NEPAL: DAY 2

Nagarkot

Woke up at 4.30 am preparing myself prior to viewing the sunrise from my hotel balcony. Not much of a balcony actually as it is actually an open space which is perfect for the viewing of the sun that will rise behind the Himalaya range.

 

The beautiful sun peeking out from the Himalaya.

 

Chitwan National Park, Sauraha

After the sunrise and breakfast, I was driven to Chitwan National Park which takes 5 hours or so. The distance of Chitwan from Nagarkot is probably only 60 kilometres, however due to the nature of the area (mountaneous range) and the condition of the roads (bumpy and winding) it takes triple the amount of time if we are travelling on a freeway. In any manner I get to enjoy the local scenery and it seems like everywhere you go you are followed by the mountains.

 

A little bit about Chitwan Narional Park now; it is only one of the two places in the world where you can find the one horn rhinocerous. One horn rhinocerous has since extint in any other countries due to massive poaching by irresponsible individuals (this is caused by the demand for the horn by the Chinese who believed that the horn if ground into a powder form can be used to treat many kinds of sickness and diseases), as such a horn alone from the animal can fetch the price of up to US20,000 and this is excluding other parts of the rhinocerous.

 

After arriving at Chitwan, the next activity on the itinerary is canoe ride. Yup it was at 3 in the afternoon and the sun was shining brightly above my head. Not very pleasant but went with it nevertheless. The canoe seemed dangerous enough however the depth of the river did not look too scary. Off I went. The canoe ride took about 35 minutes and along the journey I saw many types of birds which I do not know the name but I do know the peacock and kingfishers. There were crocodiles along the banks of the river sunbathing and my guide told me that the crocodile is fierce and dangeroud if it has short snout and the tame one is the long mouth crocodile. Not very comforting as I only saw short mouth crocodiles in the river.

 

 

The starting point of my canoe ride.

 

 

 The canoes

 

 

The short snout crocodile sunbathing on the river bank

 

The canoe ride came to a hault near the elephant breeding centre. Here you can purchase elephant paper made from elephant dung. Ha ha, I did not purchase it of course. At the elephant breeding centre, elephants are fed, bathed and taken care of by the caretaker. The prupose of the elephant breeding centre is to breed captive elephants with wild elephants. The captive female elephants are kept chained to the cemented ground and the wild elephants will usually come from the open jungle at the back of the breeding centre to mate with the females. The female elephants are pregnant for 22 months!!!! Most of the elephants once reaching the maturity age are used as transport by the jungle ranger to guard the National Park against illegal poaching activities.

 

 

 

Elephant Skull

Caretaker tending to the elephants by rubbing soaked herbs on the elephant skin

 

 

Baby elephant approximately 7 months old

 

After the visit to the elephant breeding centre, I checked in to my hotel which is near the area for a good rest before the elephant ride on the next day.

Ta ta.

 

NEPAL: DAY 1

Day One: Kathmandu

I am finally back from my break. It is tiring and I am exhausted but back at work as usual.

 

All in all it had been a rather good trip minus a few hiccups here and there.

 

Landed at Kathmandu International Airport (Tribuvan International Airport) on 16th November 2013 at around after lunch time.

 

 

Tribuvan International Airport

 

I was greeted by my guide there and off we go to our first visit around Kathmandu Valley.

 

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is known as 'Khwopa' in local Newari language. The cultural capital of Nepal, Bhaktapur's history goes back to the early 8th century and it used to be the capital city of the whole of Nepal till the 12th and 15th century. In the early 18th century, the Nepalese protected the city with its surrounding mountains and hilly terrains as well as with its cities boundary walls and a number of city gates. The country is sovereign and that it has never been conquered by any foreign nation.

 

Bhaktapur inherits the northern art and southern mythological philosophy as well as its aged arts, architecture and cultural aspects from its earlier generations. The pagoda and Shikhar style temples, Vihars and Bahis (traditional Buddhist monasteries), Lonha Hiti (stone spouts), ponds, sattal (public shelters), stupas, terracotta temples, Dyochhens (residence of Hindu Deities), Jarahns (traditional water tanks), palaces and other cultural and historical heritage are the major monuments of the ancient city. Recognising the significance of these well preserved heritage, Bhaktapur Durbar Square was enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979.

 

On the way to Bhaktapur Durbar Square (look at the mountainous terrains)

Old palaces transformed to become accommodations and/or hotels at the Square

The lion statutes protecting the gates to the city

  

Dattatraya Square

 

The oldest part of the city is an open museum. Dattatraya the oldest temple of the city with Bhimsem temple and water spouts, peacock window and other various sizes shaped windows are the major art and architecture of the site.

 

 

The Golden Door (gold plated door) and the '55' Window Palace which was built by the King to his Queen

 

The Windows made by wood carving

 

Some funny looking wood carvings which are also the beams supporting the temples surrounding four corners of the temple 

 

A few other temples at the Square and many people were gathered there being addressed by the local politicians on the day I visited as Nepal were to have their 2nd general election which falls on the 19th November

 

  

 Nagarkot

After the visit to Bhaktapur, the next place to visit is Nagarkot which is at the hilltop. I stayed at the hotel and the purpose of staying there is to watch the sunrise that will take place the next morning.

 

 

Some scenery taken along the way to Nagarkot. The locals produces their own vegetation and most plantation is done on the land behind or beside their homes.

The hotel that I stayed in. You can catch a glimpse of the Himalayan range at the right hand corner of this photo.

 

Good night and be prepared for the sunrise tomorrow :)

 

VALENTINO

Baby Blues

My new baby.

Partly thanks to H who kinda like supported in half payment towards the purchase price.

 

I am taking this baby out tonight.

Have a good weekend :)

H&M COLLABORATION WITH ISABEL MARANT

It's All Gone

Yup if you have not heard the collection came and was snapped up by eager shoppers almost immediately.

 

Guilty and I admit that I did went to the H&M store to check out what the fuss was all about. I was there at almost ten in the morning thinking that I am early. Ha ha ha. I usually don't do this kind of thing but I do like Isabel Marant and her not so affordable high end collection (if you are lucky you may be able to get an item at your size at a discounted price which will still set you back at like US500 per pair of jeans).

 

I was told that there were crazy people who were lining up outside the store at five in the morning. Urmm, no thanks. By the time I was at the store the 'ever so popular jacket' was no longer available. It is not cheap at RM1300 but guess what, .... it's gone. I only had to intention to try it on and not to purchase it. But it's OK, it will creep up on E-Bay in a week's time or so.

Check out the news about the Isabel Marant for H&M launch in other countries here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2507088/Hysteria-H-M-shoppers-queue-4am-STILL-miss-Isabel-Marant--eBay-already.html

 

However, I did manage to get a few items.

 I love the canvas bags that comes with the purchase of the goods.

 

 

 

I bought three children sized sweaters, two pairs of jeans and a pair of canvas shoes.

Crown Princess of Sweden in 'the Isabel Marant for H&M Jacket' at least one month before it was launched worldwide.

 

I was eyeing the leather pants however it just doesn't work for me so I saved RM999 and I did not even manage to try on the suede booties priced at RM699 which were gone before ten a.m.

 

I think I better start to save some money waiting for Net-A-Porter year end sale as I have my eyes set on a pair of Isabel's Hidden Wedge Boots which is always out of stock.

 

Actually why do I even need a pair of boots seriously...... hmmmm. 

 

No more shopping.

 

 

 

JUMPSUITS

All In One

Who doesn't like the ease of selecting workable clothes especially in the morning when you have to prepare yourself for work and your son for school and making sure the baby is still fast asleep or you may end up having to entertain another child who wants to be carried all the time.

 

I love jumpsuits but it is really impossible to find any good looking ones in KL unless you want to pay or bomb but it is still difficult. Most nicely made jumpsuits are designed brands made and the made is more suitable to Caucasian height (I'm not that tall but at 165cm, I think it's standard Asian height.) I have bought (Asian styled) jumpsuits and it does not fit me too well as well, the crotch area is too short and I think it's meant for those shorter than 165 centimetres seriously.

 

However I have come across a few good ones, and i do think that BCBG makes really good fitting jumpsuits (though you may still need to alter the length even though you may be wearing four inch heels). Yet they cost too much and you cannot really wear jumpsuits for a whole day as toilet visits in jumpsuits is such a drag. You practically have to undress yourself just to pee. In any manner it's a really no brainer attire and I still do love them regardless.

 

 

An awesome looking jumpsuit from Roland Mouret (Net-A-Porter)

 

 

Valentino anyone? (Net-A-Porter)

 

 

(Net-A-Porter)

 

Salivate .......................

 

 

 

WINDY WEATHER

Super Light Weight Windbreaker

Yes, I am going to Nepal this Saturday.

Have just checked with the agent and the weather is pretty good (around six to 18 degree Celsius). OK so it's time to bring out some sweaters, jeans, footwear for my packing purposes.

 

I just realised that I need a jacket but not the thick heavy ones which I used to use when I was schooling in Australia (Sydney was not too cold, but hated Melbourne weather especially in August).

 

I came across the Uniqlo super light weight wind breaker which they called the Ultra Light Down. It is easy to pack and I think the plus point is definitely the weigh (or weightless) factor.

 

 

 

I bought the cream as they did not have the blue one in a smaller size.

 

The selection at the KL shop is rather limited or mostly sold off, so if you want better colours and in smaller sizes head to Setia City Mall instead (as I was there today). Uniqlo at Setia Mall carries the pumpkin, black, blue and also pink in smaller sizes but I think I am sticking with the cream colour for now.

 

LEMON & ROCK

Not Your Fruit Lemon

Ah, there are moments in our life where we are given lemons instead of a Valentino Va Va Voom Bag (wishful thinking). Most people will say when life give you lemons, go and make lemonade out of it (or maybe a lemon cake too). I wish it is that simple. Well it is a saying after all.

 

 

In my case I have been thrown with a rock .. so if I follow the advice given then I am supposed to collect the rock and build a house with it!??? Wow it will take many years and a lot of rocks being thrown my way.

 

 

I do not mind a house this great, really. More rocks please!

 

I think what is most important is never be beaten down but rise up to the occasion. There are many weird type or kind of people out there but does it mean we have to stoop as low as them. Hell NO. Show them that we are better. Some people (especially those who are related to you unfortunately) are never happy for you when you achieve greatness in your life, worse they try to put you down constantly, but life is great and beautiful. As such I choose to not be intimidated by these bunch of people and live a fruitful and happy life with my own family (instead what they do not realise is that the rock will teach me to be more patient and be resilient towards life challenges).

 

Love life always.