[Pics] World Travelers, I Decide to Reveal Myself to You

Namaste, my friend. I wonder if have you ever heard of me, but let me introduce myself as Nepal. Yes, the one that lives in South Asia, bordering China and India. For years, I didn’t show off much of what I have got. Now I have decided to do something different - to reveal myself to you, warts and all. 

Snow mountain in Nepal

I was never colonized. Some of the best treasures I own, the medieval cities and sacred sites, make my capital city of Kathmandu the world’s densest concentration of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites that consist of 130 significant Hindu monuments. 

Patan Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal

Time stops here. Anyone is welcome to walk in the living heritage tapestry and become a part of it. With an aimless stroll, you will easily find the trail, sound and smell of history. The world is changing. Me? Not much. 

In 623 B.C., I witnessed the birth of Lord Buddha, Siddhartha Gautam, in my sacred garden of Lumbini. Now the site is a Buddhist pilgrimage center. 

Meet my Swayambhunath complex, a sacred temple of great historical value and mobbed by monkeys (that’s how it got the name of “Monkey Temple” by foreign visitors). Amid the tranquil ambiance, visitors harmoniously mingle with pigeons, monkeys and dogs among pilgrims in a kaleidoscope of experiences and colors. I really can’t tell how much I love the view.

The Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

Did I chatter too much about temples and stupas? I bet you are thirsty for some natural awes already. Let us talk about snow mountains then. Mt. Everest is found in my southeast region, and it is just one of the eight out of 10 highest mountains in the globe that stands in me. 

Take a mountain flight, my friend. You can’t be closer to the crown of the earth and take in its most breathtaking views.

flight on the Himalaya in NepalIf you need a break, indulge in my phenomenal Phewa Lake. From time to time, some paragliders will greet you in the sky.

Paragliding in Pokhara, NepalI don’t mean to be touting, yet the swarming trekkers keep reminding me that my Annapurna range in Pokhara was voted one of the top 10 best trekking places around the world. Why bother flying all the way to Switzerland? 

Sarangkot sunrise in Pokhara

With so many awe-inspiring snow peaks, I am believed to be home to Yeti, the abominable snowman. If, unfortunately, you couldn’t find his trails on your trip, my always-smiling people would make it all up for you, even when they are atop a bus. Visitors are our helpers, God told us.

Smiling schoolgirls in Nepal

With a little bit of luck, you'll get a blessed look at my living goddess Kumari' when she appears by the window of her palace harem.

My sadhu's narration will bring you into an incredible world about the stage of life, which might be no less inspiring than Siddhartha's. 

Sadus in Nepal

They call me the Amazon of Asia, for the unique variety of wildlife dwelling here makes me one of the richest countries in terms of biodiversity. Wait - here comes a one-horned rhino!

A rhino in Chitwan National Park, NepalMoreover, the Bengal tiger and snow leopard are all found in my Chitwan National Park. Get the jungle safari thrill on!  

Speaking of food, although my cuisine doesn’t get a fancy look, I prefer to serve you the freshest flavor. Haven’t you tried Nepal-styled momo (left) or Dal Bhat (right)? You must now. 

food

"Hey Nepal, how is everything recovering from last year’s earthquake?" Thank you for asking, my friend. Yes, the quake hit me hard, but my people and I are doing good as we move on. Countries lifted their travel warning against me, and with help from all over the world, we have rebuilt most monuments and resumed things back to normality. I am safe to visit. 

View Nepal travel guide after 2015 earthquake

safe to visit

We don’t forget to celebrate every festival, small and big, like we are supposed to. Somehow, I find something missing deep down.

Oh, so I start missing the foreign faces that once lingered in my streets, blending in with my people. The thought strikes me that it is their coming that will help more of my people to get back on their feet and reenergize the whole country.

miss the foreign faces

Here is my sincere invitation, my friend. Come by for a visit. I couldn’t be happier to offer you the best in me. “Visitors are helpers” since past till this moment, I have never doubted this saying at all.

Nepal’s recent facts you may want to know:

  • Tourism is the main source of Nepal's recovery fund. Now more than two-thirds of people suffer from short tourism income.
  • The country is welcoming back travelers, but business remains flat as travelers have not come in their usual number since the 2015 earthquake. As a result, tour fees and hotel rates are much cheaper, with easier booking opportunities even in peak season.
  • In addition to major tourist attractions, popular trekking routes, such as Langtang and Annapurna trails, have reopened after mountaineering experts gave the clear.
  • The US, the UK, and many Western countries have lifted travel warnings against Nepal.
  • International tour operators, including Odyssey Tours, are being very supportive of Nepal’s recovery in the way of taking visitors back.
  • A typical 9-day Nepal tour helps more than 1,000 Nepali people earn sufficient food supply for a day.

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