Travelogue: Impressive Happiness of Nepalis

Paragliding was one of the reasons for my Nepal trip! It was awesome, and exciting in both peak season as well as hot monsoon season. However, I discovered something more meaningful in this trip - that surprisingly, Nepal could be such a happy gentle nation for me. It's fortunate that I didn't miss the trip there a few months ago.

- Laura Li, Travel Consultant at Odynovo Tour

Thrilling Paragliding in Pokhara, Nepal

Nepal to me is a land of smiles. No matter whether young or old, male or female, poor or rich, they smile happily and genuinely all the time. It seems like this is a worry-free nation. How can they do it? Only a few days' stays helped us find out many of the local people are easy-going and optimistic, and they preferred enjoying a simple and easy lifestyle; and much less desire is their key to remain a happy heart.

Kathmandu is a bustling city. It was very lucky for us to meet a local wedding celebration in Thamel area.The whole family danced to express their joy (I guess Nepalis are all professional dancers). Thamel streets are famous for being narrow, but the family still danced on the narrow street for hours; and people passed by all felt happy for them.

Nepalis love to share their leisure time with their families. You will find many shops are closed in the weekends as most local people choose to spend their weekend at home or visit temples together with their families.

Our next destination was Bhaktapur. It was not until we arrived that we had an intense feeling about the simplicity and kindness of the citizens here. Bhadgaon is only 40 minutes' driving distance from Kathmandu. It was a very peaceful ancient town; the Bhaktapur Durbar Square there was full of different style of pagodas, each with an old story to tell. Only a few minutes' walk took us to the Ceramics Square, at where you will have good chance to buy some local hand-made ceramics.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The most impressive thing was the little girls we met in a yoghurt shop; where the yoghurt was so delicious that tourists can't afford to miss. When we were hungrily waiting for our food to be delivered, the two little girls warmly invited us to try their snacks. They were lovely, friendly, and outgoing pupils, and they could speak excellent English. We chatted a lot and recorded many memorable videos. The two little girls, Syuneka and Jinza were really lovely and they taught us a lot of interesting Nepali words and also introduced us some interesting places to go. I loved their attitude of life, and I believed that was just the attitude of most Nepalis - optimistic, easy going, joyful, and always kindhearted.

Friendly Girls in Nepal

I will definitely visit Nepal again. Not only because it is a country full of unique mountains and world heritages, but also because of the happiness in the air that influences everyone who has been there. We realize that life can be such easy and full of sunshine and smiles. I think this is the biggest reward of my travel to Nepal.

To have your own footsteps on this land of happiness, you may find this itinerary useful:  9-Day Highlights Nepal Tour: Pokhara, Chitwan & Kathmandu.