, forested hills
and enchanted valleys is no less alluring.
All these offer an astonishing diversity of
picturesque sceneries and adventure op-
portunities found nowhere else.
The historical, cultural and religious heri-
tage of Nepal continued by various ethnic
groups, who speak over 70 languages, is also
a strong attraction for visitors. You can also
be a part of numerous traditional festivals
celebrated throughout the year
highlighting the customs and
beliefs of a people.
The Nepal Tourism Year
2011 will also bring along
new specific travel pack-
ages; an opportunity you
cannot afford to miss. These
include aerial, aquatic as well
as terrestrial tourism prospects.
Innovative nature tours are de-
signed precisely to bring you
closer to one of the most diverse
natural museums in the world.
A destination per district and a
product per village are some of
the new plans to take visitors to
different parts of Nepal. Information on the
indigenous ethnic cultures of these places
will make this experience even more fas-
cinating.
Another major draw is the plethora of Bud-
dhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites around
the country. The tourism year plans to in-
troduce dedicated tour plans to prominent
Buddhist monuments and Hindu shrines
for pilgrims, be it Lumbini - the birthplace
of Lord Buddha or one of the holiest Hin-
du temples - Pashupatinath. The extraordi-
nary cultural heritage sites and traditions
of the capital Kathmandu valley have al-
ways been successful in drawing visitors. A
cultural tour, including inner city heritage
walks and visits to surrounding traditional
Newari villages will get tourists acquainted
to the valley. The eloquent Newari festivals
and their local delicacies will definitely
make the tour worth it.
Additionally, diverse cultural
programs are scheduled
to be organized around
the year to captivate
the imagination of visi-
tors. Nepal’s rich ethnic
diversity will etch itself in the
memory of tourists through
trips to different ethnologi-
cal destinations. Tourists will
also get to witness distinctly
traditional events from the
bow and arrow competition
of ethnic Gurungs to the tra-
ditional “Chhokara” dance of
the Tharu poeple.
Nepal has a treasure of ancient structures,
buildings and artwork of archaeological im-
portance. A travel plan has been arranged
around the neo-classical Rana palaces and
other historical sites of the country for art
and history buffs. For the sportier, adrena-
line rush-seeking tourists, various sports
tourism festivals have been arranged as
well. Shopping tours around competitively
priced affordable markets are sure to allow
you to shop to your heart’s content.
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and
Exhibitions/Events (MICE) tourism pack-
ages have been designed for those seeking
an ideal place for such programs. Let the
hassles of planning for bringing together
large groups of people for professional or
educational purpose - perhaps even for en-
tertainment be taken care of with such
packages well planned in advance.
The country also plans to intro-
duce niche tourism products
that are basically groups of
related products, for a more
wholesome experience.
Whatever your needs for having a
good time might be, Nepal is all set
to deliver. So if you haven’t been to
Nepal yet or are waiting for the best
time to be there, Nepal Tourism Year
2011 gives you reason enough to make
your first visit or return, because as
the catch line goes – once is just not
enough!

26 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 OPINIONS

NEPAL TOURISM YEAR 2011

INGENUITY OR CASTLES MADE IN AIR?
The Nepalese government has declared the year 2011 as the Nepal Tourism Year ‘Naturally Nepal – Once
is Not Enough’ and targets to lure in more than a million tourists into the country. Nepal Tourism Board has
been working on campaigns to increase internal tourism and highlight various hidden gems in Nepal. TRAVEL
TIMES talked to a handful of professionals from varied fields on how they perceived this campaign.

DR. GYANENDRA RATNA TULADHAR
Special Advisor, Nepal Tourism Year 2011
There is an urgent need to channel the in-
come generated from tourism to rural areas.
In order to do this, involved people have to
make sure that information about tourism is
disseminated amongst concerned authorities
so that a suitable environment is developed
in these areas. This can entail details such
as keeping your village and your courtyards
clean, managing rooms in houses in the vil-
lage to accommodate tourists where lodges
might not be available and being able to cook
a hearty meal for guests. The knowledge that
the improvement of the country’s economy
will ultimately contribute to their wellbeing
should be promoted too.
However, while promoting the country abroad
to bring in a maximum number of tourists,
domestic tourism should not be ignored. This
campaign also aims to provide employment to
countrymen as well as to preserve the coun-
try’s cultural and environmental heritage. The
general message to be promoted should be
‘let’s develop ourselves and also develop the
country’.

2011 has been envisioned as Nepal Tourism visitors.

MR. SAHADEO GHALAY,
Resident Manager, Hotel Himalaya
Year by the government with an effort to bring
together the potent expertise and experience
of the private sectors and the commitment of
the government, on a single platform to har-
ness the opportunities and strengths of these
groups. Nature has given incomparable and
abundant tourism resources to Nepal. Breath-
taking natural scenery, high mountains, cul-
tural heritage, the arts and the potential for
numerous high and low altitude adventure
sports, besides the cultural, geographical, and
ethnic bio-diversities of the country have suc-
cessfully managed to lure back international
The campaign expects to establish Nepal as a
great holiday destination with a well defined
image. Besides it would give impetus to en-
hance the capacity of service providers to im-
prove and extend tourism related infrastruc-
ture in existing and new tourism sites. With an
ambitious plan to achieve one million inter-
national arrivals besides encourage additional
investment in tourism infrastructure by 50%,
the vision if carried out conscientiously will
definitely bring in a new lease of life to the
flailing hospitality sector.

Organizing a ‘Nepal Tourism Year’ is defi-
nitely a much appreciated idea in order to
lure visitors into Nepal and to show the world
that we too can get back on our feet leaving
all difficult times behind us. It sends a posi-
tive message to the world that one of the most
sought after destinations of the world is geared
up with special packages that has something to
offer to everyone.
There are however concerns about the target
MR. JUGESH SHRESTHA that the organizers have set: ‘One Million
CEO, Amaravati Travels
Visitors’. This I feel is an unrealistic and an
over hyped number. Setting such targets with-
out much research will ultimately brand the
festival a failure. We must all understand that
our country with today’s infrastructure can
barely handle half a million visitors. Where
is the infrastructure? Where is the passage
connectivity? Can we really get in a million
visitors? How do we get them here? Where do
we put them up? These questions need to be
asked before setting such targets. Targets need
to be ‘SMART’ and I feel that the organizers
have gone very wrong here. Nepal needs qual-
ity tourism more than just numbers. Quality
tourism brings in revenue and will easily help
boost the country’s failing economy.

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 27


Mr. Surendra Bhandari
CEO, Siddhartha Bank Limited
28 SEPTEMBER 2009
Nature has been kind to Nepal, a land of stun-
ning natural beauty. Because of this asset, Ne-
pal has a distinct identity on the world tourism
map. Its unique geographical position and
latitudinal variation allows one to experience
varied ecosystems within a span of a few hun-
dred kilometers. The cultural, geographical,
ethnic and biological diversity of the country
also beckons international visitors to Nepal.
While the country is a fairy tale of natural
beauty, a serious lack of coherent government
policies over the years to promote Nepal as a
natural tourist destination has attracted only a
small number of tourists. Realizing the enor-
mous potential of tourism, the government in
October 2008, decided to launch a national
tourism campaign ‘Nepal Tourism Year 2011’.
This initiative reflects the government’s desire
to attract at least one million international
tourists to visit in the year 2011. The objective
is to establish Nepal as a choice for a premier
holiday destination with a well defined im-
age, to improve and develop tourism related
infrastructure, enhance the capacity of service
TIMES
providers and to build community capacity in
new areas to cater to the need of the visitors.
The brand “NATURALLY NEPAL, ONCE
IS NOT ENOUGH” reflects the spirit of al-
luring international visitors to come to Nepal
time and again while the logo reflects the hos-
pitable nature of the Nepalese people. The
concept includes harnessing available oppor-
tunities and bringing together the resources
and commitment of the government, Nepal
Tourism Board and the private sector for long
term development of tourism. Despite an im-
proved security situation and overall peace in
the country, a significant number of tourists
have stayed away from Nepal due to incor-
rect perceptions. For other travelers, the rich
cultural heritage is an amazing lure. The gov-
ernment is committed to provide all kinds of
facilities to tourists coming to Nepal. The big-
gest challenge however remains in portraying
a healthy image of Nepal to the international
community at large.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 29
 COVERSTORY

ON THE
ROAD
It’s not every day that an opportunity to get
to the top of the world comes along. So when
the prospect of riding a bike to Everest Base
Camp from the Chinese side presented itself
to Nima Rumba, Deepak Bista and Suraj Singh
Thakuri, they did not have to be asked again.

Text by Utsav Shakya

Deepak Bista
Taekwondo Player Suraj Singh Thakuri Nima Rumba
Media Personality
POP Singer

30 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

Riding a bike to get somewhere is not the same thing as driving there. If four wheels move the body, two wheels
move your soul. In his book Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, author/philosopher Robert M. Pirsig writes,
“On a cycle the frame is gone. You’re in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is over-
whelming.” Getting out of this frame, the wind on your sun-kissed face, your hands and feet working on muscle
memory as you tear off into the sunset are reason enough for bike enthusiasts the world over to get on the road
with their perfect companions, their bikes, each year.

Talk of bike rides does not usually lead to talk of the tallest moun-
tain in the world. Mount Everest or Qomolangma as it is known
by the Chinese needs no introduction. Besides being the tallest
mountain in the world, it also has a reputation for claiming the
lives of those who test its icy limits. Still, every year scores of moun-
taineers from all over the world travel to Nepal to try their luck at
scaling this summit; only a few ever succeed. Climbing the cold,
barren, white slopes is one thing… riding a bike, moreover one
which is not exactly built to handle such terrain to Everest Base
Camp (altitude 5380 meters) is a whole different story.
Yamaha’s Everest Base Camp Ride campaign on their sporty, new
FZ bikes, managed by Sacred Summits - an adventure company
based in Nepal, provided this crazy, once in a life time opportunity
to three Nepali celebrities. Pop singer Nima Rumba has been
charming the socks off Nepali pop music lovers for more than a
decade now. His recent venture into acting in the critically ac-
claimed feature film Kagbeni was much appreciated. Taekwondo
player Deepak Bista has represented Nepal at the Olympic level
and has thus raised the bar for all sports persons in the country.
Media personality Suraj Singh Thakuri became a household
name after the continued success of his show Call Kantipur on
Kantipur Television. Suraj is presently Assistant Senior Producer
at the same station. All three celebrities are youth icons in their
own right. And all three along with seven other riders who had won
contests organized by Yamaha got there and came back, inspired
by their own achievements and exultant with memories for a life-
time. Below is a day by day account with excerpts from the three
celeb riders themselves.

Lalung Pass
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 31
 Biking Route

Rongbuk and Everest Base Camp

Rongbuk Monastery (4980m) – the highest in the
world – was founded in 1902 by the Nyingma
Thongla Pass
Old Tingri
Lama, Ngawang Tenzin Norbu, although a hardy
community of nuns had used meditation huts on
the site for about two hundred years before this.
The position of the monastery, perched on the side
of the Rongbuk Valley leading straight towards
Milarepa Cave
the north face of Everest, is stunning. Just to sit
Rongbuk outside and watch the play of light on the face of the
Everest
Nyalam Base Camp mountain makes experience of a lifetime.

Khasa
Everest Base Camp (5380m) is a further 8km due
south and is often a bit of a surprise, especially
during the climbing seasons (March– May, Sept &
Oct), when you’ll find a colorful and untidy tent city
festooned with gas bottles and satellite dishes. It’s
Kathmandu
possible to camp near the monastery, where there’s
also a guesthouse offering dorm accommodation.
There’s a small monastery shop selling mostly
leftovers from mountaineering expeditions –take
your own food. Don’t be surprised if you suffer from
altitude sickness here. However well you were
acclimatized in Lhasa, base camp is around 1500m
higher, so be sensible and don’t contemplate a trip
here soon after arrival up on the Tibetan plateau.

Way to Rongbuk

32 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 Day Kathmandu / The Last Resort
(100 km)
01
The riders started their day early in Kath-
mandu’s Basantapur where a huge crowd
of organizers, friends, family and fans had
gathered to bid them farewell. 200 Yamaha
bikes accompanied the ten main riders from
Basantapur to Surya Vinayak in Bhaktapur.
On the very first day, Deepak wondered
whether his recent backache would be a
problem. Although very excited about the
journey ahead, he knew what his quitting
would mean for the trip and its organiz-
ers. But as a world class athlete, he could
not afford to risk his health. “I had reserva-
tions about whether Nima could do it,” says
Deepak, changing the topic suddenly. Look-
ing over at Nima, who is flashing his boyish
smile, Deepak adds, “Honestly speaking,
Nima turned out to be one of the best riders
in the entire group. We rode together, look-
ing out for each other throughout the trip.”
Of the three, only Deepak has been on long
bike rides. Nima admits that he had never
been much of a biker but he does have a
passion for traveling. Suraj has always loved
riding bikes but has never had the opportu-
nity to go on an actual bike ride.
The 200 bikes escorting them bid the group
farewell in Surya Vinayak, from where they
rode to The Last Resort, their last stop be-
fore riding into China through Khasa. It was
here that Suraj experienced the hazards of
traveling with an all boys group firsthand. He
had gone to bed after a few drinks at the bar
and was fast asleep when he was awakened
by the sounds of Nima shouting for help.
“They have a khukuri. They’re going to kill
me,” shouted Nima as Suraj, startled awake,
ran outside to stop whatever was going on
only to find Nima and Deepak rolling with
laughter. In his hurry, Suraj had forgotten
to get decent before stepping out from his
room! At which point Nima walked up to a
shaken up Suraj and casually said, “Come,
let’s go have a drink!”
The Last Resort/ Kodari/
Day
Zangmu/ Nyalam (158 km)
02
Early the next morning, the group of ten
was off to Zhangmu, known as Khasa to
Nepali people, which lies on the Nepal –
China border. Here Maaila, their coordina-
tor, helped them with immigration paper-
work. Their first memory of entering China
through the Friendship Bridge is of being
thoroughly checked for any possible traces
of swine flu. Although most of the riders got
through without any problems, some crew
members got a tad nervous, resulting in an
increase in their body temperature because
of which they were detained for further
checks. For Nima, stepping on foreign soil
finally made it seem like the trip had started.
“Up until Surya Vinayak, the narrow lanes
and the other bikes had made me a little un-
comfortable. I wasn’t really enjoying myself.
But after entering China, it kind of dawned
on me that we were actually doing this!,”
says Nima. He also explains about how bad
the roads that lead to Tato Pani are. One
side of the road has a steep cliff while the
other leads straight down into a crevice-like
space whose bottom is not visible from the
road. Water from higher ridges showered on
Nyalam
them and small pebbles continuously trick-
led down the cliff. “Ride carefully, if you
fall down this road, even the person who
tries to save you will not be saved,” warned
their guide.
“They have a khukuri.
They’re going to kill me,”
shouted Nima as Suraj,
startled awake, ran outside
to stop whatever was going
on.
For Deepak, as the bikers rode together,
stopping for others to catch up and warn-
ing each other about this and that on the
road, it finally felt like a team. Away from
the hustle bustle of the city, the bikers felt
like they were finally getting to know their
machines better as they settled into a com-
fortable pace.
The same night the riders had the oppor-
tunity to have dinner at a restaurant with
a small live performance stage. Nima and
Suraj being more media-friendly faces were
instantly recognized and Nima’s music was
put on immediately. “I had never thought
that I would be watching Chinese people
enjoying my music and dancing to it, at
least not on this trip anyways,” says Nima,
obviously elated at meeting his first Chinese
fans.
Nyalam
Nyalam TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 33
 Acclimatization at Nyalam/
Day
Altitude – 3900 m
03
As the bikers rode into new territories, Nima
was once again reminded of the landscapes
he had witnessed back home on his treks to
Manang and Mustang. The food, the cul-
ture and the language however, were totally
different to anything any participant had
ever witnessed. For all riders, this cultural
experience was one of the highlights of the
trip. “Food did become an issue. We had
to have whatever was on offer,” says Nima
about how their breakfast consisted of mo-
mos and yak meat. For Nima and Suraj, who
love such cuisine, the food was a treat; how-
ever some of the other riders did have some
problems with the food. The riders busied
themselves on Day 3 as they travelled to the
famous Milarepa caves, some of which are
also found in mountainous regions of Ne-
pal. They also took time to take some pic-
tures. Getting to an altitude of 3900 meters
(Highest Altitude in entire trip - 5,200 m)
also meant they needed time to acclimatize
to the thin air which was the main reason
behind stopping in Nyalam.
For people of a country
such as Nepal - which is
steeped in poverty and
problems of every kind -
Mt. Everest is one of the
few things that they have
grown up being proud to be
associated with.
Day Nyalam/ Shegar (244 km)/
04 Altitude – 4350 m
The ride from Nyalam towards Shegar pro-
vides amazing views from the highest pla-
teau in the world. Shegar is popular for hav-
ing the highest post office in the world. All
riders agree that riding-wise, Day 4 was the
hardest day of the trip. There was construc-
tion going on in parts of the road between
Nyalam and Shegar. The roads would close
after eight in the morning so they had to
cross the construction area before that time.
To pass this area before it closed they had to
start riding by five in the morning, for which
they had to get up at three! The tempera-
ture was about minus seven degrees. Head-
lights flaring into the dark unknown, their
senses heightened by the numbing cold, the
riders raced into the pitch black morning on
34 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
graveled roads and made the eight o’clock
deadline. By this time, the bikes had been
powered by high octane fuel to boost their
performance. Although their bikes were not
designed to traverse such terrain, the FZ
bikes outdid their reputation as trustworthy
machines by not giving them any trouble
throughout. Nima mentions how they met
Milrepa Cave locals on the way who would be very inter-
ested in their bikes. All riders would wave
at them and sometimes even stop to distrib-
ute sweets to some of them. That night they
stopped at the Qomolangma Lodge.
Day Shegar/Rongbuk/Everest Base
05 Camp (120 km)
On the day they were scheduled to reach
Everest Base Camp in Rongbuk, located
in the Qomolangma National Park, they
started riding at seven in the morning. By
Thongla Pass four in the afternoon they had reached their
destination. About seeing Mt. Everest or
Sagarmatha as Nepalese people call it, all
three admit that it was a pretty emotional
moment. For people of a country such as
Nepal - which is steeped in poverty and
problems of every kind - Mt. Everest is one
of the few things that they have grown up
being proud to be associated with. Even
though it was from the Northern side, the
attachment all riders felt was almost tan-
gible. However Suraj, who was in charge of
documenting the trip remembers the mo-
ment in a different light. “I had managed
to misplace my battery charger and so con-
Lalung served what little battery I had by keeping it
warm and using it when absolutely needed.
But after taking only a few pictures of Ever-
est that afternoon, the battery died on me! I
had to borrow a Chinese woman’s camera
and my own memory card on it to take pic-
tures,” he says, smiling at the memory. The
view of Everest that day was however quite
a letdown. Clouds shrouded the mystical
summit. Still, although they were warned
against it for health reasons, the entire team
could not resist making a toast at Base Camp.
The artist in Nima caught a tune when he
was looking back on the mountain the next
Rongbuk day, a tune that got him teary-eyed. “I know
the feeling will manifest itself in some way
into my music,” says Nima. “For some rea-
son, I just felt the presence of God when I
saw Everest up close. The entire team was
humbled,” says Bista. Friends had always
told him that he had to see Everest this close
at least once. Finally doing it felt very satis-
fying for Bista. The bikes could only go till
Rongbuk’s Everest Base Camp. From there
on, a shuttle service is available that carries
tourists all to the viewing point where they
Way back to Tingri from Rongbuk

can spend 20 minutes taking pictures and
enjoying the majestic view.
Day Rongbuk/ Tingri
Altitude - 4250 m
06
A tented city lies about four kilometers from
Rongbuk from where they took the shuttle
service the next morning. The weather was
perfect as everyone got their cameras out
and started clicking away like crazy, anx-
ious not to miss the smallest details, the
narcissist in them showing through a little
as they posed for one picture after another.
Afterwards, they reluctantly started on their
journey back. Up until now, due to the un-
availability of bathrooms, the bikers had not
taken a proper shower. They took a short-
cut on the way back and stayed at a hotel
in Tingri. From Tingri, at a distance of ten
kilometers was a hot water spring. Putting
their bikes to good use, the riders sped to
the spring where they had a most refresh-
ing soak. After traveling such long distances
everyday for the last week, ten kms did not
sound like much at all, says Suraj about the
bathing experience they will never forget.
Tingri/ Nyalam/ Khasa
Day
07
By now, all the riders were quite relaxed.
They had been warned before the trip about
altitude sickness but no one had had any
serious health issues. Suraj attributes their
good health on the trip to the huge amount
of jasmine tea all they drank every time they
stopped. They would just keep pouring hot
water on the tea bag and another cup of
steaming hot jasmine tea would be ready.
Suraj thinks that it is this hydration that
helped them curb any altitude sicknesses.
On the way back, they stopped at lunch for
Nyalam, where Nima and Suraj had met
their Chinese fans. They decided to spend
their last night in China at Khasa.
Day Khasa/ The Last Resort
08
Suraj remembers a funny incident about
riding their bikes back on Nepali tarmac.
When they started riding in China, the rid-
ers found it very hard to ride on the right
side of the road as opposed to their usual left
on Nepali roads. A lot of times, bikers would
find themselves frozen on the road as huge
vehicles came straight at them as they im-
pulsively rode on the left side. After a week
of riding on the right however, some of the
riders got so used to it that they kept on rid-
ing on the right even after entering Nepal,
only to narrowly miss a speeding truck!
There were no pranks this time at the resort
but Nima, who had been missing playing
Rongbuk - Tingri
the guitar finally got to sing and play as he
was joined by all the riders - a small, private
celebration for their achievements.
The Last Resort/
Day
Kathmandu
09
The next morning, well rested and in high
spirits, the bikers rode into Kathmandu and
went straight to Hotel Soaltee, where a press
conference awaited them. After answering
the media’s questions and posing for pic-
tures, someone in the group, mentioned
that it was the 9th day of the trip and that
it was inauspicious to go back home after a
trip on the 9th day. Raised amidst such be-
liefs in Nepal, none of the riders wanted to
risk ending the trip on a bad note and so
they decided to stay at the hotel that night.
But Nima was already missing his family so
much that at about 11 that night, he sneaked
out of the hotel and made his way home!
A lot of times, bikers would
find themselves frozen on
the road as huge vehicles
came straight at them as
they impulsively rode on
the left side.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 35
36 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

Traveling is more about
undertaking a personal
journey, where every new
hill, mountain, stream,
river, village and town that
you reach gives you the
opportunity to look within
yourself.
Rounding off the trip, all three riders agree
that it was a trip of a lifetime –something
that comes along very rarely and that too for
only few. An opportunity like this is some-
thing money cannot buy was the common
sentiment amongst the three youth icons. It
definitely made all three celebs challenge
themselves in new ways and helped them
find new dimensions to their personalities.
“It gave me a new confidence; that I can do
something like this if I put my mind to it.
That’s been a huge boost to my morale and
has affected my work in a very positive man-
ner”, says Nima. All three have even talked
seriously about trying to climb Mount Ever-
est from the Nepal side in 2011, the ‘Nepal
Tourism Year 2011’ as being promoted by the
Nepal Tourism Board. And all three seem
to have been hooked to the idea of traveling
and adventure!
Traveling, whether on a bike, a car or on
foot is not and has never been about just get-
ting to a new place. It is not about conquer-
ing that tall hill, finding that secluded, se-
rene village or witnessing that amazing view
of the Himalayas. Those are all just incen-
tives that get you on the road. Traveling is
more about undertaking a personal journey,
where every new hill, mountain, stream,
river, village and town that you reach gives
you the opportunity to look within yourself
and discover fascinating new things about
what you are feel and how you process this
experience. It is also about getting to know
your own body, testing it like you would an
instrument, as you make that journey. It is
about meeting every new turn on the road,
every waterfall, and every small, enchanted
village with the same enthusiasm and pur-
pose that you would have when meeting a
new person; to learn from them and for the
pure joy of getting to know them. Be it on
a bike ride to Everest Base Camp or on a
hike to a hill nearby - keep traveling, keep
discovering!
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 37
38 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
 TIMES 09

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 39

 GLOBALTREASURE

Ma dives
Text by Darshan Shakya
Photos Courtesy: Maldives Tourism Promotion Board

40 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 300 miles south west of the tip of India and 450 miles west of
Sri Lanka is a tourist destination that should not be missed. An
archipelago that offers more than just the usual beach experience;
Maldives has the potential to be a wonder of the world. The country
offers what is highest in demand amongst tourists - sun, sand
and sea- in an amazing array of beautiful sparkling white sandy
beaches, crystal clear lagoons, colorful corals and the warm sea with
INDIA
undisturbed marine life.

So it comes down to this: why Maldives? A nutshell answer is

impossible. Maldives simply has too much to offer. Maldives is a
destination that offers sightseeing in a most unique way. The usual
traveling and taking in of the scenic beauty is only a small attraction
of this archipelago. To really appreciate the true beauty of Maldives
SRILANKA and to be truly rendered speechless by the same, you have to put in
a little more effort. A combination of scenic beauty and immensely
MALDIVES
enjoyable activities awaits anyone who rightfully decides to go for it.

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 41

 SIGHTSEEING FROM DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS:
From deep in the water to from the high skies
A frequently asked
question is - what can a
person do if he or she
does not have prior diving
training? The answer is
pretty simple. Resorts
offer diving courses
to learners, that too in
German, Italian, French,
Japanese and English
languages. Both open and
advanced courses such as
night diving, rescue diving
and even underwater
photography are offered,
under which natural and
shark focused courses
have proven most popular.
SNORKELING TIPS:
The equipment - you
have to buy, borrow or
rent a mask that snuggly
fits your face. Test the
mask by putting it on
your face without using
the strap and breathe
in through the nose. If
it fits properly it will not
fall-off even when you
lean forward. And then
select some fins which
feel comfortable on
your foot and a snorkel
which easily fits into your
mouth. As with diving,
resorts offer snorkeling
lessons too.
42 SEPTEMBER 2009
Every destination has its own
sightseeing hotspots. However, the
highlight of Maldives is its natural
beauty. Just how beautiful?It’s sec-
ond to none.
Maldives being an archipelago,
excels in luring people with its
gorgeous coastal area. The sea
constitutes a large percentile of
the area of Maldives, which is a
good thing because this is where
its goodies lie. There are over five
thousand coral reefs and plenty of
reef fish, corals and marine mam-
mals besides other aquatic life
which is why diving in Maldives is
just unforgettable. Ranked among
the best diving destinations of the
world, sightseeing begins from the
very depths of its waters. Every re-
sort caters scuba diving for their
guests and once underwater, one
is greeted by a plethora of fishes,
not to mention a blast of colours
(infinite shades of blue and tur-
quoise), and dazzling underwater
coral gardens. Diving is a daily ex-
ercise conducted all year with an
extremely low chance of cancella-
tions, made more so because most,
if not all resorts have access to a
protected reef on the leeward side
of the island that enables diving
even when Lord Poseidon decides
to cook up a storm. For Nepali
people, it is sure to be an experi-
ence inerasable from memory.
TIMES
SURF’S UP!
GRAB YOUR BOARD
Moving a little higher from deep- Sightseeing isn’t the only thing
sea-fish view to flying-fish view: to do in Maldives. Although surf-
snorkeling. For this heavenly activ- ing is relatively new to Maldives,
ity, all you need is a silicon mask the recently held O’Neil Deep
(salt water and exposed eyes are not Blue Contest has placed Maldives
a good combination!), fins on your firmly on the world’s surf map. For
feet (swimming is so much more resort based surfing, it is advisable
convenient with fins, don’t you to choose one of the resorts on the
think?) and the air-tube in your eastern side of North Male’ Atoll
mouth. Frankly, it’s just like being where you could get access to a
in a brightly-lit aquarium, full of number of excellent breaks. With a
exotic tropical fish, except you’re magnificent environment and just
getting a bird’s eye view or rather a right conditions, Maldives is fast
flying fish’s view. In addition, snor- becoming a destination for surfers.
keling is the best way (with lesser
risk) to explore the shallow reef.
Snorkeling is relatively cheap THERE ARE OVER FIVE
and allows you to spend hours
witnessing the underwater na- THOUSAND CORAL
ture of coral reefs. But, instead of
hurling forever downwards, you
REEFS AND PLENTY
drift and glide like a small air- OF REEF FISH, CORALS
craft. Resist the impulse to return
to the lagoon, it’s perfectly safe, AND MARINE MAMMALS
despite those lurking shadows of
big fish and sharks deep down by
BESIDES OTHER AQUATIC
the coral face. LIFE WHICH IS WHY
Then there is the aircraft expe- DIVING IN MALDIVES IS
rience. Traveling in a sea plane
and watching the beautiful is-
JUST UNFORGETTABLE.
lands from above -getting a true
bird’s eye view- is guaranteed to
be one of the most wonderful
experiences you could ever have.
A little ‘spoiler’ from us: when you
see them from the sea plane, the
islands look like a chain of exqui-
site pearls.

SHOP TILL YOU
DROP
When you think of traveling
abroad, what’s the second thing that
pops into your mind (the first being
sight seeing)? Shopping of course!
It’s difficult to miss the shocking
pink and orange colors painted on
souvenir shops in Maldives. Souve-
nirs can range from key-rings, nap-
kin rings, fridge magnets and mats
to beautiful crafted pieces such as
wood carvings, special local tea and
more! Almost all of these carry no
price stickers and the price you get
depends on the way you negotiate
it. So sharpen up your bargaining
skills! All you persistent bargainers
out there can rub your hands with
diabolic glee!
Habitual shoppers will jump with
joy when they hear of duty-free
shopping in Maldives. And why
wouldn’t they? Maldives is a shop-
per’s heaven. From local souvenirs
to pricey branded items, the shops
here have it all!
However, if you’re looking for items
made out of turtle shell, black cor-
al, pearl oyster shell or red coral,
you’re out of luck: environmental-
ists will be happy to know that the
government has strictly banned
export of such material. True to its
word, Maldives isn’t messing with
nature.
DOING NOTHING
IN MALDIVES
Not everyone’s idea of a holiday would be to
partake in a roster of activities. Maybe your
idea of a vacation is to do nothing all day and
revel in the passing of time. The beauty of
Maldives is that even if you do nothing, you
will not be disappointed. If all else fails, you
are sure to enjoy leisurely walks on the soft,
white, sandy beaches.
PAMPERING
YOU SINCE 1972
When was the last time you really
took some time out for yourself and
treated yourself like royalty? If you
took more than a minute to answer
that question, Maldives is definitely
the place for you.
Glamorous spas await you in most
beach resorts on these 1200 islands.
The serene environment, the clear
air, the refreshing sea breeze and
the healing touch of well-trained
spa therapists will surely revive
your body, mind and soul. Wake
up to the sound of sea birds, spend
a day at a spa splurging on a range
of rejuvenating therapies and relax
on the beach in the evening as the
sun slips below the horizon as you
feel your troubles melt away.
Now imagine a floating palace
with unmatched pleasures: where
royalty is known to stroll on gleam-
ing teak decks while savoring the
earth’s most dramatic panoramas.
A cruise around Maldives is this
dream coming true. Here’s another
bonus: most vessels are equipped SO WHAT’RE YOU
with modern diving equipment
and are well staffed. Safaris make WAITING FOR??
it possible for you to sample var- Maldives is a must-go tourist destination,
ied dive sites at different locations that much is for sure. So bon voyage, travel-
and presents you with a chance to ers, make plans and get there! One last thing
sample island life. though, perhaps you’d like to take a water-
proof camera! Just in case.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 43
44 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
TIMES 09

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 45

 PERSONALITYREVIEW

AN H UR WITH
VIKRAM SINGH
GENERAL MANAGER, GOKARNA FOREST RESORT

46 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

In a world where half the people are unsure about their
careers and where age unfairly equals experience, it is
heartening to meet headstrong, confident young people who
have already made a mark in their respective fields and thus
successfully thwarted the age-experience paradox. Vikram
Singh, the General Manager of the Gokarna Forest Resort, is
one such person.
TRAVEL TIMES met the man responsible for managing the
beautiful resort. Excerpts from the meeting:
How did you first get interested in the hotel lier which I must say have worked very well
business? for us.
Well, there is an interesting story as to how I
joined the hospitality business. I was initial- How do you compete with other hotels? What NAME
ly planning to join the army and had com- makes the Gokarna Resort stand out? Vikram Singh
pleted my written exams as well. But destiny There is fairly healthy competition among
had other plans. There was this American/ hotels; different hotels have their own USPs. DATE OF BIRTH
September 1976
Australian company who were looking for At Gokarna Forest Resort, we have a wide
people interested in hotel management and practice of eco-processes and it is the only EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
I went there to accompany my friend. I was Eco Hotel in the world. It has the only 18- Post Graduate in International Marketing &
just sitting around when a guy came over hole golf course in Nepal. Another high- Hospitality Management
to talk to me and the next thing I knew I light of the hotel is the jungle treks you can OFFICE
was selected, when I didn’t even know I was take within the premises for about 60 to 90 Gokarna Forest Resort
being interviewed. So I flew to Australia for minutes. You can walk over a forest and ex-
the hotel management course. And now perience nature in its true sense. I would SERVICE ENTRY
1998
here I am, with God’s grace. say Gokarna is an experience, and not just
a hotel. PRESENT POSITION
What have been some of your previous General Manager, Gokarna Forest Resort
experiences, before you joined Gokarna Gokarna has one of the best golf courses in
TRAININGS
Forest Resort? Asia. How do you maintain such standards?
I have worked as hospitality consultant in The initial concept and the planning of • Hotel Management – Dekin
South East Asia, Middle East and many oth- Gokarna Forest Resort were crafted by lead University, Australia
er places. I was working in three hotel apart- architect David Mclay Kidd, assisted by
• Sales Management – Dubai
ments in Dubai, UAE as General Manager Director of Turf-grass Management, James
before I came to Gokarna. Kidd, under the direction of Gleneagles • Hospitality Operations – Dubai
Golf Developments. Today Deepak Acha-
Could you tell us the history, structure and rya, who has been the golf director here for • Resort Specialization – Thailand
activities of the Gokarna Forest Resort? nearly 11 years, looks after the property and
• Hospitality Audits – Dubai, UAE.
Gokarna Forest Resort was established in its maintenance. It definitely is hard work to
1995 by LM Suvir Brother (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd. maintain a property spread across 400 acres COUNTRIES VISITED
It was the vision of Mr. Prem Sachdev and of land but with a dedicated staff of more Most Europe, South East Asia, Middle East
was implemented by Mr. Suman Sachdev. than a hundred people and the latest tech- and Others

Before, Gokarna Resort was operated by Le
Meridien, a leading global chain of luxury
hotels and resorts but today we have a sepa-
rate identity.
How is the performance of Gokarna Forest
Resort now that it is not linked with Le
Meridian anymore?
After tying up with Starwood, we have been
able to create our own standards and a
unique experience for our guests. We learnt
a lot under La Meridian but now we have
developed our own set of rules and stan-
dards different from what was prevalent ear-
nology, we are doing quite well.
What kind of an atmosphere does the resort
have? What types of guests do you usually
cater to?
The hotel itself has a pretty relaxed ambi-
ence. Guest of all types - corporate, from the
UN and INGOs frequently visit the resort.
Our resort also caters to many golf enthu-
siasts and people who come here especially
for spa treatments. Apart from them, nature
lovers who want to get away from the hustle
and bustle of the city also visit the resort
regularly.

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 47

How is Gokarna Forest Resort contributing
to promote the Nepali hotel industry in the
international market?
As you can see, the whole decor of this ho-
tel is done elegantly to highlight Nepal’s
culture and traditions. The rooms are very
tastefully decorated and fit in very well with
the overall timber based theme of the ho-
tel. It goes for a more natural appearance as
opposed to the modern edifices in the city.
Gokarna Forest Resort is truly a one of a kind
property in Nepal and when we highlight it
especially in international fairs, Nepal is au-
tomatically brought to the limelight.
What are your responsibilities as the General
Manager of a reputed resort? How do you
cope with these challenges?
Let’s take an example of a car and a driver.
The driver can only steer the car in a partic-
ular direction but if it weren’t for the other
parts of the car, the driver alone would not
reach the desired destination. The General
Manager, I would say, is like the driver; he
is someone who has to be involved in all
the processes, but with a good management
team in Gokarna, it makes the challenges of
the job that much easier to cope with.
How would you define the ideal General
Manager?
I have a very funny but true definition of
GM. A General Manager must be a diplo-
mat, an acrobat and a doormat. He must
have the facility to entertain prime minis-
ters, princes, pickpockets, gamblers, book-
makers, pirates, philanthropists and prudes.
He must be on both sides of the political
fence and be able to jump that fence. He
should be or have been a footballer, golfer,
bowler, tennis player, cricketer, dart player,
sailor, pigeon fancier, motor racer or lin-
guist, as well as have a good knowledge of
any other sport involving dice, cards, hors-
es and pool cues. As he sometimes has to
settle arguments and squabbles, he must
be a qualified boxer, wrestler, weightlifter,
sprinter and peacemaker. He must always
look immaculate when drinking with ladies
and gentlemen as well as with bankers, the-
atricals, commercial travelers and company
representatives, even though he may have
just made peace between any two, four, six
or more of the aforementioned patrons. To
be successful he must keep the house full,
the storeroom full, and the customers full
but not let himself get full. He must have
staff who are clean, honest, quick workers,
quick thinkers, mathematicians and techni-
cians. To sum up; he must be outside, in-
side, offside, glorified, sanctified, crucified,
cross-eyed and a strong silent type. (laughs)
48 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
What are your plans for “Tourism Year 2011”?
Participating in IGTM is one of the steps
to highlight Golf Tourism in Nepal lead-
ing to a high influx of golfers to Nepal and
ensuring maximum inboard tourists. We
are doing our part in introducing new con-
cepts and schemes to the visitors and if the
government could do its part in providing a
sense of security to the guests, then Tourism
Year 2011 will definitely be a success.
What do you think makes Gokarna Forest
Resort memorable and unforgettable to the
guests?
This resort is not just made up of buildings;
a conscious effort has been made to ensure
that our guests get the finest amenities avail-
able. Unlike contemporary hotels, Gokarna
is more about an unforgettable ‘experience’.
When a guest enters the premises there is a
change in the environment; they see wild-
life: monkeys, different species of deer and
even leopards in the winter season. Gokar-
na, I would say is a hidden gem amidst dense
A General Manager forest and away from maddening crowds.
must be a diplomat, an This is not just any hotel you come to but a
truly unforgettable experience to take away
acrobat and a doormat. with you.
He must have the facility
What do you love about the hotel industry
to entertain prime and what are your plans in the future?
ministers, princes of There is always a new challenge and op-
portunity everyday and you meet a lot of
industry, pickpockets, people. Our plans are personal and profes-
sional growth.
gamblers, bookmakers,
pirates, philanthropists On a personal note, let us talk about your
travel traits. Do you like to travel? What are
and prudes. the reasons you travel for?
Travel is a wonderful opportunity to experi-
ence new people and culture and highlight
your own. Travel for me is generally for per-
sonal or professional treasures like interna-
tional travel fairs, etc. I try and take at least 3
holidays in a year and I really like to visit my
home town in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Where have you been in Nepal and abroad?
Oh, many places. I am in hotel business,
so my work takes me to various countries. I
have been to lots of places abroad; Europe,
Australia, SE Asia, Middle East, etc and I
also love visiting Pokhara.
Note: Our sincere gratitude to the staff
of Gokarna Forest Resort for their time
and hospitality.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 49
 DESTINATIONSPOTLIGHT

GETTING TO

THARPU CHULI An Unforgettable Trip through the Annapurna Sanctuary

Text and Photos by James Ward

A play of shadow and light at Tharpu chuli ( Tent Peak)

50 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 Dominating the mountains of central Nepal is the
LOCALLY CALLED THARPU CHULI, mighty Annapurna Himal, which lies between the
TENT PEAK IS AN ATTRACTIVE Kali Gandaki and Marsgyangdi river valley and forms
a solid mountain bastion. It covers a distance of 40
MOUNTAIN SITUATED IN THE miles and encompasses within its range some twelve
peaks that rise to an elevation of more than 7000m be-
HEART OF THE ANNAPURNA sides numerous other smaller peaks. The Annapurna
SANCTUARY. Massif forms an almost complete ring of high peaks.
The sanctuary encompassing this area, known as the
Annapurna Sanctuary, is an enthralling amphitheatre
of ice, snow, glacier and moraine.

The mountain first received attention from

Elevation 18,577feet / 5,663meters
(17th highest trekking peak of Nepal)
Location Annapurna region of Nepal
Best for the Climbing July, August, September, October
Nearest Airport Pokhara
Trek grade Moderate & Strenuous
Jimmy Roberts who was exploring the
sanctuary during a reconnaissance for the
1957 British Machhapuchhre Expedition.
It was Roberts that gave the mountain its
descriptive name, Tent Peak. The peak was
first climbed via the south-east ridge by
members of the Japanese Annapurna South
Expedition from Kyoto University in 1964,
led by Dr. Harou Higuchi.

A view to die for:

Picture perfect Tent Peak (partially hidden by a stray cloud)

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 51

A Hike to the base of Tent Peak
(5663m)
Tent
T ent Peakk iiss one of the most trekked peaks in
Nepal, the summit offering a stunning 360
degrees panoramic view of the surrounding
Annapurna Massif. A major highlight of the
trek is an exclusive exploration of the An-
napurna Sanctuary. The trek starts from
Phedi after a 45 minute drive from Pokhara.
Further on, the trail moves through charm-
ing Gurung villages and rhododendron for-
ests up to the Annapurna Sanctuary.

As you hike up through the jungle you will

be surprised to be in such a tropical climate,
as most other mountains have drier cli-
mates. This is because the south side of the
Himalayan range gets much more rain than
the north side causing it to have a tropical
climate. The climate in the Annapurna re-
gion varies from subtropical to alpine. The
southern slopes of the area has the highest
rainfall rate in the country- 3000mm per
year, whereas the northern slopes lying in
the rain shadow has the lowest rate – less
than 300mm per year. The difference in the
climatic conditions in this region is also re-
sponsible for its varied flora and fauna. The
region serves as an excellent habitat for rare
and endangered mammals like the snow
leopard, musk deer, blue sheep, red panda
and many of Nepal’s brilliantly plumaged
pheasants.
Our route took us along the highly cultivat-
ed terraced hillsides of rural Nepal through
a region populated by the Gurung people;
an ethnic group whose manpower contrib-
utes greatly to the famed Gurkha Brigades.
The trail is made of hand cut rocks carefully
placed to make perfect steps through the
hillside and is a pleasure to hike on. Aside
from the cow patties that are strewn across
the trail, the trail is remarkably clean and
easy to follow. There are no main roads
and helicopters are sometimes used for
transporting goods and supplies to the small
mountain villages. This makes trails the
primary way for transportation for trekkers,
shepherds, school children, and porters car-
As you hike up through
the jungle you will be
surprised to be in such a
tropical climate, as most
other mountains have drier
climates.
rying supplies up to the villages. Nearly
every commodity that exists along this net-
work of trails is carried up there by animals
or more often by people.
After a few hours of trekking on the first
day, we stopped at Dhampus, a quaint little
town perched on a ridge line in the jungle
hills. Most of the accommodation offered
by the lodges along the trail is clean. Each
of these lodges or tea houses has about 20
small rooms and offers a number of options
for food - everything from pizza to ‘dal bhat’
to momos. All the food is freshly prepared
using mostly local ingredients. If the weath-
er is clear, this particular place has some
amazing mountain views. The views of mas-
sive mountains jutting out into the sky left
us breathless. The glaciers, rock faces, and
sharp ridges seemed to be something out of
a fantasy movie or an abstract painting. It
just seemed so beautiful and magnificent.
In the cold morning air they seemed to be
frozen in time as if someone had pulled
back a curtain from a panoramic picture
from long ago. As the sunlight began to hit
the peaks, we realized just how high above
the peaks were. Some peaks which seemed
within reach were actually over five thou-
sand meters further up. It’s hard to not want
Picturesque views on the Annapurna trail
Nearly every commodity
that exists along this
network of trails was
carried up there by animals
or more often by people.
to spend all day getting lost amidst these
amazing views.
During the trek, we followed a simple pat-
tern: wake up, eat, hike for about 4 hours,
arrive at a tea house, have lunch, read, re-
lax, play cards, eat dinner, and then go to
bed. The views continued to whet our ap-
petite for the total envelopment we would
experience inside the Annapurna Sanc-
tuary. For the first few days, we moved
through the jungle toward the sanctuary.
The trails, towns, and terrain are similar
on this route. Around four days into the
trip, we reached rougher terrain, with some
snow on the ground, colder temperatures,
and walls of rock in the canyons that shot
into the sky. Way above, these immense
walls form glaciers and mountains peaks
forming an amphitheatre that is ringed by

52 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 Sharp ridges cutting out into the sky, Annapurna Sanctuary
A small lake fed by glacier
Hiunchuli (6.331m), Annapurna na South
(7219m), Baraha Shikar(7647m), Annapur-
5m) Tarke
na I(8091m), Kangshar Kang(7485m),Tarke
Kang (7193m), Gangapurna (7455m), An-
napurna III(7555m), Gandharba Chuli
(6248m) and Machhapuchhare (6993m).
This is Annapurna Sanctuary, first discov-
ered in 1947 by Jimmy Roberts, first used as
a base camp by Chris Bonnington’s expedi-
tion in 1970 and visited every year by thou-
sands of trekkers.
Pure Himalayan Magic at
Annapurna Sanctuary
As we approached the sanctuary, we felt
as though we were entering something so
much bigger and more spectacular than
anything we had ever experienced. The
feeling was overwhelming. One can’t help
but feel small and overpowered by the sur-
rounding beauty. It seemed as though we
were witnessing something sacred, power-
ful, fierce, and yet so intoxicatingly beau-
tiful that it felt almost holy. As the clouds
momentarily divided, we saw slivers of the
mountains that now surrounded us. The
beauty left us spellbound.
Sunlight lightening up spires of some peaks encircling the Annapurna Sanctuary
Annapurna South Base Camp
At the Annapurna South Base Camp it was
cold and snowy. There are tea houses whose
services you can use for accommodation and
food. It’s always good fun to gaze around the
walls of a tea house. I knew that some of
the best climbers in the world had stayed in
these same places. I almost expected to see
pictures of Maurice Herzog or Ed Viesturs.
But instead I found posters of Mr. T and the
Austrian Alps.
At the foot of Tharpu Chuli
(Tent Peak)
The view from Annapurna Base Camp is in-
describable. Around you is a composition
of three hundred and sixty degrees of some
of the largest mountains in the world. The
south face of Annapurna I towers above,
with snarled snow fields and sheer rock
faces. The circle of peaks at the sanctuary
is naturally divided by a ridge that stretches
south from Tarke Kang into the centre of
the amphitheatre, separating the south An-
napurna Glacier. It is this ridge that rises to
form Singu Chuli (6390m) which in turn
falls to a ridge connecting it to Tharpu Chu-
li. From Annapurna Sanctuary we followed
Camp at Tharpu Chuli BC
the trail leading to Tent Peak high camp.
glaci crept slowly down from
The ragged glaciers
the high summit
summits above. Struggling against
the glaciated mountain passes, we finally
reached our destination.
About the author: James Ward from Colo-
rado, USA is a Technical Evangelist for Flex
at Adobe and Adobe’s JCP representative.
He enjoys climbing mountains and pro-
gramming because according to him ‘both
these activities provide endless new discov-
eries, elegant workarounds, summits and
valleys’. He and his wife Jenny trekked to
Tharpu Chuli in the Spring of 2009. About
his Tharpu Chuli trek he says, “Our experi-
ences in the Himalayas have transformed us
into people who now appreciate the beauty
of this earth and the beauty of the people
who get to enjoy it even more.”
Getting There:
Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure
organizes treks to Tharpu Chuli (Tent
Peak) & the Annapurna Sanctuary. For
detailed itineraries:
www.explorehimalaya.com.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 53
 POINTERS

Going Trekking?
How hard can walking along a trail with a pack strapped to your back be? Most first time trekkers start out
with the notion that they are in good health and something as simple shouldn’t require exceptional skill or
conditioning. The truth is carrying that backpack and walking up a hill or down it does require some amount
of planning, the right equipment and plain old common sense. There are no strenuous physical and mental
exercises that you need to undergo to get ready for that trek. There are however, a few simple things you should
know before you head out towards the hills. Read on.

CAN YOU HANDLE IT? ESSENTIAL SKILLS TREK TALK

If you can walk, you can hike, but start with
beginner-rated trails of a few kilometers or less
and then work your way up to longer, more dif-
ficult hikes. In Nepal, there aren’t really signs
at the trailhead, or even a marked trailhead for
that matter so make sure you start out on trails
that you have definite information such as the
length of the route about. Once you know the
length of the trail, work it out in your mind in
terms of a familiar distance. For example, how
much longer or shorter is the trail than the
distance from your home to your workplace?
Once you have a good idea, gauge your time
and effort accordingly.
The difficulty of any trek or walk depends on
daily mileage (how much you can or want to
walk every day), hilliness of the terrain, and
altitude. Most walking trips, tailored for mod-
erately active people, cover gentle terrain at
low altitudes, and many have optional shorter
routes. If you need a break, you can always skip
a day and lounge around at the hotel or lodge
talking to the locals and engaging perhaps in
some photography. But on a serious trek, you
seldom have a choice other than to make it
to the day’s destination. Altitudes above 14,000
feet or vertical gains of more than 2,000 feet
per day demand excellent physical fitness.
The good news is that you can have your fit-
ness level assessed. If in doubt, be conserva-
tive, especially when it comes to the dizziness
and shortness of breath associated with high
altitudes.
Skills needed for hiking apply to any outdoor
sport. A course in basic first aid wouldn’t hurt,
but at least know how to bandage a wound and
to detect the signs of dehydration, heatstroke,
and hypothermia. Learn how to read clouds;
knowing a nimbus from a cumulus can be the
difference between a waterlogged hike and a
merely cloudy one. Simple knowledge of such
things can be crucial.
GEAR UP!
Everyone needs a day pack; choose one with
multiple pockets, padded shoulder straps, and
large zipper closure. And make sure it’s the
right size: When properly adjusted, the base
should sit on your hips and the top should be
at least one hand-width below the base of your
neck. The wrong size pack can give you a back-
ache and even cause long term problems so
give this special attention. Footwear designed
specifically for hiking offers better support
and traction. Choose a pair that’s a half-size
larger than your street shoes to allow for some
swelling as you walk and to accommodate
heavier hiking socks. Wear thick wool or syn-
thetic blend socks designed to wick moisture
away from the feet, as wet feet is the primary
cause of blisters. Some things to keep in your
day pack are: a first-aid kit, water bottle, Swiss
Army knife, topographic map, compass, light
blanket, and sweater.
HOT SPOT: That little tingle of friction you feel
on your foot before you get a blister. Don’t ig-
nore the feeling: Take off your boot and wrap
your foot with protective medical tape before
that tingling evolves into a full-fledged blister.
LOOP TRAIL: A trail that starts at point A and
circles back to the same point without repeat-
ing any section of the trail.
SCREE SLOPE: A challenging slope of loose
rock and shale or a rock that is formed from
layers of clay.
SADDLE: A trail stretched over the lowest point
between two peaks, resembling a saddle.
AIMING OFF: Intentionally erring about 5 de-
grees off-course when using a compass bearing
and heading toward your target destination.
The benefit of aiming off is you’ll know exactly
which way to turn to get to your destination
when you reach the baseline.
If you keep this information with you,
you should be alright on your trip.
But most importantly, head out with
a serious intention to have fun and
learn from the trip. Everything else
should follow.
Happy Trekking!

54 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 55
 ADVENTUREINTRO

WHAT’S THAT IN THE SKY?

IS IT A BIRD?
IS IT SUPERMAN?
NO! IT’S ...

ULTR LIGHT
AN EXPERIENCE THAT COMES CLOSEST TO FLYING WITHOUT WINGS........

Text by Yesha Malla

Photos Courtesy: AVIA CLUB NEPAL

56 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

Imagine the rush of the wind in your hair as you soar through the boundless skies,
passing tufts of cloud and perhaps even a few birds, the grounds staring up at you.
The ecstasy; the freedom; the endless possibilities!
No wonder Icarus of Greek mythology ultralight flight is absolute, making it easy to perienced in Pokhara, which is also the only
strayed too near the sun with his flimsy operate and safer. With its low weight and place with such flights in all of South Asia.
wings made of waxed-together feathers in low fuel usage, it can sail smoothly along
his enthusiasm for his flight and fell to his wind currents as easily as it can fly around Avia Club Nepal possesses five ultralight
demise. And though we have given up on controlled by the engines. aircrafts and imports its pilots from abroad
such wings, we have managed to come up who have been chosen for their expertise
with various aircrafts to keep those dreams Previously used mainly for military purpos- and qualifications. These Russian aircrafts
alive. But airplanes have now become com- es or to spray medicine into vast fields, ul- have operational speeds that range from 70
mercialized into something akin to flying tralight aircrafts are now used commercially to 110 km/hr. Reminiscent of paragliders,
buses and the thrill of flying is lost. Paraglid- as well as for recreational purposes. Today ultralight aircrafts have huge wings made
ing is not for the fainthearted and best left these aircrafts can be hired to bear banners, of strong Dacron fabric material which is
to the experts. Are we then only to dream of and of course, for sightseeing tours. Popu- designed to withstand the air load stresses
that feeling of bliss that comes with seeing lar all over the world, ultralight aviation has that these planes encounter. The aircraft
the world spread out below you as you fly gained momentum in Nepal as well. Avia can fly for four hours and reach heights of
amidst birds? Enter ultralight aircrafts. Club Nepal, the first and currently the only 5000 meters flying 300 km at a stretch. The
aviation club in Nepal, has been using ul- minimum range required for their takeoff
Ultralight aircrafts are a relatively new phe- tralight aircraft since 1996 mainly for pro- and landing is 150 - 200m.
nomenon in the aviation world. They came viding sightseeing tours around Nepal along
into existence sometime between the late with training, sports and pleasure flights and The pilot controls the flight while the pas-
1970s and early 1980s. Yet they have gained even for aerial photography and ecological senger, whose seat might be behind or
extreme popularity among airplane and avi- monitoring of terrain. At present, ultralight adjacent to that of the pilot, enjoys the ex-
ation enthusiasts. The control one has on sightseeing flights in Nepal can only be ex- perience. The simple open cockpit allows

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 57

 1

2 3 4

5 6

1. Straight view Anna South, Anna I, Anna II, Fishtail, Anna IV and
Anna II (from right)
2. Above the base camp of Mardi Himal
3. Aerial view of Pokhara city and street
4. Above the clouds
5. Towards Fishtail range
6. Circling the World Peace Pagoda
7. Aerial view of Phewa Lake
8. The sunset view
9. Mission flight of three aircrafts together

7 8 9

58 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

passengers to literally feel the wind and gives
access to amazing bird’s eye views. In fact it
is this open-air experience that attracts most
individuals to ultralight flights. Passengers,
who range from children above eight years
to the elderly, can enjoy the claustrophobia
free experience of the open aircraft. The
high aerodynamic qualities allow this delta
wing aircraft to perform long flights even
with the engine turned off.
Avia Club Nepal provides various ultralight
flight schemes for tourists who wish for
a bird’s eye view of the magical beauty of
Pokhara’s mountains and lakes. The short-
est flight lasts for 15 minutes and features a
trip over the city of Pokhara, Phewa Lake,
near Sarangkot hill, over the Buddha mon-
astery and the south side of the city. This
short flight at the speeds of 50 to 90 km/hr
will give you a panoramic view of the whole
Annapurna Range with a view of another
8,000 meter peak - Dhaulagiri and Manaslu
in the distance. The maximum altitude at-
tained is 5,000 feet.
To spend more time in the air, one can opt
for the 30 minute flight, which takes you
higher and farther; over the Tibetan refu-
gee camp and as far as Lamachaur on the
northern part of the valley besides the above
mentioned areas. The flight also takes you
as close to the Fish Tail Mountain as it’s
possible with the speed of 90 km/hr. A one
hour flight is also offered which covers the
whole Annapurna range at speeds of 90 to
130 km/hr to an altitude of 12,000 ft.
The flights are organized during the rela-
tively dry months of September to May, as
rains can disrupt the flights and possibly put
lives at jeopardy. The flights take place from
sunrise to 11 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to sunset
every day during these months. Prospective
fliers are recommended to wear warm com-
fortable clothes and close toed shoes.
Concerned about any danger involved in
these flights? In Pokhara, ultralight tour
services are very safety-oriented. Flight op-
erations are controlled by the Civil Aviation
Authority of Nepal, which checks pilots’
proficiency and the condition of the aircraft.
Each aircraft has a ballistic parachute system
that enables the pilot to perform a safe land-
ing in case of emergencies or engine fail-
ures. Insurance policies exist and provide fi-
nancial protection to the passenger, aircraft
pilot and the third parties. According to the
insurance policy, the first and second party,
the pilot and the passenger respectively, are
insured for 20,000 US dollars, and the third
party, anyone or anything hit by the aircraft
in accidents, has an insurance of 1 million
US dollars.
So if you have always gazed up in envy into
the sky at eagles circling in the heavens,
now you know what to do about it! With sce-
nic views of Pokhara with the backdrop of
magnificent mountains, Ultra light flights
are the best way to defy gravity, leave your
troubles behind on the ground and let the
skies bathe you with a rush to rejuvenate
your senses.
ULTRA LIGHT IN NEPAL,
AT A GLANCE
Avia Club Nepal, the first and currently the
only aviation club with ultralight aircraft in
Nepal, has been providing sightseeing tours
since 1996.
LOCATION
The flight is operated in Pokhara; the magic
of the mountains, meandering rivers and
the beauty of the valley will give you an
impression that you will not soon forget.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Type: Weight Shift Ultralight
Model: Biman, Cruise, Aeroprakt, Airborne
Manufactured at: Engine- Austria, Body-
Russia
GB Speed Range:32-80 hp
Cruise Speed: Speed ranging from 70 km/hr
to 110 km/hr.
Engine: Rotax 582 – 66 hp, Rotax 912 S –
100 hp
Range: 280 km
Max Alt: 12,000 ft
Max Wind OK: 15 mph, G-Load : +4 G
Passenger Weight: < 220 lbs
FAQs
What should I wear?
Prospective fliers are recommended to
wear comfortable long pants and closed-toe
shoes. Helmet and a windbreaker will be
supplied. No loose items (keys, coins, etc.)
are permitted in your pants or shirt pockets
during the flight for safety reasons.
Who is the pilot?
Pilots are brought from Russia and are
authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority of
Nepal.
Is this safe?
Avia Club Nepal is an active member of
Nepal Air sports Association that is an
executive FAI (Federation of Aeronautical
International) member. Flight operations
are controlled by the Civil Aviation Authority
of Nepal, which checks pilots’ proficiency
and the condition of the aircraft. Each
aircraft has a ballistic parachute system that
enables the pilot to perform a safe landing
in case of emergencies.
When are flights available?
The best months to fly are the dry months
from September to May when winds are
most favorable. Flights are generally
scheduled early in the morning or shortly
before sunset during these months.
How much is this?
A 15 minute flight is 57.00 Euros, 30
minute flight is charged 90.00 Euros and
the one hour flight costs 167.00 Euros.
Approximately NPR 170 will be charged at
the airport as tax.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 59
60 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 61
62 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
THE PUREST ACT IN THE WORLD
For centuries now, Hindus and Buddhists have sculpt-
ed and then invoked life into stone images of their
deities.
A stone is somehow more natural than every-
thing else. It is what the world stands on, I
thought, I stood on a large piece of stone my-
self, looking at some stone craftsmen work.
It is only fitting that images of gods and god-
desses that form a belief system that major
parts of the population also depend on, be
made out of stone. As lone stone craftsmen
struck large pieces of stone, I tried to put
what they were doing into a nutshell. They
had tools in their hands that were made out
of natural materials such as wood and iron,
with which they were striking huge pieces
of rock blown out of cliffs. Into these rocks
they would mark and then carve out images
of god that they and millions of other peo-
ple on earth believe to be the creator of the
universe. A strange calm sets over the place
with the only sound being that of iron hit-
STONE CRAFT
Stone was amongst the first materials to
be used by prehistoric man to create tools.
Even though stone gave way to metal, it
continued to be the preferred material for
making sculptures. The oldest known works
of representational art also happen to be
stone carvings. Prehistoric Venus figurines
such as the Venus of Berekhat Ram may be
as old as 800,000 years and are carved in
stones such as tuff and limestone.
Nepal has a very old stone carving history
too. Today highly skilled and capable
artisans in Nepal continue to use tech-
niques and tools that have remained
unchanged over the centuries. Most
of the stone carvings that have survived
throughout Nepal, in and around temples
and other heritage sites, are from the 13th
to the 18th century Malla period. Clans of
Newars, natives of Kathmandu, Lalitpur
and Bhaktapur have passed on their stone
carving skills from generation to genera-
tion. A surge in the involvement of youth,
particularly the Tamangs and Newars has
provided some much needed assurance
ting rock. It’s a piercing sound that rings in
your ears for a while after impact but it’s still
peaceful somehow. This might just be the
purest act in the world ever, just man and
his tools, perspiring and laboring over creat-
ing something out of something that forms
the core of the earth - stone.
Stone images of various deities are made
around the world. Invoking a deity into
a stone image however is a custom that is
unique to a small number of countries in
the world. It is not every day that you hear
about a mortal sculpting an image of a de-
ity and then invoking life into it. But such a
practice does exist in countries like Nepal
and India although even locals might not
know much about it. But from where and
how did all of this start?
that the art of traditional stone carving is
still alive and flourishing. Stone work-
ers now enjoy increased interest among
Nepalese buyers as well as foreigners
as stone images have started to emerge
as one of the more important exports
from Nepal. Apart from the stone im-
ages that are being exported to foreign
countries, even skilled stone artisans
are in high demand for the construc-
tion of images mostly of the Buddha in
Buddhist countries such as Korea and
Sri Lanka.
In neighboring India, the stone-carving
tradition is one of the richest in the
world. Guilds of masons and stone carv-
ers have existed there since the 7th cen-
tury B.C. The skills were handed down
as family lore from father to son, a prac-
tice that is still prevalent in many parts
of the country. The tradition of invoking
life into deities too has been handed over
from one generation of high caste Hindu
and Buddhist priests in both Nepal and
India.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 63
Breathing Life into God
The Book of Genesis, Chapter 2 tells of how God took some
clay from the ground and made the shape of a man. Then he
breathed gently into the shape. The man’s eyes opened and
he began to live. God called him Adam. He then created Eve
(and got us all where we are today!) The tables have turned
now it seems as men take stone slabs, carve out the shape of a
deity and then breathe life into it.
There is a certain irony in this process called Bhagvan
Sthapana, Bhagvan meaning ‘god’ and Sthapana mean-
ing ‘to establish’. Hindu culture’s entire belief system
is based on the fact that god created the universe and
that god resides in everything and in us all. So in-
voking a deity to come reside in a stone structure
when all matter supposedly already has god in it
might seem a little unnecessary. But the process
is more of a purifying act for the structure and has
more symbolic value than anything else. There
are literally hundreds of ceremonies that invoke
life into the hundreds of deities that are men-
tioned in Hindu mythology. It is the same case
with Buddhist deities too. A Chaitya - a four sided
Buddhist stone or metal structure with images of
various avatars of the Buddha - is ‘brought to life’
by Bajracharya priests and idols of Hindu dei-
ties by Bahun caste priests.
The process of Bhagvan Sthapana takes place
after all finishing touches have been ap-
plied on a stone image. Before the
process, the stone image might be
stepped upon and even walked
over by people working on it, but
after Bhagavan Sthapana, any
such act would be considered a
grave sin. The Sthapana is usually
held before establishing the image
in its final resting place such as
a temple, a public place
or within private prem-
ises. In my quest to find
out more about this
64 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
unique tradition, I sought the help of Indra Siddhi Bajracha-
rya, who besides having a Post Graduate Diploma in Buddhist
Studies, is also pursuing a PhD on the same topic. In his study
room, with great enthusiasm and over steaming cups of Nepali
tea, he explained to me, in as simple terms as possible, the
intricacies of establishing a chaitya.
Although chaityas appeared in Buddhism as a commemo-
rative emblem of a well known Buddhist figure or of the
objects or articles he possessed, it later turned into an
important symbolic monument of Buddhism as well
as a sacred symbol of worship having great veneration
and adoration amongst Buddhists. Chaityas vary in
shape, size and style with some of the existing ones
carrying great historical, archaeological and artistic
value. Some of the big ones such as the Swayambhu
Maha Chaitya are even popular tourism sites. “The
installation of these chaityas, both small and big, is
an important part of Buddhist culture. It is in fact
one of the most meritorious acts in Buddhism.
There is a sacred lunar month called Gunla, a time
There is a certain irony in
this process called Bhagvan
Sthapana, Bhagvan meaning
‘god’ and Sthapana meaning
‘to establish’. Hindu
culture’s entire belief
system is based on the
fact that god created the
universe and that god
resides in everything
and in us all.
when no meat or liquor is consumed, which
is observed by Newar Buddhists. The mak-
ing of miniature chaityas is practiced dur-
ing this time,” says Bajracharya as he flips
through dusty, yellowed volumes, engrossed
in text and diagrams on traditions that have
been passed down for centuries.
The head Bajracharya who is in charge of
the sthapana is known as Mulacharya. He
and others choose an auspicious occasion
on which to start this chain of ceremonies.
There are five major ritualistic steps in-
volved in the establishment of the chaitya;
Sutrapatan- which is the formulation and
measurement of the site for the chaitya,
Padasthapana – laying a foundation for the
structure, Ratnanyasa – invoking life into the
image, Chudikasthapana – erecting the pin-
nacle and Pratistha – the consecration. Of
the five, Ratnanyasa is the stage where life
is invoked into the image but the whole
practice is crucial to successfully invoke
the deity into the chaitya. Firstly, with
Sutrapatan, the land where the chaitya
is to be erected is worshipped. This is
called Bhumi Yachana in Newari.
Using forty jackfruit sticks,
a carpenter will mark and
plot the area after which ten
special deities are worshipped
in each direction. The area
within the boundary is divided
into 81 rooms. After numerous
ceremonies to purify this area, a
‘homa’ ritual is performed and
finally, all the materials used
at the site for the ceremony are
disposed into a holy river.
Padasthapana, the second stage
of this ritual, means to estab-
lish a footing for the structure.
This process also needs to be
carried out on an auspicious
day. The ceremony is quite de-
tailed: nine piles of new bricks,
each containing five bricks and
nine heaps of soil are first arranged.
Nine pieces of small tortoise shapes drawn
out on thin files of gold and silver and nine
pairs of gold and silver lotuses are kept in
nine copper vessels – one of them being a
Kalash. These along with a set of small gold
and silver spades are worshipped. After this,
the person performing the ceremony hands
over the bricks and the mud as well as the
silver and gold spades to the mason. The
mason first spreads sand collected from five
Tirthas - pilgrimage sites, over the selected
area and then arranges the bricks over this
layer forming swastika shapes, each with
central pits. This process is repeated care-
fully to form nine swastikas starting from
the centre. The placement of the copper
vessels in the nine pits so formed completes
the Padhsthapana. The mason now builds
the base up to the plinth level and the Cha-
itya is fixed up to the Mandala level with 13
square holes from the plinth level.
Ratnanyasa, the pivotal invoking ceremony,
performed on a consecutive auspicious day
starts with a homa puja. The 13 square holes
of the mandala are the seat of 13 deities. A
Ratnanyasa packet consisting of herbs, pre-
cious stones and metals is also placed here.
The square holes are then covered by a cop-
per plate which is engraved with certain
mantras. Chandukasthapana - the pinnacle
fixing stage - follows immediately after the
Ratnan-
yasa worship. After the pinnacle is fixed over
the copper plate comes the Samkshipta Pal-
istha – a concise consecration and Palistha
Karma – a full consecration of the chaitya.
Once the sanctification is completed, the
Chaitya is assumed to have life and to be
worthy of worship.
Even after both consecration ceremonies,
there is yet another full consecration. This
is especially interesting as the ritual borrows
heavily from traditional Hindu customs.
Almost all ceremonies that take place for
a Hindu are carried out; the commence-
ment of puberty of the mother when she is
younger, her wishing for a son, pregnancy,
the birth of the son, the traditional naming
ceremony for the baby, the feeding of the
first grain of rice, an ordination, celibacy
of the youth, his coming back to domestic
life and finally marriage. So the structure
as it stands after the ceremony resembles
a living person in that it has symbolically
undergone everything that an adult person
has. “It might not be an exaggeration if one
were to say, based on this description of
the sthapana details that the installation of
such a structure, worshipped as a god here-
after, is practically modeled from the life
of a mortal,” says Bajracharya as he finally
sits upright and closes his books. Such an
image, especially a Chaitya now becomes
an important part of the community, with
many a ceremony and celebrations being
performed in its presence.
The art of stone craft is one that has been
painstakingly preserved in Nepal; painstak-
ingly because the people who are involved
in the actual masonry are paid peanuts
compared to the exorbitant prices at
which they might be sold to affluent
clients. Most times middle men
end up with the lion’s share of
the profits. Even under such harsh
conditions and in a crippled econ-
omy, artisans have managed to keep
passing the baton to younger genera-
tions. With renewed interest in stone
craft and interest from foreigners
regarding ancient techniques as
well as the construction of struc-
tures in their own countries,
there is hope that such events
will pump some much needed
financial initiative into the field.
It’s the least that can be hoped
for, for an art form that repre-
sents Nepal and its artistic his-
tory so beautifully.
Bhagvan Sthapana too has been a tough
torch to bear for the people involved in
such rites and rituals. Puja ceremonies of
every kind, some that create peace to some
that invite prosperity into the home are still
very much the rage today. But in a world
of quick fixes, invoking life into a deity and
then worshipping it as god might lose its
charm easily if not well preserved. Like the
mortals around whose life their invokement
is modelled, in these troubled times, gods
too it seems, could do with a little luck.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 65
 HOTELS&CASINOS

HOTELS&CASINOS

h o t e l
YAK & YETI
Who in Nepal (and beyond) hasn’t heard of the hotel of the exalted fame
the Yak and Yeti? Well, as a kid born and raised in Kathmandu, I certainly
had. I had imagined woolly humongous yaks and shaggy big footed yetis
roaming around the huge hotel the moment I had heard of the unique and
imaginative name. So it was no wonder that I was looking forward to visiting
the Yak and Yeti Hotel.

Text by Yesha Malla

66 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 he history of the Yak and Yeti hotel
starts with one visionary: Boris Lis-
sanevitch, who had come to Nepal
through the Russian Army. A famed food
connoisseur, he built the instantly popular
and now restored to its earlier glory - the
Chimney. With its wide success, the idea
of opening a hotel was conceived in the
early seventies. Kathmandu had then just
opened its gates to outsiders when Boris set
up the country’s first western-type hotel in a
very opulent, very Nepalese-type palace and
welcomed the first batch of foreign tourists
to visit the ‘forbidden kingdom’. The hotel
had its sanctum at the Lal Durbar or the
Red Palace.

The Lal Durbar was the third palace of Ma-

harajah Bir Shumsher built at around 1885
A.D. during his reign as the Prime Minister
of Nepal. While little survives of his other
two homes, the Seto Durbar and the Phora
Durbar, the Lal Durbar has been well pre-
served. Inspired by Victorian design, the Lal
Durbar was renovated and now comprises Modern day sophistication greets
the palace wing of the hotel, still maintain-
ing its regal glory and flaunting the Neo-
cultural heritage in the ample grounds
Classical style from Europe that the Ranas of the 100-year-old palace and newly
were so fond of. The Maharaja’s former designed structure of the hotel.
private quarters now function as the hotel’s
ballrooms and convention halls. All of them
retain the original Rana decor.

Located at Durbar Marg, the hub of Kath-

mandu, the hotel Yak and Yeti isn’t very dif-
ficult to find. As I made my way through the
ornate doorway at the boulevard of Durbar
Marg to the premises, flanked by the mag-
nificent Lal Durbar; trees lined the way and
the intricately decorated waterspouts and
the three temples at the corner gave the feel
of antiquated glory. And I was still only in
the parking lot!

Adorned with statues and sculptures from dif-

ferent eras of the history of Nepal, the presi-
dential wing is a sight to behold. The hotel
was bustling with activity as porters helped
new arrivals with their luggage, the recep-
tionists at the lobby attended to customers,
and guests chatted with each other, at home

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 67

 in the hotel’s soothing atmosphere. The
lounge was filled with people relaxing
with their friends, being offered drinks
and pastries by the friendly waiters. The
well-stocked bar nearby boasted a selec-
tion of fine liquor and other beverages.
The piano at the center of the lounge
promised great musical evenings.
The Sunrise Café next to the lounge is
yet another well-designed feature of the
hotel. It’s a charming café with cordial
chefs and waiters intent on giving guests
a memorable gourmet journey. Pieces
of art dot the small cozy area and the
huge windows let in streams of light that
leave everything and everyone pleasantly
sun-kissed. The café offers delicious in-
ternational cuisine throughout the day,
and additionally organizes theme nights
throughout the week where the chefs
choose a particular cuisine from a foreign
country.
Besides the Sunrise Café, Yak and Yeti
Hotel also offers superb dining experi-
ence at the Chimney with its traditional
historic feel and the savory food or the
Pub where people relax with their friends
and family with their choice of exotic
drinks or varied choice of freshly baked
pastries, cookies, cakes, breads and choc-
olates at the Bakers Basket.
AFTER A SUCCESSFUL RUN OF 12 YEARS, WITH THE
NEED TO ENHANCE THE HOTEL’S SIZE AND FACILITIES,
AN EXTENSION OF 150 DELUXE ROOMS AND
SUITES WERE BUILT TO SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING
ACCOMMODATION.
The Yak and Yeti’s gardens are beautiful.
A cobbled path leads around the prem-
ises and tables are laid out for guests to
hang out at. Kids splash about in two
swimming pools with pristine water, as
grownups sunbathe in deckchairs a few
yards away. A couple asked me to take
pictures of them near the numerous trees
surrounding the lawn. Another couple
played tennis in the court at the end of
1. Reception Desk the ground. A family enjoyed themselves
2. Sunrise Cafe - Coffee Shop
in a hearty conversation in a table not far
away; a picture of contentment and hap-
3. The Chimney Restaurant piness.
4. Garden Garuda Temple
The Yak and Yeti’s lawn has many promi-
nent landscape features. The little statue
68 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
of the Garuda in a tiny temple on top of a
small hill adds to the aesthetic beauty of
the place. A small statue of the Buddha in
peaceful meditation nestles in the shady
recesses of a thicket of trees at the edges
of the gardens. The cobbled path leads to
a pond with ducks and a small wooden
bridge arching over the water leading to
a small clearing with a bell and a small
temple dedicated to the Kumari (the liv-
ing Goddess) in the middle. The replica-
tion of nature at its best; the attention to
detail and the tranquil contemplative at-
mosphere it creates is definitely worthy of
a mention.
The hotel offers 270 guestrooms that like
the rest of the hotel reflect its fusion of
contemporary and antique furnishings.
The hotel originally had 120 rooms when
it was completed in 1977. After a successful
run of 12 years, with the need to enhance
the hotel’s size and facilities, the hotel un-
derwent an extension of 150 deluxe rooms
and suites (designed to harmonize with
the special features of the Lal Durbar)
to supplement the existing accommoda-
tions.
All of the guest rooms are comfortable and
well equipped. With a 5 star hotel status to
uphold, the rooms are provided with ame-
nities at par with international standards,
with a multitude of in room conveniences
such as en-suite bathrooms, international
Direct Dial telephones and a fully stocked
mini bar to name a few. The hotel suc-
ceeds at meeting the needs of both busi-
ness and leisure travelers. The hotel also
boasts of a Jacuzzis, a full gymnasium, spa
and sauna facilities, as well as an on-site
Casino for guests to try their luck in the
evenings. I was intrigued; it must be im-
possible to be bored at the Yak and Yeti!
The hotel focuses on the blending of
the past with the present, in its rooms.
As mentioned earlier, the hotel provides
many modern conveniences, but hasn’t
forgotten to titillate the aesthetic senses
of guests. The Newari Wing is the tradi-
 1. Superior Room
2. Executive Suite
3. Deluxe Room
4. Club Room

THE HOTEL OFFERS 270

GUESTROOMS THAT LIKE
THE REST OF THE HOTEL
REFLECT ITS FUSION OF
CONTEMPORARY AND
ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS.

tional wing of the hotel with rich authentic
Newari woodcarvings framing inlaid brick-
walls set against peacock blue and autumn
décor. The Durbar wing is the latest con-
temporary addition to the hotel’s accom-
modation where international elegance is
evoked in gentle shades of peach and pale
yellow. Subtle Asian mysticism lingers in
the museum pieces adorning each room.
The Durbar wing also offers Kathmandu’s
first and only non-smoking floor.
Suites offered include the Junior, Business
and the Executive suites. The Junior Suite
offers contemporary accommodation ac-
cented by seemingly antediluvian treasures
and a cozy living area. The Business Suite is
the discerning business traveler’s home with
sophisticated facilities specifically included
for the convenience of a busy executive.
The Executive Suite is ideal for large family
or business travelers requiring extra accom-
modation with a plush king size master bed-
room and adjoining twin bedroom. Each
room offers a garden or a city view with the
grandeur of the Himalayas serving as a natu-
ral backdrop.
I may have entered the Yak and Yeti hotel
for work and research but I left feeling I had
done nothing but enjoy myself. The rich
history, the beauty and the hospitality of the
hotel wins over anyone who spends time
there, no matter how little that time might
be. No wonder this deluxe oasis is consid-
ered one of the finest hotels in Nepal. The
Yak and Yeti is a perfect medium with which
to experience Nepal.

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 69

 RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS&BARS
365 Restaurant with Hookah Bar Cherry Lounge & Bar Holiday Karaoke Restaurant & Bar
Pulchowk, Lalitpur Lazimpat, Opp. Shangrila Hotel Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu
Tel: 2110800 Mob: 9741 115143 Tel: 4445731
Speciality: Arabian Speciality: Cherry flavour drinks Speciality: South, East, Asian
Baryo Fiesta Chopstick Restaurant & Bar K-Too Bear & Steak House
Naxal, Kathmandu Buddhabari, Teku, Kathmandu Paryatan Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: 4414395 Tel: 4104503 Tel: 4700043
Speciality: Tandoori, Taas Speciality: Chinese Cuisine Speciality: Thai
Bhumi The Restro Lounge Chez Caroline Koto Restaurant
Lazimpat, Kathmandu Babarmahal, Kathmandu Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Tel: 4412193 Tel: 4263070 Tel: 4226025
Speciality: Newari Speciality: French Speciality: Japanese Cuisine
Boddhi Garden Vegetarian Dhaba Restaurant & Bar Lakhe Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant Thapathali, Kathmandu Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Maharajgunj, Kathmandu Tel: 4100510 Tel: 4256606
Tel: 4721939 Speciality: Indian Speciality: Lebanese, French,
Speciality: Various Veg Italian
Flavour’s Café & Restaurant
Tastes Layaku Restaurant
Bouddha, Kathmandu
Bourbon Room Tel: 2140277 Durbar Square, Bhaktapur
Narayanhiti Marg, Kathmandu Speciality: Chinese Tel: 4781104
Tel: 4441703
Green Organic Café & Salad Bar Speciality: Multi
Speciality: Continental, Italian,
Thamel, Kathmandu Matsuri
Oriental
Tel: 4215726 Sherpa Mall, Kathmandu
Cafereena Speciality: Nepali, Continental Tel: 4229032
Sherpa Mall, Kathmandu Speciality: Chinese, Japanese
Hot Breads
Tel: 4231313
New Road, Kathmandu Mike’s Breakfast
Speciality: Thai, Multi
Tel: 4429031 Naxal, Kathmandu
Café de Patan Speciality: Confectionery Tel: 4781104
Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur Speciality: American. Mexican,
Tel: 5537599 Italian
Speciality: Newari Foods

The Ambiance
Restaurant & Bar
MANGAL BAZAR, LALITPUR
TEL: 5538980
SPECIALITY: MULTI
Jhamiskhel, Lalitpur; Ph No: 5528732;
G.P.O Box: 8975 EPC: 1206; Email: cafebliss@wlink.com.np

LA ROTISSERIE GRILLED CHICKEN & Walter

SANDWICH & ICE CREAM PARLOR
Restaurant
& Bar
Please
Contact for
Latest
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Watering
&
Selection...
It is an European style of cooking system, which
stops the spit for a period of 20 seconds in front
of heating element every 180 degrees. It allows
meat to constantly baste itself, sealing in natural
juices while letting fat drip off. The Rotisserie offer BABER MAHAL REVISITED, KATHMANDU,
delicious, low-cholesterol, healthy grilled chicken
and many more to all of valued customers... PHONE: + 977 (1) 425 3337
walters.restaurant.nepal@gmail.com

70 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

Nhuchhe’s Organic Bistro Shogun Japanese Restaurant
Baluwatar, Kathmandu Babarmahal, Kathmandu
Tel: 4414383 Tel: 4263720
Speciality: Organic Foods Speciality: Japanese
OR2K Seoul Arirang Korean Restaurant &
Thamel, Kathmandu Bar
Tel: 4422097 Nagpokhari, Kathmandu
Speciality: Israeli, Arabian Tel: 4429052
Road House Cafe Speciality: Korean
Pulchowk, Lalitpur Tukuche Thakali Kitchen
Tel: 5520524 Durbar Marg, Kathmandu
Speciality: Italian Tel: 4225890
Red Dingo Speciality: Authentic Nepali
Jawalakhel, Lalitpur The Lazy Gringo Restaurant
Tel: 01-6914930 Jawalakhel Chowk, Lalitpur
ican
Speciality: Australian Tel: 01-2210527 ican, A fr
, Mex
Royal Saino Restaurant & Bar Speciality: Mexican
t inent al
Durbar Marg, Kathmandu , Con
Tel: 01-230890
Tamas SPA Lounge It alian
JP Road, Kathmandu
Speciality: Indian, Continental Tel: 4257658
Royal Thai Restaurant Speciality: Multi
New Baneshwor, Kathmandu Tantra Restaurant & Bar
Tel: 4781104 Jyatha, Thamel, Kathmandu
Speciality: Thai Tel: 4218565
Rum Doodle Speciality: Mixed Fusion
Thamel, Kathmandu Tushita
Tel: 4701107 Lazimpat, Kathmandu
Speciality: Steak & Pizza Tel: 4432957
Sandwich Center Speciality: Continental, Nepali
Tridevi Marg, Lalitpur Wunjala Moskva
Tel: 4426267 Naxal, Kathmandu
Speciality: Sandwich Now relocated at Jhamsikhel (near the British school)
Tel: 4781104
Speciality: Newari, Russian
CONTACT 2114075

your safari dream....

hotel parkside

Remember
us for all the
Chitwan: Hatisar, Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal (Tel: 977-56-580159,550431)
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Kathmandu Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal (Tel: 977-1-4232953 Fax: 977-1-4215581)
activities
Email info@hotelparkside.com
Website www.hotelparkside.com

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 71

 FOODRINK

RAISE A GL SS!
Some love it while some think it’s over rated. But before
you form an opinion, find out what all the fuss is about.

Text by Arjun Bhandari

72 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

IN SIDEWAYS, a charming movie about two friends who
plan a getaway to a vineyard before one of them gets mar-
ried; Virginia Madsen’s character compares wine beauti-
fully to people as she coyly cradles a bottle in her hands.
“I like to think about the life of wine. How it’s a living
thing. I like to think about what was going on the year
the grapes were growing; how the sun was shining;
if it rained. I like to think about all the people
who tended and picked the grapes. And if it’s
an old wine, how many of them must be
dead by now. I like how wine continues to
evolve, like if I opened a bottle of wine
today it would taste different than if I’d
opened it on any other day, because a
bottle of wine is actually alive. And it’s
constantly evolving and gaining com-
plexity.” Madsen’s seductive drawl
drives the point home - who loves not
wine, women and song, remains a
fool his whole life long.
THE LIFE OF WINE
Wine is as old as civilization itself and
has held a significant place in many
ancient cultures. Ancient Greece
and Rome both celebrated wine and
revered the god of wine Dionysus or
Bacchus. When we contemplate the
wine in our glass, we are looking at
one of the oldest known agricultural
product in the world which is still
popular today.
Wines of all types can be classified by
either the primary grape variety or the
region where the grapes were grown.
Even within types of wine there is a
great variety of flavor and texture, due
to the climate of growing regions. A
warm, wet year will produce grapes
with a different flavor than a cooler,
dryer growing season. This is why
some labels and years are more valu-
able than others.
Generally, there are five (red, white,
rose, sparking and fortified) types of
wine produced worldwide from red
and white grapes. Red wine is made
from red grape while white wine is made from white
grape varieties. However, making of rose, sparkling
and fortified wines are manipulated from red, white
or both grape varieties. For example, sparkling wine
is mostly made from white grape variety using spe-
cial carbonation technique, where as rose wines
are mostly made from red grape varieties using
bleeding, minimum skin contact technique.
All around the world, wine producers have
their own secret recipes and variations
in production methods, which make
each type of wine distinctive.
A GLASS FOR GOOD
HEALTH
Already well-known as heart-
healthy, drinking wine in modera-
tion might help you lose weight,
reduce forgetfulness, boost your
immunity, and help prevent bone
loss. Wine is also said to help you
prevent clots and reduce blood
vessel inflammation, both of
which have been linked to cog-
nitive decline and heart disease.
Alcohol also seems to raise HDL,
the so-called good cholesterol,
which helps unclog your arter-
ies. As little as half a glass may
also guard against food poisoning
caused by germs like salmonella
when people are exposed to con-
taminated food.
Generally speaking, a standard (10
to 13 alcohol percentage) glass of
wine for female and two for men
a day is good for people with high
blood pressure and coronary heart
disease. Wine has been histori-
cally recommended for the treat-
ment of iron deficiency, anemia
and to help vegetarians increase
their mineral absorption. The
keys to the beneficial aspects of
wine drinking are regularity and
moderation.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 73
 PAIRING OF FOOD AND WINE
Wine can enhance the flavor of food.
A good match will bring out the nu-
ances and enhance the flavors and
unique characteristics of both the
food and the wine. The basic flavors
that occur in food are also found in
wine which is, after all, another type
of food. They are sweet, tart (sour,
acidic), bitter (puckery, astringent sen-
sation) and salty (which isn’t found in
wine, but affects its flavor). In addition
wine has alcohol which adds aroma and
body, making the wine feel richer.
While pairing wine with food, remember
that red wines go best with red meat (goat,
lamb and beef), while seafood and poultry
are the best options for white wines. Memo-
rable food and wine pairing is achieved when
you find similarities and/or contrasts of flavor,
body (texture), intensity, and taste.
STORING YOUR BELOVED WINE
Wine is a living liquid and if it not treated respectfully, it will die prematurely so careful consideration should be taken for
storing your beloved wine. Wine cellars work to protect your precious bottles from the elements, and they also give you a nice
place to show off your collection and store those vintage labels.
When planning your wine cellar, plan ahead of time and know how much space you need, even if budget and room aren’t restrictions.
Pick a dark area that is free from vibration and noise with consistent temperature between 12° to 18°C and humidity level between
50-70%. Proper insulation will do this, but don’t forget to close the door, as temperature variations can occur with the smallest bit of
airflow.
74 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
ENJOYING WINE
While it is easy to find
wine lovers across the
world, hardly a few of
them know the right way
of drinking. Most of us
just open the glass, pour
the wine and drink it.
First of all, you will need
to bring the wine to the
right temperature for
drinking. In case of white
wine, you will need to
chill it in the fridge for at
least an hour before drink-
ing and for red wine; it is
best served at room tem-
perature. After uncorking
give the bottle cork a small inspection, to make sure that there
is no mold or discoloration and in case there is, it does not
extend beyond the top. Otherwise, do not drink wine from the
bottle. Thereafter sniff the cork, to make sure that there are
no unpleasant aromas indicating spoilage. In case your wine
contains any sediment, you will need to decant it. In other
words, pour it into another container, through cheesecloth,
wire mesh or coffee filters. An old wine is always decanted just
before serving, while younger wines need to be decanted a few
hours before drinking to remove grit.
Choose the wine glass carefully; as a rule, wines usually go in
larger glasses, especially if served at dinner. Now, let the wine
settle (rather “breathe”) in the glass, for a moment or longer
to allow the complexity of the flavors to come through. Smell
the wine once again, this time to deeply inhale its scent. This
will contribute a great deal to its taste. Finally, take a sip of the
wine and hold it in your mouth for a moment. After you have
been able to notice the different flavors of the drink, it is the
time to gulp it down, though gently.
Yes, wine tasting is an art. Wine connoisseurs around the
world are swirling ambrosia liquid in their quaint glasses and
enjoying blissful sensuous moments on their own. So why not
indulge yourself in wine too? Have a wine party, and have a
quiet, peaceful and classy evening with your friends and fam-
ily. And remember, everything involving wine is a matter of
your own taste. If you like it, don’t let anyone tell you that you
shouldn’t. This hobby and enjoyment is only for you.
MARK DAVIDSON Tamburlaine, and has been at the vortex ABOUT MARK DAVIDSON WINE
of the wine production and business op-
eration ever since.

Mark, a strong believer of organic farming

Mark Davidson, company director of
Tamburlaine, manufacturer, senior
winemaker and international vineyard
consultant, was born in Sydney, Australia
“We didn’t inherit the earth from our forefathers;
we are borrowing it from our descendants.”
1955. His interest in wine and vineyard
persuaded him to enroll in one of the
most prestigious universities of viticul-
ture- Charles Sturt University, Australia
where he graduated in oenology. In 1980,
Mark Davidson bought a small winery-
quotes, “We didn’t inherit the earth from
our forefathers; we are borrowing it from
our descendants”. With this principle
he has embraced the practice of organic
farming, with focus on producing high
quality wine with cutting edge and at the
same time environment friendly sound
production techniques. His skill for re-
vitalizing degraded land to productive
farming using century old natural farm-
ing method has won him many awards
and accolades. Today Tamburlaine has
grown into a multi-million dollar busi-
ness with a reputation for innovation and
is among the largest organic wine pro-
ducing wineries in Australia as a result of
Mark’s sheer determination and commit-
ment to achieving excellence.
One of the most popular and extensively
liked Australian wines in Nepal- Mark Da-
vidson wines are produced in Tamburlaine,
an outstanding five star winery in Australia.
Mr. Mark Davidson, the company director
has introduced three outstanding quality
of wine under his name “Mark Davidson”;
these wines are extensively popular in dip-
lomatic community, five star hotels and
quality restaurants all over Nepal. Tambur-
laine Winery recently introduced a new
selection of wines with unique names such
as: Sanctuary Farm Chardonnay, Mail Run
Riesling, North Bore Shiraz and Three’s a
Crowd Merlot Cabernet.

TIMES 09

authentic flavour from china

Tian Rui Chinese Restaurant & Bar Pvt. Ltd.

Thapathali, Kathmandu, Phone - 4243078, Fax - 4249162
Email - tianruiktm@yahoo.com

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 75

76 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 77
 NATURE&WILDLIFE

LIVING IN HARMONY WITH

Text by Prita Malla

Photo Courtesy: WWF

Photo by : Francois Xavier Pelletier/ WWF – Canon ©

78 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 DOLPHINS, one of the most charismatic
and enchanting aquatic mammals, are
amongst the most intelligent animals in the
world. Their friendly appearance together
with a seemingly playful nature also makes
them irresistible to all. Dolphins have a
universal appeal, symbolizing freedom,
joy, grace and serenity, uplifting the spirit
of people all around the world. It is sheer
pleasure watching dolphins jump clear of
the water executing intricate flips and bar-
rel rolls in the air.
All dolphins are toothed whales belong-
ing to the sub-order odontocetes, of the or-
der cetacea and found in oceans, seas and
freshwater. Anatomically, the bodies of
these mammals have become streamlined
to move effectively in their aquatic habi-
When we imagine a tat. Dolphin’s ears are barely noticeable,
dolphin, we tend to marked only by a small hole just behind
the eye. Their hind limbs have disappeared,
envision them jumping their front limbs have developed into flip-
pers, and their powerful tail provides them
in the vast blue sea with their chief means of propulsion. A dol-
but many people will phin’s skin is hairless, thick and lacks glands
unlike most mammals. Like all other aquat-
be amazed to know ic mammals, below the skin, dolphins have
that these creatures developed a thick layer of blubber to insu-
late them from heat loss. The adaptation of
are also found in the mammal into an aquatic environment
seems complete.
land locked countries
such as Nepal, which Besides being popular for their playful,
carefree, childlike nature, dolphins are also
lies in the laps of the famous for their intelligence. It has been
Himalayas. maintained that dolphins are the most intel-
ligent creatures in the planet, second only
to humans. So much so that many mytholo-
gies around the world believe dolphins to be
originally humans who fell in love with the
ocean and never left or were cursed to never
leave the waters. Dolphins have an impres-
sive ability to learn and imitate behavior
Photo by : Simon de Trey White/ WWF – UK ©
which is attributed to their intelligence. Hu-
man have 50:1 brain weight to spinal cord
weight -an accurate factor in determining
a species’ level of intelligence; in dolphins
it is found to be about 40:1, suggesting that
dolphins have a level of intelligence compa-
rable with humans. The level of folding in a
dolphin’s brain also supports this theory.
When we imagine a dolphin, we tend to en-
vision them jumping in and out of the vast
blue sea but many people will be surprised
to know that these creatures are also found in
land locked countries such as Nepal, which
lies in the laps of the Himalayas. There are
five species of freshwater dolphins: Amazon
River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and La
Plata River Dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)
in South America, Yangtze River Dolphin
(Lipotes vexillifer), Ganges River Dolphin
(Platanista gangetica) and Indus River Dol-
phin (Platanista minor) in Asia.
The Ganges River dolphin, commonly
known as sonsh or susu, is restricted to the
Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. In
Nepal, they are found in Koshi and Kar-
nali river systems. These animals are nearly
blind—they lack eye lenses and their eye
openings are no bigger than a pinhole. As a
result, they rely almost entirely on echoloca-
tion to forage for food and navigate in the
river. Ganges River dolphins weigh about
70 - 90 kg (170 - 200 lb) and has a length of
2 - 2.5 m (6.6 - 8.2’). They have plump, gray
bodies with a strikingly long snout that they
use to root in river bottoms for their prey.
They have 26 to 39 pairs of teeth in both
jaws. The teeth in the front of the mouth
overlap and are visible even when the mouth
is closed. They breathe through a blowhole
located on the top of their head and appear
at the surface every 30 or 120 seconds for this
purpose.
K IN G D OM ANIMALIA
PHY LU M C O R D ATA (VERTEB RATES )
CL ASS M A M M A L IA
OR D ER C E TAC E A
SU B - OR D ER O D O N TO C E T I
FAM ILY P L ATA N I STID AE
G EN U S P L ATI N I STA
SPECIES GANGETICA
TIMES
TIME
TI
T MES SEPTEMBER
SEPT
SE TEM
MBE
BER 220
2009
009
09 79
79
Photo by : Simon de Trey White/ WWF – UK ©
The Dolphins breed during the months of
April to June. After a gestation period of
11-12 months, a mother dolphin gives birth
to her calf about 70 cm in length, in shal-
low water. The birth process is rapid and
the baby slips easily through the birth canal
- tail first. As soon as the baby is born, the
mother quickly escorts the calf to the water
surface to breathe deeply for the first time in
air. The mother supports her baby with her
flipper for about one and a half month and
then releases the baby to its independence.
The baby will however stay with its mother
for almost 3-6 years. This is the time when
they learn about feeding techniques, social
interaction and group foraging for their fu-
ture survival.
These dolphins however have a tough life
in freshwater. A burgeoning human popula-
tion, rapid economic development and pol-
lution threaten the survival of these incred-
ible mammals. Dolphins are particularly
threatened in the upstream reaches of the
smaller tributaries, where their population
is often isolated behind barrages and is more
vulnerable to human activities because of
the reduced habitat area. Although dolphins
were once abundant in Nepal throughout
the Koshi, Narayani, Karnali and Mahakali
rivers and their feeder streams, due to con-
struction of barrages across these river sys-
tems for irrigation and flood control, over
exploitation of prey species, illegal killing
and a range of other human disturbances,
the dolphin population has more or less be-
come restricted to Karnali and Koshi river
systems.
80 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
Though the Ganges River dolphins are list-
ed as endangered species, they do not get
much attention in Nepal. There is very little
awareness in the country about dolphins,
which adds to the problem. Local residents
do not see dolphins as a resource, or the
potential to attract tourist revenue to the
area and elsewhere in the country. However
INGOs such as WWF is working with local
communities to raise awareness and con-
serve the habitat of dophins. Saijana Village
is an island surrounded by Gerwua River, a
tributary of Karnali River on all sides. Many
people here are involved in fishing and dig-
ging gold from the sand banks of Karnali,
which hugely impacts the dolphin com-
munity. Here a project supported by WWF
Australia, has mobilized the local commu-
nities to enhance traditional practices and
promote sustainable livelihood techniques
to live in harmony with dolphins. Commu-
nity managed tourism could be promoted in
this area, which would also help to improve
the local economy.
However, viewing dolphins
in the wild is a completely
different experience.
Kothiaghat on Karnali River
can be promoted as a
prime location for dolphin
watching during low water
seasons.
We all love to see dolphins and for many
people the only way to do this was by visiting
an aquarium. However viewing dolphins in
their natural habitat is a completely differ-
ent experience. Kothiaghat on Karnali River
can be promoted as the prime location for
dolphin watching during low water seasons.
It is not to far from Bardia National Park and
can be accessed quite easily.
Watching a pod joyfully surf the waves, or
swim in perfect synchrony together, viewing
a dolphin swiftly accelerate after a fleeing
fish, or witnessing a protective tender mo-
ment between a mother and her calf, is pure
joy. If you are lucky enough to see dolphins
in the wild please remember these simple
rules.
* Do not harass the dolphins - give them
space. A dolphin slapping its tail on the
water in the wild may be a sign of an-
noyance. Head nodding and violent jaw
clapping are signs of aggression so don’t
go close. They are very powerful animals
and are not there for your amusement.
* Never attempt to feed a wild dolphin. It
is illegal and could easily result in the
dolphin’s death through incorrect food
or bacteria in the fish.
* Do not throw rubbish in the river, and
please clean up any that you see. Many
dolphins die from swallowing foreign ob-
jects.
* Many dolphins are injured by boat mo-
tors. Make sure the boat you are in drives
carefully near dolphins.
 KATHMANDU

FIRST REVOLVING RESTAURANT OF NEPAL

Ratna Plaza, Newroad, Kathmandu
Contact: 4241712
For Reservation : 9851091404 / 9851091629 (Bishal)
Website: www.revolving.com.np
Step in for some delicious :
Indian Cuisine Chinese Cuisine
Nepali Cuisine Continental Cuisine

ACTIVA DIO

UNICORN AVIATOR
STUNNER SHINE

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 81

 ATALEOFVAGABOND

SAM’s
PERMANENT
VACATION
A retired professional finally
sets out to see the world.

82 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 If life is a book, those who do not travel, read but a page.
Sam W. Stearman seems to have taken this saying to heart
as he flips through the pages of life’s delightful book at
his own leisurely pace. To know more about Sam and his
delightful travels, Travel Times caught up with him. Here are
some brief excerpts from the conversation.
After a career in accounting and
finance, what motivated you to do travel
photography? Isn’t that quite a change in
lifestyle?
When I met young people who had put their
careers on hold to travel the world, I would
get envious. To be young, active, fearless and
adventurous! But alas, I worked first and only
now in my retired days do I have the opportu-
nity to visit a few of the places that I dreamt
about during my career. While my career did
take me to some exotic places, all I saw were
hotels and meeting rooms. I know now that
no one ever looks back and wishes he or she
had worked more hours, but almost everyone
wishes they had spent more time with their
family, friends as well as doing things like trav-
eling. I am fortunate that I have my health
and just enough money to see a few of the
many wonders of the world.
To get back to the question – I guess you are
referring to the left brain – right brain com-
parison. A well-rounded person is one who
constantly strives to keep both hemispheres in
balance – and I have always tried to do that in
business by thinking outside the box and also
in my writings and in my hobbies – includ-
ing photography. Since I can’t draw, paint
or sculpt, taking photos is the most creative
outlet I have.
Why do you like to travel? What made
you so enthusiastic about traveling and
photography?
I guess I am an explorer by nature. After read-
ing about the wonders of our world, it was
gratifying to finally see some of the same in
person.
The world and its people are diverse in many
ways and the more I see of them, the more
I realize how similar we all are, no matter
where we live, what we do for a living or what
our beliefs are. So my experiences are the ba-
sis of my commitment to do what I can to save
our fragile planet and to promote love, peace
and respect among all people.
Who has inspired you to travel?
My wife, Kai Ling, who loves travel as much
or maybe more than I do inspired me. She
is a wonderful travel companion, interesting
in learning local customs and about the daily
lives of locals as well as exploring historic sites
on our visits.
What are the rules you abide by while
traveling?
I always try to learn as much as I can about the
places I will be visiting, the local customs and
people so that I can show everyone I meet, the
respect and courtesy that they deserve. I have
learned that we can learn from everyone we
meet if we open our heart and our mind to
them.
Lone Tree at Sunrise - Lake Wanaka - New Zealand South Island
Interests
Photography (www.samsays.com), tennis,
hiking, traveling, theater
Education
CPA Illinois and California
MBA Drake University
BS University of Louisville (honors) -
Accounting
Philosophy
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass...
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Countries visited
Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia,
Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy,
Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma),
Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Puerto Rico,
Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri
Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United
Kingdom, United States, Vatican, Vietnam
Types of People I enjoy
I enjoy all people from all cultures - and
haven’t found anyone that doesn’t offer
something new and interesting insights.
Teach, Learn, Share
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you
meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live
simply, love generously, care deeply, and
speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!
Current location
DeerHill Bay, Tai Po, N.T., Hong Kong
Few words to the readers and Travel Times
If you treat everyone you meet, regardless of
culture, race or religion, with respect, you can
learn lifelong valuable experiences in your
travels. Always try to be kind, understanding
and giving. We live in a fragile, shrinking
world - the more we understand each other,
the more we can become part of the solution
to a lasting peace.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 83
How do you plan your trips?
We travel over holiday periods here in Hong
Kong such as Christmas, the Chinese New
Year and Easter, when we can travel while
missing the least amount of work days. Our
holidays are usually limited to 7 – 10 days
(sometimes shorter).
We first check with Hong Kong tour groups
which if available offer the best prices, but
occasionally we travel on our own. Some-
times I contact tour groups at our destina-
tion. Once we have settled on a place to
visit and have booked our tickets, I do re-
search on the place we are visiting (Internet,
library and by contacting residents through
Couchsurfing.com) to learn as much as I
can about the sights, local customs and their
history.
“PHOTOS ARE COMPOSED IN YOUR MIND. CAMERAS ONLY
CAPTURE WHAT YOU SEE. SPEND YOUR MONEY ON LEARNING
YOUR CRAFT AND NOT ON FLASHY EQUIPMENT.”
What are your personal natural or man-
made seven wonders?
1. Foz Do Iguacu (Iguassu Falls) - The most
spectacular waterfall that I’ve ever seen.
Stunning!
2. The Great Pyramids of Egypt - What more
I can say, they are on everyone’s list.
3. Angkor Wat and other temples at Angkor,
Cambodia – The glory that was abandoned
and rediscovered in modern times.
4. Juizhaigou Valley, Sichuan Province,
China - Pure beauty in an unspoiled set-
ting. The Great Wall and Terra Cotta
Soldiers are more historic, but to me Jui-
zhaigou Valley is the number one site to
see in all of China.
5. Annapurna Mountain Range, Nepal
Walking in the foothills of these majes-
tic mountain peaks comes the closest to
my idea of heaven.
6. Taj Mahal, Agra, India - An eternal monu-
ment of love whose pictures do not do
it justice.
7. Inle Lake, Myanmar (Burma) - Amazingly
located on the summit of a mountain
3,000 feet above sea level, Inle Lake
contains a complete ecosystem and is a
joy to behold.
84 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
There are plenty of other places that are
enchanting as well such as Lhasa, Moscow
and St. Petersburg, Istanbul, Paris, Yosem-
ite, the Amazon, Weligama Sri Lanka. And
then, of course there are the places I haven’t
been to yet.
The Mighty Waters of Foz do Iguacu
What are your travel pleasures? What do
you do while traveling which you wouldn’t
do or get away with at home?
With so many countries and so many cities,
towns and villages – we always go to places
we haven’t been to before, so each trip is a
new discovery – on a journey, we are com-
mitted to make the best use of our time.
While most people like restful, lazy holi-
days, I try to maximize the time we have to
see as much as I can. After all, I can always
Inle Lake - Temple on Water, Myanmar
rest once we get home. If the weather co-
operates, I’m up and about for sunrise pic-
tures, then back to the hotel for breakfast be-
fore exploring during the day. If we are on
a tour, I normally eat lunch quickly (or not
at all) and see the local stores and people.
My wife and I walk in residential areas near
the hotel at night to observe local people.
Markets are also good places to catch local
flavors. The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza, Egypt
Describe your perfect travel day.
A perfect day would be one where we get to
see the great beauty of our world which we
hadn’t seen before. Or it might be a chance
to visit local people in new places with op-
portunities to learn about their culture and
daily lives.
What is the biggest reward for a traveler/
photographer?
Since it is a hobby and not work, the rewards
are what I do – exploring, learning, just do-
Sunrise over Lake Wanaka - South Island New Zealand
ing what I love doing the most.
What have you learned about yourself
through your travels?
A large dose of humility and that the most
important things in life aren’t what we own,
but what we can share with others. Friends,
in all walks of life, are to be treasured.
Angkor Wat - landscape sunrise shot from across the lily pond
After so many awards do you still
consider yourself as a “rank amateur
photographer”?
I consider myself a tourist traveler, one who
also takes photos to document the journey –
for my own enjoyment and also to share my
experiences with an expanding list of family
and friends from all over the world. As such,
almost all places I visit are places that I will
get to see only once. Whatever the weather
conditions, whatever the time of day, I at-
tempt to capture the highlights of each day
– but within these restraints, I try to stamp
my own style on what and who I see.
While my work is probably good enough
to make some money as a ‘professional’, as
many of my photographer friends will attest
to, (http://www.samsays.com/GuestGallery.
htm) it is tough to make a living doing it.
There’s an old joke that I like: What is the
difference between a photographer and a
large pizza? While it is somewhat corny –
the answer is that the large pizza can feed a
family of four.
Among all the countries that you have
traveled how would you rate Nepal?
I’d definitely rate it a Top 5 location, one
which I recommend to anyone and every-
one I meet. It is such a historic country
of diverse contrasts, with beautiful natural
scenery and wonderful people.
What’s the most dangerous place you’ve
been to? What was the situation, person
or thing that made you fear for your
safety?
Since I am too old for adventure holidays
such as mountain climbing or wilderness
hiking, I’ve been most concerned in places
with political unrest. The most dangerous
place would be Tehran, Iran during the 1979
revolution. I spent two weeks there during a
very tense time and actually visited the Amer-
ican Consulate there within a month. Armed
citizens patrolled the streets, stopped cars (in-
cluding mine) randomly and long-time resi-
dents formed long lines every day stretching
around the block to get exit visas.
I am positive that all calls were monitored,
travel within the city was restricted and the
government officials and business acquain-
tances I met with were all tense. While I
wasn’t that afraid, I was definitely relieved
when my flight took off when I left!
Which foreign city would you most like to
live in for a year?
My favorite city is Hong Kong, and I have
lived here for more than six years now. It
is a wonderful city, the financial center of
Asia, easy to get around in and combines
the best of both the west and the east. It is
also a great launch pad to see the world.
On our travels, my wife and I often look at
living conditions and the real estate markets
during our travels, and I have not found any
city in any country that I like quite as much.
While I am proud to be a US Citizen, Hong
Kong is definitely my new home.
Any favorite experiences you want to
share with us?
I have definitely been blessed to see the
places I have seen and each trip has been
rewarding in its own way. I really would be
hard pressed to pick a favorite, though these
would probably rank right up there as being
the most memorable:
• Hiking in the Annapurnas – experienc-
ing the people, the majestic mountains
and nature.
• Tour to Burma (Myanmar) – such beau-
tiful people, such historic, beautiful
sights, more or less enslaved by one of
the worst governments in the world. It
is definitely a place to visit (avoid gov-
ernment owned hotels and tour groups).
Your travel dollars are a major source of
income for its residents.
• Driving on the coast of New Zealand’s
South Island – majestic discoveries
around every bend on the road.
• Driving down Highway one coast from
Monterey to Central California – pure
heaven.
Any tips for aspiring travelers/
photographers?
• Photos are composed in your mind.
Cameras only capture what you see.
Spend your money on learning your
craft and not on flashy equipment.
• To become a good photographer, it is im-
portant to learn the elements of composi-
tion and the use of light and shadow.
• If you treat everyone you meet with re-
spect and use common courtesy, they
will respond in kind.
• Enjoy it. Life is a journey, go with the
flow and document what you see.

“NEPAL IS DEFINITELY A TOP 5 LOCATION. IT IS SUCH A

HISTORIC COUNTRY OF DIVERSE CONTRASTS, WITH BEAUTIFUL
NATURAL SCENERY AND REALLY WONDERFUL PEOPLE.”

You can get to know more about me through my website: www.samsays.com

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 85

 PERFECTTAKEAWAYS

Text by Utsav Shakya

86 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

IN THE YEAR 2004, archaeologists unearthed
41 pea-sized shell beads in the Blombos
Caves, South Africa, dated at 75,000 years.
The shells were all punctured in the same
place and showed signs of wear, as if they
had been strung together into a necklace or
perhaps a bracelet. They are the oldest re-
cord of personal ornamentation ever found,
suggesting that African humans from this
time could think symbolically and were
more culturally advanced than previously
believed to be. This seemingly boring piece
of information proves that beads have been
‘in’ for a long, long time now. So when you
do buy beads for yourself or as souvenirs for
your friends and family, you can be assured
that you have history on your side.
Beads have a lot going for them. For one
most beads are very organic in composition.
A lot of times they are built from organic
matter such as bones and horns of animals.
Whereas all other parts of a carcass decom-
pose, bones and horns do not. These bones
and horns are then cut into smaller, man-
ageable pieces and then using different
WHEN YOU DO BUY BEADS
tools are morphed into desired shapes. Most FOR YOURSELF OR AS
of the beads available in the market today
are made thus. Even in death, some animals SOUVENIRS FOR YOUR
prove to be more useful than most humans FRIENDS AND FAMILY, YOU
are alive! Understandably though, the idea
of wearing something made from a dead CAN BE ASSURED THAT
animal might not appeal to many people,
especially to vegetarians. Fortunately, all
YOU HAVE HISTORY ON
beads are not made from dead animals. YOUR SIDE.
Perhaps keeping such people in mind, there
are beads made out of wood, plastic, rubber,
ceramic and even glass. But whatever beads
are made out of, they are popular for a few
simple reasons. Firstly, beads are just not as
stuck up-looking as gold and silver jewelry.
Beads have a minimalist look that goes well
with laid back personalities. You probably
would not want to take beads as a gift for
your workaholic banker friend. On second
thought, you could make him wear it and
enjoy the repercussions of your action.
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 87
 Beads are very versatile too. They are available in dif-
ferent shapes, different sizes and can be arranged in a
dizzying number of ways. Most shops in Kathmandu that
deal with beads, besides already offering amazing designs
also provide you the option of letting you design your own
necklace or bracelet. All you have to do is select the beads
and then let your creative juices flow as you design a
necklace yourself or ask the owner to do it for you. Al-
though the services are not available in Nepal, at least
not in shops in the tourist district of Thamel in Kath-
mandu, there are bead dealers who put a whole new
twist to the word customizing. Some beads are even
made from blown glass ensuring no one else can
ever have something that looks exactly like yours.
The use of colored beads at some of these exclu-
sive shops is just mad. You name it and they can
one up you with their crazy color themes and
crazier designs. Beads can also be used with
a lot of other material to get some amazing
designs. The most complementary materi-
als used with beads are leather, stones and
silver besides rubber and plastic beads
that contrast the more organic beads.
Beads have for a long time now, also
been associated with the Rastafar-
ian lifestyle, primarily because of
its laidback image. On the other
hand, they are also associated
with a not so laid back life-
style - that of Hindu reli-
gious fanatics who are
crazy about Rudraksha
beads. There are
plenty of variet-
ies of this
special
Rudraksha is said to
have many beneficiary
qualities supposedly due
to its unique electrical and
magnetic properties.
88 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
bead. They grow on a broad leaved Rudraksha tree, something
that is native to the area stretching from the Gangetic plains to
the foothills of the Himalayas. These beads are mainly used
to make Hindu rosaries, always using 108 beads. Rudrak-
sha is also used in the treatment of various diseases in tra-
ditional Indian medicine. Many mythological tales refer to
the Rudraksha beads as the eyes of Lord Shiva. It is said
to have many beneficiary qualities supposedly due to its
unique electrical and magnetic properties. And because
the Rudraksha is totally natural, no two beads are exactly
the same. These too can be customized if you happen
to be the sort of person who wants to get creative with
something that usually is not and think that it is alright
to have a little fun with religious and mythological
beliefs (it is!).
But coming back to the point of buying beads as
souvenirs, the fact of the matter is and this might
sound bad but beads really are a safe bet. But not
safe in the boring sense of the word but safe as
in everyone I know loves beads. And every-
one you know probably does too. And there
are just too many varieties and designs and
colors for you to go wrong. So the next
time you are on holiday in Nepal and
you happen to find yourself stumped
over what to get for a friend, just
bead it!
For more information on beads:
HIMALAYAN ASIA CRAFT
(Manufacturer, exporter and
wholesaler of Nepali Handicrafts)
www.himalayanasiacrafts.com
TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 89
 FLASHBACK

LO-MANTHANG
EXPRESS
Excerpts from Travel Times’ July edition cover story. The author, David
Yonzan, was a part of the trio who rode their cycles to Lo-Manthang
and back.

I’m back from Lo Manthang but the memories of this

enchanting place still haunt me. The experience of cycling on
this Tibetan plateau will always stay close to me. The people,
the place, the silence, the sights…..it’s a different planet! After
our safe journey back, many people asked us if we were crazy, I
had but one answer, “I’m addicted to adventure.” The brave at
heart have booked their saddle and want to join us on our next
cycling trip, while the rest have asked us to make our wills.

Like someone said, “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re
taking up too much space.” We’re planning a dirt biking event
to Mustang soon and if it’s your cup of tea, let me know. You
can reach me at david@yetitravels.com

Adventure sports in Nepal is a wave we just cannot afford to

miss. The National Geographic Adventure Magazine didn’t
call Nepal one of the best destinations for adventure sports for
nothing!

90 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

 TRAVELGALLERY

TIMES
IMAGE OF THE MONTH
By PRASHANT SHRESTHA The night lights in Patan Durbar Square Sony Cybershot DSC-F717 F/8 / Ex Time 2 sec.

SEPTEMBER 2009 91
To publish your photographs in this section, submit to info@traveltimes-mag.com with photo and camera details.

DASHAIN
&
TIHAR
CELEBRATIONS IN
THE AUTUMN
As the monsoons cease, the skies clear up - more
blue than grey. The rolling hills and imposing
mountains which surround the valley that until
now remained clouded over by overcast skies
become visible once again. The air is crisper.
Birds perch atop windowsills as gold yellow
leaves float down from tall skeletal trees to the
ground. Children swarm the streets, steering their
kites or running after one that’s been cut off and
now sways in all directions as it glides down into
the hands of one lucky child. Autumn is here and
it’s quite a sight.
92 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES
FESTIVALWATCH
Nepali people have more reason perhaps to
rejoice the arrival of autumn than any other. The
Hindu festivals of Dashain and Tihar lie in this
season and with it, the country gets basked in
a celebratory mood. Dashain is a festival that
commemorates the victory of good over evil.
Starting of with Ghata Sthapana when the seeds
of ‘jamara’ are planted, the initial days of the ten
day festival mark the battle between good and
evil. The latter days mark first, the victory of the
good forces and secondly a round of celebrations
for the same. Of the ten day long celebration, a
grand demonstration in the Tundikhel grounds
in Kathmandu which was originally observed by
members of the royal family and is now presided
over by the President marks Fulpati. On Tika, the
final day of Dashain, elders of the family put Tika
- made of red vermilion, rice grains, milk curd and
water – on the foreheads of younger members
of the family. They also give the jamara which is
planted on the first day. This act represents the
elders blessing the younger ones for good health
and prosperity.
Tihar on the other hand is a celebration of life.
Besides other rituals, the festival comprises of
a day to worship Laxmi -the Hindu goddess of
prosperity, Bhai Tika - a day to celebrate the
special relation between a brother and a sister
and Mha Puja - a ritual where people worship
their own selves. Both celebrations are popular
for consumption of copious amounts of home
made liquor called Aela in Newari, a variety of
traditional dishes and gambling. Gambling in the
form of various card games as well as ‘langur
burja’- a traditional board game played by
rolling three dices - are very popular amongst all
Nepalese during this season. There is no getting
away from kites either. Terraces teem with kite
enthusiasts, both old and young, as they try to cut
off the strings attached to other kites. The festive
moods - like the kites - soar up into the wide
expanse of the clear blue sky.
7
TRIPCLIPPER

PERFECT
GETAWAYS
Wouldn’t you want to make your holidays more memorable with an
exciting tour of some of the world’s most sought after destinations? We
already envision you being bombarded with too many ideas and too many
suggestions, Travel Times brings to you its own travel planner to help you
y choices.
narrow down your
We asked some of our well-traveled colleagues and came that you would not be able to walk a block without
up with a range of eclectic answers. All of the seven stumbling upon something worthy of admission. Others
popular getaways we have chosen fall in Asia. Some are remain almost untouched by modernity. No matter where
metropolitan centers so dense with history and culture your feet carry you, give this a read!

Text by Prabindra Shakya

BHUTAN The pristine environment, strong

sense of culture and traditions
of Bhutan define it as “the Last
alternative vision of what’s important
in life, and a last bastion of pristine
Tibetan-influenced culture that few other
Shangri-La” in the modern world. travelers have experienced. As travel
There’s nowhere on earth quite like becomes more homogenized, Bhutan
Bhutan. The last remaining Himalayan stands out for being unique; the kind of
kingdom is a land apart, where place that, long after you’ve returned
Bhutanese men stroll the streets clad home, you start to think was all a dream.
in traditional robes and knee-length If Shangri-La exists today, Bhutan is your
argyle socks, and local astrologers best hope of finding it.
still guide people through life’s major
decisions.
What you get for your tourist tan?
surcharge in the “LAND OF THE Why Bhu
ulture,
THUNDER DRAGON” is a guided tour ue relig ion and c
Uniq and
tradition
of the country’s unique and dramatic medieval ndid arts and
sple
dzongs (a cross between a monastery customs, logy,
stine eco
and feudal fort), pilgrimage sites, crafts, pri
paradis .
e
ancient Tibetan-style temples and trekkers’
spectacular festivals. Add to this a Why India:
trek through pristine forests towards
stunning eastern Himalayan views
and you can be pretty sure this will be
the trip of your lifetime.
For more information and detailed itinerary to
More than this, a trip to Bhutan Bhutan, log on to www.gorkhatravels.com or
offers a peek at an admirably call 9841 593441

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 93

 INDIA
Want to travel all over Asia anachronistic lifestyle as well as to the
authentically? More a world of its urban jet-setter. The timeless mystery
own than a country, India is what high and beauty of India can be experienced
definition cameras were made for. only by visiting this ancient land. There’s
Grab a cup of chai by the roadside just one thing you’ll need to travel
and watch the mingling of religions, through 5000 years of culture and
customs, people, colors and cows tradition- a comfortable pair of sneakers.
as they parade by, oblivious to your
presence. India is your brain on fire,
yet as soon as you leave, you’ll itch to
?
return, even if it’s just for the cellular Why India
ch
service. ligions, ri
Diverse re festivities, vivid
nd
Bounded by majestic Himalayan cultures a magnificent
sc a pe s,
land royal
ranges in the north with splendid
to ric al sites and
foothill valleys, bordered by plateaus, his te m ples,
ering
tropical rain forests and sandy cities, tow arks, exquisite
ndm
deserts further south and edged artistic la we could go
elic ac ie s…
d
by an endless stretch of golden n!
one an o d
beaches, India is a vivid kaleidoscope
of landscapes, magnificent historical
sites, royal cities, misty mountain
retreats, colorful people, rich culture For more information and detailed itinerary
and festivities. Modern India is home to India, log on to www.gorkhatravels.com or
call 9841 593441
to the tribal population with their

CHINA As mythical as the dragon, China Summer Olympics), a wealth of luxury

takes the best of the past, present accommodations – and as always –
and future and blends it into a exquisite cuisine. These attractions are
diverse and ever-changing society. just a few of the impressive experiences,
The clash of influences and eras but to truly travel Asia you must visit the
scattered throughout the country, Far East.
such as the old world European
design of shops along the Bund
facing the ultra modern Oriental
Pearl Tower in revived Shanghai
a?
never ceases to amaze even the Why Chin
ivilization
most jaded traveler. ancient c
Blend of cture,
rn archite
China is forever linked to its ancient and mode ine,
cuis ,
exquisite terpieces
civilization, friendly people, and logical mas es.
archaeo ne ri
many of the world’s most revered atural sce
treasures, such as The Great Wall, diverse n
Terra-Cotta Warriors & Horses and
the Yangtze River – to name just
a few. Natural scenery as sparse
as the Gobi desert in the north
or as lush as the Yangtze River
draws thousands of tourists to this
country every year. Today, one can
also find spectacular architecture For more information and detailed itinerary to
and towering skylines in Shanghai China, log on to www.gorkhatravels.com or
call 9841 593441
and Beijing (site of the 2008

94 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

THAILAND With some of the world’s most
over-the-top hotels and resorts,
exciting and diverse destinations in
Southeast Asia. Whether you’re looking
incredible food, high style, warm for extreme sporting adventures,
people, unrivalled spas, beautiful leisurely boat rides through the canals of
landscapes and sea beaches, this is a Bangkok or a night on the town where
country with something for everyone. anything goes – Thailand, the land of
Sun-seekers can bliss out on achingly smile, never disappoints.
beautiful beaches and swim in the
clearest turquoise seas, Foodies get
to enjoy one of the most distinctive
iland?
and delicious cuisines of the world, Why Tha
es and
sleek bars and restaurants to play in, landscap dging,
Beautiful vis h lo
hes, la
while shoppers get their retail fix in sea beac radise, superior
pa
cool designer boutiques and colorful shopping ing
local markets. h tsee in g and din
sig iv ers e
ities, d
opportun ie s, tra dition
From exclusive service to superior tivit
leisure ac
opportunities for sightseeing, re…
and cultu
accommodation, dining and
shopping, you will find plenty to
appreciate here. No matter how many
times you’ve visited before, there is
always something fresh to discover in
Thailand. Variety is indeed the spice
of life here. Bungalows on a deserted
For more information and detailed itinerary
beach, full moon parties, bargain
to Thailand, log on to www.gorkhatravels.
shopping, royal palaces and religious com or call 9841 593441
Wats make Thailand one of the most

MALAYSIA Two extremes - from postcard- is its contrasts. Towering skyscrapers

perfect national forests and marine look down upon wooden houses built
parks with beaches that stretch on on stilts, and five-star hotels sit several
forever to high end resorts skimming meters away from ancient reefs. For the
the surface of Malaysia’s hidden perfect holiday full of surprises, eclectic
treasures. Travelers will get to cultures and natural wonders, the time is
experience small town culture, its now, the place is Malaysia.
history and culture as well as relaxing
shopping in its capital city Kuala
Lumpur; all of this punctuated with
some of the best food in the world.
ysia?
A multicultural lifestyle has not only Why Mala
rests
made Malaysia a gastronomical ational fo
Perfect n ith
e pa w
rks
paradise, but its also made and marin xing shopping,
rela
Malaysia home to hundreds of beaches, cultures,
colorful festivals. It’s no wonder iverse small town e
d fin
hopping,
that celebrations and socializing relaxing s tion and dining…
da
are so common here. As a people, accommo
Malaysians are very laid back, warm
and friendly. Geographically, Malaysia
is as diverse as its culture. Cool
hideaways are found in the highlands
that roll down to warm, sandy
beaches and rich, humid mangroves. For more information and detailed itinerary
to Malaysia, log on to www.gorkhatravels.
One of Malaysia’s key attractions com or call 9841 593441

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 95

 SINGAPORE
Casual travelers, unable to look friendly and welcoming people, state-
past the steel and concrete, quickly of-the-art infrastructure and something
dismiss Singapore as one giant mall. new happening everyday, your stay will
But the country’s unique style, culture be a memorable mix-and-match of all
and identity stems from its mix of the things you have always wanted to
inhabitants from China, India, Arabia do. Visit and enjoy countless fascinating
and Britain. A sprinkling of spices, experiences, and take away memories
languages and superstitions, there’s that are uniquely Singapore.
more to Singapore than meets the
eye.
A single day’s trail through this apore?
Why Sing
dynamic city with a harmonious nation,
ping desti ure
blend of culture, cuisine, art and Top shop e c ult
t uniqu
architecture will swing you back mixed bu lorful ethnic
, co
and forth between the past and the and style -of-
com m un ities, state
future, from a colorful ethnic enclave , new
tructure
to an efficient business centre, from art-infras
gs…
serene gardens to sleek skyscrapers. happenin
Brimming with unbridled energy and
bursting with exciting events, the city
offers countless unique, memorable
experiences. For more information and detailed itinerary
to Singapore, log on to www.gorkhatravels.
Singapore is truly a city like no other, com or call 9841 593441
a world of possibilities. With its

TIBET One of the most politically disputed Buddhist influence.

regions in Asia, Tibet offers plenty of
There are various festivals in Tibet.
opportunities to observe Buddhism,
The Tibetan New Year, their largest
local culture and beaming smiles i.e.
festival, is followed by others such as
once the altitude sickness wears off.
the Wangkor Festival and also some
Known as the ‘top of the world’, Tibet
amazing horse races. The awe-inspiring
is famous for the spiritual leader, the
treks and temples of this Himalayan
Dalai Lama, stunning vistas of Mt.
hideaway certainly make you feel, as the
Everest and its incredible white and
Tibetans say, that you have crossed over
ochre citadel, the Potala in Lhasa.
into another world.
Spiritual traditions, temples and
monasteries, lakes and rivers, and
mighty snow clad peaks are just
t?
a few of the intoxicating wonders Why Tibe
to be experienced by adventurous e
view of th d
travelers destined to visit this land Stunning mples an
s, te
of rich natural resources and ancient Himalaya , ancient religion
es
cultures. Tibetan history, culture and monasteri , awe inspiring
cu ltu re s
and
religion are mixed well and infiltrate kk ing …
tre
every aspect of social life. Tibetan
religious art has a distinctive style
with adoption of Indian and Chinese

Select your destination and make this holiday a memorable one. For further enquiry, contact at:

Gorkha Travels Pvt. Ltd. Phone : 977 1 4440761, 4440765, 4440780

Marcopolo Business Complex Fax : 977 1 4440763 E-mail : info@gorkhatravels.com
P.O.B. 629, Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu, Nepal URL : www.gorkhatravels.com

96 SEPTEMBER 2009 TIMES

TIMES SEPTEMBER 2009 97
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