Category Archives: Australia

Dashain and Kite Festival

Posted on September 21, 2017 | 11 comments

Today, 21st September is Ghatasthapana, the first day of Dashain and in Sydney the celebration has already started. Last Saturday, like every year, Guthi Australia organised a free event to celebrate the Dashain in the Rockdale Bicentenary Park.

They have been organising this event for the last few years and I really like it as it is a perfect place to catch up with friends and family. They try to bring the Dashain vibe to Sydney as much as possible by organising lots of cultural and traditional programs during this auspicious time of the year.

We went there around lunch time and headed straight to food stalls. We had momos and Sel roti.

As we sat to eat, we started encountering many friends and family. After the quick bite, we went and tried out our hand at flying a kite.

My attempt was unsuccessful with my nephew as it didn’t go very high but there were some pro kite flyers who were doing a really good job.

The main highlights of the event for me were the Rath (Charito), Kumari, Lakhe dance, Pulu kisi and colourful kites in the sky.

There was a little girl dresses up as Kumari, the only living Goddess in the world worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal.

We also enjoyed the Lakhe dance and the Pulu kisi (elephant) dance.

Lakhe is a demon in Nepalese folklore with a ferocious face with protruding fangs and mane of red or black hair, who protects the people.

Pulu Kisi is believed to be the carrier of Indra himself. People view the masked creature with a roar of excitement and laughter. From time to time it does naughty and mischievous things by running through the street knocking anyone that comes in its path and swinging its tail.

Chhori had a great time as well running around, playing on the swing in the park and enjoying the food. We had a great time mingling with friends and family .

Wishing you all a very Happy Dashain!!!

Here are the posts I have written regarding Dashian over the years .

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

11 Comments

Posted in Australia, Celebrations, Nepali Culture, Nepali Festivals

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Diamond Head Hike with 2 year toddler

Posted on September 7, 2017 | 4 comments

While in Hawaii, we decided to go and do the famous Diamond Head hike.

Diamond Head Crater is the remains of an extinct volcano with the highest point of the hike being 760 feet. Diamond Head’s Hawaiian name is Le’ahi. After the Pearl Harbor attacks, the military used it as a lookout post installing pillboxes and foxholes to prevent Hawaii from future attacks.

The trail is around 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) with almost 200 steps and a steep uphill tunnel.

Initially, we were not sure if we would be able to do it as there were mixed reviews of the kid friendliness of the hike but after doing lots of research, we decided that we would do it with the worst case scenario being returning in the middle if it was not doable.

As suggested by many people, we wanted to start the hike early in the morning so got there by 8am. It was around 15 minutes’ drive from our apartment. We drove through Kapiolani Park (located at the end of Waikiki) headed towards Diamond Head on Kalakaua Boulevard. It was a beautiful drive that turns into Poni Moi Road and follows the Diamond Head Road going through a tunnel that leads to the center of the Diamond Head Crater where the hike begins.

We thought we beat the traffic and would be the first few people but we were so wrong.

Once we got to the car park, we found that the car park was already full and they asked us to come back later.

We were so disappointed and returned the carpark outside the tunnel which was full as well. We waited for a few minutes there and decided to go back and check again. Luckily the carpark was open and we were allowed to go in after paying $5.

We put our on sunscreens and started our hike. At the start of the hike, there is a sign that said most people take 1.5 – 2 hours to hike to the summit and back.

Chhori started to walk with us but after 5 minutes she wanted us to carry her.  I and AS looked at each other and wondered if we were going to be able to hike or not.

AS decided to carry her first and did the first part of the hike. First half is not very bad at all and we saw lots of kids, older people going or returning from the hike. There were so many people on the trail and we saw parents carrying babies in baby carriers as well.

After around 30 minutes of the hike, I took Chhori and continued our walk. I really enjoyed the hike despite feeling a little hot.

Then came the famous and very steep 99 steps. I told AS I am going to climb the steps in one go carrying Chhori.

AS was worried that I might have to stop and take it slow but me and Chhori counted each step and made it to the top in one go.

Once we climbed the steps, I was tired and waited for AS and my friend to catch up before making our way through another tunnel and up a staircase to the summit.

It was so good to see the wonderful view from top of the crater. We took heaps of photos and rested for a while before trekking down which was much easier than climbing up.

 

Overall we had a great day and an amazing experience.

Few things to remember if you are going for this hike

·         Make sure you carry enough water and sunscreen

·         Go as early as possible to escape the heat and parking drama

·         Make sure to wear comfortable shoes

·         It is possible to do this hike with kids but be prepared to carry them or turn back if needed

Take care everyone,

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

 

 

4 Comments

Posted in Holidays, USA - Hawaii

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Aloha Hawaii

Posted on July 4, 2017 | 4 comments

We are back from our amazing tropical holiday and never before have I been so keen to go back to the same holiday destination as soon as I got back. We just loved the place, the amazing weather, warm warm and warm :), the food, the people and so many choices for shopping, all of us are in love with the place.

We were welcomed in Hawaiian style by our friends and it started our amazing time.

The Airbnb we booked was perfect with a big kitchen for us to enjoy breakfast at home and to make quick snacks for Chhori. The location was great too as it was just 2 minute walk to the International Market and 5 minutes to Waikiki beach.

We caught up with my friend and she drove us around the island so we got to do and see more stuff. It was great to see her after so many years.

The highlight of the trip for Chhori was definitely the Hilton Lagoon as she didn’t want to go back once we were there.

For me, the shopping was so great, so much cheaper than Sydney.

We managed to do everything on our list except Honolulu zoo but did manage to do other stuff. Here is the full list which I will blog about slowly.

  • Waikiki Beach
  • Hilton Lagoon
  • Road trip along the North Shore and enjoying yummy food from a food truck
  • Trurtle Beach
  • Hanauma Bay
  • Marukame Udon place
  • Diamond Head Crater Hike
  • Pearl Harbor
  • Manoa Waterfall
  • Dole Plantation
  • Chief’s Luau
  • Pali viewpoint

Today I will leave you with some amazing captures from our holiday.

Take care everyone and will catch up soon.

For now , let me relive my holiday looking at these photos on this cold Sydney day.

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

4 Comments

Posted in Holidays, USA - Hawaii

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Vivid 2017

Posted on June 15, 2017 | 6 comments

Vivid Sydney is an annual light show that showcases great ideas and creativity of amazing artists. The event has spectacular illumination of the Sydney Opera House sails, botanical garden and an amazing water show at Darling Harbor.

Last week, we went to Vivid like every year as it is one of the best shows Sydney puts on apart from the New Year fireworks.

This year, canon had a special setup in front of the Opera house and Harbor Bridge. We queued up for 30 minutes to take our photo and it was worth it :).

They emailed the digital version and gave us printed copy as well.

Overall, we had a great evening out and Chhori enjoyed it a lot too.

Have a great day everyone.

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Take care

6 Comments

Posted in Australia

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We are going to Hawaii

Posted on June 1, 2017 | 10 comments

I am excited to let you guys know that we will be going to Hawaii soon. I booked the holiday almost 6 months ago now and with everything happening around me, almost forgot to plan what to do and where to go. Now we only have a few weeks to go and I am frantically googling things to do there which are toddler friendly.

On top of being a holiday, I am also excited to be meeting one of my best friends from school whom I haven’t seen for almost a decade now. She lives in the mainland USA but will be coming to Hawaii to see me and it is so exciting.

It will be a great reunion as so much has happened since we last met. The last time I went to the USA, she was living in New York and we had a great time together going to places and living a single girl’s life.

Now, both of us are married and have kids. I can’t believe we are in such a different stage of our life. We have so many memories together from school. We do talk frequently over the phone but seeing her will be a treat for sure.

It will be Chhori’s first time to the USA and AS will love this holiday as it will bring back a lot of memories for him, all the American food and shops.

I plan to relax and unwind and do loads of shopping 🙂

Anyway if you know Hawaii and have any recommendations for food, shopping or sightseeing which are toddler friendly, please do share that with me.

I will be very happy to share my experience once I get back.

Thanks everyone.

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

10 Comments

Posted in Holidays

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