Kathmandu, Nepal Adventure

Kathmandu
Nepal Adventure

I found myself flying and overlooking Himalayas, a time where I was inside the cave, then canoeing while watching the crocodiles,  walking in the jungle,  joy ride on top of the elephant, a jeep safari and wild rafting, all of these happened in one week.  The challenged was to finish it safely, no finger cuts nor bruises, with take-home full of fun and challenging experiences. 

Here are the guidelines from what I learned from this trip.

Namaste.  Arrived at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal.  Visa was available upon arrival at $25 for 15 days multiple entries.   A passport size ID picture is needed to process a visa.  There is a small photo studio available in case you forgot to bring your own ID picture and its located near to where the visa application forms are.

There is a good exchange rate at the airport compared to many exchange shops in Thamel.  Bahraini Dinars is not legally accepted for exchange in Nepal, better yet exchange your BHD into $ before departure in Bahrain.  Nepal sim card is available for $5 and with credit of Rs 100 at the arrival, passport is needed when purchasing sim pack.

A warm welcome and felt like a royal when I received a garland. Here with me, Sushant who helped me tailored this trip, http://www.kasthamandaptravels.com.np/.

Yeni, an Indonesian colleague from Bahrain Air joined me on this trip.

Thamel Area

I stayed in Hotel Utse in Thamel area. 

Had my first Tibetan noodle "Mix Thukpa" at the Big Belly Restaurant in Thamel for Rs 145.

In Thamel area you will find more shops from Pashmina, accessories, bags, traditional clothes, restaurants, hotels, trekking kinds of stuff, yak made materials, books, ATM's, money exchange and various tour operators. 

Purchased one of these at Rs 200.

Durbar Square

"Durbar' means palace, where the king has been crowned and legitimised.  Buildings are of great architectural engraving designs.

With Yeni

It was such a pleasure and honor to meet a local family and received the blessings from Baba (father), Ama (mother) and Sushant.

This was just the first day. 

up next...

Pokhara

Read More

Getting Ready for Nepal Adventure

Getting ready for my next adventure to the "Land of Himalayas" or the  "home of snow", Nepal.

Mt. Everest is part of the Himalaya Mountain which is known all around the world for its great height.

To say greetings in their local language and to respect are just a few should know when visiting a new place and meeting new people.

Customs and Etiquette

"Namaste", "Namaskar", "Namaskaara" or "Namaskaram" is a traditional greeting of the Nepali and for showing respect to one another.

"Namah + te" = namaste which means “I bow to you” - my greetings, salutations. It is done with the palm facing close together near the chest,just below the chin and bow head to the person to greet, "Namaste".

Take off shoes when entering their temple or home.

Be prepared to hear a lot of horn. It serves as the best help for drivers to save lives as there are a lot of narrow roads.

When it's Yes! - move your head side to side. No! - nodding head up and down. This is awkward for me since in my country it is totally the opposite. Yes, nodding head up and down and for No - is the side by side head movement.

Stepping on someone's feet accidentally, you pay back the respect by tapping the person's shoulder, and then your forehead.

Now this is the pain when I have few days there. Don't expect punctually. Public buses don't run on time, road traffics are unpredictable. So expect delay at all levels from getting a bus, taxi, plane and getting a room in your hotel. Awwww!

People spit and throw stuff everywhere- there is no law against littering. Don't complain, just go about your business, ignore it.  This explains why our passengers simply throw their rubbies in the cabin.

Getting Nepal Tourist Visas
A Visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal.
Single entry tourist visas can be obtained by paying US $30 for 60 days. Presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and fees.

Airport Tax
Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 900 if going to SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and Rs. 1100.00 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs. 165.

Foreign currency exchange rates are published in local English daily newspapers such as The Rising Nepal and The Kathmandu Post. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.

Office Hours
Embassies :  Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Government : Sunday - Friday 10am - 5pm
Banks: Sunday - Friday 9am - 3pm, Saturday : till 12pm
Shops : 10am - 8pm, usually closed on Saturdays

Food Corner
Nepalese Momo-cha  is a must try.  Dumplings filled with minced meat, served steamed or fried, popular appetiser hmmm.
Chatanmari - Rice flour pizza with meat or egg topping or plain. A just reward after a hard day’s sight-seeing.

Ask Me,  No not me. Ask the telephone operator for some information Tel:4427806.
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) 4472256  /  4472257.  Police 100.


Lover's In Nepal Song
"Love Will Keep Us Alive" by Eagles
... i will die for you
... climb the highest mountain ...
:-)




I am coming.

Read More

Dubai - Abu Dhabi Vacation

June and me in Abu Dhabi

The unplanned trip turned into a blast!       

UAE flag

If not because of a friend’s invitation to accompany her to go to Dubai this trip wouldn't have thought at all.  Everything was planned and set.  We will be together till she meet and joined her friends in Dubai, stay overnight with them.  I will leave in the morning to Abu Dhabi to meet my friends there and back in Dubai to meet Dax before our departure.  Our tickets were also arranged.  It will be Loida's first time to visit Dubai.

So here comes our flight schedule.  Standing at the check-in counter in Bahrain International Airport, the staff told her that she was not allowed to fly.   We were astounded and saddened.   She needed to secure first a visa to the UAE before departure.  Her visa title in Bahrain would not allow her to be issued a visa upon arrival in Dubai.  She works in a beauty salon.   The staff explained that even if he issued her ticket to fly, she would still be denied entry to Dubai and will be sent back to Bahrain.  That even if her visa title was supervisory, that would not be granted for a visa.  Only Managerial level can be issued visa on arrival.  She has to apply visa to Dubai thru online.  That was so sad.

I have no problem acquiring a visa on arrival, one of the advantages of being a flight attendant.  So now here I am on to Do It Yourself trip.      

I  met a new chat buddy while waiting for the gate to open for boarding.  Ali, that's her name, a Filipina.  She is going to visit her husband who works in Saudi while she is based in Dubai.

Ali

Onboard was cabin crew colleague, Mary who has been so helpful.   It was a Bahrain Air flight.    

Everything went as planned.  Met Loida's friend in Dubai. 

 My morning in Dubai started  out in the gym. 

 This Holy Ramadan is holding me on jumping into this pool

Meet Dennis. The day i met him was the same day his first child was born. 

I recall this now a man as a little boy from my province, a child who used to play “Chasing” “Hide and Seek” and “Tumbang Preso” in his grade school.  I met him in Dubai.  Now a media photographer.  

The Gang

I met the cousin and friends of Loida,   That night, we went to Mamzar Beach in Dubai and stayed till 12:00 midnight.  The entrance fee is just Dhs 5 and the water is so clear.   How I wish there is also a nice beach and with only Bd 0.500 entrance fee in Bahrain.

Mamzar Beach

Burying Sandy

Edlyn, Riza, Precious 'n Me

The Beach Boyz

Couture models are Bong, Robert, and Sandy

Abu Dhabi 

The next day I traveled to Abu Dhabi.   I came to visit my friend, Tracy.   We used to work together in an advertising firm in the Philippines. Advertising Associates Inc. We had our dinner at Rossina Bollina in Corniche, Abu Dhabi park.  Thank you weather for the awesome weather, it was not typically hot and humid.  We stayed up till midnight at the corniche catching up and taking photos.   

Corniche

@ The Corniche

Tracy's new passion, Photography

The following day was meeting June, a roommate at Rm 205 Green House Mansion, Kaohsiung Taiwan.  Ten long years before we see each other again.  Nothing’s changed,  except age.

 Tracy, June and me at the Marina Mall Abu Dhabi

Khalidiya Park in Abu Dhabi 

June Caumpay

Back in Dubai

It took two hours of land trip from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. Here I am set to meet another friend.

 Dax, while preparing pancit bihon :-)

 Therrie, Loi and Dax

Thanks to the following and God Bless you all:  

Lodia, Mary and Ali. 
 (Bahrain)
 

Sandy, Bong, Robert, Edlyn, Riza, Precious, Dennis and Dax and Loi.  
(Dubai)      

 Tracy, Ken, Rose, Mel and June.

(Abu Dhabi)

August 2010

Read More