Category Archives: Travel

Our Story: Memories from the past – Part 7

This is a continuation of my previous post. Please read the previous posts here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

After I finished chatting with AS I boarded the plane to my destination, Kathmandu.  My fight to Nepal was around 3.5 hours. During the 8 hours conversation with AS at one point I was thinking, I wish life was simple and I could get a man like AS. At that point I didn’t see any possibility of AS being my partner as I was 100% sure there was no way AS would ever go for a gal like me. I knew him in school and talking in chats and Skype, I got to know him better.

I knew he was a family orientated simple guy who was an introvert while I was an extrovert who laughs loud and talks all the time. A blind person would have easily seen the differences between us.

But that conversation had cleared my mind. I was mentally prepared to get married with someone nice and fulfil all my dreams. I decided that it was time for me to get married and settle down so that I could plan of my future. The marriage thing definitely was blocking my life from moving ahead as I didn’t know what to expect in the future so didn’t plan anything at all.

The flight to Kathmandu was smooth and I was finally in Nepal. When I landed in Nepal, it was very exciting. It was nice to meet my parents after over a year.

My mum had cooked my favourite dishes and I was delighted to eat all the yummy food. I was really looking forward to going on holiday with my parents.

It was Sunday afternoon and we were going to catch a flight for our Nepal and India tour the next afternoon as from Tuesday there was a Nepal Bandh (Nepal closed down due to political reason). It was really annoying that I didn’t get to rest well but if we didn’t fly out on Sunday we might not be able to go on holiday as we didn’t know how long the Nepal Bandh was going to last.

That afternoon I called AS and told him that I was going out of the valley for holiday and may not be in touch for a while. I gave my new mobile number and asked him to message me when his flight to Kathmandu was finalised.

That evening I was going through my old stuffs in my room when I stumble on a box from school and it had lots of old pictures and my memo book.

The old photos were so awesome, so many stories, so many memories and so much fun to look at. It felt like that it was just yesterday that I was enjoying going hiking, going to restaurants or just mocking around with my friends from school. It is true what they say that school days are the best time of your life.

Our old photos (2) Our old photos (1)

One of the things I did on the last week of school was made a memory book and asked all my friends to drop a few words for me. I knew it would be a great memory for future.

Going through that memo book was bringing back lots of memory. Most of my friends wrote few words or half a page but when I reached the page that AS wrote, I was surprised that he managed to write 3 pages. Seriously, I didn’t notice that much before but going through that I was feeling good. He always knew what to say. It felt really good to read it again.

 memo book

I had dinner and spend some time with my parents. Unpack stuffs from Australia and packed a smaller suitcase to take with me for our next holiday.

Next morning, as I was getting ready to go to the airport, AS call me on my phone.

AS: hello

Me: hello

AS: glad I caught you before you left for the airport

Me: Ya, just getting ready to go now. Waiting for mum to finish.

AS: Just want to wish you a great holiday. I know you’re gonna enjoy it

Me: I hope it will be fun as planned. Both my parents are excited to go and I am just happy that I will be with them 24 x 7 for the next 2 weeks.

AS: I think I can call you while you are still in Nepal but when you cross the border into India, I may not be able to.

Me: Let me see if I can buy a sim in India. Let you know if that is a possibility. Either way give me the good news when I return.

AS: Hope so .OK, take care and have a safe journey .What time is your flight?

Me: At 2pm

AS: OK have fun

Me: Thanks. Take care.

He hung up the phone. My parents were ready to leave so we went to the airport to board our flight to Bhadrapur airport. There we would be met by tour guide who would take us around Darjeeling and Sikkim in India and to Illam and Pashupathi Nagar in Mirik in Nepal.

It was a nightmare at the domestic airport in Nepal. It didn’t even look like an airport. It was chaos everywhere and we didn’t even know when to board the plane.  We just waited in the waiting area and hoped that we will hear the announcement for our flight.

I heard someone shout our flight number so told my parents to get ready to board. At that time, AS sent me a text,” Remember to enjoy your holiday. Have fun for me as well.”

It definitely brought a smile to my face and was thanking god for sending a good friend back into my life.

I replied “Thanks and I will have a great time 🙂

We boarded the plane and took off for a nice holiday away from everyday life. It was my first time to Darjeeling and Sikkim and I was really looking forward to all the nice things the places have to offer.

I will write more about the journey to Darjeeling and Sikkim next so do come back for more. Till then take care.

XOXO

M from nepaliaustralian

Go to Part 8

You may also like:

*Our Story: Singapore airport – Part 6 *Our Story: Back to Sydney – Part 3 *Our Story: Good friends again – Part 4

Recycling and reusing in Nepal

This article was published in +977 (a Nepalese Lifestyle Magazine in Australia) in April 2013 issue.

recycling post blog

My recent visit to Nepal has given me inside to many things and one of them is recycling and using anything and everything possible.

Recycling is very important, but even better is reusing. I was really impressed on reusing skill on people from Nepal. From old metal cans, plastic bags, old newspapers, packing containers and old clothes, Nepali housewives especially found ways to give second life for simple items around their home by reusing them.

I really think people living in west are spoiled and they really need to learn how to reuse and recycle than buying things that are use and throw. I have to admit, even though I am conscious about recycling and reusing, I have a long way to go to be anywhere near these housewives. I am going to remember from now on that not everything is destined for the rubbish bin. I need to think before I throw.

No matter how rich or how poor people are, most Nepali people reuse lots of thing and this is what I observe.

  • Plastic grocery bags used as small trash can bags.
  • Ziplock bags washed and reused.
  • Worn out clothes used as rags to clean floors and windows.
  • Margarine and butter tubs used as takeaway containers.
  • Everyone unwrap their gifts very careful so they can reuse the wrapping paper.
  • Shoe boxes used as storage containers for small items.
  • Old toothbrush used to clean hard to reach areas like around the sink, your drains, faucets and grout.
  • Newspaper used for cleaning windows and mirrors. Also it is used to clean up after pets.
  • Old glass bottles from tomato sauce or honey used as storage container for herbs and spices in the kitchen.It can be also be used as a stationary organiser.

  • Small jars from jams used as candle holders.
  • Old saucers used as soap dishes.
  • Mugs are used as utensil holders.

  •  Leftovers are put in freeze and used in fried rice the next day.
  • Any kind of boxes used as storage containers or organisers.
  •  Plastic milk jugs, juice containers, big coke bottles used to store water.
  •  Small plastic water or soda bottles used to take water with you while out and about.

If you are interested in any of the ideas, please Google and you will find heaps of ideas on how to turn your trash into treasure and you will be surprised how good they look. Also it will help you save some money and you are doing your bit to save the environment.

Do you recycle?

Till next post, take care.

M from nepaliaustralia

XOXO

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*Bolne ko pitho bikchhare, nabolne ko ta chamal pani bikdaina
 

Holiday in Picture

I am currently on holiday on north coast of Sydney. The place is just beautiful so  sharing some photos.

Holiday (1)

Holiday (14) Holiday (12) Holiday (2) Holiday (3) Holiday (4) Holiday (5) Holiday (6) Holiday (7) Holiday (8) Holiday (9) Holiday (10) Holiday (11)  Holiday (13)

Till next post, take care.

M from nepaliaustralia

XOXO

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Namo Buddha : Nepal

Namo Buddha is about 40km away from the heart of Kathmandu City. It is in Kavre District towards the southeast of the valley. Driving from Kathmandu, it took us around 2 hours to get there. We left the paved road and drove on dirt road after an hour. After about 45 minutes we caught a glimpse of the temple through the clouds.

namo buddha  (1)

Namo Buddha is a beautiful place far from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, with no pollution, and the air is so fresh and cool. Situated at an elevation of 1750 m above sea level, Namo Buddha is a great tourist destination around Kathmandu valley. From the top of the hill you can see the snow-covered Himalayan ranges which look so pure and amazing.

namo buddha  (3)

From the Buddhist point of view, Namo Buddha is one of the most important religious sites in Nepal. There are three major Buddhist pilgrimage sites: Boudha Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa and Namo Buddha.

I went there with my parents and an aunty.Once we parked the car, we had to go through a big gate to reach the stupa. The stupa was not as big as Boudha Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa but has high significance.

namo buddha  (4)

According to history around 6000 years ago prince Great Being (Ngingdui Tshenpo Mahasatwo), found a tigress lying near a rock at the top of the hill, overlooking the jungle. Very quickly, he realized that she was going to die. Her five babies were still little and their survival depended on their mother. Ngingdui Tshenpo,  was a young man who had his own kingdom but he decide to give his life to the tigress in a bust of love and compassion. The tigress refused. When the tigress refused to eat him, he decided to cut his arm to feed his warm blood to the tigress. The taste of blood gave the tigress an appetite and finally she accepted the sacrifice from the prince. The tigress left only the bare bones of the prince which were brought back in the village and buried in a tomb which became the actual stupa of Namo Buddha. Some 3500 years later, the Gautam Buddha came to the village of Sange da Fyafulsa; he went around the Stupa three times and declared that he was the reincarnation of Prince Ngingdui Tshenpo. It was that moment that Gautam Buddha renamed this village and henceforth the name of Namo Buddha which means First Buddha.

namo buddha  (2)

My mum and my aunty bought the butter lamps and offered it to the Buddha and we prayed and went around the Stupa. There were a few kids begging money. At first I didn’t wanted to give money to them and spoil their habit but later I felt sorry for them and gave them 10 rupees each.

namo buddha  (18)

Once we were done, everyone was hungry at this point so we went to a local restaurant. Everyone had rice, dal, vegetable (meat is not available in the local restaurants as Buddhist doesn’t eat meat) but I ordered my favourite Wai Wai instant noodle soup. After lunch we all were recharged and went back in the car to go to the monastery.

namo buddha  (5)

namo buddha  (14)

The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery looked really beautiful up-close. As there was specific time for the opening of the monastery we waited for it to open.  As we waited, we saw there were more people coming to visit the place.

namo buddha  (7)

The inside of the monastery was impressive but pictures are not allowed inside. There were about 10-15 painters working on hand painting the walls.  The walls and ceiling were very colourful with Buddhist paintings. The place is really silent and I could easily imagine why people came there to meditate.

namo buddha  (17)

As we walk out from the monastery, there are prayer wheels all around it.  We rotated the prayer wheels and walked around the monastery. A prayer wheel is a cylindrical “wheel” on a spindle made from metal, wood, stone, leather or coarse cotton. Traditionally, the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum is written in Sanskrit on the outside of the wheel. According to the lineage texts on prayer wheels, prayer wheels are used to accumulate wisdom and merit (good karma) and to purify negativities (bad karma).

namo buddha  (15)

From the monastery, we walked to towards the top of the hill. There is a big statue of the Buddha at one place made out of brass.

namo buddha  (16)

As we walked towards the top of the hill, we reached a stone sculpture that depicted Buddha himself feeding a hungry tigress and her cubs. It is believed that the place is where Buddha gave up his body.

namo buddha  (8) namo buddha  (9)

namo buddha  (10)

Following the ridge to another summit on the same hill, there is another small Stupa which is said to be the spot of the den of the tigress. There, we saw pilgrims lying down on the ground as if offering their bodies to the place. Pieces of cloth hung on the branches of the tree for protection. It was such a beautiful place to be at.

namo buddha  (13) namo buddha  (11)

When we reached the top of the hill, we could see the monastery and the view of the village. On one side we could even see some part of the Karve District forest. The top of the hill is surrounded by colourful prayer flags and there were a few people enjoying their picnic around the area.

namo buddha  (12) namo buddha  (20) namo buddha  (6)

I really liked this side of Kathmandu and it will be a great place for anyone to go for a day or more to enjoy the peace you can find so close to busy Kathmandu.

Till next post, take care!

M from nepaliaustralia

XOXO

P.S.: I am going to Bryan Adams concert tonight and very excited. I will update more soon. Happy weekend everyone!!!

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Our Story: Singapore airport – Part 6

This is a continuation of my previous post. Please read the previous posts here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.

It looks like airports played a big role in our story. Anyway when I landed in Singapore, it was midnight local time and the place was not very busy. I had a hand carry bag, a laptop bag and my own bag so sleeping was not an option. I just started walking around to searching for an internet connection. I found a kiosk where they had a computer with internet connected. The only bad thing was that there was no chair so I had to stand and use the internet and on top of that it would log out after every 15 minutes, how annoying.

Anyway as I had nothing better to, I checked my email, Facebook and decided to write a reply to AS’s last email.

Gud morning
hope u have better sleep tonite
it is 12am in Singapore and I just got here. Will be here for another 8hrs
need to figure out what to  do 🙂
anyway hope ur ticket is working out. I can’t wait to see the surprise gift

u r not online. if u see this mail c if u can come online .
I will be checking it from time to time
take care
M

I was so bored but didn’t know what else to do. So with my trolley and luggage I made a makeshift chair and just surfed the net. There were not many people online for me to chat with. It was an awkward time in Nepal and Australia then.

After 15 minutes I was logged out so I logged in again and SUPRISE SUPRISE, AS was online on gmail.

Me: Hello hello

AS: hi

Me: How are u? Where r u?

AS: I just reached office, saw your mail and came online.

Me: (I was a bit disappointed that he would be too busy to chat with me) Ohoo, its ok then, maybe we chat later during your break.

AS: I can talk for a while so it’s ok. When I have to go I will let you know.

Me: The internet disconnects itself every 15 minutes so if I go offline, wait and I will come online again

AS: Sure no problem. How was your flight?

Me: It was good. Watched a few movies. I am trying to connect the wifi in my laptop it doesn’t seem to be working. Looks like I have to use this computer to chat with you.

AS: Ok. At least we can chat.

Me: That is great coz I am really bored. There is nothing to do here and I have 8 hours to kill.

As: that’s why I am here…

Me: hehehe so nice of u. thank u thank u

AS: ani airport ma garne kehi chainata? (So there is nothing do at airport?)

Me: nope :(.  That’s why I am talking to u

AS: oho… nothing more interesting to do…

Me: : everything is closed  but I am not comparing:)  come on,  I am just glad to talk with u.   no comparison

AS: la la… maska marnu pardaina (it’s ok… no need to flatter me)

Me: hehhe   hoina.  I luv talking to u 🙂 nabaye ta uti uti k garne ni (otherwise why I should I chat standing)

AS: well and I return the sentiment 100%

Me: timro ticket k hudai cha (what’s going on with your ticket)

AS: problemai cha…(there’s a problem)

Me: so bad. try ur best to spend ur new year eve in Kathmandu

AS: that is what I wanna do too..

Me: did u have breakfast???

AS: yes had b’fast. timi le flight ma dinner gareko ho? (Did u had dinner on flight?)

Me: yes, I did. ani u got only few days at working hoina

AS:ho… (yes)

Me: still bg

AS: a litttle… nothing i can’t handle..

Me: that is gud 😀

AS: but chatting with you is icing on the cake..

Me: D 😀 😀   my 32 teeth r showing

AS: u have 32 teeth?

Me: nope hahaha. Just realise I think 28 only

AS: hahaha. I so so glad even after such a gap we can talk so freely and comfortably

Me: me too why don’t u tell me things that happen with u in last yrs.  i mean things i missed that were  imp

AS: went through college… like a breeze, made some great friends.. new perspectives…

Me: gud to hear that

AS: but am bad at keeping in touch… but am trying to change that..  anyways..

Me: 😀 luving the word trying..  i am sure u r getting better. How was uni?

AS: It was great.

Me: that’s really nice

AS: the best part was..  I told you I visualised… before exams right? And it worked.

Me: I am very happy 4 u

AS: well I pretty much kept that up the rest of the time..

Me: that’s gud.  Do u do that 4 ur future too. I mean, what u want,   where u gonna live.

AS: are those questions?

Me: ya

AS: wait let me get some water…

Me: ok

AS: talking so much is difficult 😉

Me: hehehe

AS: am back

Me: waiting for answer

AS: before coming here I was still not so sure… but slowly the pictures are starting to materialize in my mind…  all of that has one or similar answers… a home … a wife… life go together… I pray that I can make that happen…  I imagine… visualize…

Me: I was making a list as you told me about visualizing.  My list goes like this

  • get a better job
  • fall in luv
  • travel the world
  • get house
  • get married
  • live happily ever after
  • more travel

Now when the list is here what can I do next to make it work

AS: good u have a list.  Now to make it work

Me: I try to be positive.. But it’s not as easy…  still I think I’ve been ok… I’ve done ok…

AS: u did. Don’t think bad of your past… be they happy or sad..

Me: I have always thought of my past as learning experience   if that was not there I won’t b who I am so no regret

AS: yes… Never a failure… always a lesson..

Me: yap def it is  I think I am lot +ve than before   I am learning hard way but trying my bet   I see glass half full

AS: now imagine it as filling up.. With everything u do… and the full glass is the wish, dream that u have…

Me: when I talk to u u make me believe more 🙂

AS: wanna know a secret…

Me: ya

AS: after meeting you here… I think I started opening up more… now I wonder why I was closed up do much..

Me: that’s nice to hear

AS: : life is funny sometimes.. now I’m building bridges… I had neglected so long…

Me: better late than never

AS: yes…

Me: really we been frds for so long and only now we got to know each other  better

AS: true

Me: my school version of u is smiling and frdly guy and I think that is it

AS: but so much has happened… to change us to shape us…

Me: but from LAX airport I got to know so much about u  and last few weeks has been blessing. life has taught us a lot

AS: and I think all of that was for the best… to get us where we are now..

Me: ya

There is so much I want to write but the post is getting long . I promise there will be lot to come in next posts. Take care till then.

P.S.: That day we talked for so long that I have 38 pages of chat. When I was reading through the chat, it still brought a smile on my face. Even though we were not in a relation at that time, it was great to know we were so good friends before we decide to be in a relationship.

Go to Part 7

You may also like:

*Our Story: Back to Sydney – Part 3 *Our Story : LA Airport – Part 2 *Our Story: Good friends again – Part 4