Category: Nepal

Into the Bardia jungle at dawn The day begins at dawn with an early shower. No deodorant, no cologne and no soap. In other words, no chemical smells. Tigers and other wildlife can smell you from miles away. If they smell something as disgusting as fragrance chemicals they are less likely to come out and …

Continue reading “Bardia National Park – in search of wild tigers”

A day of color in Kathmandu, Nepal I’ve celebrated many Holi festivals in Nepal. By far the most enjoyable place to enjoy it is Kathmandu city. Though physical reminders of the 2015 earthquake were ever present you would be difficult to see it from the smiles and cheers throughout the day. Here is how the day …

Continue reading “Holi Festival of Colors in Nepal”

Planning a trip to Bardia is easier than it seems Bardia National Park is in Nepal’s far south west region. I’d heard the rumors for years of Bardia being like Chitwan was before the tourists arrived 20+ years ago. It was the “real jungle” of Nepal where tigers, elephants and one-horned rhinos roamed freely. There …

Continue reading “Bardia – a bus journey to Nepal’s “best” wildlife park”

The Hanuman Sadhu at the Shivaratri Festival in Nepal Today is the Shivaratri festival in Nepal. An annual Hindu festival to celebrate the God Shiva who is also the lord of yogis (practitioners of yoga). Hanuman, also known as Mahavira or Bajrangbali, is another Hindu god who is devoted to Rama however in certain texts he is …

Continue reading “Hanuman Sadhu, Shivaratri Nepal”

The latest Kathmandu Valley Guidebook (updated February 2024) The latest edition of my Kathmandu Valley Guidebook in my Nepal guidebook collection has been published and updated in 2024.  It’s a detailed guidebook for the entire Kathmandu Valley that includes post-pandemic updates. If you are just visiting Kathmandu city then use my guidebook to Kathmandu city. Kathmandu Valley …

Continue reading “The best guidebook to the Kathmandu Valley (updated 2024)”

The Birthplace of Buddha is in dire need of some spirituality I’ve visited Lumbini many times over the years. The first time was because it was the birthplace of Buddha. A place that could surely be matched in importance with Jerusalem or Mecca. What I found was an uninspired town, hidden monks and a less than stellar …

Continue reading “The rise & decline of Lumbini in Nepal”

Is ethical elephant tourism different in Nepal compared to Thailand? Yes, is the honest answer. But that still doesn’t make it right. Then again, without this form of elephant tourism Nepal wouldn’t have any elephants in the wild, or rhinos or tigers or possibly any forest. While Thailand is making world headlines for its long running …

Continue reading “Elephant tourism in Nepal: is it different?”