Nothing is more amazing than making decisions that unexpectedly leads to memorable and meaningful experiences. Our journey from Malaysia to Nepal officially began when my wife, Tina gave her elusive green light to travel with me and our 8-year-old-son, Gabby to Kathmandu, Nepal from our current home base in Penang. It came dramatically after I already considered choosing from a handful of fellow Filipino bloggers to join me. When my persuasive skills won over Tina’s anxiety about Nepal’s safety and security, particularly to tourists with kids, I was silently jumping for bliss! I couldn’t explain the excitement I felt down my spine when my lovely and very understanding wife finally agreed to explore and discover one of the places in South Asia inscripted not only in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites but more so in my bucket list. I couldn’t thank her enough. God knows, I was even more thankful to Gabby who had no hesitation with the trip and didn’t even bother to ask me or his mom, if there’s a theme park or at least a branch of his favorite fastfood joint in Kathmandu. 🙂
I intentionally planned to stay in Kathmandu for 5 days that coincided with our forced-holiday from work in celebration of this year’s end of fasting season, the Eid. Prior to our August 5 to 10, 2013 Nepal trip, I somehow prepared by reading a travel guide book and online sources; I also inquired some helpful tips and suggestions from a few Filipino travel bloggers who already set foot at our chosen itineraries. Days went by so quickly and before I do another countdown-post on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter about the trip, Tina already packed everything for the three of us. Nice and sweet.
Packed and ready to go!
THE LONG ROAD TO KATHMANDU
Travel lesson number 1 : Never underestimate the traffic jam anywhere. In our case, I did. 😦
If you must know, my family’s middle name is punctuality, so needless to say, we’re rarely late at anything.
Our flight from Penang to Kathmandu via Kuala Lumpur was set on an evening of Monday, August 5, 2013. I told my family that there’s no need to hire a cab from our place in Butterworth to Bayan Lepas in the island where the Penang International Airport (PIA) is, because we could leave the apartment early at 4 or 5PM via bus and ferry rides. Too early in my approximation for our 9:45PM local flight. I was wrong! The moment we rolled our Barney-colored luggages to the bus stop in front of our place, I regret the fact of not leaving earlier. It took us a while to reach George Town via taxi cab and a ferry ride, even worse when I asked my family to hop on the Rapid Penang Bus from Weld Quay in George Town to PIA instead of taking another taxi.
Traffic jam around George Town that day was terribly horrendous. I began uttering prayers silently; asked to ease the road congestion with divine intervention. My entire Sympathetic Nervous System went haywire! Heart beat became tachycardic, pulse rate was bounding and rapid, tension made my breathing fast and deep. While I was seated at the back of Tina and Gabby inside the bus, I was blaming myself the whole time for deciding not taking a cab from George Town to the airport, or better, from our place in the mainland directly to the terminal. Thankfully, my family was there to somehow calm me down.
Aboard Rapid Penang Bus from George Town to Penang International Airport.
It felt forever when we arrived at the airport at 8AM exactly. It seemed like we traveled by bus from Kuala Lumpur to Penang! Can you imagine that? Nonetheless, I was the most relieved upon being at the Departure Area. My worries were eased immediately after the staff at the counter of Malaysia Airlines confirmed our online reserved seats and checked in our luggage directly to Kathmandu.
A LOT OF FIRST TIME MOMENTS FOR US
First time to fly with MAS and we’re impressed. Our 50-minute-flight from Penang to Kuala Lumpur International Airport went uneventful.
Smiles of excitement, love, gratitude, wonder!
First time in KLIA too. Our excitement for the trip ruled over the fact that we have a 10-hour-layover prior to our KUL-KTM flight the next day, August 6, 2013, Tuesday at 8:55AM. Say, what?! Ten hours inside the terminal? Yes, baby! First time to have that longest transit time in our not-that-frequent-travel history. And for the record, none of us complained.
Hello, Kuala Lumpur International Airport! Selamat Malam! (Good evening!)
I could’ve paid for a brief but more comfortable accomodation in a hotel within KLIA but my suggestion was vetoed by Tina for practical reasons. Ten hour-layover was spent having dinner and coffee in one of Gabby’s favorite fastfood joints, checking out our social networks and necessary bladder breaks.
Someone already reached Dreamland while the other was killing time on Instagram. 🙂
Not long after…
Total knockout! Zzz zZZz Z z z zz z…
Fast forward to the morning after, my family was all-smiles again aboard Malaysia Airlines. The flight took a little more than 5 hours from KLIA to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Feels great to board Malaysia Airlines again! Kathmandu, here we come!
Travel lesson number 2 : Never compromise eating and drinking on time (despite lack of sleep). We had some bites at the same fastfood for breakfast prior boarding but we welcomed the brunch served 36,000 feet. Who needs enough sleep with such gastronomic feast?
Tina and Gabby’s choice of brunch at 36,000 feet! Omelet and Chicken Sausage and everything else. Yum!
While I went local with Boneless Chicken Curry and Chapatti. What a way to satisfy a discriminating palates!
We chased Wau Bulan or Moon Kite (that serves as logo of MAS proudly inked at the tip of its wings) making in Kota Bharu, Kelantan via bus from Penang back in 2011; unbelievably, we’ve flown by the “Wau Bulan of Malaysia” to Nepal! We can’t be grateful enough!
IS THIS MOUNT EVEREST?
A few turbulent episodes, a Tagalog-mushy-movie, and a bladder break after, I gazed out my window and saw the most incredible apparition I had during my flights.
Try to contract your eye muscles and look closely at the center of the photo below, you’ll see a triangular peak that’s too bizaare to be a cloud. Of course, you can accuse me of being overly imaginative anytime. I am guilty. 🙂 Et voila!
It’s magical to see you!
To anyone reading this who plans to go to Kathmandu via Malaysia, and would love to see the peaks of the roof of the world, you need to remember a few things. Firstly, make sure, by all means you book your seat on the right side (seats F in Malaysia Airlines); better if you could reserve seat 5F in Economy class, or if you’re in Business class, any seat on the right window side. In our case, my family was generous to let me sit in 20F. That’s located after the wing of the aircraft, nonetheless, didn’t disappoint. Secondly, you may opt to travel to Nepal by the months of October as it’s no longer cloudy and the Himalayan range can be seen to her full glory. In our case, we took the risk of going to Nepal in the middle of its monsoon season; thankfully, we only experienced a few minutes of drizzle. God is so good! All the time!
TOUCHDOWN, NEPAL!
NAMASTE.
Located in South Asia, bordered by China up north and India in south, east and west, Nepal is 2 hours and 15 minutes late than the clocks in Malaysia and our country, the Philippines. After we left Kuala Lumpur at 8:55AM, we safely arrived Tribhuvan International Airport in KTM before 11:30AM (Nepal time).
Nepal, obviously doesn’t belong to ASEAN countries but to SAARC or South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, along with Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. So being a Philippine-passport holder, my family and I needed to fill out a Visa Application forms upon arrival, attach a passport photo with white background and pay US $ 25 as Visa fee for 15 days each, and free for Gabby with multiple entry valid for 30 days.
Ultimately well-spent US $25 to date! Our experiences and moments together are priceless!
Trips to FOREX counter to have our limited US dollars change to Nepalese Rupees, Immigration and Visa proceedings, plus collecting our luggages at the conveyor belt inside the Arival Aea uniquely built of terracotta bricks, were all done in a breeze. The next thing we saw was our names printed on an A4 paper held by the staff of our chosen hotel in Thamel. I did the hotel reservation online weeks ago.
Namaste. Welcome to Nepal!
OUR ACCOMODATION IN THAMEL, KATHMANDU
Staying in Kathmandu at this time was inexpensive and so affordable. Case in point, I could’ve opted to reserve as cheap as 15-ringgit-room per night (US$ 5) but considered comfort, convenience and security of my family. With so many accomodation within Thamel, the touristy area in Kathmandu where most eateries, mini-supermarkets and hotels are located, I decided to reserve a suite room with a king-size bed, an airconditioning unit (Warning : power and internet connection are intermittent in Kathmandu. Choose a hotel with a generator that could support electric supply during brownouts), an ensuite toilet with hot & cold shower, cable TV (a must for Gabby!). The suite I reserved at Thorong Peak Guesthouse, tucked strategically within the laterals of Thamel, away from the noise of the streets only cost a little over RM100 per night with taxes included (US $ 31+). It’s a steal for the rate of a suite that also comes with a balcony, if you ask me.
Restful sleeps in Kathmandu were made on this.
Our private balcony at our suite at Thorong Peak Guesthouse, Thamel, Kathmandu. See those prayer flags? We must be in Nepal.
Travel lesson number 3 : Set priorities and know your limits. In our case, we gave importance to our itineraries, considered budget, security, safety, eating and drinking enough fluids (and sleep for Tina & Gabby). So the next important thing to do upon arrival at the hotel is to freshen up! We took quick showers and dressed up and immediately hit the roads to Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Travel lesson number 4 : Be familiar with the place you’re traveling and its transport system. From my religious readings for a few weeks about Nepal, I missed out the data about the taxi cabs and the dusty, terracotta brick roads that could be too muddy after a drizzle. We were a bit surprised when we hailed similar taxi cab that picked us up from the airport to hotel, a small suzuki hatchback that usually run without aircondition on.
COSMO DE’ CAFE, A ROOFTOP RESTAURANT IN KATHMANDU
Travel lesson number 5 : Know where to eat best and eat local. I read that one pleasing experience in Kathmandu is to savor delightful local (and continental) dishes in any rooftop restaurants of your choice. We found one in Cosmo De’ Cafe, just before the ticket booth where visitors pay reasonable fee to Kathmandu Durbar Square.
It’s enough for me to see my family comfortable, satiated and happy.
My very own goddess relaxing at Cosmo De’ Cafe before we saw Nepal’s Living Goddess, literally.
Tina was looking at this unbelievable heritage site…
Behold. The absolute creativity and brilliance of Newari architecture.
LEARNING ABOUT CASTE SYSTEM IN NEPAL
The moment our Nepalese waiter, Dil, welcomed us to Cosmo De’ Cafe, we felt at home in Kathmandu. I, myself, didn’t expect to learn a little thing about Nepal as early as our first lunch. While looking at the windows that intricately framed the sights at Kathmandu Durbar Square with handsome wood carvings and browsing the menu for choices, I asked Dil his complete name.
“My complete name is, Dil Pachabhaiya Magar. I’m 20 years old,” he replied verbally and voluntarily wrote it on a sheet of tissue paper. Dil smartly explained that Dil is his name, Pachabhaiya his surname, and Magar his caste.
Something hit my cerebral arteries that instantly brought me back inside our classroom when we were discussing caste system in India, Nepal etc. way back in my High School days. My goodness. How clock ticks so fast, that it was only upon casual conversion with a Nepalese waiter, that made me remember about the social stratification system observed in Nepal. In this age when almost everything is digital and controlled by a flicker of a finger, people around the globe must be reminded that in certain areas of the world, some human beings are still socially classified by caste system. Admittedly, I had mixed emotions ordering my food from someone living a certain social status.
Dil, our Nepalese friendly waiter made us remember about caste system in Nepal.
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people,
you might better stay at home.”
– James A. Michener
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, here’s our very first family happy meal in Kathmandu!
Mo:mo, a Nepalese (Newar) dumplings.
We had vegetable momo instead of chicken momo (others offer buffalo momo) simply because there’s bird flu in Nepal during the time of our visit. How exciting, isn’t it? Going back to momo; We had it two ways – fried and steamed and found it just okay, nothing to rave about. What made it unusual or special perhaps, was its dip compared to the soy and chilies of Chinese.
Tina and I ordered Cosmo Special Noodles that was served with ham and vegetables. Delicious actually! Gabby asked for a Mexican Burrito that came with red beans and cheese stuffings. We washed down everything with Mango Lassi and small bottles of Coke. What made Nepalese cuisine by the way, is also affordable than you can imagine. Big servings at a cheap prices. Burp! 😀
Cosmo Special Noodles. Reminded us of Pancit Bihon back home in the Philippines and Malaysia’s Beehon. 🙂
Majestic, isn’t it?
Pleased to have a family photo taken by a Nepalese.
And then the electricity supplying the TV and electric fans died down but not the wifi as it’s connected with the solar energy source. Establishments were seen to have been using solar panels against the intermittent electrical power supply in the city. The brownout signaled we have to be done eating and leave.
KATHMANDU DURBAR SQUARE
We finished our lunch before 3PM and trooped down the road and paid the admission rates (Gabby’s free!) at the very first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal that we visited. The Kathmandu Durbar Square.
With all the 16th century-Hindu temples built in grandeur that we’ve never seen elsewhere, I told Tina it felt like we stepped into another world, a time machine or a Hollywood movie set. It was surreal!
The intricately carved wooden pillars of Maju Deval Hindu Temple framed another temple across.
Who would’ve thought we’ll be standing at Shiva-Parvati Hindu Temple that was built in the late 1700s?
Time, space and life as a whole, within the vicinity of Kathmandu Durbar Square, away from the busy streets of Thamel, seemed like frozen for centuries.
Strolling around the durbar square (or plaza), Gabby found pigeons that delighted him for a while.
Glad to see our own kid enjoying the moment. Surprisingly, he never complained of fatigue, dusty and muddy roads, small taxi cabs, and lack of theme parks. It must be signs of maturity at a young age of 8.
A lot of touts that offered tour guiding within the complex approached us but to be fair with them, they were so courteous and never pushy. They speak fluent English too, however remarkably, the three of us were often greeted with, “Ni Hao!” mistaken as Chinese, or Thai and Malaysian but never Filipinos. One also wrongly asked if I’m Nepalese; because somehow, we look alike.
Basically, Nepalese people are friendly and hospitable. They smiled at us despite a few elders couldn’t express themselves in English. They were warm enough to grant us a greeting of Namaste! And a touristy photo-op.
At one point, I found a chance to do lectures, would you believe? LOL! 😛
Two friendly Newar elders listened attentively as I do an impromptu lectures in Microbiology and Parasitology. Now that’s a joke!
Of course, we didn’t let the chance to pass without a class picture with them. Seriously, we’re honored and privileged to have sat and talked with them; we felt so welcomed in Kathmandu!
We gave tribute to their warm welcome by wearing traditional Nepalese hat or Dhaka topi. We shall never forget the Nepalese. They’re one of the most beautiful and kindest people we’ve met!
Kala (Black) Bhairab. Bhairab is Shiva’s 6-armed destructive form; crowned and with garland of human skulls, crushing a corpse, symbolic of human ignorance. It was used ages ago for trial by ordeal, as telling lies while standing in front of this statue will bring instant death.
KUMARI, THE LIVING GODDESS
Yes, I read about Kumari, the Living Goddess in Kathmandu. She’s chosen from a group of girls age 4 to 6 who successfully passed an ordeal and regarded as the Living Goddess until she reaches her puberty. Her menstruation is the sign for her to go back to normal life and leave the Kumari Ghar. It’s also a signal for the authorities to select another Kumari. What we learned from the touts in the square was the time when Kumari will show herself at the window inside the Kumari Ghar. We were told it was 4PM; and so we didn’t miss and had an extraordinary opportunity to have a glimpse of a living goddess!
On most souvenir shops : Hand-crafted puppets depicting gods and deities of Hinduism. The right-most on the photo represents Kumari, the Living Goddess.
We had a glimpse for Kumari, the Living Goddess here at Kumari Ghar…
Kumari showed herself at the middle window, uttering somewhat a mantra, while all travelers, tourists and local guides, including the three of us who were there, held hands in prayerful position. Silence lorded for few minutes, then before we knew it, Kumari left the window. A local guide mentioned to his tourists, it’s a good Karma to be blessed by Kumari. We felt blessed even before her blessings.
There was a signage inside the courtyard that photographing Kumari is prohibited, so we were content in showing respect. I just bought some postcards at 10 Nepalese Rupees each (US $0.10) with her image taken probably one of those few festivals when Kumari is carried onto procession outside Kumari Ghar.
Kumari, the Living Goddess.
BASANTAPUR
Gabby, Tina and I felt thirsty so we bought a liter of bottled distiled water. Then we set foot at Basantapur just outside Kumari Ghar. Nothing was different except for more vendors of exotic souvenirs. At Basantapur, there were also intricately built Newar structures with beautiful woodcarvings. Everything and everyone were still at a slow pace.
This scene affirmed that priceless little moments make the best happiness! 🙂
Tina told me her heart melts for poverty in front of us at that moment. I told her, we can only be emphatic and it’s not easy to render sympathy. She mentioned that we are still blessed despite we, believe it or not, are still struggling Overseas Filipino Workers. We’re grateful for the chance that showed Gabby the value of appreciating what he has, no matter how little it is.
On a lighter note, we’re also thankful to taste what others considered as Starbucks Coffee in Kathmandu – the Himalayan Java Coffee that has branches all over the town. We had a few blends at Basantapur, before leaving Kathmandu Durbar Square.
At around 5 to 6PM, we rode a taxi back to Thamel, strolled our way down the dusty and narrow alleys of one of the busiest touristy areas in Kathmandu. We found plates that satisfied our cravings for dinner at a restaurant secluded inside Mandala Street.
With placid smiles, sleepy eyes and growling stomachs, we wolf down our first dinner in Nepal! 🙂
Served with red wine, this plate of Fish and Chips could’ve been better if not overcooked. We liked the Pineapple juice though (it’s rather rare in Penang!). In spite we’re not that impressed with food we had, we understand It’s not much of the food but our dining experience that matters.
It’s amazing how time spent less than a day, from our trip that commenced in Penang to Kathmandu, had already taught and reminded us so many life’s lessons. Emphaty and sympathy. Beauty in simplicity. History and heritage. Culture and beliefs. Kindness in strangers. Poverty amidst genius minds and artistic and skillful creativity. Respect for diversity. Happiness in little things.
Apparently, there is always something to learn beyond books, particularly from the people we meet and the people we travel with. What we become out of these learnings and experiences is all that is significant.
“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.”
– Jon Krakauer , Into the Wild.
To be continued.
*A life journey of mine, an epiphany of travel for you, made possible by Malaysia Airlines.
This Nepal Blog Series includes :
- Our Unforgettable Journey From Malaysia to Nepal
- Incredibly Beautiful Bhaktapur
- Patan : The City of Fine Arts in Nepal
- Beneath Buddha’s Watchful Eyes : Boudhanath Stupa & Swayambhunath Stupa
- Nagarkot : Sleeping in Nepal’s 7000 feet
- Our Last Moments in Nepal : From Nagarkot to Kuala Lumpur International Airport
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beyond toxicity @ docgelo.com 
what a great adventure! straight from the heart, keep it coming!
i really appreciate each time you visit and read my blog, ivan! maraming salamat! 🙂
It’s really an eye opener Doc, I have been fascinated with Nepal ever since I was a kid aside from of it’s culture but because of it’s unique non conforming Flag. Surely that was Mt. Everest, our eyes and mind may not agree at times but you’ll know it by heart, it is.
hi joey & krissy,
i cannot think of any reason why anyone wouldn’t be interested in nepal. the country has a lot to offer more than traveling. we fell in love with the country’s soul. 🙂
thanks for reading the post! really appreciate it.
wow! what an opening salvo for your nepal series! looking forward to reading more about your exploits 🙂
is it too long? i don’t know how to write short blog posts now, hehehe!
seriously, maraming salamat, jun for taking time reading my humble post.
you know you’re part of this journey. 🙂
not too long! awesome and inspiring is more like it!
thank you! 🙂
What a great experience, parang chapter one lang ang nabasa ko. Cliffhanger ….
hello ms. ebie, thanks for visiting this site again! i love your photos posted on fb and miss swinging to your site too.
thanks for reading the blog post again; i’ll update it soon. chapter two and three and four and so on 😀
Amazing post!, Love the photos, it made me feel as if I’m also there.
welcome to my blog, sam and thank you for reading this post. stay tuned for more! 😀
.. I love the ‘lecturing’ part! haha. it’s such a satisfying experience travelling to a place that is different, it sort of creates a kind of thrill that is sometimes inexplicable – guess that’s how I feel. would love to visit nepal too in the future if given a chance. 🙂
hi kuya rob! i agree with you. traveling has that factor that we cannot explain but satisfies us. regardless of the destination, the experiences are always different and that makes it wonderful. nepal is enchanting; incredibly mesmerizing despite its flaws and everything. 🙂
never thought nepal can be a great vacay destination until i saw your photos, kuya doc cousin.
nice to know you and your family enjoyed! balang araw, mararating ko rin ‘yan. =)
btw, blooming si misis ha! =)
hi iya,
yes, nepal is a uniquely beautiful travel destination where one can appreciate how life’s like at a very different pace.
it’s safe to bring kids too; and as for gabby, we’re happy he was exposed to a bit of what nepal is about despite the brief 5 day stay.
go to nepal whenever you have a chance. gusto ko mag trekking kung may next time. 🙂
salamat, matutuwa si tina sa comment mo, hehe! 🙂
Interesting place. Waiting for the rest of the story and pictures. 🙂
hi doc! interesting place, indeed!
please stay tuned for the rest of the blog series.
thank you! 🙂
I knew it, I’d be drooling with envy just looking at your pics! Nepal is a destination I’ve craved for so long.
You made the right choice choosing Nepal (though not the right choice in using public transport to the airport with three of you+bags hehe!).
Looks like Gabby found sleeping in an airport was not an ordeal after all. Parang nasa bahay lang 🙂
With your unparalleled and inspiring travel history, Dennis, it’s not impossible for you to set foot in nepal anytime soon. i would not be surprised too if you go trekking annapurna and other enticing places there! i want to go trekking too when chance allows to revisit nepal 🙂
gabby’s big boy now; i, myself were surprised for the fact that he & tina didn’t complain much of anything, despite lack of sleep on our first day. i’m proud we went out of our comfort zones together and had no regrets after.
I remember how I smiled ear to ear when I saw/ flied over Himalayas during our trip to Kashmir last year (which I haven’t blogged yet, oh well…). I think your son learned a lot from this family adventure. I wish to visit Nepal, too, especially that it is near to UAE.
I admire Gabby for his flexibility especially with the foreign food. I’ll be in tune for your next posts. 🙂
i was so silently ecstatic seeing himalayas despite it was too cloudy up there! unbelievable sight, indescribable feeling sabi nga sa kanta sa aladdin, hehehe!
stay tuned for the next post; i’ll make a follow up soon! thanks, jo! 🙂
yung architecture ng temple resembles the ones in india so much. what an incredible experience. so glad that tina finally decided to go. she would pull her hair out if she didn’t.
i was the happiest man alive when tina agreed to go with this trip!
incredible experience, indeed!
5 day visit to nepal seemed insufficient to experience and admire what the country and its people have to offer. we wish to revisit one day if chance permits.
Sa haba nitong post mo, Doc, super bitin pa ako! Next post na agad, bilis! hahaha! Gusto kong sabihin na hindi ako naiinggit pero oo, aaminin ko na, naiinggit ako sa trip mong ito, as in! Eh isa sa mga dream countries ko yan eh. Bata pa lang ako.
Can’t wait to get hold of those postcards. Terima kasih! 🙂
hello ms. N! nepal left us in awe! we cannot be grateful enough that we’ve experienced it recently; still i cannot believe it! we wish to go back whenever we get a chance in the future. there are more to experience in such country wealthy of history, culture, religion, diversity. 🙂
my blog post about our moments in bhaktapur, the place that tops my list in our itinerary – up next! 🙂
*starting to drool* LOL!
what can I say. Ibang level talaga to.For me,until now, dream parin ang Nepal.Okay lang, with all the juicy photos naman eh parang nakapunta nako. At ang bilis magsulat ha Doc!Mas mabilis pa sa usad ng bus.hahaha.The last Shangrila nga ang nepal.Looking forward to other related posts.Cheers to more unfogettable destinations 🙂 http://www.pusangkalye.net
thanks, anton!
our story in bhaktapur very soon! 🙂
Thanks for bringing me to Nepal 🙂 what’s the weather there? (or did I miss it in your post? hahaha)
Also, wat’s the name of tha hat or turban that you and Gabby were wearing?
You got me when you said you’re teaching the old guys microbiology, so funny!
Thanks for this post, lesson learned from your trip: wag magtipid na sumakay ng taxi para di kakaba-kaba na baka malate sa airport lol
hi missy! it’s monsoon season in kathmandu valley however, we’re blessed with good weather during our visit and experienced only a couple of few minute-drizzle when we were there. monsoon will lasts around mid-september, i heard.
sorry i forgot to mentioned in the post, i already edited. the traditional hats are called dhaka topi.
Thank you for this detailed and picturesque article about your family’s trip to Nepal. It makes me more confident and extremely excited to pursue my plan of travelling to Nepal with my husband for our 40th birthday 🙂 God bless you and your family!
Thank you for reading my blog series about Nepal!
I really appreciate and value comments from readers; they fuel me to continue the passion of blogging.
Have a safe and memorable journey to Nepal!
Namaste.
Very descriptive coverage of the trip and great pictures !! You really seem to have enjoyed your trip. Also you covered a wide gamut of aspects of Nepali Life.
We recently visited Nepal for a six day trip and had awesome time. We covered Kathmandu and Pokhara during the trip with both offering a very different perspective of life. To share our experience of the visit, do real the travelogue at following links –
– Kathmandu – http://www.expressions-kt.in/2014/04/kathmandu-spiritual-hub-enchanting.html
– Pokhara – http://www.expressions-kt.in/2014/05/picturesque-pokhara-enchanting-nepal.html
Thanks for sharing!
Hi doc,
I am Navaraj from Nepal…Thank you for sharing your experience in Nepal.
Namaste. Thank you for reading my blog! 😊
Incidentally, I also published a book in the US available in amazon called #travelmemories that features Nepal
Hello Doc Gelo!
I really enjoyed reading your travelogue enroute to Kathmandu. My friend and I will be traveling to Nepal next year and I am super excited! I’d probably be reading your blog posts about Nepal in the next few days. 🙂
Thank you so much!
I’d like travel to Nepal for 6days5nights(couple).kindly quote me private tour n lodging.is your price I including airfare n entrance.
Thanks.
This is my first time reading your blog post, stumbled upon when searching about Nepal. Will fly there at the end of the month! 🙂
Thank you for this post, I love knowing how a man can love his family this much and able to express it on writing. 🙂 Send my best regard for Tina and Gabby. 🙂
Hi Bulan,
Thank you for taking time reading my blog posts about Nepal. There’s so much to love about that country, I wish to revisit in the coming years.
Here’s hoping you’ll have a safe and fun journey to Nepal soon!
Thanks! Are you still living in Nepal? I’m now working in KL. Hahaha.
No, we just visited Nepal for 5 days 2 years ago. From Malaysia, I am now based in Dubai since last year.
You can find my stories in my blog; just click home.
Incidentally, I published a book in the US called, #travelmemories available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and other online bookstores. It features my unforgettable journeys to Nepal, Morocco and Jordan. My follow up travel photo book will be published within the year hopefully.
Thank you!
Cool!