Charikot View Tower Conquered

Traveling was totally stopped after earthquake,,,the work pressure and all other reasons,, , but today with my office colleagues we planned to visit charikot view tower, deurali-a junction and bhoot pokhari – ghost pond.  It was 12 am in the morning that we set our journey from charikot. We took some chicken curry, rice and pickle from home and we bought some chips and coke from the shop.

The view tower was up hill and it was a bit hard while walking up the hill,,,, the guide was the daughter of our colleague,, on the way to charikot view tower, there was a beautiful place where we took a lot of pictures,, after resting for a while we left for the view tower,, we had to pass a small jungle,,

The view tower was located on the top of hill which is in construction phase,,, the tower is 6 storey building,, I felt dizzy while climbing the tower,, and I am afraid of heights ,,,we took some pictures there and we went to a suitable place for our lunch,,,,there were cracks on the hill due to earthquake,,,the lunch was delicious and the weather was too cold.

As soon as we finished our lunch we got down through the different path,,, following a deep dense forest,, on the way I found some edible lichens,,,I plucked and collected with the help of my colleagues,,,I collected  a bag full of lichens,,It will be a gift to my mother and she will be happy as these edible lichen is indigenous knowledge and which is not available in the market,, The lichens are tasty with the pork meat,,,

We went to Deurali – a famous junction where we bought the ‘Chauri Churpi’ which is local and tasty. There was a gumba where we took some pictures,, we drank milk tea there and move towards the Bhoot Pokhari- Ghost pond.

The ghost pond is named as ghost pond because it looks black. It is a beautiful place like a shooting location,,, we took lot’s and lots of pictures ,, The battery of my camera showed low and it was getting dark so we returned to Charikot before it got dark,,, The day ended with beautiful memory, healthy mind and healthy body,,

5 Reasons why I visited Manthali Ramechap district this weekend

First

Manthali is the headquarter of Ramechap district which lies on the bank of Tamakoshi river and I wanted to explore it.

Second

It is just 2 hrs and 30 min drive from Charikot, Dolakha district. The bus starts it’s journey from charikot at 9 am and last bus from Manthali leaves at 3 pm to Charikot. Between this time, we can take a tour to Tamakoshi river, have meal and roam around Manthali bazaar. 

Third

I was really excited to take some new photographs of 2015. Though photography has remained as a hobby since long time, I feel relaxed after taking good photographs. They help me in taking out my frustrations, heal my soul and fill energy within myself. So I don’t want to quit photography.

Fourth

I really wanted to buy some local beans. The geographical condition of Ramechap is dry so the beans are the most suitable crop to cultivate there. People mostly are involved in bean cultivation. But as we reached there and asked for local bean we got negative response. The local beans are sold only on “Haat”-the local market during Mondays. So we returned empty hand.

Fifth

My husband was free after such a long time. I always miss my son wherever I go and feel sad. But I read somewhere that sometimes it is good to spend time by husband and wife together. This helps to nurture the relationship which finally benefit the child so no worries.

A Typical Nepali house at Manthali 

Dry maize plants harvest in trees

 mustard flower fragrance ....and a book

Kharidhunga,,,360 degree view,,,clear winter days,,, weekend,,,memory ,,, December 2014

As long as I stay in Dolakha, I have plan to visit most of the places like Sailung, Kalinchowck, Lamabagar, Singati,,,,Once in a month I go to Kathmandu to visit my son, and once in a month I have to visit my field areas,,,,I always have few weekends to plan for my personal travel,,,

My latest travel on December 2014 was Kharidhunga, Dolakha. It was a fine and a cool day when we (with husband) took bus from Charikot to Kharidhunga,,it takes  one hour to reach but the scenic beauty of Dolakha glues our eyes to the beautiful landscapes outside the bus,,,,I put my ear plug to listen to beautiful songs in my phone to divert my vehicle sickness,,,it really helps me but don’t know till when???

Khardhunga is located at an altitude of 2500m,,, it is barren and this has added beauty to this place,,,,it is one of the popular film shooting location and it is also popular picnic spot for local people,,,From Kharidhung, on clear day mostly it is clear on winter season,,you can see 360 degree panoramic view of Doalkha and Sindhupalchock,,,

We sit and take beautiful pics,,,sun bathing and a great book is a good combination in winter days,,,,

My husband exploring Himalayas

The beautiful hills, where the heart flows

The combination of nature and the good book

The beauty where eyes glue

A Journey to remember

Cloudy days, ,,I wake up early in the morning and today I have to walk 4 hrs . Have full energy and start my journey from my temporary residence. Some hesitation lies on me as I have never walked alone in remote village silence road. My feet move fast..  to kill the silence in the air, I greet people ‘Namaste’. They return my greetings and their eyes questions me. I move forward enjoying my solitary walk.

My colleague who is a local, has duty to guide me and set off on a journey above the village. He gives me the geographical ideas of the village and informs about the local herbs like Ghortaple which is used as a medicine for fever, cold etc.  He shows another herb and I forget its name and uses. Herb has been my new interest lately. I need to do some research before taking herbs seriously so will be planning to buy some herb books soon. And I start to plant those herbs in my kitchen garden.

Jungle is over and my colleague gives the direction and return back to his village, still more hrs is left to reach destination. I move forward enjoying the summer scenery.  I rest and take a deep breath of fresh air. I remember my husband and my son. They must be somewhere at Kathmandu and then, I start to write in my digital note “ Standing at chautari, somewhere at dolakha. Below me paddy field lies green. The murmuring sound of river, insects .. hen .. can be heard. The mist has covered the valley and the rays of sun are lightly making the warm weather . Time to move forward.. still more hrs left to make by my happy feet”

I greet every person I meet on the way, it relaxes me. I talk to them and they are curious about my whereabouts. I answer them ‘Far very far’ .

Finally, my destination welcomes me where women are preparing to celebrate song competition on the occasion of Teej.

The path where my foot steps are printed

The journey is exciting as well as dangerous. I look into the bhir below me..

Happy to reach to a place like this.. mesmerizing.. 

My temporary residence where local tasty food is served.

Domestic Tourism in Ghale Gaon

The long journey to a new place is tiring and when that new place turns out to be a piece of heaven, and then the price of tiring effort is paid off. Ghale Gaon, Lamjung district is well fitted in this case. A beautiful village lies on the lap of  Mount Lamjung, Mount Harka Gurung and Mount Himalchuli. Lamjung is the birth place of Late Dr Harka Gurung so the mountain name is changed to his name to pay tribute to him. He was a scholar, geographer, politician, sportsman and artist. Far across is the place where he chased his father to Kathmandu, bare foot in order to study in Kathmandu as explained in  ‘ Bisaya Bibid’ his book.

The mountains are so close to village and it feels like the mountains are gazing us. Local people say that the Himalaya has become black from last few years otherwise the Himalayas used to be white with snow all year round. May be this is the sign of global warming.

Local set of khaja called as Jhilung along with tea and local radish pickle

Majestic view of Mount Lamjung, Mount Harka Gurun and Mount Himalchuli from Ghale Gaon

Cascade of hills; the dangerous road leads through these hills

The rays of setting sun reflects the Himalayas

Black water valley: Beauty at its peak

 Summer has always different charm in UK, farnborough can’t escape with this charm. The sun rise early, and sets late. Days are longer so people can enjoy the park, forest and nature after returing home late in the evening. So British eagarly wait for summer and when there is arrival, they spent it as if the summer is not going to come again in their  life.

The blackwater valley which is a part of Hawley meadows near farnborough is a quiet and calm place to enjoy the summer and many people come there late in the afternoon to relax. Historically, this area was hedge-bordered fields, used by local people to graze their livestock and cut grass for hay.The river which is  black in color, flows through the middle of blackwater valley.

“Make a  hay while the sun shines”: Busy Bee collecting honey in order to survive in the harsh winter of UK

Riped  wild berries, but doesn’t taste as good as of Nepal.

Organic water cress collected for vegetable. Water cress is not found in any groceries in UK.

Hawley Meadows: Cattle grazing in the evening but couldn’t see any shepherd.

Evening walk is wonderful

Queen of Hills: Nepali Perspective

The queen of Hills, Darjeeling is a hill station where a Nepali like me feels a sense of home. Beside this, first time visitor from hills of Nepal thinks that development doesn’t require proper geographical location. Darjeeling is forward in every way from literature, education, tourism. First time visitor can get shock to see Nepali speaking people being proud to be Indian. Once they know the history, they understand and appreciate their feelings. The acceptance of beef is also quiet shocking for the first time Nepali visitor.

Darjeeling people are also a lover of flowers; most of the houses are decorated with the flowers in their veranda. Talking about the cuisines, one of the most popular cuisines of Darjeeling is MOMO. The taste of MOMO is still in my taste buds.  

On the other hand, Congested road is synonyms of Darjeeling. I was on the front sit, and couldn’t watch the driver, driving the jeep. One should be very professional in driving to drive along the road of Darjeeling. They have strategy to clear the traffic which we don’t even think. Patience, exactness and confidence are highly needed for the driver.

Queen of Hills from Chourasta; a happening place in the heart of the city

Happy Feet, though wounded

It’s wonderful to walk around chourasta and spend the time along with the loved ones.

Toy Train: steam engine train and is listed as world heritage site

Beauty in the hills: Wild flower buki  and Dhupi adds beauty to the hills

Visitors capturing the sunrise view of Tiger Hill. 

Darjeeling is also famous for tea; organic local tea sipping is one of the memorable things to do in Darjeeling.

Queen of Hills from Chourasta; a happening place in the heart of the city

Old English architecture in Darjeeling. If you want to see the English architecture it is recommended to visit Darjeeling for Nepali.