Ramesh

More Australian home owners switch to renting

2011-10-22T04:53:00.000-07:00

AN alarming number of home owners are ditching the white picket fence and opting to rent under financial strain.

One in five home owners dropped out of ownership from 2001to 2009, double the rate for Britain, a new study shows.

While just over half later moved back into the property market, many became reliant on rental assistance or public housing, suggesting that adverse circumstances such as financial pressures, divorce and high housing prices played a part.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology survey was based on the housing histories of thousands of Australians over nine years.

It found that former owners who did not return quickly to the property market were more likely to enter public housing or qualify for Commonwealth rent assistance than long-term renters.

Why the shift?

Household affordability differentials appears to be shaping this new social form.

This year, Australia has taken the unenviable title as the second most unaffordable housing market in the world.

Australia featured eight of the top 20 markets in which housing is ranked as being "severely unaffordable", according to the 7th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability.

The survey found that Sydney was the world’s second most unaffordable city, Melbourne sixth and Adelaide 18th.

The remaining capitals all feature in the top 50 with median house prices more than six times the average salary compared to the accepted international standard of three times annual income.

Not only is Australia the most unaffordable housing market in the English speaking world, but it has also recorded a shock rise in mortgage defaults this year.

Investment services firm Moody's said the rate of mortgage holders nationwide failing to meet their repayments rose from 1.36 per cent to 1.67 per cent between March and June.

Meanwhile, the number of homeowners facing mortgage stress jumped to 25 per cent last month from 21 per cent in June, mortgage insurance provider Genworth Financial said in its monthly Homebuyer Confidence Index.

Rental vacancies slipped to 1.8 per cent from 1.9 per cent, it reported.

Salvors pump another 60 tonnes off stricken oil container ship Rena in New Zealand waters

2011-10-22T04:38:00.000-07:00

NEW Zealand salvors have pumped another 60 tonnes of heavy oil off the stricken container ship Rena overnight and will continue their operations through good weather today.

The grounded cargo ship remains broken but stable on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga as salvage teams work to empty the vessel's fuel tanks of about 1140 tonnes that remain.

Maritime New Zealand salvage unit Manager Bruce Anderson said on Friday the pumping operation was making slow but steady progress.

"The overnight crew will be replaced this morning and pumping will continue today," he said.

"The salvage crew also intends to do sounding tests on the tanks which will provide us with a more precise figure of how much oil remains."

The pumping attempt is just the second since the Rena first grounded on October 5, triggering a marine disaster bigger than anything New Zealand has ever faced.

About 90 tonnes was removed before storms forced salvors to abandon the ship on Monday.

An estimated 350 tonnes had spilled into waters off the Bay of Plenty coast and spread up towards East Cape where oily debris has been sighted at Te Kaha, Waihau Bay and Lottin Point.

"We are seeing a lot of debris from the containers washing up in the eastern Bay of Plenty," national on-scene commander Alex van Wijngaarden confirmed.

He said today's volunteer efforts would focus on clean-ups at the Mount Maunganui's main beach, nearby Papamoa and at Maketu and Waihau Bay further to the east.

"As always, we ask members of the public to work with the response teams to ensure a methodical and safe clean-up," Captain van Wijngaarden said.

Beaches in and around Mount Maunganui would remain closed for swimming and surfing as more oil drifts in, he said.

However, the main Mount Maunganui Beach will stay open for walking.

Fine weather is expected for the long weekend, assisting salvors and clean-up crews.

National Parks of Nepal:

2011-10-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

Bardia National Park

The Royal Bardia National Park was established in 1988, and covers an area of 968 sq. kilometers. It is located in the Far-west Nepal , to the east of River Karnali. It is the largest park in the Terai lowlands. The park is for the most part covered with Sal trees. The area is marked by a wide variety of plant life in its grassland, savanna and riverine forests. Wildlife includes the one-horned rhino, tiger, black buck, gharial crocodile, snakes, lizards and 200 species of birds.

Chitwan National Park

Nepal 's first and most famous national park is situated in the Inner Terai lowlands of Chitwan. Covering an area of 932 sq. kilometers the park includes hilly areas of the. Parts of the park are

Shivalik Range covered by deciduous trees. Parts of the park are floodplains of rivers Narayani, Rapti, and the Reu, covered by dense tall elephant

grass, forests of silk cotton, acacia and Sisam trees. Royal Chitwan National Park was officially established in 1973 and included as World Heritage Site in 1984.

The park in Chitwan is shelter to the last endangered Asian species like the one-horned rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. Other animals found here are the leopard, sloth bear, wild boar, rhesus monkey, grey langur monkey, wild dog, small wild cats, bison, the four species of deer and other small animals. Marsh crocodiles inhabit the swampy areas. The Gangetic crocodile that only feed on fish, are found in a stretch of the River Narayani. Also found here is one of the four species of fresh-water dolphins.

Chitwan park is also home to 450 species of bird and hence is ideal for bird watching. Some of the resident specialties are woodpeckers, hornbills, Bengal florican, red-headed trogons, waterfowl, Brahminy duck, pintails and bareheaded geese. In summer the forest is alive with nesting migrants such as the fabulous paradise flycatcher, the Indian pitta and parakeets.

Langtang National Park

Langtang National Park was established in 1976. It covers an area

of 1,710 sq. kilometers. It is located in the Central Himalayas and is the nearest national park from Kathmandu . Langtang encloses two river areas. It has some areas of subtropical forest, temperate oak forest and pine forests. It also includes alpine scrub and grasses. Plants include blue pine, hemlock, spruce and oak. Wildlife includes wild dog, musk deer and Himalayan black bear. The Himalayan red panda is the resident mascot of Langtang. The Langtang region is a very important transit route for migratory birds.

Sagarmatha National Park

The Sagarmatha National Park in Northeast Nepal includes the highest point on earth, Mt. Everest at 8,848 meters and other mountains Lhotse Shar, Cho Oyu, Ama Dablam, Pumori, Kangtega, Gyachung Kang, Thamserku and Kwangde. Sagarmatha National Park is 1,148 sq. kilometers in area consisting of upper areas of rivers Dudh Koshi, Bhote Koshi and Imja Khola. The rugged region with deep gorges and glaciers is locally called Khumbu, and is home to the famous Sherpas. The park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979.

Trees such as rhododendron, birch, blue pine, juniper and silver fir are found up to an altitude of 4,000 meters that give to scrub and alpine plants. In late spring and summer, the hillsides around the villages of Namche Bazaar, Khumjung, Thyangboche and Thame are splashed with the colors of different species of rhododendron in bloom. Animals most likely to be seen in Sagarmatha are the Himalayan tahr, ghoral, musk deer, mouse hare, weasel, jackal, Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx and snow leopard. Birds commonly seen are Impeyan pheasant, blood pheasant, snow cock, snow pigeon, red billed and yellow billed chough, Himalayan griffin vulture and lammergeier.

Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve

This reserve was established in 1976. Its area is 175 sq. kilometers. This reserve lies in the flood plains of the River Sapta Koshi in Mideast Nepal , and is a favorite spot for bird enthusiasts. The reserve's vegetation includes spreads of tall grass and patches of Sissoo forest. The last surviving herd of wild buffaloes in Nepal is found here. Other species include wild boar, hog deer, spotted deer and blue bull called Nil Gai. A total of 280 species of birds, including ducks, ibises, egrets, herons and floricans, are recorded here. This area is extremely important for migratory birds. Other animal species include the crocodile, gharial and the Gangetic dolphins. Commercial fishing is also an important activity here.

Rara National Park

Rara National Park was established in 1976. It covers an area of 106 sq. kilometers. This park is located in Northwest Nepal. The centerpiece of this park is the pristine Rara Lake. The park mainly covered by coniferous forest. Trees include blue pine, juniper and spruce. Wildlife includes musk deer, leopard, black beer and ghoral. Snow trout is the only fish recorded in the lake. Birds include grebe, snow cock, kalij pheasant, chakor and partridge

Shukla Phant Wildlife Reserve

The Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve was established in 1976, and is located in the southern part of Far-west Nepal. The reserve is a prime habitat for swamp deer. Other wild animals include wild elephant, tiger, hispid hare and blue bull. Birds of 200 different varieties, including the rare Bengal florican, are found here. Python, cobra, monitor lizards and crocodiles are also found here.

Annapurna Conservation Area
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
Kanchanjunga Conservation Area
Khaptad National Park
Rara National Park
Shey-Phoksundo National Park
Makalu-Barun National Park
Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve

Parsa Wildlife Reserve.

2011-06-25T00:42:00.001-07:00

Everest Base Camp trek

2011-05-17T02:46:00.000-07:00

Everest Base Camp trek: 13/18 days

Everest Base Camp Trek in the Everest region follows the famous expedition route to the Mt .Everest through Sherpa villages. Everest Base Camp trek reaches to the walking peak Kalapatthar and to the Everest Base Camp. Everest Base Camp Trek provides an excellent view of those highest peaks in the Everest area. Beside the mountains, Himalayan glaciers, Lakes and also unique Sherpa culture dominated by Buddhist religion are found in the Everest area. Also Gokyo Ri in the Gokyo valley provides nice view of Mt .Everest and many mountains in the Everest region. Gokyo Lake- Cho La pass 5320m., Renjo La pass 5420m. Trekking are some of many trekking routes in the Everest region.

An outline itinerary:

Day 01, Arrival to airport, transfer to hotel. Our representative will pick you up from the airport and transfer to hotel. Depending upon your arrival briefing about the tour plan. Day02, Sightseeing in Kathmandu. We visit the best of Kathmandu, including Pasupatinath, entre for the Hindu , Baudhanath, the Tibetan Buddhisst pilgrimage centre and Soyambhunath, Buddhist temple (locally called monkey temple).

Trekking plan:

Day03 Upon your flight time (usually early morning) transfer to Airport. Fly to Lukla.Trek commence to Phakding or Monju.2880m.

Day04 Trek to Namche Bazzar.3440m.

Day05 Rest day for acclimatization.3440m.

Day06 Trek to Tyngboche.Visit Tyngboche monastry.3790m.

Day07 Trek to Dingboche.4420m.

Day08 Rest day for an acclimatization. Hike to Nagarjung hill 5000m.

Day09 Trek to Labuchce.4900m.

Day10 rek to Gorakshep.Visit Everest Basecamp, overnight at Gorakshep.5100m.

Day11 Early morning excursion to Kalapatthar 5545m..Trek to Pheriche.4210m.

Day12 Trek to Tyngboche.3790m.

Day13 Trek to Manju.2880m.

Day14 Trek to Lukla.2850m.

Day15 Fly to Kathkmandu. Visit Bhaktapur and Patan (An ancient kingdom).

Day16 Departure

Annapurna circuit trek

2011-05-17T02:22:00.000-07:00

Basic highlights of the trek:

A famous walking trail, classic tea houses , great mountain views, trekking in the world's deepest gorge and one of the highest passes Thorong La (5416m) accessible to trekkers. Spectacular views of Annapurna montain range and Dhaulagiri mountain. Natural hot springs. Sunrise and sunset from the Poon Hill viewpoint. Natural beauty, vibrant indigenous rhododendron and the colorful local culture, diverse tradition from the different ethnic people living in this region will enchant every trekkers.
Itinerary:
Day1 Arrival to Kathmandu, proceed to Hotel. Day2 Explore the best of Kathmadnu.
Day3 Drive to Besisahar / Bhulbhule.
Day4 Trek to Chamje.
Day5 Trek to Dharapani / Bagarchhap.
Day6 Trek to Chame.
Day7 Trek to Pisang.3250m.
Day8 Trek to Manang.3450m.
Day9 Rest day for acclimatisation.3450m.
Day10 Trek to Churilader.4200m.
Day11 Trek to Thorongphedi 4430m.
Day12 Trek to Mukinath over the Thorong La ( 5416m.)
Day12 Trek to Kagbeni.2800m.
Day13 Trek to Jomsom / Marpha. ( beautiful village with Apple farm.2700m.
Day14 Fly to Pokhara.(Ther are every day flights to Pokhara.
Option:
Da14TreK to Kalopani.2650m.
Day15 Trek to Tatopani. ( enjoy the natural hot spring). 1100m.
Day16 Trek to Ghorepani. 2850m. If you are not fit enough or too tired, better stop at Shikha.1890m.
Day17 Early morning excursion to Poonhill (3210m.).
Day18 Trek to Nayapool and drive to Pokhara.
Day19 Full day sightseeing.
Day20 Drive or flight to Kathmandu.
Day21 Bhaktapur and Ppatan sightseeing. Cultural dinner in the evening.
Day22.Departure.

Mustang Trek

2011-05-17T02:02:00.000-07:00

Upper Mustang - Lo Manthang.

The Mustang, an arid valley occupies the central northwest area of Nepal bordering Tibet. Access to the region is restricted. Trekking is possible with authorized trekking agents who can organize the legal permits, 500$.minimum 10 days 50 $ for extra extension of each days. The permits limit the number of trekkers entering the region, and therefore the area is much less crowded even during the tourist season. This is an arid, treeless Tibet- like region featuring the walled city of Lomanthang - the capital of an ancient Himalayan Kingdom.The legendary Himalayan kingdom Mustang, offers natural caves (an ancient meditating caves), historical and ancient Buddhist festivals, their everyday lifestyle, rituals and practices.
Trek features
Total duration: 19 days (For Mustang minimum16 and Maximum 24 days.)
Trek duration: 11 days
Max elevation: 4,320m. Grading: Moderate/Strenuous
Trek style: Camping/Home stay depending on group size & choice.
Best season: March-October
Trek starts/ends: Jomsom
Accommodation: 7 nights in hotels on bed and breakfast and tented camp with breakfast, lunch and dinner during the trek.
Trip highlights
discover the hidden an ancient Himalayan kingdom
Witness amazing landscape in the arid Mustang valley.
Remote villages and monastery such as Dhee/Yara/Luri Gompa and Tangye etc. could be organized up on client's time available and readiness.
Trip Outline
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 02: Explore the best of Kathmandu (1,338m.)
Day 03: Trek briefing and preparations.

Trek days
Day 04: Fly or drive to Pokhara/ visit around.
Day 05: Fly to Jomsom (2,710m. Trek to Kagbeni.2800m.)
Day 06: Trek to Chele (3,050m.)
Day 07: Trek to Symbochen /Geling (3800m.)
Day 08: Trek to Dhakmar (3,820m.)
Day 09: Trek to Lo Manthang (3,809m.)
Day 10: Explore Lo Manthang (3,809m.)
Day 11: Excursions to Tsoser (3,850m.)
Day 12: Trek to Charang (3,570m.)
Day 13: Trek to Syangboche (3,800m.)
Day 14: Trek to Chhusang (2,980m.)
Day 15: Trek to Jomsom (2,710m.)
Day 16: Fly to Pokhara (900m.)

Day17: Fly or drive to Kathmandu.
Day 18: Final visit / farewell dinner.
Day 19: Upon flight time, transfer to airport.

Additional info: From Lo Manthang trek could be done via Dhe/Yara/Luri Gompa and one of the remote village Tyange, but this part is quite strenuous .People have to be fit and desiring to visit remote areas. Extra 2 more days are needed for this plan from the above itinerary.

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2011-05-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

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Mount Everest

2011-05-15T03:27:00.000-07:00

Revered as Chomolungma ("goddess mother of the world") by Tibetans and called Sagarmatha ("goddess of the sky") in Nepal, Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world. Till the advent of 19th century it was known as Peak XV among Westerners. This name was given because of the fact that it was the 15th peak to fall in sight when one starts counting peaks from the Nepalese side. This name was given to Everest way before surveyors established that it was the highest mountain peak on Earth. When this fact was first revealed, it came as a rude shock to the climbers because Peak XV looked smaller than the other Himalayan peaks in the surrounding area. The point of reference and direction were the main reasons behind this illusion.

Although Everest had commanded attraction for many years, it was as late as 1852 that this giant was first measured. Though some sporadic efforts for its measurement were done earlier too but all of them were abandoned in the middle. In the year 1852, The British Trigonometrical Survey of India measured Everest's elevation as 29,002 feet above the sea level. How could, with such limited means and such primitive instruments, anyone find the actual height of the Everest? But surprisingly, that figure was extremely close to the actual height. This remarkably accurate figure remained the officially accepted height for more than one hundred years. It was only in the year 1955 that this figure was slightly adjusted. The adjusted height was merely 26 feet adrift of the 1852 figure. The adjusted figure stands at 29,028 feet (8,848 m). The mountain received its official name in 1865 in honor of Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General from 1830-1843 who had mapped the Indian subcontinent. He had some reservations about having his name bestowed on the peak, arguing that the mountain should retain its local appellation; a standard policy of the then geographical societies. His thoughts were in accordance to the Victorian norms of that era.

The expeditions to the summit started as early as 1924 when two British climbers tried to scale the Everest. They never returned. After many unsuccessful efforts, came the year 1951. A British expedition led by Eric Shipton and Edmund Hillary, traveled into Nepal to survey a new route via the southern face. Taking their cue from the British, in 1952 Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay turned back just 200 meters short of the summit. In 1953, The British expedition, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. The first effort failed miserably when the climbers got exhausted. The next day, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its fittest and most determined climbing pair. The New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal climbing the South Col Route eventually reached the summit at 11:30 am local time on May 29, 1953. At the time, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition, but Tenzing revealed a few years later that Hillary had put his foot on the summit first. They paused at the summit to take photographs and exchange sweets and buried a small cross in the snow before descending. News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II coronation. The Queen took it as a good omen and Knighted Hillary and Hunt.

General Information

2011-05-15T03:07:00.000-07:00

Introduction
Surrounded by the greatest heights of the Himalaya, the kingdom of Nepal is a land of eternal attraction, a place where one visit is hardly ever enough. It's a land of colorful cultures, ancient history and people, superb scenery and some of the best walking on earth.

Nepal's history is closely related to its geographical location, separating the fertile plains of India from the desert-like plateau of Tibet. Its position between Indian and China meant the country was able at times to play the role of intermediary - a canny trader between two great powers - while at other times it faced the threat of invasion. Internally, its history was just as dynamic, with city-states in the hills vying with each other for power until one powerful king, Prithivi Narayan Shah, overran them all. That history is very visible today with the three great towns of the Kathmandu valley - Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur - still bearing witness to their days as fiercely competitive mediaeval mini-kingdoms. Indeed, in Nepal it's often possible to suspend belief and mentally roll the clock right back to the mediaeval era.

Behind the old temples and places of the Kathmandu Valley, above and beyond the hills that surrounding the valley, another kingdom' rises skyward. The abode of snows' which is what Himalaya means in Sanskrit, is a natural kingdom' and a magnet to mountaineers from all above the world. You don't have to be Sherpa or Hillary in order for you to get in amongst these great mountains. With a touch of enterprises and a modicum of fitness most travelers can walk the trails that lead into the road less heights of the Himalaya. In Nepal one trek is rarely enough, and many visitors soon find themselves planning to return. Fascinating old town, magnificent temples and great walking are not all Nepal has to offer. Many visitors come to Nepal expecting to find these things but also discover how outstanding friendly the Nepalese are.

Trekking is not the only activity which draws visitors, it also has some superb white-water rafting opportunities, mountain biking, which is become more and more popular, and down in the jungle, safaris on elephant-back into the Royal Chitwan National Park are another not-to-be-missed part of the Nepal experience.

Geography
In two of the three dimensions, length and breadth, Nepal is just another small country. In the third, height, it's number one in the world. Nepal starches from north-west to south-east about 800 km and varies in width from around 90 km to 230 km. This gives it a total area of just 147,181 sq. km according to the official figures.

Within that small area, however, is the greatest range of altitude to be seen on this earth - starting with the Terai, only 100m or so above sea level, and finishing at the top of Mt. Everest (8848m), the highest point on earth.

Often a visitor's overriding goal is to see the mountains, especially Everest and Annapurna. However, to exclude the people, flowers, birds and wildlife from the experience is to miss the essence of the country regions, or natural zones: the plains in the south, four mountain ranges, and the valley lying between them. The lowlands with their fertile soils, and the southern slopes of the mountains with sunny exposures, allow for cultivation and are the main inhabited regions.

Climate
Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring from March to May, is warm with rain showers. Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Autumn, from September to November, is cool with clear skies and is the most popular season for trekking. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night, with fog in the early morning.

Because Nepal is quite far south in Latitude (same as Miami), the weather is warmer and winter is much milder at lower elevations. The monsoon is determined by the Bay of Bengal. It is hot during the monsoon with rain almost everyday. During this season, trekking in most of Nepal is difficult and uncomfortable, the trails being muddy and infested with leeches. It usually does not rain for more that one or two days during the entire autumn and the winter season. In the winter, the mountains are covered with snow including some high hills. Mt. Everest itself is a huge black rock during the trekking season, which becomes snow-covered only during the winter.

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Population
Nepal's population currently stands at around 23 million (1998 estimate). Every year population increases by nearly 600,000. The largest city is Kathmandu, the capital, with more than 700,000 people. In the mountains the rate of increase is lower than in Terai, but this is because many people are migrating in search of land and work. Despite extremely high rates of infant morality, the life expectancy is only a horrifying 54 years, the overall annual rate of population increase is a rapid 2.6%. Family planning is primary importance, but most people continue to regard children as a blessing. A child is seen as a vital and fulfilling part of the parents' life, an extra worker and someone to care for them in old age, not just an extra stomach. Women have an average of more than four children each.

People
Like the geography, the population of Nepal extremely diverse and highly complex. Simplistically, Nepal is the meeting point for the Indo-Aryan people of Indian with the Tibeto-Burman of the Himalaya, but this gives little hint of the dynamic ethnic mosaic that has developed and continues to change to this day. In a south-north direction, as you move from the plains to the mountains, the ethnic map can be roughly divided into layers: the Terai, the midlands or Pahad zone, and the Himalaya. Each zone is dominated by characteristic ethnic groups whose agriculture and lifestyles are adapted to suit the physical constraints of their environment. In the Himalayan zone, the people are Monologian of Tibetan descent. They are know as bhote in Nepali. In the east of the midlands zone, one find Kirati people known as Rai, Limbu groups. They speak Tibeto-Burman Language. In the Terai zone, after the eradication of malaria in the 1950s the only people to live in the valley were Tharus of Hindu overtones.

Anthropologists divide the people of Nepal into about 50 ethnic groups or castes with their own culture and traditions. Everyone is proud of their heritage. Many people use the name of their ethnic group, caste or clan as their surname. The caste system has many occupational castes such as Brahmins (Hindu Priests), Chhetris (farmers in the hills and soldiers), Newars (the original inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley), Thakalis, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Magars, Potters, butchers, blacksmiths, cobblers, goldsmiths, clothes washers, etc.

Brahmin
The Brahmins (Bahuns in Nepali) are the traditional Hindu priest castes and speak Nepali as their first language. They are conscious of the concept of jutho, or ritual pollution at their home and food. Always ask permission before entering a Brahmin's house and never enter a their kitchen. Brahmins traditionally do not drink alcohol.

Chhetri
The other major Hindu Caste is Chhetri. In villages they are farmers, but they are also known for being outstanding soldiers. This clan includes the ruling family of Nepal, the Shahs, Ranas and Thakuris. Thakuris are descendants of the Rajputs in India.

Newar
The original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newars. To this day also they remain concentrated in the valley in Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and Kirtipur. Newars have a rich cultural heritage with skilled artisans and most of the traditional arts of Nepal have been crafted by Newars. There are both Buddhist and Hindu Newars.

Tamang
Tamang literally means "horse soldier' and Tamang legend says that they migrated to Nepal at the time of Genghis Khan as cavalry troops. Tamangs are one of the most popular in the Hills. They speak a Tibeto-Burmese language and practice a form of Tibetan Buddhism as their religion. Most Tamangs are farmers. They also work as porters and the chances are the 'Sherpa' on your trek is more likely to be a Tamang than a Sherpa.

Rai
Like the Tamangs and Sherpas, Rais speak a Tibeto-Burmese language of their own. They practice an indigenous religion that is neither Buddhist nor Hindu, though it has more of an influence of Hinduism. Rais, along with Limbus, Magars and Gurungs are one of the ethnic groups which supply a large proportion of the recruits for the well known Gurkha regiments of the British and Indian armies.

Limbu
Most Limbu people live in the eastern side of Nepal. Their religion is a mixture of Buddhism and Shamanism.

Gurung
Gurungs often serve in the Nepalese army and the police as well as the Gurkha regiments of both the British and Indian armies. They are Mongoloid in feature and their dance performance are particularly exotic.

Magar
Traditionally, Magars are farmers and stonemasons but they also serve as soldiers in Gurkha regiments and in the Nepalese army. Magars can either be Hindu or Buddhist.

Thakali
The Thakalis are originally from Kali Gandaki (Thak Khola) region but they have migrated wherever business opportunities have led. They are excellent in business and running hotels. They have a mixed religion of Buddhism, Hinduism and ancient shamanistic and animistic cult.

Sherpa
One of Nepal's most famous ethnic groups are the Sherpas, even though they form only a tiny part of the total population. Sherpas first came into prominence when the 1921 Mt. Everest reconnaissance team hired them. Though the most famous Sherpa settlement are near Everest region, they are found throughout the eastern part of Nepal.

Manangi
Manangi's reside in the northern part of Annapurna called Manang. They are closely related to Tibetans. They had been given special trading privileges by the government and thus Manangi's are mostly found to be doing business these days, importing goods from Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore.

Tharu
The largest and most probably the oldest group in the Terai region are the Tharus. They are mostly farmers. They have their own tribal religion based on Hinduism.

Culture, Conduct & Consideration
Nepal has always been a dividing line between cultures and civilizations, and a cross-roads for the commerce and culture. Here the plains of the subcontinent climb up to the high plateau of Tibet, the languages and people of India give way to those of China and the Hindu religion blends in to Buddhism. Nepal is often a complex blend of the two influences and this variation is further complicated by the diversity of ethnic groups within the country.

The challenge for you as a visitor to Nepal is the respect the rights and beliefs of the local people, and to minimize your impact - culturally and environmentally. Remember Nepali is not an adventure park or museum established for your convenience, but home to a vital, changing culture. Life for many is extremely hard, but despite the scarcity of material possessions, there are many qualities that shame the so-called developed world. Your very presence in Nepal will have an effect - an increasing number of people say a negative one. In a totally different culture it is also inevitable that the visitor will make some gaffe at some point. Most Nepalis make allowances, but they do appreciate it when a genuine effort is made to observe local customs. Following is a miscellaneous collection of simple suggestions that will help avoid offense.

Always remove your shoes before entering a Nepali home. Dress appropriately - shorts or revealing clothing are never suitable for women. Shorts are acceptable for men only when trekking; going without a shirt anywhere is not. Nudity is not acceptable anywhere

Behavior
Public display of affection are frowned upon. Nepali men often walk around hand-in-hand, but this does not have the same implications as it does in San Francisco! Raising your voice or shouting shows extreme bad manners and will not solve your problem, what ever it might be. Always try to remain cool, calm and collect. Bodily contact is rarely made, even for shaking hands, although amongst young Nepali men with western connections it is becoming more accepted. Never touch anything or point at anything with your feet, the lowest part of the body. In contrast the head is spiritually the highest part of the body, so don't pat children on the head. Never inquire about a person's caste. The Nepalese do not like to give negative answers or no answer at all: if you are given a wrong direction or told a place is much nearer than it turns out to be, it may be through fear of disappointing you! Don't encourage begging children. If you want to help there are lots of excellent aid organizations which will make good use of your contribution and local schools will be only too happy with a gift of ball-point pens.

Visiting a Temple
Always walk clockwise around Buddhist stupas, chortens or mani walls. Always remove your shoes before entering a Buddhist or Hindu temple or sanctuary. You may also have to remove any items made from leather, such as belts and bags. Many Hindu temples do not permit westerners to enter.

It's the custom to give a white scarf or Khata to a Buddhist abbot when you are introduced. The honorific title Rimpoche is usually bestowed on abbots. The scarves can easily be found at Tibetan shops.

Visiting a Nepali Home
In a Nepali home the kitchen is off limits to guests. Avoid polluting food by inadvertently touching it or bringing it into contact with a used plate or utensil. Using you own fork or spoon to serve out more food will do this. Putting your used plate on a buffet table risks making the food still on the table jutho or polluted. Notice how Nepalese drink from cup or water vessel without letting it touch their lips.

Photography
Do not intrude with a camera, unless it is clearly OK with the people you are photographing. Ask before a temple compound whether it is permissible to enter and take photographs. Do not exchange addresses or offer copies of photos unless you definitely intend to follow it up later.

Language
It's quite easy to get by with English in Nepal; most of the visitors will have to deal with in the Kathmandu valley and in Pokhara will speak good English. Along the main trekking trails, particularly the Annapurna Circuit, English is widely understood. However, it's interesting to learn at least a little Nepali and it's quite an easy language to pick up. Nepali is closely related to Hindi and, like Hindi, is a member of the Indo-European group of languages. Although Nepali is the national language of Nepal and is the linking language between all the country's ethnic groups there are many other languages spoken. The Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, for example, speak Newari and there are other languages spoken by the Tamangs, Sherpas, Rais, Limbus, Magars, Gurungs and other groups. In the Terai, bordering India, Hindi and Maithali, another Indian language of their region, are often spoken. Even if you can learn no other Nepali, there is one word every visitor soon picks up - Namaste. Strictly translated it means I salute the god in you, but it is used as an everyday greeting encompassing everything from Hello to How are you? and even 'see you again soon'. Properly used it should be accompanied with the hands held in a prayer like position, the Nepali gesture which is the equivalent of westerners shaking hands.

Word Phrases (Basic)

English	Nepali
I	ma
Yes, (I have)	chaa
No (I don't have)	chhaina
OK	theekcha
Where	kata or kahan
Here	yaha
There	tyaha
Good/pretty	ramro
Room	kotha
Clean	safa
Dirty	phohar/maila
Fan	pankhaa
Please give me ...	malai ... dinuhos
Give me water	paani dinuhos
I want to sleep	malai sutna man lagyo
I feel cold	malai jado lagya
The food is cold	khaana cheeso chha
How much?	kati?
What is it made of?	ke le baneko?
That's enough	pugyo
Where is the market	bazar kata parcha
I have a fever	joro aayo
I don't feel well	malai sancho chhaina
Help!	guhaar!
How are you?	tapai lai kasto chha?
I am fine	malai sancho chha
What is your name	tapai ko naam ke ho?
My name is --	mero naam -- ho
What time is it?	aahile kati bajyo?
It's two o'clock	aahile dui bajyo
I speak a little Nepali	ma ali nepali bolchhu
I don't understand	maile bujhuina
Please say it again	pheri bhannuhos
Please speak slowly	tapai bistari bolnuhos
I don't need it	malai chhahindaina
I don't have it	ma sanga chhaina
Wait a minute	ek chhin parkhanos
Where is a hotel?	hotel kahaa cha?
Can I get a place to stay?	yahan baas pauncha?
May I look at the room?	ma kotha herna sakchhu?
Does it include breakfast	bihanako khaana samet ho?
How can I get -- ?	-- kaha bata jane ho?
Is it far from there?	yahaabata ke taadhaa chha?
Where does this bus go?	yo bus kahaa jaanchha?
How much does it cost to go to --	-- jana kati parchha?
I want one-way/return ticket.	aaune/jaane-aaune tikat dinuhos.
1	ek
2	dui
3	teen
4	char
5	panch
6	chha
7	saat
8	aath
9	nau
10	das

Facts for the Visitor (Planning when to go)
Climate factors are very important in deciding on a visit to Nepal. October-November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal. With the monsoon only recently finished the country-side is green and lush and Nepal is at its most beautiful. Rice is harvested and there are some more important and colorful festivals to enjoy. At this time of the year the air is sparkling clean, visibility is unexcelled and the Himalayan views are as near perfect as you can ask. Further more the weather is still balmy, neither too hot nor too cold. For obvious reasons, this is also the peak tourist season.

In December-January the climate and visibility are still good, though it can get very cold. Trekkers need to be well prepared, as snow can be encountered on high-altitude treks. Heading for the Everest Base Camp at this time of the year can be a real feat of endurance and the Annapurna Circuit trek is often closed by snow on the Thorang La pass. Down in Kathmandu the cheaper hotels, where heating is non-existent, are often chilly and gloomy in the evenings. There's sometimes a brief winter monsoon, lasting just a day or two in January.

February-March-April, the tail end of the dry season, is good second-best time. The weather gets warmer so high-altitude treks are no longer as arduous, although by the end of the dry season, before the monsoon breaks, it starts to get too hot for comfort. Visibility is not good as earlier in the dry season since the country is now very dry, and dust in the air reduces that crystal Himalayan clarity. In compensation, Nepal's wonderful rhododendrons and many other flowers are in bloom so there's plenty of color to be seen along the trekking trails.

May and the early part of June are not the best months as it is extremely hot and dusty and the coming monsoon hangs over you like a threat. Mid-June to September, when the monsoon finally arrives, is the least popular time to visit Nepal. The rains wash the dust out the air, but the clouds obscure the mountains so you're unlikely to enjoy more than a rare glimpse of Himalaya. Although it doesn't rain all day it usually does rain everyday and the trails will be muddy and plagued by leeches. Despite this, it is possible to trek during the monsoon, although high rivers may further complicate matters and it's certainly not as pleasant as other times of the year. Landslides sometimes block roads during the monsoon but many visitors still come to Nepal form India as the weather is even less pleasant down on the plains. The latter part of the monsoon, the months of August-September, are a time of festivals which will certainly enliven a visit to Kathmandu.

How Long to Visit
If you plan to visit during the monsoon, and your stay is restricted to the Kathmandu Valley, a week is probably quite enough. During the dry season you really need more like a month to enjoy the country: a week or two for Kathmandu and the surrounding area, a week for a short trek, and a week for Pokhara and a visit to Royal Chitwan National Park. If you wan to walk some of the longer trekking routes then you need to extend your visa - it takes three weeks to walk the Annapurna Circuit.

What to Bring
Nepal's climate variations due to altitude mean that at certain times of year you'll have to come prepared for almost anything. If you're in Nepal during the winter you'll find it's T-shirt weather if you're tracking wildlife in the Terai, but up at the Everest Base Camp you'll want the best thermal gear money can buy! In the Kathmandu Valley, the daytime weather is pleasant year round, but in winter the temperature drops as soon as the sun sets, or even goes behind a cloud. It never reaches freezing in the valley, however, so it's sweater or warm-jacket weather, nothing worse. Climb higher to the valley edge at Nagarkot and you can find it much colder. If you plan to ride a bike, or have a respiratory problem, we suggest you to wear a mask. You will need an umbrella or raincoat during the monsoon season, specially in Pokhara where rainfall is heavier than in Kathmandu. A month after the monsoon it can be pleasantly warm. Sunglasses and skin creams are necessary for those who have skin problem. Clothing is easily and cheaply available in the market. If you need one, You can get one here. If you are visiting Wildlife Park or other Terai areas, do not forget to bring insect repellent and a torch.

Visa
In order to enter Nepal, holders of European, American, Asian and other passports need a visa for holiday or business purposes. All the passports must be valid at least six months beyond the intended length of stay. Visitors arriving without Nepalese visa can receive a 15 day visa at the Airport immigration Counter. Single entry tourist visas are available for 15 days ($15) or 30 days ($25), or you can also get multiple entry 60 days for ($60). You also need passport size photos. One you get your visa, you must use it within three months of the date it is issued.

Visa Extension
Tourist visa can be extended for 150 days plus 30 more days can be granted on reasonable ground. Beyond 30 days of 180 days, you'll have to pay $ 1 per day for 150 days. One passport size photo is required.

Customs
When you depart from Kathmandu, you may be searched very thoroughly. In addition to drugs, customs is concerned with the illegal export of antiques. Visitors are allowed to bring only few items from the duty free shop for their personal use only.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are widely accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara hotels, restaurants and shops. Visitors can withdraw money through Visa /Master Card from Nepal Grindlays Bank and AMEX Card through American Express office in Jamal. There is a standard 1% commission.

Money Transfer
You need to follow the right steps to transfer money from overseas. You have to select the bank which is the branch of International Bank and make sure that you transfer by fax as mail can take forever. Before you transfer your money, make sure that they have you name, bank name & address exactly right. Do not forget to inform the bank in Kathmandu about your transfer in advance.

Post
The postal service to and from Nepal is sometime slow otherwise it take only a week. Make sure that you write down the name in bold and underline it and also do not forget to write the post box number of the hotel that you are staying . E-mail & fax services are available in most of the hotels and communication boots. There are few communication booths in Pokhara for e-mail as well.

Airport Security
All luggage is X-rayed at Kathmandu airport on the way in and the way out of the country. Films are supposed to be safe in X-ray machines but, if you are really concern about your exposed films, please get them inspected manually.

Security
Nepal is generally very safe with one of the lowest crime rates of all countries. Travel with children in Nepal, yet with a bit of planning it is remarkably hassle free. There is no fear of special threats, but it is always wise to keep an eye on one's luggage in busy areas. Pick-pockets are a world phenomenon.

Electricity
Electricity: 220 Volts, 50 Hz.

Shopping
Despite Nepal's lack of raw materials, shopping here is quite advanced. Curio arts, Garment and Carpets are head the export list. Nepal's carpet industries are world renowned. Apart from infinity variety of carpets, other hand made jewelry, thankas, block prints, embroidery, Tibetan carpet, pottery, masks & puppets, metal work, tea and other decorating items are among the best souvenirs you can buy here.

Currency
We have a special regulation on exchanging foreign currency. Foreign currency can be exchanged only with the hotel cashier, banks and licensed establishments. Upon departure 15% of the amount exchanged can be converted on production of en-cash receipt.

International Calls
International calls can be made from any hotel telephone booth. The access code is "00" followed by country code and so on (e.g. 00-81 for Japan). Most of the public shops also have telephones, but international calls are usually not accessible. However, there are plenty of private telephone booths around the streets of Kathmandu.

To dial into Nepal, dial your international access code followed by 977 (Nepal's country code) and then the city code (1 for Kathmandu) and the phone number.

Food
Nepal also has it's own "Nepali cuisine". However, other cuisine like Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese and Thai are available in most of the hotels and restaurants. Among all, Nepali and Newari cuisine are very popular. Nepali favorite dish 'MOMO' is world renowned.

Dal, Bhat, Kukhura ko Masu, Tarkari & Achar: A typical Nepali set meal consists of Rice, Lentil, Chicken, Vegetables and Pickle.

Something to drink
Nepali Raksi is one of our traditional common drink. It is made out of rice, beaten rice. People drink it in almost every special festivals in Kathmandu. However, we recommend you not to try more than a peg because it is a very strong and burning drink. Nepal has also produced different variety of world renowned beer (Tuborg, Carlsberg, San Miguel etc.). We strictly recommend all our visitor not to drink water straight from the tap. A bottle of mineral water is easily available in every shops.

Tipping
In our Nepali custom, tipping is not a big issue. People do not expect anything as a tip from you in Nepal. Even in big hotels, they do not levy service charge. However, if you feel like tipping, it's all up to you. Generally Rs. 50 - Rs. 100 is quite sufficient. Taxi drivers don't expect to be tipped.

Getting in and getting out of Nepal
Several airlines have direct and non-stop flights from Europe and Asia to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, the only international airport in Nepal. The national carrier, Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation, RNAC, has flights to eight international cities in seven different countries. One can enter Nepal by land from India. The most common entry points are Kakarbhitta (eastern Nepal), Birgunj and Bhairahawa (South Central Nepal).

Getting Around
Larger towns like Kathmandu and Pokhara have taxis which is good to explore Kathmandu Valley in a group. Metered taxis are easily available with black license plates. You can also hire a private car for half-day and one day sight seeing. For getting around in Thamel , Indrachowk and Durbar Marg, Rikshaw (three wheeled man paddled cycle) is the best source of transportation. You can also get one with the motorcycle engine. For organized tours, please see our Travel Agency chapter.

Road Regulations
Driver must keep to the left side of the road, and can pass on the left and right according to the traffic signs. There are no speed limit zones. An average driving speed inside Kathmandu valley is 40-50 Km/h (25-32 M/h). For your safety, seat belts must be worn in front seats.

Drivers' Licenses
International Drivers' License is required. The minimum driving age is 18 years. Car rental companies reserves the right to set their own limits. However we recommend getting the services of a driver.

Office Hours

Organization	Open		Closed
Govt. Offices	Sun-Thu, 10:00 to 17:00	Fri 10:00 to 14:00	Saturday
Nepal Bank Ltd.	Sun-Thu, 10:00 to 17:00	Fri 10:00 to 14:00	Saturday
Public Banks	Sun-Thu, 10:00 to 17:00	Fri 10:00 to 14:00	Saturday
Post Office	Sun-Thu, 10:00 to 17:00	Fri 10:00 to 14:00	Saturday
Shops	Sun-Fri, 09:00 to 20:00		Saturday

Visitor's Guide to Sacred Sites

Entry to most temples, stupas and shrines is not restricted. However, some sensitive religious enclosures and sites may prohibit entry. Signboards are displayed.
If you wish to enter a shrine, where allowed, you may go around in a clockwise direction. We believe in putting our Gods to our right when circling the shrine.
The front side of the shrines are usually marked by a lotus carved stone on the pavement or a slightly recessed square pit. The image of the carrier of the deity or symbol may be seen on the pedestal in front. These define the territoriality of the shrine. Reference to these elements will put you in a proper perspective.
Photography is generally not prohibited. However there are some facades or images where photography is restricted. Watch for these or ask the guards. If you wish to be more considerate, do not use flashlights inside when someone is worshipping.
Do not take any photograph of someone performing his ritual without a prior permission.
Nepal's attitude towards religion is very tolerant one, and many different religions flourish and mingle here.
Leather products, such as belts, jackets, shoes and bags are prohibited in most religious places. Please leave them outside. Your friend or the watchman will take care of these while you are inside.
We advice you not to touch offerings or person when they are on the way to shrines or are in the process of worshipping. Keep a respectful distance.
Apart from worshipping of the image, many sensitive rituals are also practiced by the believers around the shrines. These may be related to festive occasions situations. By carefully watching the behavior of local onlookers, you can self behave sensitively.
If you have meat in you lunch pack, we advise you to eat at some distance from the shrine precincts. Some of our Gods do not permit animal sacrifices.
Do not encourage beggars or roaming artifacts vendors around the shrines by giving money or bargaining as you walk.
Please do not accept any gifts or buy objects of art, manuscripts, images etc. which have antique value. These need to stay here not only for ourselves but for future visitors like yourself who would like to share the experience. Whether something is antique or not can be established by the Department of Archaeology.

For Further Information Please Contact

Office	Phone	Fax
Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation	228847	227758
Department of Tourism	247037	227281
Nepal Association of Travel Agents NATA)	211759	411764
Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN)	412705	417133
Trekking Agents of Nepal	419245	419245
Nepal Association of Rafting Agents	221197
Nepal Mountaineering Association	411525	416278
Tourist Guide Association of Nepal	225102	247076
Nepal Incentive & Convention Association	535036	527724
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal	224266	224266

Trekking In Nepal

2011-05-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

What is trekking and what it is not?

Trekking is traveling by foot for any number of days through flatlands, hills, mountains, not usually snowy peaks. Most people find it to be an emotional sometimes spiritual enlighte

ning physical challenge. It has its rewards that are not always easy to achieve without the desire to see what drives you. Mentally you could want to keep walking up the mountain or through the plains, but physically your body could be aching or unfamiliar changes in elevation could be slowing you down (maybe causing altitude sickness). None the less, trekking in Nepal is one of the best places in the world to test yourself (mind, body, and spirit) and one with growing popularity for travelers from many countries with

rewarding health benefits, beautiful scenery and seeing a less developed side of the world that only some have had the privilege and determination to witness.

Many ask, why is Nepal the ideal place to trek? With this question it is hard to pinpoint one

answer, because the experience people have, is so different from person to person. Nepal does have a well-established tourism industry (trekking being one of the major attractions for this country) and is geared towards catering to the travelers every need and concern.

Without trekking, it is easy to say you have not really seen or experienced the cultures of Nepal. Just as Paris, Tokyo, or San Francisco cannot be viewed as representatives for their respectiv

e countri

es, this is especially true forKathmandu and Nepal. Although travel toKathmandu provides a good taste of

Nepal, it is only a drop in a bucket of water when you compare it to the melting pot of varied and distinct cultures, terrain and habitats that is Nepal. Nepal's unique and rugged geography hides within it, remote regions that to this day are only accessible by foot. Trekking provides you the opportunity to see these and to spend quality time getting to know the layout of the land - literally.

See the "trekking areas" page for trekking area's details. It can also be helpful to check out our "choosing a trek" page.

While on your trek, it is easy to witness the different cultures such as terraced hill rice farmers to Tibetan yak herders, Hindu Sadhu to Buddhist monks and everything in between all within one week; all distinct and unique in the way they have lived and survived for centuries. Around every corner is a different and interesting view. Each step and tu

rn encompasses you with a fresh perspective of beauty that can be overwhelming to the senses which adds to the obvious healing energy that the country as a whole creates. One can compare it to being dropped in a sea of life and being completely immersed in its power.

Trekking in Nepal would provide you with an experience that has captivated mountaineers, explorers, and travelers alike for years.

Different types of treks

Nepal offers trekking for all levels. Whether it is your first time trekking or if you are looking for a more advanced trek. There are simple treks around the Pokharaand Kathmandu Valleys to strenuous multi-day (or week) expeditions through the rugged terrain of Nepal's remote regions. Whatever your preferred travel style and timeframe, Nepal has different options for your adventure trekking needs.

While trekking in Nepal you will truly experience and appreciate travel from the past. You will witness first hand how your home country began to be so advanced with traveling by automobile and transporting goods from one place to another. On most of the trekking routes you will frequently pass (and be passed) by Sherpas and other porters. These porters carry large bundles hanging from their heads draped over their backs of different goods being transported by foot to another mountain town or all the way to the major cities. If you can imagine how and ant can carry 2 times his weight you can start to imagine what watching one of these men at work, looks like.

Our country Nepal

2011-03-10T01:43:00.000-08:00

Nepal is a small hilly Kingdom. Our country Nepal is divided into three regions. The Himalayan region, hilly region and the Terai region Terai is the most fertile part of Nepal. Nepali is the national language. It is spoken and understood by all. There are many natural beauties in our country like rivers, forests, mountains, lakes etc. The famous Sagarmatha which is 8,848 meters high is located in our country.Nepal is also rich in water resources. Nepal is an agricultural country. Most of the people depend on agriculture. They do farming for their live hood. In our country only 17% of the land is under cultivation. Nepal is not rich in minerals such as iron petrol, coal etc.

Finally, I want to say that, if we want to develop our country, We should utilize our available natural Resources as much as possible.

travelings

2011-03-10T01:06:00.000-08:00

We do not like to stay long at the same place. We like to go from one place to another. This is called travelling. people are fond of travelling. We travel for various reasons. Most of us travel for pleasure. Some of us travel for change of air. some people travel for business, and some for education, Some people go on a Pilgrimage. Some of us go to another place to meet our friends and relatives.
People travel for business, pleasure or education, We travel to different places by car, train, boat, air, or even on foot. Earlier, people traveled on foot.
or on horse-backs only. Animal- drawn carts also were used for going to places.
Today travelling has become very easy. We can go to any place in a short time, without much difficulties.

There are Various modes of travelling. The simplest method is walking.
Poor people walk on foot. Rich person travel on air planes. We have good roads and comfortable means. It is easy to travel now a days.

Travelling gives us pleasure. By travelling, We see new things and beautiful objects. They fill our minds with joy. Travelling is also a sort of education. We see new things and meet people. We learn many things about them.
Travelling also helps us to understand the people of other places. When we meet them, we love then and respect them. Travelling creates fellow feeling and brother hood.

The pleasure of travelling are many. We all want to Visit the places of interest.

But today, though traveling is easy and comfortable, it is not cheap. We
all want to travel, but for most of us it is a luxury that many can not afford.
Travelling is very useful to us. We should try to travel as much as we can.if we can not go to distant places, we may Visit neighboring places.

Back to PCWorld Downloads Main

2010-02-07T22:47:00.000-08:00

Most Popular Utilities for Windows 7

Whether you have Windows 7 or you're just eyeing it, it's a sure thing that you wonder what software will run on it. Fear not: these favorites all work with Windows 7. If you have them, relax and enjoy your new OS. And if you don't yet use them, check them out--maybe you'll discover some new favorites of your own.

Bears hold on to beat Favre, Vikings in OT

2009-12-28T23:10:00.000-08:00

CHICAGO - Brett Favre cranked up and made one more impossible throw, zinging a touchdown pass in the fading seconds. Too bad for the Minnesota Vikings, that merely put them into overtime.

The Vikings lost again Monday night, beaten by the Chicago Bears 36-30 when Jay Cutler tossed a 39-yard strike to Devin Aromashodu. Minnesota fell for the third time in four games, and the defeat gave the New Orleans Saints homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Playing for the first time since the dustup between Favre and coach Brad Childress became public, the Vikings’ late rally wasn’t enough.

Despite Favre’s stunning, fourth-down pass to Sidney Rice with 16 seconds left in regulation, Cutler threw the game-winner with just over 9 minutes left in overtime to prevent the Vikings (11-4) from locking up a first-round playoff bye.

Nick Roach recovered a fumble by Adrian Peterson following a catch, setting up Cutler’s fourth touchdown pass of the game.

Favre’s pass to a leaping Rice capped a 68-yard touchdown drive and tied the game at 30.

Chicago’s Robbie Gould had a chance to win it on the first possession of the overtime but missed a 45-yard field goal wide right.

The Bears (6-9) took advantage a few minutes later, though, when Hunter Hillenmeyer knocked the ball away from Peterson and Roach recovered. Cutler found an open Aromashodu, who had beaten Antoine Winfield, and the Bears won for just the third time in 11 games.

“D.A., he’s been coming along,” Cutler said. “He had some injuries early on. ... I’m happy for him.”

Favre has never led a team to a win after trailing by 17 or more points, falling to 0-43 in such situations. The Bears were up 23-6 in the third quarter and the Vikings were able to tie it twice.

Minnesota can lock up a first-round bye with a win next week and loss or tie by Philadelphia or with a tie and an Eagles loss. But after running away with the NFC North, the Vikings didn’t expect to be in this situation.

They started 10-1 behind a resurgent Favre, but have tailed off since. Favre had a good game after three mediocre performances, completing 26 of 40 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns. Peterson ran for 94 yards and two scores, but the Vikings simply couldn’t pull this one out.

Cutler looked more like the player the Bears thought they were getting in a trade with Denver than the one who’s been racking up interceptions at an alarming rate. He was 20 of 35 for 273 yards, although he did throw his league-leading 26th interception.

“It’s fun,” Cutler said of outdueling Favre. “He got me in Denver. I got him when he was in New York. ... It was a good game.”

Aromashodu had seven catches for 150 yards, and Danieal Manning set up two touchdowns with kickoff returns of 57 and 59 yards.

The Bears led 16-0 at halftime and 23-6 midway through the third before Minnesota rallied. The Vikings tied it at 23 on Peterson’s 1-yard run with 5:49 left, then Manning ran the kickoff back 59 yards before tripping at the 21. Two plays later, Cutler hit Earl Bennett with a 20-yard touchdown to give the Bears a 30-23 lead with 4:55 remaining, and the Bears appeared to be in good shape.

Favre and Rice had other ideas, though, tying it with that spectacular catch at the end of regulation.

This looked like a primetime-worthy matchup when the schedule came out, and it lived up to that billing even though the script didn’t play out as expected.

Bears coach Lovie Smith is feeling the heat, and general manager Jerry Angelo added a few logs before last week’s loss at Baltimore, when he passed on offering a vote of confidence while saying a roster overhaul wasn’t necessary.

Vikings-Bears summary
PFT: Peterson's fumble sinks Vikings
Discuss: Sound off on the NFL at Newsvine.com

Then again, after three straight misses, it’s not clear if Angelo is on solid footing. Suddenly, the Vikings are looking shaky, too.

That sideline confrontation during last week’s loss to Carolina sparked reports that Favre and Childress had clashed over play-calling, although they insisted their relationship was fine.

Childress said he simply wanted to protect a quarterback under siege by the Panthers. Favre indicated it was performance-based.

Either way, the idea of pulling the league’s career passing leader raised more than a few eyebrows even if he hadn’t been playing the way he did earlier.

Notes: Chicago CB Charles Tillman suffered a rib injury making a tackle in the fourth quarter and had to be wheeled off the field on a stretcher. ... Bears WR Johnny Knox injured an ankle returning a kickoff and was taken off the field on a cart in the third. ... Vikings NT Pat Williams was inactive because of an elbow injury and Jimmy Kennedy started in his place.

Permanent Resident Card has new look, enhanced security features

2009-09-21T00:32:00.000-07:00

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kennie announced the implementation of the redesigned permanent resident card, which will be in circulation beginning today.

"Thanks to state-of-the-art security features, this redesigned permanent resident card will help prevent the fraudulent use of Canada's immigration documents and protect the integrity of our immigration system," said Minister Kenney. "The new card contains security features that comply with international standards for travel documents. Technology is continuously evolving and it is important that our standards keep up."

The new card contains micro-lettering and fine line patterns that are resistant to copying, similar to banknotes. Also, the card holder's photograph and personal details are recorded on a bar code in an encrypted format that may only be read by authorized officials.

The new card contains micro-lettering and fine line patterns that are resistant to copying, similar to banknotes. Also, the card holder's photograph and personal details are recorded on a bar code in an encrypted format that may only be read by authorized officials.

The new card contains micro-lettering and fine line patterns that are resistant to copying, similar to banknotes. Also, the card holder's photograph and personal details are recorded on a bar code in an encrypted format that may only be read by authorized officials.

New training for environmental professionals

2009-09-21T00:28:00.000-07:00

In today’s tough economy, finding meaningful employment can be a difficult task for internationally trained professionals. To help remove barriers faced by newcomers, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) is launching the Mentoring to Placement for Environmental Professionals (M2P) Program. The program is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration as part of its investment in bridge training programs throughout the province.

"Ontario’s investment in internationally educated environmental professionals will help them get the experience and knowledge they need to work in Ontario. That means a better and safer environment for our families and future generations," said Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Michael Chan.

The M2P Program targets the environmental sector and offers a mentorship component followed by a three to 12 month paid work placement for 40 internationally trained environmental professionals in the fields of environmental planning, terrestrial or aquatic biology, ecology, or green building technologies.

"Toronto and Region Conservation has been providing green jobs for more than 50 years, and we’ve found that there is a current skills shortage,” said Marisa Iorfida-Sdao, Sr. Project Manager, Volunteerism and Diversity at TRCA. “There’s an untapped pool of talented internationally trained environmental professionals out there with diverse skills in their field, but their lack of Canadian experience and networks are common barriers for finding a job in their field. The workshops and mentoring relationship will allow the participant to get the support and guidance from environmental professionals who can then help them improve their local knowledge, build new networks and open doors to employment opportunities where they can make a valuable contribution to their field."

The program is led by TRCA through its Environmental Volunteer Network (EVN) and offers three main components: a mentorship, technical and soft skills workshops, and a three to 12 month paid work placement with a host organization.

Application dates are August 31 until October 5, 2009. Requirements include a bachelor degree in the field, and three years of relevant work experience outside of Canada. For more information about the application process please visit www.trca.on.ca/m2p

The M2P Program is delivered in partnership with Skills for Change and ACCES Employment Services.

Since 2002, TRCA has been working to assist thousands of newcomers arriving in Toronto adjust to a new country and locate a position in the environmental sector through a variety of programs including the Professional Access and Integration Enhancement Program for Environmental Engineers and the EVN.

International News

2009-09-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

German Lisbon approval near complete

Germany’s upper house of parliament has approved legislation on the EU’s Lisbon reform treaty to ensure compatibility with the German constitution. As the Bundestag lower house gave its approval

Gartner: PC shipments showing signs of recovery

2009-09-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

The PC market is showing signs of recovery, with the freefall of PC shipments skidding to a halt thanks to competitive PC prices and a continued interest in netbooks, Gartner said on Thursday

Gartner said that PC shipments will decline due to the continued effects of the global recession, but at a slower rate than originally expected. Worldwide PC shipments are expected to fall by 6% in 2009 compared to the previous year, slightly better than the 6.6% decrease earlier projected by Gartner.

That will set the stage for a healthy market recovery in 2010, when PC shipments will grow by 10.3%, said George Shiffler, principal analyst at Gartner. A strong first quarter helped stabilize PC shipments in 2009, and Gartner is projecting a strong fourth quarter.

"By that time we expect the global economy to be on the recovery path. Once the economy is on a sounder footing, the demand will be strengthened," Shiffler said. Demand for PCs has been more resilient than originally thought, with buyers responding to the falling prices of PCs, he said.

"We've pierced new price points for laptops, and not surprisingly, people are responding to that," Shiffler said.

Netbooks triggered new lows in laptop prices of under $300, Shiffler said. That pricing pressure is now trickling into mainstream laptops, which have seen prices hover around $500, dropping below $400 in some instances, he said.

Netbooks are looking more like mainstream laptops as they get more expensive with larger screen sizes and keyboards, Shiffler said. At the same time, the prices of mainstream laptops are falling, which blurs the line between both the laptop categories.

But anecdotal evidence also suggests that people are finding out that netbooks have limited capabilities and are not substitutes for full-screen laptops, Shiffler said. That could drive some people back to buying mainstream laptops, he said.

Also challenging netbooks are ultra-thin laptops, which are low-end, thin and light laptops priced starting at $500. However, ultra-thin laptops have just hit the market, so their impact on netbooks cannot be assessed.

"There's a market for a low-end notebooks, it's just not clear if it's only the mini-notebook. It's going to get very interesting to see what happens," Shiffler said. The shipment of netbooks -- which Gartner refers to as mini-notebooks -- will reach 21 million this year and 30 million in 2010, he said.

Microsoft's new Windows 7 OS, which is set for release on Oct. 22, will not be a major factor in the recovery of PC shipments, Shiffler said. On Thursday, Microsoft said that it planned to let people who buy PCs with Windows Vista starting this Friday upgrade to Windows 7 for free, once it becomes available in October.

"People aren't going to buy a new PC because of a new operating system," Shiffler said. Microsoft could try to counter the PC slowdown by launching a campaign to show that the OS is offering something new in PCs, but that may still not get consumers to spend on the OS, he said. Enterprise users will put off adopting Windows 7 for at least a year until all the kinks of the OS have been ironed out, he said.

Lenovo IdeaCentre A600

2009-09-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

The IdeaCentre A600 is Lenovo's premium all-in-one desktop PC, and some of its highlights include a 21.5-inch full-HD monitor, multifunctional remote controller, and a nifty wireless keyboard with touchpad. It attempts to blur the line between your PC and TV, and has an impressive combination of features and performance with a price tag to match.

All-in-one Design:
There is no separate cabinet, and the IdeaCentre A600's centrepiece is its slim screen. It's glossy, 21.5-inch wide and supports a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels; perfect for high-definition movie playback. The screen is curved inwards below the bezel which is secured firmly to a stand. The extended curved bezel also houses the onboard speakers, with a sub-woofer placed on the back panel. On either side of the curved bezel there is a combination of connectivity ports and an optical drive, and touch-sensitive settings button on the front. Like any other monitor, you can adjust the IdeaCentre A600's angle by tilting it forward and back.

Features and Specs:
The Lenovo A600 has an impressive list of features. It's powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 2-GHz processor, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 640GB (7200rpm) hard drive. It also has an in-built TV tuner with a socket placed on the back panel to plug in your cable TV connection. Equipped with a Radeon HD3650 graphics card, Dolby Home Theater surround sound and Windows Media Center, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 is a very good candidate for a home theater system. It also comes with extra accompaniments: 4-in-1 remote controller, wireless mouse and keyboard (with a touchpad).
The IdeaCentre A600 doesn't include an HDMI port, but all other input-output ports are well accounted for: 6 USB ports, Firewire, multicard reader, Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless 802.11n, DVD writer, headphone and microphone ports round things up on the connectivity front. It has an option to include a Blu-ray ROM drive to further enhance its high-definition playback potential.

Usability and Performance:
The Lenovo IdeaCentre A600's keyboard is slim-and-light and very well built. And the inclusion of a touchpad and mouse buttons couldn't be more convenient, allowing you to control it within a range of 25 feet. If the wireless keyboard takes the cake, with regards to peripherals accompanying the IdeaCentre A600, then the 4-in-1 remote controller takes the cherry on top. It lets you control your PC as an air mouse - point the remote at the screen and move it left or right to replicate the mouse-pointer movement on the screen. You can use it as a phone with VOIP services like Skype, and play bundled games just like on a Nintendo Wii. Serve for real while playing tennis, stoop and bowl while bowling, and more, with 3D motion detection via the remote: it's devilishly addictive. Watching movies, playing games - the A600 is a very good overall performer.
It also comes with Lenovo's proprietary VeriFace face-recognition technology and OneKey backup solution. With a WorldBench score of 87, and 3D Mark 06 score of 3086, it scored very well in our benchmarks, too.

Conclusion:
The Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 is a very good attempt to fuse together a television set with a PC, and it's highly recommendable to anyone interested in having the best of both worlds. And with the added bonus of Wii-like gaming with the wonder remote, it's a unique product, thoroughly justifying its premium price tag of Rs. 69,500.

Apple blames users for exploding iPhones

2009-09-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

Apple claims the latest reports of "exploding" iPhones are caused by an "external force" and not by bursting into flames due to overheating batteries.

Responding to the latest reports of faulty iPhones, this time in France, Apple said that all of the handsets they had seen had broken screens showing outside pressure had caused the cracking not internal heat.

"In all cases the glass cracked due to an external force that was applied to the iPhone," said Alan Hely, a London-based spokesman for Apple Europe.

"There are no confirmed battery overheating incidents for iPhone 3GS and the number of reports we are investigating is in the single digits."

Despite the reassurances, Herve Novelli, France's secretary of state for trade and consumer affairs, met with Apple's Michel Coulomb to discuss the "causes of the implosion of these devices and eventual measures they could take", according to AP. A representative at the ministry declined to comment on the meeting reports Bloomberg.

Previously last week, Apple told the European Commission, also investigating claims of overheating Apple devices, that "these are isolated incidents and that there is not a general problem," according to a statement issued by Directorate-General for Health and Consumers. Apple has sold 26 million iPhones and 200 million iPods to date.

"For the cases which have been reported in the media, Apple [is] trying to get more information on the details of the incidents and will do tests as necessary to investigate the possible cause," the statement said.

An 18-year-old French teenager complained his eye was injured a week earlier when his girlfriend's iPhone began making a hissing noise and the device's glass touchscreen shattered, according to a report by the AFP news agency.

In the UK, a 47-year-old man from Liverpool told The Times earlier this month that his daughter's iPod touch made a hissing noise and exploded after he dropped it. The Times reported Apple would only offer the family a full refund only if they were willing to sign a settlement form. The proposed agreement left them open to legal action if they ever disclosed the terms of the settlement claims the newspaper.

In the Netherlands, an iPhone 3G was reportedly sitting in a car when the owner returned to find it was destroyed, burning a huge hole in the vehicle's seat.

Apple's reassurances are unlikely to put an end to claims of "exploding" and overheating iPhones and iPods.

Smartbooks Prepare to Compete in Mini-laptop Space

2009-09-13T23:44:00.000-07:00

Mini-laptops based on Arm chips are set to make their way to users, which could heat up the battle in a space dominated by netbooks with Intel's Atom chips.

Sharp last week announced the PC-Z1, also called the NetWalker, which will be one of the first mini-laptops based on an Arm chip to reach store shelves. The device has a 5-inch touch screen and a 68-key keyboard and offers 10 hours of battery life. It is designed for those who rely on the Web for computing, and it will start shipping in Japan by the end of September.

Many similar devices with larger screens may become available by the end of this year. They will be based on Arm chips designed by companies such as Freescale Semiconductor, Nvidia and Qualcomm. No major PC maker has officially announced Arm-based mini-laptops, which have been called "smartbooks" by some chip makers, though Dell is investigating the concept.

Smartbooks are designed to have similar characteristics to netbooks, including compact keyboards and screens. The devices are designed as alternatives to netbooks, most of which are based on Intel's Atom chips and come with Microsoft's Windows OS. The first smartbooks will come with Linux, as Arm-based chips do not support Windows XP.

But at least one major PC maker has questioned the viability of such products. Asustek Computer CEO Jerry Shen last week said he saw no "clear market" for smartbooks and that the company had no plans to ship them. Asustek demonstrated a mini-laptop with Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform at the Computex trade show in June, running Google's Android open-source operating system. Asustek introduced the first widely popular netbook when it rolled out the Eee PC in 2007.

Keith Kressin, senior director of product management at Qualcomm, disagreed with Asustek. There is a market for smartbooks, which are better for people who rely more on the Web for computing, Kressin said. "We're not trying to emulate the PC experience," he said.

Smartbooks provide a longer battery life, as Arm chips draw less power than Intel's Atom chips, Kressin said. Kressin also highlighted other benefits, including instant access to the Web and quick startup compared with Atom-based netbooks.

"Every OEM has their own vision of what a smartbook is prior to entering the market," Kressin said. "I'll leave it to Asus to make the decision on what they want to bring to market."

Low prices and longer battery life may draw some attention, but Arm chips need better application support to compete with Intel chips in the short term, said Dan Olds, principal analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group.

"As far as notebooks and netbooks go, it's still an x86 world. The inability to run standard x86 operating systems makes any Arm-based device a nonstarter for consumers and business alike," Olds said. Smartbooks could take off if the software ecosystem surrounding Linux operating systems were to expand, he said.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform will support a number of operating systems, including Google's upcoming Chrome OS, Kressin said. Snapdragon-based smartbooks will become available by the fourth quarter, he said. Qualcomm has said it is working with companies including Toshiba, Compal Communications, Foxconn and High Tech Computer on Snapdragon-based devices. Kressin wouldn't comment on whether those will be smartbooks. Toshiba has already launched the TG01 handset based on the first-generation Snapdragon platform.

Snapdragon, which is already commercially available, includes an Arm-based processor, mobile broadband communications and graphics in one package. The company also plans to start sampling a faster version of Snapdragon in the fourth quarter.

Chip company Freescale, known for its microcontrollers and embedded chips, is also pushing its Arm-based chips into smartbooks. Sharp's NetWalker has Freescale's i.MX515 chip, which has a processor based on Arm's Cortex-A8 core and can scale in performance up to 1GHz. NetWalker is the first of many new devices that could hit the market by the end of this year or early next year, said Glen Burchers, director of Freescale's consumer segment.

The initial products could be clamshell devices with 9-inch or 10-inch screens. The Sharp device doesn't have 3G connectivity, but the upcoming devices will, Burchers said.

Smartbooks based on Freescale chips initially will come with Canonical's Ubuntu Linux OS. But the lack of support for a full Windows OS such as Windows XP could slow down the adoption of the devices, the chip makers said.

Linux-based mini-laptops have seen slow adoption, with many consumers preferring the familiarity of Windows. Over the past few quarters, about 90 percent of netbooks in mature markets, and as many as 70 percent in developing countries, have shipped with Windows, according to Gartner.

Despite the doubt surrounding Linux adoption, Burchers said a better user interface in the OS could make the device easier to use.

"It is the single biggest challenge the smartbook market faces," Burchers said. "It's not really the function of the Linux systems that is a problem, it's the user interface. It was originally geared toward a techie user. It was created by geeks, for geeks."

However, Internet-savvy Linux operating systems with better user interfaces are on the horizon, Burchers said. Google in July announced it was developing the Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system based on Linux and geared toward people who do a lot of Web-based computing.

Freescale and Qualcomm are both working with Google to develop the Chrome OS, the companies said. Freescale's Burchers also said Canonical is making major changes in the next version of Ubuntu Linux, with a big focus on user interface and usability.

Ultimately, a snappier user interface and more applications could help smartbooks find a niche as devices that behave like smartphones, but are sized like netbooks, analyst Olds said.

"There is some attraction to the low-power story, mainly arising from the ability to use ultra-small form factors and to also provide long battery life," he said.

Facebook 3.0 for iPhone now available

2009-09-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

By Nick Spence

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 4:07:05 PM PST

Facebook 3.0, the latest version of the iPhone application from the popular social networking site, is now available from the Apple iTunes App Store.

Facebook 3.0 adds a range of new features and enhancements including landscape mode, the ability to see upcoming events and RSVP, upcoming friends' birthdays, see pages and post updates and photos to pages you administer, write notes and read friends' notes.

Additional new features in the 3.0 update include the opportunity to upload video direct from the iPhone 3GS, upload and manage photo albums, including creating and deleting albums and photos along with tags and changing your profile picture.

iPhone and iPod users can now zoom in on photos, like photos and posts, see the same news feed as the Facebook website and visit links in a built-in browser.

Push notification, introduced in the iPhone 3.0 Software Update, isn't yet working in the latest Facebook application update.

Push notification, allows an application to listen for messages being 'pushed' to it from the server, even when the applications aren't running.

Writing on Facebook last month the company said the option was still a little way from being ready. "The one feature everyone is asking for, push notifications, is in development but it won't make it into 3.0. You can expect it in a 3.1 update later this summer," Facebook's Joe wrote.

Available from the Apple iTunes App Store Facebook for iPhone and iPod touch is free and requires the iPhone 3.0 Software Update.