Nepal is one of those countries that can steal your heart after just one visit. Because? Because it has a lot to offer! Most people would think of Nepal and immediately be envisioning the Himalayas, vast mountainous regions, snow-capped peaks, perilous heights, nomadic peoples, maybe goats, or better yet, yaks. But they don’t know that this small country hidden between the vast expanses of stunning Tibet and colorful India, nestled below the towering giants that give this land the title of ‘Trekkers Paradise’, has an immense variety of shops, nightlife, restaurants, adventure sports such as whitewater, canyoning, paragliding and much more. Not to mention culture after culture, Hinduism meets Buddhism in the most delicious splash of color, incense, Tibetan harmonies and Bollywood ballads.
When I first traveled to Nepal, I was nervous and excited at the same time, not knowing what to expect, but expecting something amazing, and I was not disappointed. I was surprised to find how much was on offer in this rustic setting. Nepal has a feeling of a different era, especially on the streets of Thamel, the tourist paradise. Small, dimly lit shops line the crowded, narrow roads, taxis and rickshaws weave their way through tourists and locals who move slowly through the crowds in high season and rush through the empty streets in the off-season. New restaurants keep popping up, but they hold on to this old world feel and nestle inconspicuously amongst the old brick. There are Indian, Thai, Chinese, Taiwanese, English, German, Italian and of course Nepali restaurants to mention a few at every turn. Pubs, clubs and cozy bars with cushions spread out on the floor where one can wrap themselves around a cold beer and a bowl of spicy chips or Sukthi Sandeko, a dish consisting of fried dried buffalo meat with peppers and soybeans.
Then there is Lakeside Pokhara. Get there by public bus for about 300NPR, tourist bus for 550NPR or plane for 98USD, but get there. This delightfully laid-back town sits along the stunning Fewa Lake, fringed by my rolling green hills and backed by the impressive Annapurna range, which shares space with the majestic Maccharepuchhre or Fish Tail, which gets its name from the shape it takes. the mountain from a certain angle. , the tail of a fish. It is a unique city, again offering restaurants of all cuisines, trinket shopping to satisfy any art and travel memorabilia collector, fantastic nightspots, live local bands with incredible talent to sit down and sing along to. You can rent a pony, a bike, a motorbike or just walk around the beautiful lake. Quite a few Tibetan refugees see that Pokhara now has a home too, and visiting them in their established villages, market stalls and carpet factories is a real treat and an opportunity to meet these beautiful people and feel part of the family.
I cannot count how many times I have been back and forth to this amazing country, and there will be many more to come. Getting around Nepal is easy the second time around, but a great way to explore it is on a tour, on my first trip there I took a tour, and it was a great way to get to local places that I would never have found on my own. Find a company that has a purpose and is making a difference in the lives there. There are many older villagers who need help to make their physically demanding lifestyles a little easier. Some travel companies, like the one linked below, are using their knowledge to not only give people great adventures, but also to make a real difference.
Before going to Nepal just remember one thing, start saving for your next trip, because you will want to come back.
