An evening in Thamel, Kathmandu- Nepal

Thamel Market

Thamel is a tourist hub of Kathmandu , capital of Nepal. Since decades, it has been a tourist paradise (starting from hippie movement).This lovely town is actually heart of Kathmandu and loved by all tourists.

It has many distinguishing features such as it is a first fully wi-fi zone of Nepal. Popular for it’s low and budget hotels, it serves as first stop over or pre base camp for most of the mountaineers in Nepal.

Shops selling jackets and other winter clothing

It is approx 7 kms from Kathmandu International airport. Thamel has narrow labrynthine streets crowded by various shops and boasts of being a shopping paradise  as well. Numerous mountaineering gear shops, clubs , food and pasteries shops , walking gear , rainbow prayer flags , music shops and photography accessory shops line up the street.

The resturants are present all over and are apparently costly but definitely hygienic. They serve all kinds of foods with mostly continental themes.

Hotels and restaurants in Thamel

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Top ten peaks of the world

There are 109 mountains with elevation of greater than 7,200 meters or 23,622 ft above sea level. All of them are in Southern and Central Asia. Following are the top ten peaks of the world. Source : Wikipedia

Rank	Mountain	Country	Height in feet	Height in meters
1	Everest or Sagarmatha	Nepal/Tibet	29,0352	8,848
2	K2 or Mt. Karakorum	Pakistan/China	28,250	8,611
3	Kanchenjunga	Himalayas India/Nepal	28,1694	8,586
4	Lhotse	Himalayas Nepal/Tibet	27,9405	8,516
5	Makalu	Himalayas Nepal/Tibet	27,7666	8,485
6	Cho-Oyu	Himalayas Nepal/Tibet	26,9067	8,188
7	Dhaulagiri	Himalayas Nepal	26,7958	8,167
8	Manaslu	Himalayas Nepal	26,7819	8,163
9	Nanga Parbat	Himalayas Pakistan	26,66010	8,126
10	Annapurna	Himalayas Nepal	26,545	8,091

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The tallest of all- Mount Everest

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal

The UNESCO ( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ) has designated almost 51 World heritage sites in South Asia.

Each year UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee may inscribe new sites or delist them.
Selection is based on 10 criterias : Six for cultural Heritage and Four for Natural Heritage, with some sites representing “mixed sites”. It also recommends “Endangered Sites ” which are facing conditions which threaten the characteristics of the property – Kathmandu valley has been previously listed in this.

South Asia has 41 cultural and 10 Natural worldf heritage sites (with No Mixed Sites).The first sites from the region were Sagarmatha National Park and Kathmandu Valley, both in Nepal.

Boudhanath Stupa

The countries in this region are : Afganistan , Pakistan , India , Nepal , Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.(Bhutan does not have any of world heritage sites). India is home to most of these inscribed sites in the region (32 sites). Nepal has 10 sites / 4 (Including 7 sites in one - as Kathmandu Valley).

These sites are main tourism places in Nepal.

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Resort review- Green Jungle Holiday resort

Entrance at
Green Jungle Holiday resort

At entrance of Green Jungle We had a nine days trip to Kerala which started from Cochin. After one night stay in Cochin, we started for Munnar. Oh, it was a grand drive from Cochin to Munnar but the resort- Green Jungle Holiday Resort we had booked there was way far from Munnar. It took us another two hours to reach there. The way to the resort was through jungle with lots of cuts and curves. It was an adventurous drive.

Ambiance

Rock view

After a long and bumpy drive, we finally reached Green Jungle Holiday Resort. At the entrance itself greenery welcomed us. There was a restaurant with wooden furniture and a big terrace to it. A grand mesmerizing view of the valley awaited there. Few steps furthere were rooms which had a beautiful valley view. The river in the valley was adding to its beauty. It appeared like a dream of heaven.

Rooms

Rooms at Green Jungle Holiday Resort

Rooms were basic with a balcony, wooden furniture and flooring. There was a heater in the room. Since the view was beautiful, we wanted to stay there but Read more

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Don’t miss Dudhsagar Falls while in Goa- India

Refreshing scenery at Dudhsagar falls

Dudhsagar falls is on Mandovi river in Goa. It is located on western ghats on the Madgaon-Belgaum rail route. Dudhsagar falls has height of 310 m and average width of 30 m. This fall forms the border between Karnataka and Goa states. The falls is worth seeing during monsoon.

Our Experience

Dudhsagar falls

This was our third visit to Goa and we had decided from the beginning not to miss it. We had heard a lot about it but were eager to see it. We were staying very far from Dudhsagar falls. It was about two hours drive from Haathi Mahal to falls and the taxi charged hefty amounts. Since we were three couples, it was manageable.

We stopped about a kilometer away from the falls. It was a little walk but it was nice and refreshing.  The pool where the falls fall have a sudden depth so, it is advisable to wear life jackets. Water was gushing down and it was very rejuvinating. We really enjoyed the scenery. Specially the view of tunnel in between the falls is spectacular. Railway line from Vasco to Linda passes through this tunnel creating an breathtaking views.

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Divine hours at Nagarkot, Nepal

Clouds hovering Nagarkot 

Nagarkot is a village , located 32 kms east of Kathmandu, Nepal in Bhaktapur district in Bagmati Zone. It is approx 28 kms from Kathmandu International airport. At a height of 2195 meters , it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Nepal , renowned for its spectacular sunrise and sunset views.

The beauty of this spot is in its panoramic view it offers on all sides, with sunrise view of snow capped peaks of Himalyan range of eastern Nepal and on other side it offers view of Kathmandu Valley.

Beautiful scenery

 

The most enjoyable part of the journey was visit to Bhaktapur and our stay for two hours over there to see this living museum.

The drive was comfortable and picturestique. We enjoyed the vast green lush fields and steep turns of hillocks with view of Kathmandu from greater heights.

Famous Durbar Square at Bhaktapur

Nyatapola Temple

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset at Nagarkot

Sunset

Sun descending

Sunrise at Nagarkot

Orange sky before sunrise

Spectacular sunrise

Forest

After a nice and tasty breakfast we went on a nature’s trail. I got pretty scared after some time as this was in absolute jungle , and no one was around us.

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Hotel review - Haathi Mahal,Cavelossim Beach, South Goa

Reception area at Haathi Mahal

Haathi Mahal is one of the high end hotels in South Goa near Cavelossim Beach . We had heard a lot about it. This time of our visit, we stayed in Haathi Mahal. It was forty five minutes to one hour from the airport.

Ambiance

As we got off the cab, big man with big mustaches greeted us. There were two elephant models in silhouetting pose. I could see many plants strategically placed with sitting arrangement. Right opposite to entrance was reception. To the right of this entrance lobby, there were stairs beyond which was arcade housing shops of daily needs, artifacts, gift items, linen and handloom.

Area around the restaurant in the evening

In front of lobby was a big swimming pool having permanent stalls of eateries like veg and non veg snacks, juices etc. To the left of this swimming pool was a little pool for kids as well. Area adjoining the back of lobby was art gallery, kids zone, fitness center, play area for adults. As we moved ahead, we saw a statue of Lord Ganesha. Walking ahead, we saw a small pool of Jaccuzzi. Next to Jaccuzzi was another big swimming pool under a little bridge. There was a walkway leading to restaurant both open area and closed. Going right to the restaurant was play zone and recreation section for adults.

Fountain circle

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