NAMASTE, NEPAL!

How do I start about this story ?

Nepal already been in my list since a long time ago. One of the reason is I want to visit Lumbhini (sadly, i can't reach to this place), also I have been dreaming to visit to . One day in Sumba, when I and my others having dinner we talked about Nepal and one of the guy (Mas Sugih,thanks to him) told me that he will going to Annapurna Base Camp and give me about the information regarding the travel operator. Then, after I coming back to Jakarta I booked a place for myself and it's the last seat on the group.

The trip itself is taking 12 days, 4 days in Kathmandu and Pokhara and 8 days in the trek. So, details of itinerary in file and my ultimate packing list will explain in my next post.

KATHMANDU

Capital city of Kathmandu. Indeed, it is a crowded city. There are many cars honks in here, i thought Jakarta already making me stressful with the traffic and the traffic in here is like one level above from Jakarta. But, I already getting more interested to explore the city. The weather itself is very windy since it is near December. We are staying in Nepal Resort Cottage in Thamel area. If you want to looking for accomodation, Thamel is the right place, it is a tourism area there are many hotels and hostels in here if you already going to Khaosan Road in Bangkok, Thamel is like Khaosan but more bigger area. You can find many travel agencies who offer tours and trekking in Nepal and many international foods.

While the others are buying sim card i choose not to buy for some reasons. First, there are no signal on the mountain. Second, there is wi-fi in the hotels. Last, please i just really want to freakin away from my life in Indonesia and enjoy this trip. It really works!

KATHMANDU MUST VISIT:

1. Kathmandu Durbar Square

I am so lucky to visit this place on my last day in Kathmandu. It's just 15 minutes by walk from Thamel. Durbar is an ancient site and one of the famous tourist attraction in Kathmandu. In here, you still might see the remains of Nepal's earthquake. 

My suggestions when you want to visit Durbar. Just walking, you will find a small temple and you might enjoy the street foods near the square, I bought some sweet fritters. Also, ask permissions if you want to take a photo with a man who wear traditional clothes since they will ask some money if you want to take a photo with him. Visit this place in early morning, it will get crowded with tourist in the afternoon.

2. Bhaktapur Old City

They said this place is Doctor Strange movie location. It is a big old city. I spend half-day in here and located one hour by car from Kathmandu. Bhaktapur is not only a tourist area, they are still doing economy activity such as traditional market in here. Also, you might need a guide if you do not want to get lost in this city because there is so many intersection in here. I ended my visit my day with enjoying a decent latte and good banana chocolate muffins in a small coffeeshop in the corner behind the biggest Bhaktapur square. 

3. Boudhanath Stupa

It is a Tibetan temple that surrounded by ancient buildings and homes. I don't know the ticket price since it's already included in my trip costs. Visit Boudhanath before you are going to Bhaktapur. Last, spend some time to pray in this temple :)

POKHARA

MY FAVOURITE CITY. 6-7 hours by car from Kathmandu. Pokhara is the main city before I trekking to Annapurna Base Camp. I don't spend so much time to visit Pokhara's tourist attraction since I spend my day by strolling around in Pokhara after we just going down from ABC and I am just too tired to join my other colleague to visit the tourist attraction. As a replacement, I visit a small bookshop and bought some books as a geek, the books price is really much cheaper than other bookstore in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, also looking for some authentic nepalese foods and spending my day by sitting near Phewa Lake. Altough, there are many tourist attractions in here such as paragliding, world peace pagoda, mountain museum, and davis falls. 

Why I like this city ? There is no reasons why I like this city so much, I just like it like how much I like Berlin and Flore. There is a feeling like I coming back home...

Pani Puri. MY FAVOURITE NEPAL SNACKS!

Tandoori Chicken and it tastes freaking delicious

Found this guy early morning when catching sunrise in Phewa Lake

ANNAPURNA BASE CAMP TREK

4.100 Above sea level. They said it is one of the dangerous trek in Himalaya. A healthy and fit body is not only main condition to trekking in here, you also need a good mental. Let the others walks first. Be good to the local people and they will help you a lot. If you are getting tired, just stop for a minute take some drink and snacks or energy bar then continue walking. Wear something comfortable and warm since I got bad experience in MBC, cold stroke hit me in here because I wait for too long and my heat-tech is really wet. Just believe in yourself if you can reach the peak before the sunrise.

In my story in here, I often walk alone and separate with my group. It's not a big thing for me. Because, I could think so much about my life and find so many new friends in here. Annapurna is one of unforgettable place that I will always remember. Just believe in yourself if you can reach the peak before the sunrise.

Tips: For foods i used to be sharing with my friend, Mbak Henny. Because the portions are too big and the price of foods are getting expensive the higher the teahouse. And it strictly forbidden to bring meat to Annapurna, just please respect this rule. Also, from Himalaya to Dovan they only offer vegetarian foods. My recommendations for breakfast during this trip is muesli it will give so much energy, for lunch you can either choose fried rice or fried potatoes and for dinner choose dal bhat or garlic soup.

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I really thankful to whatravel for bringing my dream into reality.

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