Nepal - Nature, History and Architecture

People travel for many different reasons. Vacationing is probably the most common. Yet we also travel because of work, scientific research, to visit family, to get away from it all and to relocate. Vacations are the most fun. You go for the pleasure of seeing new places, eating different foods and seeing sights that are not available locally. When on "holiday," tastes vary. I know a friend who likes to visit Paris, London, Rome and other modern cities for the shopping. Another person I know likes to be "one with nature" and looks for pristine, unadulterated bucolic settings where he can hike, climb rocks or go bird-watching. I prefer nature, history, marvels of engineering (the pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the temples of Nepal, the Coliseum in Rome and places like the Parthenon) and food. After searching far and wide, I have come to the conclusion that Nepal can boast of all these and more.

As far as nature is concerned, Nepal is a nonpareil. It is second to none in its grandeur and beauty with its majestic, world-famous Himalayan range and other idyllic spots which are still virgin and untouched. All you have to do is stand anywhere in Kathmandu, the capital city, and see the grandiose sight of the world's tallest peaks glistening in white reaching up to the sky. Or you can go on a hike to the non-distant hills (in Nepal, anything below 17,00 feet is a hill) and peer out into the distance and see more hills, mountains and valleys. The mist-covered pinnacles make for picturesque post-cards. And breathing the crisp mountain air is a luxury that is free yet priceless. You can never have enough time to vacation in a Shangri-La like this.

Nepal's place in history is secure as one of the two countries the British could not conquer. After gaining control of India, the Brits tried their best to subdue the Nepali people. Not only did they meet resistance from the natives but also had to contain with the rugged terrain which was not overly friendly to the Redcoats. The soldiers could not march up in columns or single-file because they had to climb sheer cliffs and the preponderance of rocks and nettles all over the hills. They did give up finally after these futile attempts and instead offered an olive branch of friendship.


Nepal also happens to be the only official Hindu country in the world. Though most people in the world equate Hinduism with India, it is practiced with more fervor in Nepal. After all, India has the second largest Muslim population in the world as well as a large contingent of Christians. Nepal teems with temples. You cannot go far in any city without encountering a pagoda temple or place of worship which are always occupied. Many of these temples are more than a few hundred years old with some over 1500 years old. And the architecture is magnificent - all the carvings, drawings and eroticism displayed on the pillars are unmatched. Tourists are sometimes shocked to see eroticism and sexual acts displayed on temple beams. You have to remember that the Kama Sutra is a basic part of our culture. As for the longevity of these structures, people don't realize that unlike the pyramids which are mostly rock and sand, temples are mainly wood. For wood to survive in all types of weather for so long must give pause to those who make pressure-treated lumber which still needs maintaining every few years. S0 is the technology of today (bridges, skyscrapers) really better than the old days? The temples with their majestic roofs, pillars and doorways have survived so long without giving way to age and weight. Could it be that God does indeed live there?

When you consider that in Nepal you can experience peace and tranquility, the grandeur of nature and history with architectural splendor, what more could you want? Nepal is still relatively cheap and is a place where you do get your money's worth. And don't forget Nepali cuisine. Though neighboring India and China, its cuisine is dissimilar. Yes, there are influences of Indian cooking and some Chinese flavors but what is consumed by the Nepali is quite unique. Maseura, titaura, gundruk, sinki and jaulo are a few dishes you cannot get elsewhere. There is a special fruit which I have not been able to find elsewhere in the world - not even in India. It's a sour fruit which grows on trees that tower over fifty feet and is good for making achaar. Maybe some botanists (plat biologists they are called these days, I think) can go to Nepal and identify this fruit. So go, go to Nepal and enjoy. Just don't go there for shopping unless it is for handmade goods, carpets or religious artifacts.

Himal and Himalayas and Sahara Desert

It always intrigues (irritates? frustrates?) me to hear the word Himalayas or the phrase Himalayan Mountain range. Not many realize or care that both are redundant, if not outright wrong. People have been snickered at, castigated and looked upon as unsophisticated for talking about the Sahara Desert. Since Sahara means desert, the use of both words is quite uncalled for. So what about the Himalayas/Himalayan Mountains? The Nepali (not Nepalese, please!!) word for mountain is himal. i.e., himal is one mountain. When himal is used to describe more than one, the Nepali word is himalaya - more than one. So why do the people in the west say Himalayas without fail? Why has the plural Nepali himalaya been Anglicized as the redundant Himalayas? Who says "mountainses"? If Himalayas is acceptable in English, what's next?

So what about Himalayan ranges? This is exactly like saying the Sahara desert. The Himalayan mountains just means the mountain mountains. If people only referred to it as the Himalayan ranges, that would be okay. So let's get rid of this redundancy. Let's go on travel sites, news channels and Jeopardy and proclaim loudly that there are no "Himalayas" but just Himalaya and no Himalayan Mountains but only the Himalayan range.

Of course, in the US, that's easier said than done. I remember that it has been eons since one bright journalist mentioned the Miami Dolphins as the "Fish" and the term is used by every sports writer, broadcaster and fan. The dolphin is a mammal and not a fish. But go tell that to the Marines! I despair very much for my Himalayan ranges - William Safire, where are you when we need you?

Of course, you may wonder whether this makes a difference. What's wrong with Sahara desert or Himalayan mountains? After all, a scribe asked the question a few hundred years ago. "What's in a name?" Well, is there a problem with the Anglicized nomenclature? I feel strongly that it is a big mistake. How do you feel?

Travel to Less Known Places

Quaint, out-of-the-way, exotic vacation destinations are less so now in the age of the Internet and worldwide TV. What once used to be hidden and remote is now ordinary - almost every tourist brochure has these sites listed. But there are still some mysterious spots which might not yet be publicized. There you may be able to visit in peace and avoid the usual crowds.

Sometimes people do not go there because of the language barrier. At other times, it is the inconvenience of the travel itself. Maybe there are no motorized means of transportation or it is inaccessible except by foot. Most travelers are so used to modern everyday conveniences that they forego any place where a little walking is required. The lack of western food and fast food chains also cause unease among many. Modern plumbing is a must for many and potable water is not always easy to come by. All in all, there are a myriad of things which can cause travelers uneasiness and a slight reluctance to go to more adventurous places.

When Nepal was opened to tourism in the 1950's, it was a remote, exotic hideaway. But, when the Hippies invaded Kathmandu Valley, the world opened its eyes and saw the country. Most people went only to Kathmandu because that was Nepal. A tiny handful of hardy explorers ventured outside the valley. Nowadays these wayfarers are everywhere. Yet there are still places that by large unexplored. To see these idyllic spots requires a lot of foot travel. So, if you are not inclined to be a true biped, stick to Kathmandu.

Trekking and hiking among the foothills of the Himalayas (redundant - will be explained later) is quite the adventure because of the proximity to the greatest mountain range in the world. You will have to deal with all of the inconveniences mentioned above must be able to put up with them for quite a while. But people who have been there swear by it. Breathtaking, incredible, awe-inspiring are but a few of the words frequently used. So go ahead and plan a future date for this uncommon vacation.

In Guyana, South America lies one of the greatest waterfalls (Kaieteur Falls) in the world. The Guyanese maintain it's the world's largest - bigger and better than Angel Falls, Victoria Falls or Niagara Falls. But not too many people seem to know it. Visit Guyana and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.

In Africa, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa seem to be popular destinations for most. But what about Algiers? People read about it but do not actually go there. The only people who mention that city are either diplomats or Algerians. I have yet to meet an American who has been there.

There are many more places in the world that are wondrous but relatively unknown. Do you know of any such resort, city or country? Tell the readers about them and maybe they won't remain anonymous much longer.