Tag Archives: Nepal

12 Reasons Nepal Should Go On Your Vacation Bucket List

I just read this great article from buzzfeed. Sharing it with you all so you could add Nepal on your vacation bucket list 🙂

1. The Annapurna Region

Nepal is home to the Annapurna Region which is known for having some of the world’s best trekking routes. There’s also the lake city of Pokhara and shorter treks. The Annapurna Region compiles the wettest, driest, and windiest places in Nepal.

2. The High Peaks

Seven of the world’s highest peaks are situated within Nepal. All of the peaks reach over 20,000 ft. You may not actually be on top of the world, but it will sure feel like you are.

 The High Peaks

3. The Bird Watching

With over 856 known species, Nepal is a bird watcher’s paradise. That’s almost 10% of the world’s total bird population. Chances are you’ll see several birds during your stay.

The Bird Watching

4. The Multitude Of Adventures

Nepal is the perfect destination for adventure seekers. They have mountaineering, trekking, rafting, wildlife safaris, hot air balloons, paragliding, bungee jumping, ultralights, and more. Good luck choosing.

The Multitude Of Adventures

5. World Heritage Sites

Nepal is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites which further adds to the cultural charm. Make sure to check out the various temples, monasteries, inns, and more to experience Old World culture.

World Heritage Sites

6. Value For Money

Nepal is surprisingly affordable. This is particularly true if you compare Nepal’s hiking trails to others such as Kilimanjaro or the Inca Trail. With the food pricing, you could live off of about $10 a day. And you can find a decent, clean hotel room for about $18.50.

Value For Money

7. The Lakes

The various lakes of Nepal are known not only for their outstanding beauty but also for their spiritual importance. There are over 200 lakes in Nepal with glacier origin. Who needs the sea when you have all these lakes?

The Lakes

8. The Elevation Change

Nepal is the only country in the world where the elevation will change from 60 meters to over 8,000 meters above sea level. It’s quite the experience.

The Elevation Change

9. Diverse Cultures

Over 35 different ethnic groups call Nepal home. This means there are multiple religions, languages, musical influence, and foods. Nepal is a wonderful place to immerse yourself into different cultures and leave your comfort zone. And Nepal is the only place in the world where people worship the living goddess, Kumari.

Diverse Cultures

10. Nepalese Food

Although Nepalase dishes do result from heavy South Asian influences like China and India, the food is usually healthier with more lean meats and veggies. Other common ingredients include lentils, tomatoes, cumin, potatoes, yogurt, and garlic. And you can eat overlooking views like this!

Nepalese Food

11. Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is composed of seven different “Monument Zones.” These zones include urban centers with palaces, temples, and the oldest known Buddhist monument thought to be built in the third century B.C.

Nepal's Kathmandu Valley

12. The Serenity

Nepal has been regarded as a sacred place for hundreds of years. The tranquillity of the area will have a positive effect on anyone that is able to experience it. The people, the buildings, and the land are all symbols of serenity. In Nepal, you can truly escape.

The Serenity

Prabal Gurung around the world

My favourite designer celebrated his birthday his birthday on 31 March so I would like to start this post wishing him a very happy birthday. I am sure he had a great day  🙂

Happy Birthday Prabal Gurung

While I was busying enjoying my holiday, Prabal Gurung ‘s creation was appearing everywhere around the globe. Every time I am able to read about him or see someone wearing one of his creation, I feels so good. So here is the sample of footprints Prabal Gurung is leaving around the world . Love him so much.

Marie Olympia of Greece wears sky technical tweed bomber and pencil skirt from the Spring 2014 collection for the March issue of Tatler.

Julianne Moore wearing the ivory silk cloque hand draped dress with navy, silver and grey paint-stained printed lurex jacquard asymmetric skirt from Prabal Gurung Fall 2014 collection in Los Angeles.

Nicole Kidman wears the white silk crepe off the shoulder dress hand-embroidered with swarovski crystals, silk grosgrain and organza ribbons and graphic black mako stripes from the Spring 2014 collection and Casadei for Prabal Gurung shoes for the March Issue of InStyle.

The pearlescent pink technical bonded satin shirtdress with white sable yoke insert, open back and mesh paneling from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection in the March Issue of Vogue China.

The pearlescent pink, white and abstract rose printed hand-draped silk/cotton duchesse strapless dress layered over double bonded cotton bustier from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection in the March Issue of ELLE Magazine.

Camilla Belle wearing the white windowpane organza 3/4 sleeve off the shoulder shawl sheath dress from Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall 2014 collection tonight in West Hollywood.

Magdalena Frackowiak wearing the wearing the lavender, mint and black abstract rose printed napa leather sweatshirt and pencil skirt from the Spring 2014 collection for the March Issue of Vogue Japan.

Maja Salamon wears Prabal Gurung kelly graphic rose screen printed translucent PVC raincoat from the Spring 2014 collection for the April Issue of Vogue Russia.

The pearlescent pink technical bonded satin shirtdress with white sable yoke insert from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection with V Magazine.

Prabal Gurung vermillion graphic rose digital printed rayon muscle tee and vermillion technical tweed pencil skirt with disintegrated rose motif from the Spring 2014 Collection with this weekend’s The Telegraph.

Cobie Smulders wears the sky translucent glitter printed laminated tulle pencil skirt from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection for the April Issue of InStyle Russia.

The lavender, mint and black abstract rose printed napa leather sweatshirt and the lilac rose sable pant with tonal satin inserts and white mesh overlay from the Spring 2014 collection for the April Issue of Elle Vietnam.

Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall 2014 ivory polarized rose printed silk duchesse a-line pleated colorblock dress and Pre-Fall 2013 bright pink and turquoise graphic lily printed silk / cotton tee for the April Issue of Elle Vietnam.

Kareena Kapoor Khan wears the kelly classic rose printed silk crepe de chine draped back blouse with contrast yolk and sleeve inserts from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection for the March cover story of Vogue India.

Sonam Kapoor wearing the lavender rose sable deep-v dress with hand-draped bodice, dolman sleeve and white mesh raceback detail from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection.

Martha Hunt wearing the translucent nylon pointelle sweater with hand-embroidered vermillion and black ribbon rose embroidery and vermillion graphic rose printed technical duchesse pencil skirt from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection for the April Issue of ELLE Magazine (US).

Sarah Gadon wears the lavender rose bonded technical satin hand-draped dress with cascading back ruffle and exposed double bonded cotton poplin corset from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection for the April Issue of InStyle.

Elettra Wiedemann wearing Prabal Gurung Pre-Fall 2014 ensemble for the screening of ‘Dom Hemingway’ last night in New York.

Prabal Gurung black and white fil couple silk and cotton pant with graphic black and mesh inserts from the Spring 2014 collection for the May Issue of GLAMOUR UK.

Elettra Wiedemann and Isabel Lucas wears Prabal Gurung.

Rita Ora wears the pearlescent pink, black and white abstract rose printed napa leather pencil skirt from Prabal Gurung Spring 2014 collection for the May Issue of Elle UK.

Kate Upton’s Prabal Gurung gown from the February Issue of Vogue.

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt in Prabal Gurung Resort 2014 .

Bollywood actress Kajol in Prabal Gurung.

Back and alive

You must be wondering where I have been for so long but I have had one hell of a busy time in Nepal that I went MIA. Now I am back in Sydney so here is the update.

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The wedding of my BIL went well but for the first 3 weeks I was there, I was so busy that I didn’t get to do much but just concentrated on the wedding. I was glad that AS was with me the whole time. I was sleep deprived most of the time for one reason or another.

After the wedding AS came back to Sydney and for the next 2 weeks I was just being lazy and missing him a lot. I know I might sound like a broken record to all of you but I miss him very much whenever we are apart. Skyping and Vibering definitely helped but still it was not like holding him or getting a kiss from him. I am just glad to be sleeping next to him again and seeing him when I wake up in the morning.

Lots of things were fun in Nepal expect being sick multiple times. I was sick a couple of times before the wedding and I was scared I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. I was really careful the whole time drinking only bottled water outside and going to selective restaurants for food but I still got sick.

The day before the wedding, I was vomiting the whole night. We had gone to this fancy (supposedly good) restaurant at Darbar Marg in Kathmandu and we had had momo and pakoda. Looks like that made me vomit the whole night and the diarrhoea started the next morning.

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Imagine my state of mind and body when everyone was coming to our home. Thankfully, I took some medication and I was mostly OK for the wedding.

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As I mentioned before, my SIL is from a different caste from us so there was a slight confusion regarding tradition during the wedding but apart from that it was a great experience. The reception was equally fun, me meeting lots of relatives and friends. The wedding went really well and we have a new family member in our house who calls me sister :).

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I was glad once everything was over because I was planning to rest for a few days. It turned out to be just a dream because when the wedding was over, AS had just a week before he would leave for Sydney which meant we have to finish his shopping and on top of that, meet and eat with all the relatives who had invited us.

The week went really quickly and suddenly it was the day AS was to leave. I made a decision at the airport that I would never travel separately again. I know I was going to see him in 2 weeks but still my heart was crying for him not to go. Stupid me, but it was really hard.

The following day, finally I got to go and live with my parents and it was a good feeling. Even though, my new home (AS’s home) is good in every way, I had a different feeling when I got to sleep in my old bed and to be with my parents. I think the history I have with the house, my dog and seeing my old stuff is simply priceless and definitely, it will be my home forever.

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My parents spoiled me rotten for the next 2 weeks, breakfast in bed was really nice. My mum made sure she cooked whatever I would feel like eating. It was heaven just to wake up late and relax. I was so busy for the first 3 weeks that I just wanted to be lazy and relax the next two.

I did go for day trips to a few places with my parents but apart from that I spent lots of time at home just talking with them and relaxing.

I did went and visit my grand ma, who is 86 now. She is always so happy to see us and give her blessing. I can see a pain in her eyes sometime but still she smiles and tells me to be happy. The time I went to visit her before I came to Sydney, she almost made me cry. She told me , “I may not see you again so be well and make sure you look after your parents.” I am sure I am going to see her again and hope she will be strong and well for a long time to come.

ma

This time I managed to meet Kathy, from Himalayan Happenings with her lovely husband. It was such a nice moment and it was great to know you guys. I will be in touch and thanks for the momo. I loved it so much 🙂

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Thanks to one of my friends from school, I got to attend the gathering of my friend from primary school. I hadn’t seen most of them for 15 years now and it was so good to catch up. I couldn’t believe how much we have changed but at the same time we have the same level of comfort with each other. It’s like we had never been apart, conversation flew so easily. It was one of the most memorable moments of my visit to Nepal this time.

The other one has to be taking a family portrait with my grandparents in law. As I mentioned before granddad is 95 and grand mum is 90. We got a photographer to their place and had a great time taking photos. Here is one of the many photos we took. Having so many people, it was really hard to make sure everyone was OK in the same photos but finally we did get a few good shots.

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The highlight of my trip was definitely the wedding of my BIL but I am also glad to let you know that I managed to bring heaps of Nepali things for our new home.

We managed to bring two big carpets (Nepali carpets are quite famous and good), many showpieces like the idols of Buddha and Tara as well as the painting we were after.

Over all a great trip back home but now back to real word. I am still jet-lagged and tired from the trip. I might take me at least few days to be OK and normal.

I almost forgot to mention, I managed to be in Nepal for 5 weeks without any exercise. I took my yoga stuffs with me to exercise but it never saw the light of day. This afternoon after 5 weeks, I managed to go and swim during lunch. It was refreshing and relaxing. 🙂

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Of course, you will hear a lot about things from Nepal but for now, I need to stop typing. My hands need a rest.

Until my next post take care everyone and come back to blog. I am back now  🙂

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

Why I don’t eat beef?

This is a question I get a lot when I go out for lunch or dinner with colleagues or friends. I always tell them it is a religion thing as it is the easiest explanation but there is more to that story hence this post.

In Hindu religion, beef is not allowed as we consider cow to be a sacred animal. It is worshiped as mother and God as it provides us with milk like a mother. We have a special day during Tihar festival to celebrate the special place cows and oxen have in our lives. Please read more here.

Until recently, Nepal used to be the Hindu country where selling and eating beef was illegal but now it is not. Anyway, while I was growing up in Nepal, beef was never an options so it never was a question.

When I moved to Australia, there were no restrictions on me. My parents never asked me not to eat and I am not that religious to not eat beef just for that reason. Most of my friends here eat beef already as it is the easiest and cheapest options for meat. But something about the smell of beef has always turned me off. Definitely I am not into steak, may be curry won’t be that bad as it will be very close to buffalo we eat in Nepal but I have never thought of starting eating beef. I have eaten beef my mistake a few time like in a salami or pie and never liked it.

I think if you didn’t eat something ever, sometimes the new taste doesn’t agree with you and it seems to be the case with beef for me. There were so many opportunity I could have started eating it but I never wanted to.

Once AS came to Australia, I was fully predicting that he would be a beef eater as he was living in the US and it is so normal for guys to do it but he never ate beef before too which means I never had to cook it.

I am not going to say never but it looks like we may not eat beef, ever. But explaining all this will not be easy to everyone so I always say I don’t because of religious sentiments.

I also know that one day when we have kids, they will definitely eat it and we will have no problem with that.

Take care everyone and more update from Nepal very soon :),

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO

More photo update from Nepal

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Chatpat 🙂

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Idol of Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, arts and nature: Saraswati

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Swarovski in Kathmandu

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Enjoyed Newari bhoj after ages

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The beautiful site you see around temples in Nepal, love it…

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Went to movie with SIL and MIL

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Paau, my favourite dish in newari bhoj

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Me and AS during the wedding receiption

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Wedding venue

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Chir at Basantapur for Holi celebration

More update  soon. Till then take care…

M from nepaliaustralian

XOXO