AfarCreations

Tourist Police in Nepal

2011-01-16T16:04:00.002-10:00

Tourism Police was established in 1979 under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. The main function of Tourist Police is to look after the welfare of Tourist and to assure them a pleasant and a memorable stay in Nepal. Among others, its function includes advising and assisting tourist in safety and security during traveling, trekking, rafting in any part of Nepal.

A special unit of the Nepal Police, the Tourist Police, is trained specially to assist visitors with security and travel related problems. An English-speaking officer on duty is just a call away between 8 am and 8 pm. These officers are also stationed at all the major tourist sites. They can be easily identified by their Blue van and Blue bicycle that they use for constant patrol.

Activities
1. Daily patrolling within the Tourist interested area in Kathmandu valley.
2. Opening Tourist Police Post in different area including Airport (TIA) and Basantapur.
3. Quick action and investigation have taken seriously in any tourist complaints.
4. To provide information on travel security.
5. To ensure hassle free trip by keeping hawkers, beggars and street children away from tourist.
6. To assist tourist whenever need arises.

Tourist Police Contacts:

Tourist police                        Bhirkutimandap        +977-01-4247041, +977-01-6213591
Tourist police                        Thamel                   +977-01-4700750
Tourist police                        Basantapur             +977-01-4268969, +977-01-4269452
Police Head HQ Operation      Naxal                      +977-01-4412780, +977-01-4411549
Police Control                       Ranipokhari              100, 120, 130

Tribhuvan Intl. Airport:

Police Security Guard, TIA                                    +977-01-4498776, +977-01-4495751
Immigration Office, TIA                                        +977-01-4470650
Department of Immigration                                  +977-01-4223590, +977-01-4223691
Nepal Tourism Board                                           +977-01-4256909
Tourist Service Center       Pokhara                      +977-061-535292
Tourist Police                    Pokhara                      +977-061-462761
Tourist Police                    Belhiya, Sunauli           +977-071-420197
Tourist Police                    Pasupati, Kathmandu    +977-01-4478126

Helicopter Tour in Nepal

2011-01-16T03:09:00.000-10:00

In Nepal, considering the remote corners of the Himalayas require not be a problem. Mountain flights present the answer. In just a short time, you will be experiencing the Himalayas at such close range it will appear as though you could reach out and touch them. There before your eyes is the world's tallest mountain, Everest at 8848m (29,028ft). Among amazing panoramic views of the 850 mountains over 6000 meters (19,680ft), you will see Kanchenjunga (8586m/ 28,162ft), Makalu (8463m/ 27,766ft), Lothse (8400m/ 27,940ft) and Manaslu (8165m/ 26,781ft). This is a sure way to touch any visitor's heart and to give great pleasure.

In Nepal, going to remote area of the Himalaya by helicopter is a enjoyable and thrilling activity. Since the whirly bird needs only a small landing space, it can be hired to take tourists to whichever destination and at whatever time they want to go.

The enthusiastic visitor to Nepal, who doesn't have the time to trek for weeks in the hills and mountains nor has had the chance to visiting the attractions of the total secrecy of nature in Nepal can get a scenic bird's eye view while you are flown to on helicopters for the most inspiring experience that will give you a sense of fulfillment.

Nepal with its high mountains and gorgeous picturesque countryside is known as "Helicopter Country." The helicopter services industry in Nepal is now well well-known with many types and categories of helicopters. The pilots are very knowledgeable specialized with thousands of flying hours experience in Nepal. The helicopter service companies have excellent reputations and established records for reliable emergency and rescue flight operations.

Itinerary:
Day 01	Arrival in Katmandu, transfer to hotel and well come diner.
Day 02	preparation for helicopter tour activities, sightseeing, trekking, & so on.
Day 03	Helicopter tour / trekking activities (Helicopter Tour and trekking duration will be depending on your holiday duration in Nepal).
Day 04	Sightseeing in Katmandu & farewell Dinner.
Day 05	Back to onward destination.

Pashupatinath Temple

2011-01-16T02:59:00.000-10:00

Pashupatinath is one of the holiest pilgrimage purposes for all the Hindus of the world. The temple is enthusiastic to Lord Shiva, one of the trinity and the guardian (patron) deity of Nepal. This is one of the oldest temples, situated on the banks of the Holy Bagmati River. It is double - roofed golden temple with four triple silver doorways. Pashupatinath covers and area of 281 hectares, which is one of the main temple multifaceted in Nepal.

Pashupati is one of the many names of Lord Shiva, which means "Lord of Animals" or "Lord of the living beings". Everyday thousands of Hindus go to the temple. It is situated 7km. From the aged city of Kathmandu. The date of building of this temple is unknown. However, it is believed to be built by the Licchavi King Supuspadeva in the 6th Century. It was renovated by King Jyoti Malla in 1416 A.D. King Bhupatindra Malla reconstructed it in 1697. All the Shah Kings have magnificence. Non - Hindus are not allowed inside the main temple. They can have a good view of the temple compound from the other side of the Basmati River. There are many Ghats on the bank of River Bagmati, which are rectangular or round ones for ceremony strike. There are many small houses behind the Ghats; there are disappearing near the complex is almost a guarantee for betterment in the next life. After the death ritual of cremation is started immediately, all the ritual can be observed from the other side of the river. People other than family members are requested not to go very near and disturb the cremation activity. Photos from far are possible.

Mountain Biking in Nepal

2011-01-10T17:08:00.000-10:00

Mountain biking in Nepal is a great opportunity to explore the unexplored Nepal. Most of the tourists visit places that are very common and bustling with people across the year whereas mountain biking will take you to places that have not yet seen tourist onslaught. The best part of this activity is that, you are allowed to bike independently and stop at the place that catches your fancy. But that is only of course if the site falls on the prior decided route. The best part of this activity is that, you can go to places that are not reachable by any mode apart from bicycles.

Nepal has many trails to ride on. You can select any of them depending upon your mood and stamina. So it is solely upon you if you want to make a challenging climb thousands of meters to reach a picturesque point or you make an exhilarating descent to Royal Chitwan National Park. Talking of dampeners, the comparatively longer tracks require physical fitness and great stamina. There is no paperwork but you are not allowed to use regular bikes on prescribed tracks. Only mountain bikes are allowed.

Although more crowded than tracks of Northern Nepal, the Kathmandu valley provides some great opportunity for rides. It has many hidden trails. It is arguably the best way to visit the interesting towns, Temples and Stupas. There are things to keep in mind. Don't venture out at all without a proper trail map; say Schneider Trail Map, and a good compass. Keep a good sense of tracks and directions and yes, carry a Nepali phrasebook. You never know when you will need to brush up a bit of Nepali.

Popular Mountain Biking Tracks

Balazu - Kakani - Balazu
Maharajgunj to Budhanilkantha
Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Patan
Pokhra city area
Kathmandu - Pokhra - Tansen - Bhairahawa - Chitwan

Hot Air Ballooning in Nepal

2011-01-10T17:02:00.000-10:00

Hot air ballooning is new to Nepal. In fact, it was started in the year 2000 on the increasing demand of the foreign tourists. In the last decade, Hot-Air Ballooning and Bungee Jumping have successfully replaced the traditional adventure sports such as Trekking and Hill-Biking in Nepal. The most interesting thing with the Hot-Air Ballooning is that, it gives you a breathtaking view of Kathmandu valley. On a clear day, it is a superb way to view the Greater Himalayan Peaks.

Most of the rides start early morning as it takes more than half an hour for hot air to inflate the crumpled and dead cold balloon. As the burner guzzles gas, the balloon starts to pick up slowly. The departure is gentle and one hardly feels the ascent apart from a mild nudge. The advantage of this magnificent form of flight is that there is neither the hummer of engines, nor any airplane wings to obscure the mesmerizing and picturesque view.

The best months of Balloon flights are between October and March. Though at times, when weather permits, the ballooning season in Nepal stretches to April too. The only dampener is the fact that these flights are heavily dependent on the velocity and direction of the wind. The landings are generally done in the terraced paddies that stretch out across the fringes of the valley. Most of these flights take off from the historic town of Bhaktapur and, depending on which way the wind blows, takes you on a trip that gives you an eagle's eye view of Kathmandu town and the valley.

Paragliding in Nepal

2011-01-10T16:55:00.000-10:00

Paragliding is a foot-launched, ram-air, airfoil canopy which flies with the energy of wind, gravity and pilot's power to steer. It descends due to gravity and ascends due to air pressure. With the help of air pressure, pilot decides when and where to fly, soar, and dive and eventually land it safely. Adventure seekers seek depths and space where ever they can find. In Nepal, you have breathtaking depth of 700 meter or higher for the unparalleled Shangri-La that lies beneath the Himalayan range offering a scenic ecstasy of the valleys and lush green jungles combined with an infinitive visibility of the crisp clear Himalayas all around you, all ready to add another dimension in your flight adrenals.

November, December and January are the best three months for Paragliding in Nepal. Superb weather and excellent mountain visibility can be expected during those months. Annapurna region, also known as the arms of Pokhara valley, is the best location for paragliding in Nepal. Sites around the Phewa Lake are popular, one such is the Sarangkot hill which provides a breathtaking view point of 700m above the Pokhara heaven!

Like Bungee Jumping and Hot-Air Ballooning, Paragliding too is new to Nepal. Nevertheless, Para-Gliding was an instant hit among the tourists the year it was first launched. Paragliding in Nepal can be a truly wonderful and fulfilling experience for the adventure seeker. Since the 'Fall of Icarius', the men have always wanted to have their own wings. And as God is yet to be that generous, paragliding tries to fulfill that dream to some extent. And that is why; it is such a craze in Nepal. After all, who doesn't want to share his airspace with Griffin Vultures and Kites while smoothly gliding over villages, lakes and jungle with the dazzling and intimidating Himalayan peaks in the background?

A trip will take you over some of the best scenery on earth, as you share airspace with Himalayan griffin vultures, eagles, kites and float over villages, monasteries, temples, lakes and jungle, with a fantastic view of the majestic Himalaya.

The takes off point for these flights is Sarankot (1592m.), which also offers prime views of Fewa lake and mountains at sunrise and sunset (provided the skies are clear) and the landing is by the Fewa lake.

Tips for Safe Mountain Trekking in Nepal

2011-01-07T08:02:00.000-10:00

The tranquility of the Himalayas is a magnet for adventure seekers and alpinists. With the marvelous scenery, mountain passes and the peak of Mt. Everest, the trekking routes in Nepal are somewhat of a natural Disneyland for travelers. Annapurna, Kanchenjunga, Langtang and the trek up to Everest base camp via the Khumbu Valley are among the most popular circuits in Nepal. Here are some tips to get maximum enjoyment from trekking in this Himalayan kingdom.

What Time of Year is Best for Trekking in Nepal?

The most favorable time to visit Nepal is from September to November. Daytime temperatures are balmy and the skies will be clear, offering unobstructed views of mountain summits. Spring, which generally lasts from March to May, is also comfortable and the country's flora will be in full bloom. There are, however, downsides to arriving in Nepal during these periods. The trails will be busier, accommodation can be hard to come by and porters will increase their fees.

The summer is generally a poor season to visit the trekking routes in Nepal, due to monsoon rains that turn the trails into a wet, slippery mess. Winter is best avoided unless you enjoy frigid temperatures. The weather conditions can be unpredictable at this time and it wouldn't be fun to get caught in a snowstorm at higher elevations.

Choosing Where to Trek

Making decisions about where to trek shouldn't be made hastily. Nepal is a small country but the altitude of the land within its borders ranges from as low as 70 meters all the way up to 8,800 meters. There is scarcely a flat stretch of land anywhere. Before selecting an appropriate trek, travelers need to know their fitness level because trekking should be thought of as an expedition. To be on the safe side, first timers should book a trip on one of the established trails that don't require advanced skills. An organized trek arranged by an agency is a good option for trekkers who have limited time and want their itineraries prepared for them.

Health Matters in Nepal

Rushing a trekking journey in Nepal can be dangerous at high altitudes. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which is more commonly known as altitude sickness, tends to affect people when they go above elevations of 3,000 meters. Fluid will build up where it shouldn't, mostly in the brain and lungs. Here are some early symptoms:

Headaches
Dizziness
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Rapid pulse

Trekkers who aren't well should rest until they feel better. Take it nice and slow, and stay in one area for two or three days if necessary before acclimatization kicks in. Worsening symptoms include a persistent cough, loss of coordination and a severe headache that hurts more when one bends over. Anyone in this state must turn around and descend immediately. Travelers might want to get vaccinations for Hepatitis A and typhoid if they plan to visit remote areas.

Is Trekking Alone Safe?

Solo trekking is a great way to see the country, but for the sake of safety it's better to get together with a group. Have a look at the notice boards in Kathmandu and Pokhara for trekking companions. Reputable tour agencies provide Sherpa and perhaps Tibetan porters and guides, who can be exceptionally tough and knowledgeable about the local terrain.

Travelers of all nationalities should register with their embassies after arriving in Nepal. Trekking permits may be required to enter some national parks and more isolated areas of the country, but these can be obtained from trekking agencies. Don't forget to buy travel insurance. It will cost you dearly if a helicopter evacuation becomes necessary at an altitude of 5,000 meters.

World Heritage

2011-01-06T03:53:00.000-10:00

Nepal has applied to UNESCO, the arm of the United Nations that promotes protection of cultural and natural heritage worldwide, to list nine more locations in the country as World Heritage Sites. Nepal already has 10 listed sites, seven of them in the Kathmandu Valley. UNESCO has ten criteria for the world heritage list, six applying to cultures living and dead and four for natural sites. For inclusion, nominated sites must have "outstanding universal value" and meet at least one of the ten criteria. There are currently 878 World Heritage Sites, and about three-quarters of the countries in the world have at least one site listed.

Nepal's proposed additions are the medieval walled city of Lo Monthang in the Mustang region; the temple of Vajrajogini and the old town of Sankhu nearby; the medieval town of Tansen, with its enormous gate studded to protect against elephant attack; the old hilltop village of Kirtipur, near Kathmandu; and Nuwakot Palace, the retreat of the founder of the recently-expelled Shah dynasty. Also in the filing are the 12th century Ram Janaki temple, believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu goddess Sita, and the Rishikesh temple complex in southern Nepal, a pilgrimage site mentioned in Hindu scripture, and two sites in western Nepal dating to the Khasa kingdom, the Bhurti Temple Complex and the cultural remains in the Sinja Valley.

A Living Cultural Heritage:
Nepal's heritage is alive and dynamic. Shamanism, animism & Witch craft are still practiced in remote regions Temples, shrines monuments and monasteries are extremely active with devotees burning butter-lamps, singing hymns, chiming temple bells and playing drums.

World Heritage Sites (Natural):

Everest National Park (1148 Sq. Kms.)
Royal Chitawan National Park (923 Sq. Kms.)

World Heritage Site (Cultural):

Swayambhu
Bouddha
Bhaktapur
Changunarayan
Pashupatinath
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square
Lumbini

National Parks:

Royal Barida National Park (968 sq. Kms.)
Langtang National Park (1710 sq. Kms.)
Shey-Phoksundo National Park (355 sq. Kms.)
Rara National Park (106 sq. Kms.)
Khapted National Park (225 sq. Kms.)
Makalu-Barun National Park (2330 sq. Kms.)

Wildlife Reserve:

Sukla Phanta Reserve (305 sq. Kms.)
Parsa Reserve (499 sq. Kms.)
Koshi-Tappu Reserve (175 sq. Kms.)

Conservation Areas:

Annapurna (2600 sq. Kms.)
Makalu-Barun (2330 sq. Kms.)

Hunting Reserve:

Dhorpatan (1325 sq. Kms.)

Wildlife:
This country harbors one of the world's best habitat for One horned rhino, Royal Bengal tiger, Show-Leopard, Clouded-Leopard, Red panda, Blue-sheep and long snouted fish eating Gharial. Other wildlife includes wild elephant, buffaloes, bisons, blue bell, Brown, bear, Sloth bear, Leopard, crocodiles and many varieties of cat, dog, deer and antelope families. And 840 different species of wetland, migratory and residential birds.

Endangered Species:
Tiger, Rhino, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard Red Panda, Brown Bear, Asamese Macaque, Gangetic Dolphin, Wolf, Wild Elephant, Giant horn-bill, Swamp deer, Wild yak, Nayan, Tibetan antelope, Black buck, Four horned antelope, Musk deer pigmy hog, Haspd hare, Pangolin, Gharial, Indian bustard, Saras Crane, Impean Pheasant, Python.

National Park Wild Life Reserves in Nepal

2011-01-02T21:28:00.000-10:00

1. Royal Chitwan National Park

Wild roars of tigers, chirping of jungle birds, soothing breeze and the splashing ripples of the river Rapti... a visit to the Royal Chitwan National Park may sound dream-like but reality speaks for itself. Visit Chitwan if you believe the above statement and all the more if you doubt it.

Fast Facts

Location	120 km South West Of Kathmandu, Nepal
Area Coverage	932 sq km
Wildlife Attractions	One-Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger
Temperature	Max- 34°C & Min- 1°C
Best Time to Visit	From October to February
Nearest Access	Bharatpur

Striking Features

There are more than 43 species of mammals, over 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles in the park.
One of the most important sub-tropical parks in Indian sub-continent.
More than 43 mammal species, 450 bird species, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles.
Known for diversity of eco-systems. Within the park are Churia hills, ox-bow lakes, and the flood plains of Rapti, Reu and Narayani rivers.

Fauna and Flora
Mammals
There are more than 50 species of mammals in the park. The park is famous for conservation of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, gharial, gaur, wild elephant, four horned antelope, striped hyena, pangolin, Gangetic dolphin, monitor lizard, and python. Some other animals found in the park are sambar, chital (deer), hog deer, barking deer, sloth deer, common leopard, ratel, palm civet, wild dog, langur and rhesus monkeys.

Amphibians
More than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles live in the park, more famous of which are the marsh crocodile, cobra, green pit viper and various species of frogs and tortoises.

Birds
There are more than species of birds in the park. Counted among the endangered birds are the Bengal florican, giant hornbill, lesser florican, black stork and white stork. Few common birds are peafowl, red jungle fowl, and different species of egrets, herons, kingfishers, flycatchers and woodpeckers. The best time for watching birds is in March and December.

Flora
One fifth of the park is comprises the floodplain of the Narayani, Rapti and the Reu Rivers. It is covered by dense Elephant grass interspersed with forests of silk cotton (Kapok), Acacia and Sisam trees.

Adventure Activities
Watching the wonders of Nature
Watching unique birds and animals from atop an elephant can be quite exciting. Here is a list of activities that can make your trip to the Royal Chitwan National Park more memorable.

Canoeing
Canoeing on Chitwan rivers is an excellent way of seeing waterfalls. The park's dolphins and crocodiles, however, are seldom seen. The high temperatures experienced in the park make bathing in the river an attractive pastime. Water-holes are also lure for a swim. Watching the elephants showering is very interesting.

Elephant Tracking
Elephant rides is a major Chitwan attractions. Wild boar, red deer and other creatures of the jungle can be seen, in the morning and evening especially, from from atop the tall pachyderms. One more advantage is that rhinos can be approached without danger. Apart from the animals, luxuriant vegetation and jungle chorus - different sounds in different parts of the day - make the ride a memorable experience.

Jeep Safari
Jungle safaris make it possible to explore the length and breadth of the National Park.

White- Water Rafting
White-water rafting expedition and jungle safari together represent the ultimate adventure. The river trip itself takes two to three days, commencing at or upstream of Mugling and ending in Narayanghat.

Animal Watching from Hides
Apart from safaris on foot and elephant back, hides offer animal watchers another way of getting what they want. Called machans in local language, these wooden towers are usually erected in clearings crossed by game paths. Best time to watch red deer and rhinos is early morning and evening.

Travel Tips

Try to be well informed about the routes of the park
Consult the doctor before you leave for the trip
Do not disturb the animals and birds in the park
Remain in a group
Try to take a guide along with you while exploring the park

What To Bring With You

Binoculars
Sun Hat and Sun Cream
Swim Wear
Light Clothes; Color should blend with natural surroundings
Light sweater or jacket for mornings and evenings during the winter season (Dec to Feb)
Shoes for easy movement
Flashlight
Swiss knife

How To Reach Royal Chitwan National Park
By Road
Move on the Kathmandu-Narayanghat Highway. Then drive on the Pokhara - Narayanghat Highway which takes you to the park.

By Raft
You can raft down the Trisuli River (from Kathmandu) or Seti River (from Pokhara) ro reach the park.

By Air
Regular charter flights are available from Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar (Koshi Tappu), Bhairawa (Lumbini), Nepalgunj (Bardia).

2. Sagarmatha National Park

The Sagarmatha National Park is the highest national park in world, located above 3000 meters i.e. 9700 feet. The park comprises the upper catchment areas of Dudh Kosi and Bhote Kosi Rivers. Most part of the landscape is rugged terrain and gorges of the high Himalayas.

The Park is located amidst the peaks which are counted among the tallest in the world. Mount Sagarmatha is none other than Mt. Everest itself. Other well known peaks such as Lhotse, Thamerku, Pumori, Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Kwangde, Kangtaiga and Gyachyung Kang are also located nearby. More than 118 species of birds and 26 species of butterflies reside in the park.

Fast Facts

Location	Solu-Khumbu District of the Sagarmatha Zone, Northeast of Kathmandu
Established On	July 19, 1976
Importance	UNESCO World Heritage Site
UNESCO Category	Natural
Listed In Year	1976
Area Covered	1,148 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Wild Yak, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Snow Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear
Best Season To Visit	October to November and December to February

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest) and the surrounding areas are important not only to Nepal but also to the rest of the world. too. Its recognition as a National Park since 1976 intends to protect its unique cultural, physical and scientific values.
The UNESCO recognised Sagarmatha National Park as a world heritage site in 1976 as the park 'contains superlative natural beauty and is of great aesthetic importance'.

Fauna

Creatures that can be witnessed in the wildlife tour of the park are following:

Endangered Animals : Endangered animals residing in this park are Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Wild Yak, Red Panda and Himalayan Black Bear.
Large Mammals : Big mammals commonly seen in the park are the Himalayan Tahr and Musk Deer.
Other Mammals : Other mammals include the Himalayan Black Bear, Jackal, Weasels, Marten, Common Langur and the Himalayan Mousehare (Pika).
Birds : The park is the residence of more than 118 species of birds. The most common ones are the Impeyan Pheasant (Danphe), Redbilled Chough, Blood pheasant and Yellow-billed Chough.

Flora
Pine and hemlock forests are found at the lower elevations of the park. Above 3500m, trees such as birch, rhododendron, silver fir and juniper trees can be seen. Rhododendron show luminous colours in spring and monsoon seasons. The tree line in the region is at 4500m. Birch gives way to juniper and rhododendron scrubs. The park landscape is cut by deep rivers and glaciers. It can be segregated into four climatic zones:

The Lower Forested Zone where Juniper, Birch, Blue Pines, Bamboo, Firs and Rhododendon grow.
The Upper Zone where plant life is limited to Lichens and Mosses.
The Artic Zone where plants stop to grow.

Activities
Nature Walk
The park can be best experienced on foot. Nothing can match the walker's sense of excitement at complete fusion with the world of Nature by observing the park's vegetation and wildlife.

Trekking
From Sagarmatha National Park, trekking trail to Kala Pathar Peak is the most popular, though the treks to Gokyoand Chukung Valleys are no less thrilling.

Places of Interest
Apart from the greatly varied flora and fauna as well as the impressive mountain scenery of the park, there are some monasteries and gompas in the Sagarmatha National Park premises that hold the travellers' attention. Here is brief infomation about such places.

Park Visitor Center
It is located at Mendalphu i.e. the park's Headquarters. While staying at Namche Bazar, don't forget to visit the natural history and cultural heritage museum.

Thame Gomba
It is one of the most important religious centers in the area. Renowned Mani Rimdu festival is celebrated here in May.

Khumjung Gomba
In June the Dumje festival is observed here as well as at the monasteries of Namche and Pangboche.

Highlights

Marvellous mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world (8,848 m).
Several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser panda, can be found in the park.
The presence of the Sherpas, with their unique culture, makes the site more interesting.

How to Reach
Common ways to reach the national park are:

Flight to Lukla followed by two days walk.
Bus to Jiri and 10 days walk
Flight to Tumlingtar and 10 days walk.
Flight to Syangboche, the highest airstrip in the world.
Flight to Phaplu and 5 days walk.

3. Royal Bardia National Park

Royal Bardia National Park, the largest and most undisturbed park in the lowland region of Terai, is known for abundance of wilderness. Initially a royal hunting reserve, it was later granted the status of a national park.. The purpose was to preserve the ecosystem of the region including all wild species. The park encompasses approximate 300 sq km of sal forests and riverine grasslands. High elephant grass and dense forests provide home to plenty of animals.

Becoming of the Park
Royal Bardia National Park was once an open area of wilderness. Rana rulers of Nepal earmarked it as their royal hunting reserve from 1846 to 1950. In 1976 the region was gazetted as Royal Karnali Wildlife Reserve with an area of 368 sq. km. In 1982, it was rechristened as Royal Bardia Wildlife Reserve including the Babai river valley. It was designated a national park in 1988.

Fast Facts

Location	Western Lowland Terai , Nepal
Importance	Largest park in the lowland Terai
Area Covered	968 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Gharial crocodile, marsh mugger and Gangetic dolphin, Bengal tiger, wild elephant, Greater one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, and black buck
Best Season to Visit	From October to February
Major Attraction	Greater One-horned Rhinoceros

Fauna
Most popular attraction of Royal Bardia National Park is one-horned rhinoceros which was relocated from one other national park in 1986, 1991 and 1999. The park is also known for one of the last known herds of wild Elephants in South Asia. Several deer species also reside in Nepal. These include Chital or spotted deer with white spots on a brown coat; Sambhar, the largest deer on Indian subcontinent, Swamp Deer, locally called Barasingha; Hog deer, similar but smaller than Chital; and the Barking Deer, the park's smallest deer with reddish skin.

Other big animals residing in the park are Blue Bull, locally called Nilgai, which is the biggest antelope on the Indian subcontinent; Wild Boar, an omnivorous beast with huge tusks; Sloth Bear, a shaggy black bear; and Gaur, the biggest wild oxen. Serow, Goral and Himalayan Tahr are also hit among the tourists. Langur, a kind of monkey; Rhesus Macaque, Mongoose, Jackal and Indian Otter are few small creatures living in park. The park also holds large number of bird species, many of which are migratory.

Striking Features

Several open grasslands are within the park. Game viewing is excellent in these grasslands. Many of the forest tracks throughout the park also present very good game viewing.

More than 350 species including storks, geese, jungle fowls, king-fishers, cormorants, egret, and endangered species such as the Bengal florican, silver-eared mesia and the saurus crane. This makes the park highly attractive for bird lovers.

The park, a sub-tropical jungle, is thickly forested by sal trees and carpeted with grass, savannah and riverine vegetation.

The northern part is bordered by the Churia hill range, the west by the Karnali river, while the Babai river flows through the middle of the park.

On the southern part of the park are the villages of Tharu people. One of the most picturesque national parks in Asia, it teems with rich and varied flora and fauna.

How to Reach
By Air:
Daily flights operate from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj Airport, nearest to the Royal Bardia National Park.

By Road:
Private transport can be hired to reach th park. Buses running on the route of Mahendranagar, Dhangadi, or Karnali can be boarded.

4. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is located on the banks of the Sapta-Koshi, one of the three main tributaries of the Ganges, in eastern Nepal. Similar somewhat to a rectangle, it stretches south of the Sapta Koshi to the Indian border. The wildlife reserve consists of tall grassland with patches of khair-sissoo scrub forest and deciduous riverine forest. The popular reserve is set against the backdrop of the Eastern Himalaya, including Makalu (8475 m), the world's fifth highest mountain. The unique backdrop makes it more attractive for the wildlife lovers and the tourists alike.

Fast Facts

Location	East Nepal
Attraction	Migratory Birds
Area Covered	175 sq. km.
Endangered Species	Wild Buffalo or ArnaI, Gharial crocodile and Gangetic dolphin
Best Season to Visit	October to November and December to February
Best Route	October to November and December to February

Adventure & Activities
Elephant-back Safaris
Elephant -back safaris are one of major travel attractions of Kosi Tappu. The nilgai (blue bull), chital (spotted deer), hog deer, and wild boar are some other animals in the Reserve which can be seen from the back of the elephants. Watching the elephants from atop the pachyderms gives the wild life lovers sense of great excitement.

Canoe Rides
Canoeing on Kosi Tappu’s rivers is an excellent way of observing waterfalls. The park's freshwater dolphins and crocodiles, are the endangered species found in the river. Watching the elephants showering is a particular treat.

Jungle Walks
The jungle can be felt at best on foot. Although fauna and wild life can be witnessed from with comfort and personal safety from an elephant's back, nothing can be compared with the walker's sense of excitement when he comes face to face with the jungle world. The senses are always alert as they are enabled by nature to recieve myriad of experiences.

Bird-watching tours
Birds such as water fowl, waders and shore birds are delight for avid bird watchers. Many of the birds witnessed here are not seen elsewhere in Nepal.

Fauna & Flora
Variety of wild life can be seen while touring the wildlife park. It is the residence of the last surviving population of wild buffalo or arna. Nilgai (blue bull), chital (spotted deer), hog deer, and wild boar are some other animals residing in the Reserve.

More than 280 different species of birds can be found in the Reserve. These include twenty species of ducks, two species of ibises, many storks, egrets, herons, swamp partridge and Bengal florican. It is used by the migratory birds as their staging ground and resting place. Endangered aquatic animals like gharial, crocodile and Gangetic dolphin can be found in the Koshi river.

Hiking In Nepal

2011-01-01T19:28:00.000-10:00

The hills of Nepal are popular for hiking. Hiking provides you with spectacular views of the mountains and the deep valleys, as well as a chance to become acquainted with the Nepali people’s lifestyle, their art, architecture and cultural traditions. There are many popular areas for one or two day hikes.

Kakani

Kakani is popular for panoramic mountains views of Annapurna (8091m/ 26,545ft), Manasalu (8165m/ 26,781ft), Ganesh Himal (7446m/ 24,422ft), Lantang lirung (7245m/ 23,763ft) and 20 other mountains over 6000 meters (19,680ft) above sea level. You can also see the natural beauty of the Kathmandu Valley, the people and their culture and traditions. This is a one day trip from Kathmandu.

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is situated east of the Kathmandu Valley at an elevation of about 1800 meters (5,904ft). This spot is popular for mountain views particularly at sunrise and sunset. Among the 25 mountains above 6000 meters (19,680ft), Annapurna (8091m/ 26,545ft), Manasalu (8165m/ 26,781ft), Ganesh Himal (7446m/ 24,422ft) and Lantang lirung (7245m/ 23,763ft) can be seen. This is also a one day trip from Kathmandu.

Phulchoki

It is one of the most prominent peak 2829m/ 9050ft. high, which surrounds the valley of Kathmandu. This mountain,as it’s name suggests ( Phul means flower in Nepali) is a natural garden of wild roses, yellow jasmine, iris and other native flowers. The summit is a rich grove of rhododendrons of various hues. A jeepable road leads to the top of the hill where there is a Buddhist shrine. A youthful hiker stands a good chance of scaling the peak in a little more than three hours. The place has all the makings of a peaceful resort area

Nagarjun

It is about 10km/6.2 miles from Kathmandu city. There is a Buddhist shrine at the top, which is very holy for both Buddhist and Hindus. To reach the top one has to climb for about 15 to 20 minutes. From this point a panoramic view of the Himalaya ranges can be seen.

Dhulikhel

Dhulikhel is situated in the central part of Nepal. This is just 32 km from the Kathmandu valley. The main attractions of Dhulikhel are the grand and panoramic mountains views, numerous temples, and different types of landscape and a diversity of people. This ancient town is situated 30 km east of Kathmandu. It is a popular Himalayan viewpoint. From there you can have a complete panoramic view of the snowy ranges from Karyolung in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The old part of this town is an interesting area to wander around with some fine old Nepalese buildings and several interesting temples. From there you can also take a day trip to the Tibet border or Tatopani, a place which is famous for hot sulfur spring.

Daman

Sitauted at a height of 2100m/7500ft. above sea level, and a distance of 80km/ 50 miles. Daman is known for it’s vantage location in viewing the Himalayan peaks such as Mt. Everest, Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, Dorjelakpa, Gaurishankar, Cho yu etc. There is a view tower from where one can have a panoramic view of 300 miles of the Himalayan range.

Pokhara

The rare combinations of snow clad peaks and snow fed lakes and rivers has helped to make the valley of Pokhara ( 210 km/ 31 miles from Kathmandu) one of the most picturesque natural attraction in the Kingdom. A must for all visitors to Pokhara valley is the Fewa lake. A half day excursion of the Pokhara market, the cap factory and Seti gorge.For people with more time in hand can visit the Begnas and Rupa Tal or take a 3 hours hike to Sarangkot or Hyangja.Pokhara is accessible daily by road or air from Kathmandu.

Sarangkot

Situated in the western part of Nepal at an elevation of about 1700 meters (5,576ft),is very popular for mountain scenery. Here you can see panoramic views of Annapurna (8091m/ 26,545ft), Manasalu (8165m/ 26,781ft), Ganesh Himal (7446m/ 24,422ft), Dhaulagiri (8167m/ 26,795ft), Machhapuchare (the sacred mountain) and 25 other mountains over 6000 meters (19,680ft) high. This area also offers you views of the Pokhara Valley with all its natural beauty. Sarangkot is another spot renown for seeing the sunrise over the Himalayas. This is a one day trip from Pokhara.

Gorkha

Gorkha is situated in the western part of Nepal. The main attraction at Gorkha is the16th century royal palace. Also of interest is the temple of the most powerful and popular god, Kalika.This is decorated with ancient art and architecture. Three mountains ranges, the Manasalu, Annapurna and Ganesh Himal which include more than 40 mountains, surround the area. Here you can see the culture of the western ethnic groups.

Tansen

Situated on the slope of a hill called Shreenagar Danda, Tansen is a bright Himalayan town. It is also the most popular summer resort of western Nepal on account of its position and climate. It has perhaps Nepal’s most far stretching views of the country chef attraction E The Himalayas, from Dhawagiri in the west to Gaurishankar in the north east.

How to limit the time you spend on Facebook (FB)

2011-01-01T17:24:00.000-10:00

Its been more that 3 months I've been here in a new country, far from home, family and friends the first thing I do as soon as I wake up is get hooked on to Facebook and read some news about my country Nepal. Back home I was not a very active Facebook user but now its different.

Facebook is undoubtedly my medium to get get connected with whats happening back home, other friends round the world and also friend here near by. But the problem is, at times I and we as well don't get off this web of content put online by our near and dear ones. Some of my friends say I can't get off Facebook, I'm getting addicted to it. Other people are also kind of addicted to games and other social apps that Facebook has to offer. So how do we limit ourselves using Facebook then?

Stats Speak

Some one told me to batch the work, do it only once or twice a day like check your email only in the morning and in the evening and the same with Facebook, but I don't know if that works for me. Recently I read "Facebook users uploaded more than 2.7 million photographs, shared 1 million links and “liked” 7.6 million pages every 20 minutes in 2010, according to the company." - in an article from Mashable. So we are among the people in that 20 minutes that like the things, post links and photos and do other things on our beloved FB. How do we limit this then?

Way Out

I found a extension for Google Chrome, its called Chrome Nanny. This is a very cool extension, with this extension you can specify the time of day you want to block a website and the days of a week you want to block it. You can also pinpoint the maximum time you want to spend on the website in a day in the hours it is not blocked. This makes it good so that you are reminded that you spent say 30 minutes on Facebook today and its enough for today.

You can even see how much time you spent on the blocked website on the time you did not block it so it is a good extension to have. There is a similar extension for Firefox as well called Leech block I think it works in a similar manner. If you try to access Facebook (or other blocked site) in the given time or after you crossed the time limit for the day it shows you a white page with some text no the homepage of the site you are looking for. To users of the non standard compliant browser (Internet Explorer) god save you all from Facebook Addiction.

When you add a site to be blocked be very careful about the settings because when you try to edit or delete the blocked site it give a 64 character captcha kind of thing that never matches I don't know why. You can see the statistics on the time you spent on the websites you want to block in the hours they were not blocked. But if you really have to treat yourself with Facebook you can disable Chrome Nanny ;) (not suggested though). Similarly you can use Minutes Please to get the number of minutes you want to use a website like Facebook.

After the specified time the tab/window closes so you cannot use it anymore. May be this is also an option to know how long you want to spend time on Facebook.

More Things

I am not against Facebook but sometimes you need to be aware that you are spending a lot of time on it. Not only Facebook but you might be spending too much time on other websites like YouTube or some other website that you visit very frequently and loose the track of the time spent on it. So you can add those websites in Chrome Nanny and let the Nanny take care of it for your good.

Conclusion

Facebook rocks, its a great way to get connected and it has ample reasons to get the 500 million user it has now. But we don't have all the time in the world so to manage our time efficiently this might be a hard but practical way to keep things in control. So if I don't reply your comments on Facebook please blame Chrome Nanny for it. Blogging after so long feels good but time is very less now a days.

Bungy Jumping in Nepal

2011-01-01T04:47:00.000-10:00

BUNGY JUMPING if you thought bungy jumping was restricted to some places in Europe, New Zealand and America , it's time you got and update. The sport has finally found a natural home in the highest mountain range in the world. The ultimate thrill of a bungy jump can now be experienced in Nepal at perhaps the best site in the world.

Nepal's first bungy jumping site is situated 160m over the wild Bhote Kosi river, and located close to the Nepal-Tibet border, a three-hour bus ride from Kathmandu. As can be arranged on arrival in Kathmandu . As of now, there is only one agency offering this sport. The jump, at 160m, was designed by one of New Zealand 's leading bungy consultants, and is operated by some of the most experienced jump masters in the business. It's mishap-proof. The agency takes safety "very, very seriously".

Location:

Less than 3 hours outside Kathmandu by Ultimate Bungy Shuttle. You will travel the Arniko (Kathmandu/Lhasa) Highway to within 12km of the Tibet Border and the famous Friendship Bridge .

The Gorge:

Ultimate Bungy Nepal takes place on a 166m wide steel suspension bridge over the Bhoti Kosi River .

The Bridge:

Swiss designed, specially for bungy jumping with a 4x safety factor. The bridge has a loading factor of 250kg per running meter. This means that the bridge will hold 250 x 166 = 41,500kg or 4.5 tonnes. And... Those are Swiss measurements! * Over 6000 meters of steel wire was used to build the bridge * Longest suspension bridge in Nepal * the bridge joins two sides of a great valley. Before its construction, locals walked five hours to cross this river gorge.

Rates : Euro 70

Bungy Jumping Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Drive to Last Resort (Ultimate Bungy Sport) After arrival briefing and preparing for Bungy and after the jump rest and overnight at Last Resort or drive back to Kathamndu. This is the short day trip to Bungy in Nepal. If you have enough time then you can plan ahead as given below.

Day 02: After breakfast beautiful canyoning trip to The Bhote Kosi River cliff. This is also one of the most exciting adventure trip combining with Byungy.

Day 03: True adrenaline rafting trip on Bhote Koshi River for every adventure lover can enjoy its many challenging rapids and overnight camp.

Day 04: After breakfast continue rafting again and after that drive to Kathmandu. Above package program departures everyday from Kathamndu office. For details please make an inquiry to us or book this trip now.

White Water Rafting in Nepal

2010-12-31T21:35:00.000-10:00

Duration : 10 Days
Destination : Trisuli River - Sunkoshi River.

Itinerary : White Water Rafting

Day 01 - 03 : Rafting On The Trisuli River

White water rafting is one of the exciting adventures available in Nepal. For one to three days rafting we drive from Kathmandu approximately three hours to the rafting starting point. The rafting starting point will vary according to the level of the river and the number of days you wish to raft, it may be Charaudi or Fishling. Drive to Charaudi is approximately 3 hours (82km) and to fishling three and a half hours (98km). At the river our crew will be waiting in readiness with all the rafting gear. After a brief comprehensive safety talk by the lead river guide with some final tips on how to ride the raft and paddle, you will set off for some exciting white water rafting. The rafting trip in Trisuli river is easily accessible by road from Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Day 08 - 10 : Rafting On The Sunkosi River

The Sunkoshi River is one of the main tributaries
of the great Sapta Koshi River system of eastern Nepal. Our 8 - 10 days tour depending upon the time of operation and water level, is the ultimate experience in rafting in Nepal and starts from Dolalghat, near the Tibetan border and ends at Chatara in the immediate vicinity of Dharan.

The excitement will reach a climax in the last couple of days. It is not White water all the way. There are plenty of calm sections which allow time for contemplation and recovery. Since this trip is rather strenuous a reasonable level of fitness is required.

The Sunkosi River rises high in Tibet to enter Nepal as the Bhote Koshi. As it joins the Indrawati Khola at Dolalghat it truly becomes the Sunkoshi River then falling some 2500 ft (762 km), to reach the Tarai ( tropical plain of Nepal ), a distance of more than 270 km ( 163 miles).

Over this length the river includes many rapids, of which a number may be graded V on a scale of I to VI. These are good quality, interesting rapids separated by long stretches of attractive flat water, making it an ideal river for rafting.

Since there is no road access over the length of the river ( from Dolalghat to Chatara ), this gives each trip the feeling of an expedition; indeed the raft groups need to be self - sufficient in terms of food and equipments.

The point at which one can start is largely depended upon the water level, however, during high water it is possible to start at Lamosangu which runs directly into Grade III rapids although this is not practical for inexperienced crews.

Our programme allows for seven full days and two half days of actual rafting time. The speed at which one travels on the river is largely governed by the water level in that, the higher level, the faster, the flow. During such a period the trip might have to be shortened by one day.

The Sunkoshi River has a large selection of sandy beaches throughout its length, which gives a self - sufficient group a great deal of flexibility in its choice of camping places. Some beaches are near villages and others are remote and accessible only by boat.

The major rivers opened for rafting in Nepal
S.N.	River	Grade	Days
1.	Karnali	4 - 5	8 + 3 days travel by bus.
2.	Sun Kosi	4 - 5	8 + 1days travel by bus.
3.	Trisuli	3	1 - 3 days
4.	Kali Gandaki	5	3 days
5.	Bhote Kosi	4 - 5	1 - 2 days
6.	Marsyandi	5	5 days.
7.	Arun	4	3 + 2 days travel by bus.
8.	Bheri	3 +	3 + 3 days travel by bus.
9.	Budi Gandaki	4	3 + 1 days travel by bus.

Trekking Holidays in Nepal

2010-12-31T09:36:00.000-10:00

You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to tackle the Himalayas. Nor do you need any special experience. Trekking is just walking, and anyone who is moderately fit and has a sense of adventure will enjoy hiking and trekking in Nepal. The range of treks varies from a short gentle hikes through terraced foothills to lengthy expeditions to mount Everest's summit. Whatever your level of fitness or experience, you'll find an adventure of life time that is waiting for you in Nepal. For Major Trekking Areas of Nepal, Please follow the link below:

Annapurna Region Trekking

Everest Region Trekking

Langtang Region Trekking

Kanchanjunga Trekking

Mustang Trekking

Dolpo Trekking

News about Trekking on the Himalayas
New Trekking Regulations:

TAAN introducing Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS): As per the mandate of the Nepal Government, Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) introduced TIMS, the provision of Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) has come into force from Jan 01, 2008. Every trekker should obtain TIMS card before starting the trek.
Read More »

Some of the trekking itineraries of Nepal Mountain Trekking:

Name of Trekking	Camping/Lodge	Days
Lamjung Himal trek/Rafting/safari/sightseeing	Camping	16 days
Manaslu trek	Camping	16 days
Round Annapurna trek	Logde	20 days
Round Dhaulagiri trek	Camping	16 days
Makalu Base Camp trek	Camping	25 days
Sacred Mountain "Mt. Kailash" trek	Camping	25 days
Langtang Valley trek	Lodge	16 days
Rolwaling Himal trek	Camping	22 days
Panchase hill trek	Camping	6 days
Panchase poon hill trek	Camping	10 Days
Langtang / Helambu trek	Lodge	6days
Classic Nepal "Annapurna Sanctuary" trek	Lodge	19 days
Everest / Tyangboche trek	Lodge	7 days
Gokyo Lakes trek	Lodge	12 days
Everest Base Camp & Kalapatthar trek	Lodge	16 days
Helambu village trek	Lodge	6 days

Everest Trekking: Trek and experieces of life time...

2010-12-31T08:40:00.000-10:00

For decades, adventurers have been drawn to the romance of Mount Everest. The Everest Trek typically starts in Kathmandu with a coach trip to Jiri, followed by a week's trek to Lukla (2850 m). (If time is an issue, you can choose to fly straight to Lukla.) From Lukla you walk to the famous Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar and on to the Tengboche Buddhist Monastery, with its panoramic view of Everest (8848 m), Cho Oyu (8152 m), Lhotse (8516 m), Makalu (8463 m) and Ama Dablam (6456 m). Then it's across the glaciers to the foot of Mount Everest, and one of the most spectacular views of your life!

Have a look on Everest trek photo gallery

Route	Total trek days	Maximum elevation	Difficulty
Everest Panorama trek	7	3867m	Moderately Difficult
Everest Panorama with Sherpa Cultural Experience	8	3867m	Strenuous
Everest Gokyo lodge trek	12	5545m	Strenuous
Everest Base Camp trek and Kalapathar	12	5545m	Strenuous
Ultimate Dream of life Time	14	5545m	Strenuous
Shrine of Gokyo Lake n’ Glimpse of Mt. Everest	14	5360m	Strenuous
Everest BC Trek - Rafting- Safari	14	5545m	Strenuous
Everest Base Camp trek, Island Peak climb, Rafting and Kathmandu valley sightseeing	16	6168m	Strenuous
Classic Journey to Everest Region	19	5545m	Strenuous
Sea to Summit Himalayan Challenge	13	5545m	Strenuous

Visit other trekking areas

Annapurna Trek
Langtang Trek
Kanchanjungha Trek
Dolpo Trek
Mustang Trek

Electricity in Nepal

2010-12-28T07:34:00.000-10:00

Probably the most expensive electricity in the earth but to be sure the most disgusting inappropriate definition in our nation.

Almost all the populations boast about the pride of NEPAL but I guess it’s a nation of false statements. Government says electricity but kids know more facts about load shedding. 100% of the Nepalese territory is a victim of load shedding.

I once asked an engineering student to define electricity and he replied, ‘Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is a secondary energy source which means that we get it from the conversion of other sources of energy, like coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power and other natural sources, which are called primary sources. Electricity is a basic part of nature and it is one of our most widely used forms of energy. Despite its great importance in our daily lives, most of us rarely stop to think what life would be like without electricity. Yet like air and water, we tend to take electricity for granted. Everyday, we use electricity to do many jobs for us -- from lighting and heating/cooling our homes, to powering our televisions and computers. Electricity is a controllable and convenient form of energy used in the applications of heat, light and power’.

This was of course a very right definition; Yet again, I was pushed with my survey and I went to a kid and asked him to define electricity and he replied, ‘Electricity is the time when there is no Load shedding’.

I was amazed and I asked him to define Load shedding and he said, ‘Load shedding is the 6 hour dark time per day in Nepal.’ I then asked him to be more specific and he replied that it’s the most disgusting time as he is not able to watch his favorite TV show ‘Justice League’.

So why do we need electricity? Is it for a Justice League TV show or is it because it does many jobs for us.

The present situation of Nepal is very worst. The politicians of each party is calling it a New Nepal and acting themselves enthusiastic but what lies in between development and human resources is always a mystery here. I guess human resources should be used to its full for a New Nepal but can the human resources be used when the government gives us load shedding each and every day. Is our government this ignorant and too enthusiastic in his false craze for the development of Nepal. We are almost paralyzed when ever there is no electricity, the business rushes downward, all of us are mentally affected and in such a situation can we expect a New Nepal with a bunch of mentally frustrated population.

Let’s discuss this issue here and at least satisfy our mind the Osho way. Anything is allowed. No moderator shall be active in this issue. Let’s see how we and the rest of us react for the Load shedding issue that we are having each day. Just don’t spam the platform.

Nepal Culture

2010-12-27T18:50:00.000-10:00

The Himalayan Kingdom has the richest and most diverse culture landscapes anywhere. Nepal is the holy land of Lord Pashupatinath and Gautam Buddha where the Hindus and Buddhists have lived together in harmony for centuries. The Temple of Pashupatinath is Nepal/s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the four most important cities in the world for Shiva worshippers. Lord Buddha, the light of Asia, was born in Lumbini in Nepal/s southern plains, which makes Nepal a scared pilgrimage destination for Buddhists as well.

The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley. The three ancient cities of the Valley Patan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur represent an epitome of harmony in urban design, elegant architecture and refined culture. These cities pack a concentration of religious monuments unequalled in the world. Don/t miss the seven monument zones named as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO all situated within the small confines of the Valley.

Adding dazzling color to Nepal/s myriad attractions are the many festivals that dot the calendar. Join in the numerous annual festivals that are celebrated throughout the year in traditional style highlighting enduring customs and beliefs. Go for village tours and visit the multi-ethnic groups to get first hand experience of their customs and lifestyles.

As eating is a special affair in Nepal, there is food for each and every occasion and festival. Kathmandu offers an incredible selection of dining opportunities. There are many restaurants that serve only authentic Nepali food complete with ethnic ambience.

Friends in Love and Relationships

2010-12-26T08:37:00.000-10:00

When man and woman joins in love and relationship, intimacy labors throughout the arrangement. However, in friendship a different type of intimacy exists that makes the relationship work.

Friendship, as intimate relationships work with the exception that sex is not in the arrangement in some instances. Some friends join in friendship and later commit to sexual relations, thus leading to commitment or else separation.

Friendships that are long lasting usually have the ingredients to make the relationship work. Friends may cause each other agitation, frustration, or unintentional harm down the road in the relationship, yet the two will work together to make it work by finding a resolve.

Friendship is a form of commitment between two or more people, and often friends join in activities, entertainment, and communication. True friends will prove true to the end of the relationship.

Friends will not interfere with each other's life, unless the friend sees the need to address an issue that is causing the friend harm, or in the making of causing him/her harm.

True friends in love and relationships will not hold back any punches when addressing issues with friends. While the friend will not hold back any punches, he/she will use consideration of the person's feelings and emotions when addressing issues.

Friends have your back, which is a symbol of love displayed on their part, and friends that endure throughout the trials and tribulations of the relationship, show love since long-suffering and self-control are visual.

Friends in love and relationship may fight at times, but both parties will apologize for his/her part that instigated the disagreement. Friends will tell you when you are wrong, thus again not holding back any punches, while considering you.

Friends that develop into intimate relationships, often work through the arrangement regardless of the storms laid on their plates. Friendship before intimacy is smart, since the two have an overview of the others behaviors, habits, personality, skills, et cetera.

Love and relationships built on true friendship will last through habits, behaviors, personality flaws, et cetera, providing violence or repeated actions of inconsideration and disrespect is ongoing.

When mates disrespect each other, or show inconsideration ongoing, thus, the relationship will fail, since friendship, love and elements that compose love are lacking. Disrespect expands further than most people think.

Thus, learning beliefs, traditions, and standards is smart when considering love and relationships. Thus, starting out as friends will help you see through the person's behaviors, habits and personality, what makes him or her up as a person. The makeup of the person will include an insight of standards, traditions, and beliefs.

Beliefs are tricky, since nowadays standards are lower than ever, thus beliefs are often overlying inconsistency and dishonesty. When a person has lack of evidence to support their beliefs, thus faulty thinking is underlying the mind.

Beliefs are either concrete or superficial. To convince me that a person is worth my time, the person better have some realness in light. Thus, superficial beliefs rarely stand firm, thus the person is obviously heading in the wrong direction, and thus the relationship may or may not last.

As you can see, what determines the outlook of friendship, love and relationships depends on the makeup of the persons involved?

What about compatibility, where does it play in friendship, love and relationships.

Compatibility by definition means to exist together in agreement. When two people join in agreement the relationship may or may not last, since down the road can you determine if one person's mind will change?

People live life and gain experience and wisdom along the path, thus a shallow minded person might stumble upon information that changes his/her mind forever.

Thus, incompatibility according to definition means to cause a disturbance by inconvenience and distress. While the definition illustrates a failure down the road, many relationships built on incompatibility proved enduring, since down the road minds changed when facts were gathered leading to convictions.

Thus, conviction is devastating. When you have truth, you have conviction, thus no one can argue with you…therefore, relationships can last in friendship and in love and relationships.

The Origin of Christmas

2010-12-24T04:17:00.000-10:00

The origin of Christmas differs as the precise date of the birth and historicity of Jesus are much debated. Christmas, literally meaning the Mass of Christ, is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar. The festival of Christmas takes place on 25th December, every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is also celebrated as a secular holiday throughout the world, including countries with small Christian populations like India. Various theories of the origin of Christmas exist that give a clear insight into the celebration of Christmas.

Date Of Christmas
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in all Christian churches including Eastern Rite, Roman & Protestant. Since most Eastern Orthodox churches have not accepted either the Gregorian calendar or the Revised Julian Calendar reforms, December 25 will fall on the civil date of January 7 for the years from 1900 to 2099. It is believed that the nativity was set on December 25th by a Roman bishop around the third century A.D.

The Roots Of Christmas
Christmas is from Christes Maesse, which means Christ Mass. It is referred that during the 4th century, the celebration of Christ's birth on December 25 was gradually adopted by most Eastern churches. In Jerusalem, opposition to Christmas lasted longer as according to them the exact date of birth of Jesus Christ is unknown. It is said that December 17-24th was the period of Saturnalia, a well-known festival in pagan, Rome. December 25th was the birthday of Mithra, the Iranian god of light. This day was adopted by the church as Christmas to counteract the effects of these festivals.

The Acceptation
Though the true origin of Christmas is filled with controversy and compromise, today, Christmas has turned out to be one of the most popular festival that fills joy, happiness and love in people's life. The festival of Christmas has absorbed various customs and traditions of world and 25th December has emerged as the most important day for Christians, irrespective of its roots. It is taken as a day that reflects the power, glory and salvation of Jesus Christ and his message of hope to the world.

Various Theories Of The origin of Christmas
As the origin of Christmas has been a debatable issue, various theories has been suggested, supporting the date of 25th December as the birth of Jesus. Few of them are:

Roman festival of Saturnalia
It is an appropriation by early Christians of a day on which the birth of several pagan gods, Osiris, Jupiter, and Plutus, or the ancient deified leader Nimrod, was celebrated. It is an appropriation of the Roman festival of the birth of Unconquered Sun, celebrated on the day after the winter solstice, or the Roman festival of Saturnalia.

Jewish Festival of Lights
It derives from the tradition that Jesus was born during the Jewish Festival of Lights that falls on 25th December.

Date of Good Friday
The date of Christmas is based on the date of Good Friday, the day Jesus died. Since the exact date of Jesus' death is not stated in the Gospels, early Christians sought to calculate it, and arrived at either March 25 or April 6. Then, wishing to calculate Jesus' birthday, they followed the ancient idea that Old Testament prophets died either an anniversary of their birth or of their conception. In Jesus' case, they reasoned that he died on an anniversary of the Incarnation so the date of his birth would have been nine months after the date of Good Friday-either December 25 or January 6. The date of 25th December became popular.

Love At First Sight

2010-12-22T06:48:00.001-10:00

Love at First Sight. Perhaps, it is the most romantic thing that can happen to anyone. It makes people lose their heart and mind within a matter of several seconds. Love is a very strong emotion which, sometimes, is even impossible to control. Love at first sight can happen anywhere, anytime - in a subway, while walking on a street, or seeing a beautiful face from across the room ...

People who haven't experienced love at first sight themselves, probably don't believe that it can be real. There are many skeptics who say it is just passion or lust that attract people to each other, and refuse to believe that one can really fall in love with another person at the first moment their eyes meet.

And do you believe in love at first sight? Some scientists after studying human brain activity noted that it is quiet possible, but everyone is free to believe or not to believe. There are people who really experienced this wonderful moment. They say that as soon they have raised their head and met those eyes, they instantly knew that they were looking at the person of their dreams.

Psychologists say that love at first sight depends on our psychological state at the very moment. Sometimes we will not even notice those charming eyes, and other times they can deeply impress us. Also they say we need approximately 30 seconds to fall in love or, to be more precise, to establish whether the person is attractive, and a potential mate. By the way psychologists claim that men fall in love first.

"The study gets at the basic perceptual aspects in mating," said psychologist Jon Maner of Florida State University, who decided to find out how people react on strangers they have never met before. "It shows how quickly, strongly and automatically people are attuned to physical attractiveness whether looking for mates or guarding their mates from potential rivals," he added in an interview.

In the study university students were shown pictures of very attractive or average-looking people for just one minute, and after that they were asked to look at other things. The reaction time of the participants was measured, after what the psychologists were able to determine that half a minute was enough for students to decide if someone is attractive. The researchers also noticed that people fixated on attractive faces for half a minute longer after the one minute time limit.

"These are the kind of people we might prefer as romantic partners, but it doesn't mean we'd be able to have a relationship with them because highly-attractive people are very sought after," said Maner.

A lot of factors play role in the situation of falling in love from the first sight. When you fall in love at the first sight you are usually ready and willing to do so. There is less chance that it will occur when you are tired, depressed or your head is exploding with problems. The main part in falling in love is given to the physical appearance, voice, gestures and smell. One person intuitively searches in the other the qualities and the features he likes and enjoys the best. It is a known fact, that beautiful people attract attention the most, but sometimes it is wrong to fall in love with them right away, because those people are most probably spoiled by attention from others as well, and, therefore, might not even notice you, or simply leave without attention.

So how is it possible to understand if what happened to you is love at first sight?

1. First of all, try to understand what is the first thing that got into your mind when you saw a person. If the first thought is physical, then it probably is not love. But if you are excited and overwhelmed by a desire to get to know the person better and take things slowly so they work out for you, then it might be a good sign for a deeper relationship.

2. A person's attractive physical qualities are something that anyone can see and appreciate, but when you really fall in love with someone, it means that you will not appreciate and notice only his/her physical appearance, but also will notice other qualities that no one else can see. If you are able to notice such features, but your friends, for example, are not, then it is another good sign that you might be falling in love.

3. Falling in love with someone means wanting to know everything about that person, from their likes and dislikes to their life experiences. Just have patience to learn about them slowly, be understanding and supportive, and at the end, everything will work out for you in a best way.

Still, the cases when people really had fallen in love from the first sight and lived a long and happy life after are very rare. People may dream of a beautiful stranger that waits for them just around the corner, and sometimes it takes patience and time to find a real love. People must understand that this kind of things do happen, but not as often as they would like them to. And if out of nowhere you just suddenly start feeling the growing wings behind your back, still try to keep your feet on the ground because if it is really a deep and true feeling, nothing will ever happen to it, but if it is just your illusions that you accept and see as a reality, then disappointment from falling back on the ground can be very, very painful.

Surprised by Love

2010-12-22T06:44:00.000-10:00

Oh, how can I give you up ...?
How can I let you go?
How can I destroy you ...?
My heart is torn within me,
and my compassion overflows.
... for I am God and not a mere mortal.

Sentimentalists, don't get your hopes up by this title; this isn't a "chick flick" worthy story. It is, however, about the truth that underlies every single one of those stories that has value. In some ways, what we discover together here is far more important than any other story no matter how sentimental. This is the discovery of truth — the surprising, experiential, multi-faceted, ever-repeating reality — about love and all genuine love stories.
Love is unpredictable. There you have it. That's it. That's a truth you can bank on!
Love is unpredictable. Love does the unexpected. Love is full of surprises. Love is new even in the face of mind-numbing monotony. Love twists when rationality says go straight. Love forges ahead when logic says make a major change. Love doesn't budge when conventional wisdom says run. Love moves like the wind when common sense says "Be still and hide!" Love does the unexpected!
O I know that is not the exact definition of love in Scripture for example). I can't quote a verse as a proof text that really summarizes what I'm saying ... at least not one verse that says it exactly. But I can get you proof.
God!

Love is unpredictable.

God is love. He shows it instead of just saying it. Or better yet, he says it by doing it. He can be tough or tender. He can be patient or pushy. He can rage and he can whisper. He can show his power and he can hide in the quietness of his creation. He can punish and he can suffer under the scourge. He can thunder and he can weep for a dead friend and his sisters. He can demand allegiance, but he can also risk everything to win our hearts. God is not unpredictable. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet his actions will always appear a bit unexpected and surprising if we do not humbly recognize that he is driven by one truth that trumps all others ... his love for us ... his gracious, undeserved, and unexpected love for us.
That's not to be confused with sappy emotions without gut wrenching sacrifice. It should not be mistaken for spoken intentions without follow through. This love should never be reduced to politically correct sounding speech with hollow character. We've let baby boomer sappiness and TV driven sentimentality replace the real grit and authenticity of true love ... unexpected, undeserved, sacrificial love. God will do the unexpected to reach the undeserving ... to reach us. He always has. He always will. That's what his book is about. Even more, that is what his ultimate message, Jesus is about. And that is what he is at work doing in your life and mine ... even when the unexpected turns of our life leave us ripped up and full of questions.
So ...

... will you trust that whatever he is up to in our world, your world, its about finding a way to reach you and your heart even when you can't understand all the why's of life?

... will you join him in his passion to touch everyone — even the ones most of us can't stand or wouldn't waste time to reach — and change them by his love?

Graphic Design

2010-12-21T08:17:00.000-10:00

9 Photoshop Editing Tips Web Developers Should Know

There are quite a few reasons why having basic Photoshop skills beyond slicing PSD’s to XHTML/CSS is essential to any web developer.

I have discussed some of those reasons in this article on my blog, but to make a long story short, there are times when you just need to do minor image editing tasks but don’t want to hassle your web designer for it.

Here are common tasks and processes that web developers often need to deal with when working on a web design/web interface using Photoshop.

1. Changing the background color of an icon

As a web developer, one of the most common tasks I encounter is changing the background color of an icon or making its background transparent.
Let’s take an RSS icon for example. RSS icons come in different shapes and sizes.

When you finally find the "perfect” icon, you sometimes need to modify it. One common issue is that if your site’s background color is one color and the icon’s background is another color, to make them seamlessly match, there is a little work we need to do to it.

If the image is in GIF format, I recommend converting it to PNG because they’re similar, but PNGs will usually be smaller in file size. Read about the pros and cons of using GIF versus PNG at W3C.
To do that, open the image in Photoshop, then go to File > Save for Web & Devices (Ctrl/Cmd + Alt/Option + Shift + S), then select either PNG-8 or PNG-24 under the Optimized file format drop-down on the right-side. You’ll have to see which one is better in terms of quality and file size.
(See a guide on how to save images for the web.)

Then close the original GIF file because we are done with it, and then open the image with the new format you have just saved.

Now if you look at your Layers Panel (if it’s not visible, hit the F7 key to toggle the panel’s visibility), you might see that there is a layer called Background.

Right-click on that layer, select Layer from Background from the menu that appears, and then click OK.
Second step: use the Magic Wand Tool (W) from the Tools Panel.
1. Click on the Magic Wand Tool.
2. Make sure that the Tolerance value is set to about 20 and that the Anti-alias and Contiguous options are checked as demonstrated below.

Then click on the white (or whatever color) background area surrounding the icon.
Make sure that the selected area doesn’t "eat" too much of the shadow below the icon. If it does, play with the tolerance value a bit (and reselect the background again with the Magic Wand Tool), until you get the desired result.

To delete the background color

To delete the background and make it transparent, simply press the Delete key to clear the area below the selection. Then save it again as a PNG by going File > Save for Web & Devices, making sure that the Transparency option is checked.

To change the background color

1. Click on your Foreground color, select the desired color from the Color Picker dialog window, and then click OK.
2. Click on the Paint Bucket Tool (G). If you don’t see the Paint Bucket Tool, right-click on the Gradient Tool icon and choose the Paint Bucket Tool from the menu that appears.
Then, click inside the selected are around the icon to apply the color you chose.

2. Selecting a layer with Auto-Select

Selecting a layer may seem obvious: you click on the layer’s name in the Layers Panel (press F7 if you don’t see it).

However, finding the relevant layer can be tedious when there are many layers in your work or if the layers aren’t named intuitively.

One option is to enable the Auto-Select option:
1. Click on the Move Tool (V) in the Tools Panel.
2. Choose Layer from the Auto-Select drop down.
3. Make sure to check the Auto-Select box.

After enabling Auto-Select, clicking anywhere in the canvas itself will activate the relevant layer.

3. Selecting a layer with Ctrl/Cmd + click

A second option for selecting a layer is to use the Move Tool (V)—leaving the Auto-Select option unchecked this time—and then Ctrl/Cmd + clicking on an object in the canvas to select a specific layer.

4. Isolating a layer

After selecting a layer, you may want to copy it to a new document where you can save it as a separate image.
One way to do it would be using the Crop Tool (C).

However, there is a quicker way that preserves the accurate size of that layer:
1. Hold down Ctrl/Cmd and click on the layer’s thumbnail. This should make an automatic selection around the objects in that layer.
2. Press Ctrl/Cmd + C (shortcut for Edit > Copy)
3. Press Ctrl/Cmd + N to create a new document. Photoshop detects the size of the layer you want to copy and creates a new document with the same size.
4. Click Ctrl/Cmd + V to paste into the new layer.

5. Copying a layer from one document to another by drag and drop

There are many ways to copy a layer or a group of layers from one PSD file to another. However, the easiest method is simply to drag and drop them.
1. Select a layer from the Photoshop document you wish to copy from. If you need to copy multiple layers, hold down Ctrl/Cmd and click on the layers in the Layers Panel.
2. Select the Move Tool (V).

3. Click anywhere in the canvas and drag the layers up to the tab of the document you want to copy the layers to.
The window will switch to the second document. Release the mouse button in the canvas where you wish to place the copied layers in the second document.

6. Refining a selection by contracting or expanding it

In the first tip, I demonstrated how to select the background of an icon. In some cases, the selection is inaccurate and you may want to expand or contract that selection from all directions.

First, to get a closer look at your selection, press Ctrl/Cmd + + which will zoom into your work.
Go to Select > Modify > Expand or Select > Modify > Contract.

Type the number of pixels you wish to expand or contract your selection by, and then click OK.

7. Using Layer Comps

When working with many layers, it is more efficient to capture different layer visibility states. In other words, it’s best to set a layer’s visibility to display only the layers you want to.

1. Display the Layer Comps Panel by go to Window > Layer Comps.
2. Click on the Layer Comps menu and select New Layer Comp or click on the Create a new layer comp button at the bottom of the Layer Comps Panel.

3. Type the name of your Layer Comp, check the Visibility option and click OK.

Toggle Layer Comps

To hide and show your layer comps, just click on the icon on the right side of the layer comp.

8. Basic image manipulation: changing colors

Another common task in Photoshop is duplicating a part of a layer for color changes or transformation.
Here’s an example. The following icon is used as a menu button:

How can you create a duplicate version of the house (only), and make it black and white? This is a situation that often occurs when you need to create mouseover effects on a web page.

1. Click on the Rectangular Marquee Tool (M).
2. Select the house on the canvas. Then press Ctrl/Cmd + J to duplicate it into a new layer.
3. Click Ctrl/Cmd + U to adjust Hue/Saturation for the new layer. Scroll the saturation left to turn the house to black and white.

The result:

Remember that you still have the colored version of the house. To view it, just toggle the duplicated layer’s visibility.

9. Using measurement tools

As a web developer, you often need to measure objects for pixel-perfect accuracy when rendered on a web page. A common example is calculating menu item sizes for creating CSS sprites.
Here are two methods to measure elements:

Rulers (Ctrl/Cmd + R)

1. Click, hold, and drag from the top left corner of your rulers towards the canvas.
2. Release the mouse button where you want to start the axes.
3. Zoom in (Ctrl/Cmd + +) to view finer increments of the rulers.
Tip: To change the measurement units of the rulers (from inches to pixels for example), double- click on the ruler itself to open the Units & Rulers Preference dialog window (or go to Edit > Preferences > Units & Rulers) and select the desired measurement unit.

The Ruler Tool (I)

1. Click on the Ruler Tool’s button on the Tools Panel (if you don’t see it, right-click on the Eyedropper Tool and switch it to the Ruler Tool).
2. Click and drag from the start to end-point that you wish to measure.
3. Check the width and height indications.

Got Photoshop tips for web developers of your own? Please share it with us in the comments.