New Year's Resolution

Have you done your New Year's Resolution for 2018 yet? If not, then this blog is just perfect for you to get started. I have included some tips on how to write a New Year's Resolution, what to include and what not to include on your list and when is the right time to write your resolutions.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

New Year's Resolution is a list of things you write about the things you want to change and gain in the coming year. Resolutions are there to motivate you to become a better person and to achieve something big in your life. I believe that everyone should set up their own goal and plan something good. 

If you happen to fail to achieve most of your resolutions, don't worry as there is no punishment (not that I know of). However, it will be quite a disappointment if you didn't much or at least more than half of it from your list. That is why you must pick your resolutions carefully and something that you know you can possibly do. Anyways, resolutions are not supposed to be easy, it's all about challenging yourself and see how far you can go to achieve what you want in your life. 

WHEN & WHERE TO WRITE ONE 

Writing a list of your resolutions can be done anytime you wish, even if New Years has already passed, you may still grab the chance to create one for yourself. It is never too late and what's more important is that you are willing to do something good for yourself. Also, remember that your resolution expires after the year ends and you got plenty of time to create one. 

I would suggest taking down some notes via a piece of paper to write down all your resolutions. For me, this is the safest and most convenient way to create a list of resolutions. You may easily keep the list and have a look at it from time to time. Another option would be, creating one via your computer or laptop. This is for people who use and keep most of their files in digital. 

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR RESOLUTIONS

• Think of absolutely anything positive and something that will make you happy
• Include a lifetime goal, for example, make a two year or five-year plan and you may also include some strategy on how you are going to achieve it. 
• Set a deadline if you really want to achieve your goals
• Always include your family and loved ones in your resolutions 
• Try to be creative 
• Make a goal on your savings, money is one of the most important things
• Make sure to include goals for yourself and not just for other people
• Include some places you always wanted to visit if it's possible

WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR RESOLUTIONS

• Try to avoid writing too many resolutions. I think 20 should be good enough as writing too many may just complicate your whole resolutions. Keep it simple.
• Do not include anything too sensitive, just to keep it real
• Never put something about revenge or plotting something that you might regret later. You may include some redemption plans but make sure that it won't harm anyone.
• Never include wishing anyone bad karma, resolutions are supposed to be positive and refrain yourself from any negative thoughts.

MY 2018 RESOLUTIONS

Here are my 2018 Resolutions, hope this would be of help. I try to focus on my personal life. In the past few years, I've been pre-occupied mainly with friends and helping others. I focus too little on myself and this 2018, I want to change that and I believe that it is time for me to focus more on myself and what I truly need. 

Goodluck on your resolutions and hope you achieve them all. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Benefits of Waxing

Are you tired of shaving? Have you ever consider on stopping shaving at some point? Shaving is probably the most convenient way to get rid of your hairs on your legs, underarm and on your private area. However, shaving comes with a lot of disadvantages. To find out why you may proceed reading this blog to know more. 

Waxing can be rewarding in many ways but can also bring you pain in the process. Just imagine, your hairs are being pulled out straight from its roots. With that being said, the results can be very rewarding though for most people. There are also a lot of precautions to follow strictly before and after waxing.

"Beauty comes at a price but I believe it will be worth it."

 

FIRST OF, WHAT IS WAXING?

For those who are not very familiar with waxing or want to know more about it. Here is a simple explanation of what waxing is all about. Waxing is a therapy specializes in semi-permanent hair removal while maintaining a smoother skin. It is affordable and easy to book an appointment in any waxing salon, you may also do waxing in your home too! Waxing allows you to treat yourself to a nice and smoother skin and to be completely hair free for at least 1-2 weeks. 

 

TYPES OF WAXING METHOD

HOT WAXING

This is the most popular waxing method and it is not super hot by the way. It is quite warm. Hot waxing is a lot easier to pull out some stubborn and even those shorter hairs. This is good for the intimate area and it would be less painful. Hot waxing is more effective than cold or pre-made wax strips. It is also much more comfortable than the others, plus you have a therapist to do all the service for you. 

PRE-MADE WAX STRIPS OR COLD WAXING

Pre-made wax strips can be found in any convenience or health care and beauty stores. The strips come in a package with a few sheets inside. It is quite easy to use as there is a list of instructions to tell you how to do your waxing. It is advisable to ask someone to help you wax instead of doing it by yourself especially when waxing your underarm and private areas to be safe. 

 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WAXING

• Bikini/ Brazilian waxing - There are some options whether you want your hairs in your private area to be all off (Hollywood), Bikini line wax only or something artsy, The Love Heart.

• Underarm waxing - This is probably the least painful one of all and can be relaxing too

• Legs or Feet waxing - There is an option whether you want it all off (Feet + Legs + Thighs)

• Eyebrow waxing - This is mainly for people who have tattooed their eyebrows

• Chest or Back waxing - This is mainly for the men

 

BENEFITS OF WAXING

There are plenty of benefits that waxing can provide and will let you enjoy from being hair free for at least a week or two. The process can be painful but the results can be rewarding. 

1. WAXING ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE A SMOOTHER AND SOFTER SKIN

You should know that your hairs are being pulled out straight from its roots, so there won't be any patches of hair left on your skin except those teeny tiny bits and really thin hairs that are not possible to be taken off with the hot wax. Once your hairs have been taken off, you will start to feel that your skin is very soft and smooth. Do enjoy this for at least 1 or 2 weeks before your hairs start to grow again. 

After waxing, your skin will feel not only smooth or soft but it is almost like your skin is brand new, like a newborn baby. Furthermore, you must moisturize or exfoliate the waxed area to maintain the smooth and to avoid any chances of ingrown hairs. 

2. WAXING IS CLEAN

Waxing is clean if you go to a good waxing salon. Always make sure that your waxing salon is clean and their materials and tools are new especially the waxing popsicles they use to gather the hot wax onto your skin. To maintain the cleanliness after waxing, you must moisturize or exfoliate your waxed area and make sure that your waxed area is clean and must be moisturized at least before your hairs start to grow. 

3. WAXING CAN GET RID OF INGROWN HAIRS

Waxing can help you get rid of those ever annoying ingrown hairs.

WHAT ARE INGROWN HAIRS?

Ingrown hairs are hairs that grow back and curled up down from within your skin or near the skin surface. The hairs move sideways instead of straight out from your skin. This happens when your hair breaks off in the middle by waxing, plucking or shaving, 

Waxing can eliminate your ingrown hairs and these annoying ingrown hairs are not a permanent thing, so there is nothing to worry about. Unless you stop waxing or if you are the type who wax every after 3 months or more. Furthermore, not everyone suffers from ingrown hairs. It also depends on how you take care of your skin. The more care you give the fewer problems you'll have. 

4. HAIR FREE FOR AT LEAST 1-2 WEEKS

Your hair only starts growing after 1-2 weeks. Being hairless for at least 1-2 weeks is probably a great news for everyone who goes waxing. During those hairless time, you may enjoy doing some outdoor activities and you are free to wear anything without feeling embarrassed especially about your underarm hairs. 

On the other hand, the longer you wax, the amount of hair growth will be lesser. I heard from my therapist that when you continuously wax for more than 3 years, your hair may begin to grow out after 3 weeks to one month. Of course, this will also depend on your genetics. If you are born hairy then it will take more years to enjoy this privilege. 

5. WAXING CAUSE NO CUTS THAT WILL LEAVE YOU SCARS

Waxing does not include a blade or a razor, which means you won't suffer any cuts that may leave you some scars. Waxing, however, may be painful especially for those who are more sensitive. But having no scars is definitely a good news. 

CONS OF WAXING

Waxing may offer some rewarding result, however, waxing also has its cons and it may not be 100% beneficial to all. Different people have different types of skin and to some, waxing may not be the best choice for them. Therefore, it is important to have a good knowledge about the disadvantages of waxing and not just the good parts. 

1. WAXING CAN BE PAINFUL

Waxing is never easy and relaxing. It is painful and sometimes it can make you scream especially when it comes to the intimate area. Just imagine, your hairs are being stripped and pulled out straight from its roots for at least 5-20minutes, depending on which body part you are waxing. The pain is tolerable though, however, for some people who are much more sensitive may not be able to hold their screams. 

2. WAXING CAN CAUSE INGROWN HAIRS

The chances of ingrown hairs after waxing is quite high. However, this only happens when the hair breaks off in the middle while pulling the hot waxing strip. Fortunately, you may get rid of those ingrown hairs once you are back to the waxing salon for your next session. 

To avoid ingrown hairs, you must moisturize or exfoliate your skin especially onto the waxed area to avoid any ingrown hairs. You must moisturize or exfoliate until your hair starts to grow. 

3. REDNESS AND SORENESS

During and especially after waxing, your skin may suffer from redness and soreness. This happens simply because your hairs have been pulled off and it is pretty normal to suffer from this, but worry not as this only last for a few hours and a day being the maximum. If your redness and soreness continue after 2-3 days or if you notice that it is getting worse, you must pay a visit to a doctor to have it check. 

4. PORES AND ALLERGY REACTION

After waxing, your pores will start to open up as you are hairless and the chances of having your skin infected are quite high but this doesn't happen to all people. But don't worry as you may still avoid this by moisturizing and exfoliating your waxed area. Make sure that your waxed area is not sweating so much and make sure that it is washed and clean until your hairs start to grow back. 

Waxing may also cause some allergy reaction in some people. To avoid having to deal with this, you must make sure that waxing is really suitable for you and follow the steps of before and after waxing. 

5. WAXING IS EXPENSIVE THAN SHAVING

Unlike shaving, waxing cost more than a piece of a set of blade or razor. Waxing is also more expensive when doing it in a waxing salon. You need to pay for the hot wax, the salon's services, and your therapist. However, the result may be worth it despite the cost.

6. WAXING CAN'T GUARANTEE YOU 100% HAIR FREE

Take note that waxing is only done by pulling your hairs straight from its roots. So it is not a permanent thing that your hair will be forever gone. Unless it is in your genes to have less hair, but your hair will not stop growing, not unless you go for laser hair removal or IPL. 

Nevertheless, you will still enjoy being hairless for at least a week or two. 

7. MUST DO IT IN A WAXING SALON

It is highly recommended to do waxing especially hot waxing in a good and reliable salon with an expert therapist. The reasons behind this are that you can put your trust in your therapist's hands and you don't have to worry about doing it wrong. 

On the other hand, you may also do waxing at home but make sure to have someone experienced or a family member who works in a salon to perform the waxing therapy for you to avoid any complications. 

PROS AND CONS OF SHAVING

Now let's talk about shaving. Shaving is always available whenever you need. It is easy to buy a shaver in any supermarket or convenience stores. It is very cheap and it is also disposable. It is very convenient as you may use that anytime you need to get rid of your hair. Plus, you don't need to book an appointment to shave, all you need is a razor to shave in the shower. 

However, there are more cons than pros on shaving. While I was writing this blog, I have come to a conclusion that shaving is really bad for our skin and the usage of shaving needs to be minimized. 

 

HERE ARE SOME OF THE DISADVANTAGES OF SHAVING:

1. SHAVING MAKES YOUR HAIR LOOK THICKER AND GROW FASTER

Shaving only cuts the hair on our skin area and the hair is not taken off from its roots, therefore the hair will grow much faster and looks thicker compare to waxing. Everyone has different types of hair and it depends on your genetics too. Normally for most people, the hair will start to grow after a day or two after shaving, which is not very helpful as you will need to keep shaving every day. 

2. ROUGH SKIN AFTER SHAVING

After shaving, your skin will feel rough and not very smooth as you only shave your hair off from the surface and not from its roots.

3. SHAVING CAN CAUSE ITCHINESS AND RASHES

Shaving can cause itchiness and rashes on your skin. The reason behind this is that if you use the wrong shaver or if not used properly, it can cause some complications. This happens when you press the razor too hard onto your skin while shaving or using a very blunt and old razor blade. 

4. POSSIBLE BLEEDING AND WOUNDS WHILE SHAVING

Shaving can cause bleeding and wounds too. Why is that? First of all, you are doing it alone and you can't really see the area where you are shaving, the intimate area in particular. Careless shaving could result in bleeding and wounding your skin and trust me it is not a good thing wounding your skin with a piece of sharp blade razor. 

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO WAX?

THE BEST TIME TO WAX

• A week after your monthly period is over

• Do it whenever you feel like you are ready for it

• Make sure to make an appointment in the waxing salon, so you will feel more obligated to go

• Do it in the first week of the month right after you've received your monthly salary, so you won't end up spending your money for your waxing just in case

WHEN NOT TO WAX

• Do not wax when you are in your period

• Do not wax days before your period, your skin is more sensitive and it can be very painful

• Do not wax when you are dealing with some infections on your skin

• Do not wax when you are short of budget, it can wait

• Do not wax when your hairs are still very short, it is advisable to grow your hairs at least 1/4 of an inch

ASK YOURSELF WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME

You should definitely ask yourself whether you are ready to switch and try waxing for the first time. Everyone has their own tolerance for pain and no one else knows your pain tolerance better than yourself. Another way to help you decide is to ask the people you know, perhaps one of your family members or friends who have already tried waxing and ask questions about it. It will sound more convincing hearing the experiences of the people you personally know. 

DO's AND DON'Ts BEFORE WAXING

This is the first step that everyone should know before having their first wax. Believe me, I had searched about waxing many times before making my first appointment in a waxing salon. It's better to be safe than sorry. 

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO BEFORE WAXING: 

• Do not shave at least 2 weeks before your waxing appointment. Leave the hair be.

• Do not wax a week before your period starts as it will be a lot painful when stripping hairs from your skin.

• Grow your hair as long as possible (around 1/4 of an inch long should be okay).

• Workout or sweat as much as you can before waxing as you are not allowed to sweat after waxing for at least 48 hours.

• Try to relax and stop over thinking before and during your waxing session

• Research about waxing, everyone has its own ways to find things out.

• Check with your dermatologist if you have any skin problems to see if waxing is suitable for you.

• Hydrate yourself before and even after waxing

• Wear something comfortable and not tight clothing before heading to the waxing salon. Wearing tight items of clothing will suffocate your body to sweat.

• If you are sensitive to feeling any pain, take an aspirin 30 minutes before your waxing appointment. Aspirin can help ease the pain but always check with your doctor before you take any medications.

 

DO's AND DON'Ts AFTER WAXING

After all the stripping and pain from the salon, you may see the results right away. Your skin will feel a lot softer and smoother, maybe a little bit of redness or soreness but that is very normal as it will go away eventually. However, there are some precautions to follow after waxing. It is important to follow it to avoid any possible pain, side effects or even swelling. 

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WHAT TO DO AND NOT TO DO AFTER WAXING:

• Do not do anything active after waxing for 48 hours. No workout, no running and avoid any sexual intercourse too. Your skin (waxed area) needs to be dry for 24 hours.

• Do not wear any tight clothing after waxing

• Drink plenty of fluids, try to avoid any alcoholic drinks. Detox yourself for at least 48 hours.

• Moisturize or exfoliate after waxing (24 hours later) to maintain the smooth on the waxed area in your body.

• Use moisturizer to avoid having any bumps, ingrown hairs or pimples on the waxed area.

• Do not wet or shower for 24 hours after waxing. The waxed area needs to remain dry.

• Do not go to the beach for tanning for some time as the sun damages your skin and especially on your waxed area. Avoid the heat completely if you can.

 

HOW TO FIND A GOOD WAXING SALON

Finding a right and reliable waxing salon is very important. Knowing how clean and updated the salon is very important. 

TIPS ON HOW TO FIND A GOOD WAXING SALON:

• Make sure that the salon is clean in and out

• Read their customer's feedbacks to have an idea of what kind of salon it is

• Check the prices and make sure that it is not too cheap. The average price should be around 45-60 USD ($350-500 in HKD) for a session of Brazilian waxing.

• Check if the salon is recommended by the media or in the magazines

• When you reach the waxing salon, normally clients will be given a few minutes time to change before starting the waxing session. Take this chance to check their tools and types of equipment on the counters. Check whether the tools are new, especially the waxing popsicles that they use to gather all the wax. If it is clean and you feel safe, then go on to your waxing session. By any chances that you are in doubt, you can change your mind before it's too late or you may ask questions with the salon for some clarifications. Afterall safety should always come first.

MY WAXING EXPERIENCES

I have thought about whether or not I should ditch shaving and open myself to the waxing world for many years. It took me years to make a decision because I was scared of the pain first of all and just imagining the process always back me out. Another thing is that I was not willing to spend so much money on this. It was a long and careful decision that I have dealt with. 

Anyways, I started waxing in 2016 and I am still continuing it. After finally getting rid of shaving, I finally realized that waxing is more effective. It makes my hair a lot thinner and the length are almost aligned together. I felt cleaner and better with waxing, although the pain can be unbearable at times, however, it is all worth it. 

I have tried 3 waxing salons in Hong Kong before settling into a permanent one. I am currently having my wax done at NUDE WAXING BOUTIQUE. This salon is very reliable and I love the service of my therapist, Ilhaam. She is very professional and she does her waxing very well. Nude offers reasonable prices and the machines, tools, and types of equipment they use are clean and safe. I will highly recommend this place to anyone. 

I would definitely also recommend people to try waxing and quit shaving for good. Honestly, those razors aren't good for our skin and it is also nice to treat yourself to a waxing salon. Forget the pain, just focus on the good results. 

I hope you find this blog useful and it answers your questions. Feel free to message me or comment below if you have any concerns or questions, I will be more than happy to help. 

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

Second Draft in Little Tai Hang

Are you looking for a good and relaxing gastropub in Hong Kong with plenty of beer selections? Well then, you should definitely try out Second Draft. This gastropub offers plenty of beers, food that are good paired with the beers.

This blog contains information about the restaurant, the food, the beer, the service and ambiance. 

ABOUT SECOND DRAFT

Second Draft is a gastropub located in Little Tai Hang in Causeway Bay. This place has been open since 2016. Yes! It's pretty new and Second Draft has already received a lot of positive feedback and has been awarded "Best New Restaurant" by Hong Kong Tatler in 2017. 

Second Draft offers the best taste of beers and good food pairing with beers. They serve premium local craft beers on tap. The place looks retro and with a high ceiling and a hall of beers for drinkers to chose from. 

LOCATION

Second Draft is located in Little Tai Hang in Causeway Bay. Tai Hang area is starting to raise more attraction and more and more new aspiring restaurants are opening in this area. This could be the next it place to be. 

ADDRESS: 98 Tung Lo Wan Road, Tai Hang, Hong Kong

HOW TO GET THERE

The most convenient way to go to Second Draft is by taking the MTR and drop off at Tin Hau Station - Exit B. It takes about 7 minutes walk from the train station to Second Draft.

Why Tin Hau though? Although Second Draft is in Causeway Bay but getting off at Tin Hau Station would be much closer than dropping off from Causeway Bay Station.

Left -Second Draft signage

Right - Little Tai Hang signage. Apologise for the tree.

 

AMBIENCE

Second Draft looks modern with a high ceiling inside the gastropub located in the luxurious Little Tai Hang. This gastropub certainly make customers feel like home and will most likely leave the place happy. The place looks peaceful, not very crowded and I guess it's another good thing that Second Draft is not situated in a busy and very commercial area such as Central or Tsim Sha Tsui. The place itself make me feel like I want to stay there for a long time. The place looks quite spacious and the bar looks great, with all the tap craft beers and beer signage menu on the top of the bar area. 

Beer menu on the wall

BEER

In Second Draft, there are a lot of beer selections starting from 3.0% up to 9.0%, being the highest alcohol percentage. There are around 7 types of beers in Second Draft - Ale (Pale, India Red, Oaked Rye, Session and Scotch Ales), Stout (Imperial and Sweet Stouts), IPA (Imperial, Red, Black and Session IPA), Gose (Salted Lime), Saison (Dry and Brett Saisons), Mead and Wheat (American and Blueberry Wheats). Most of the craft beers are local from Young Master Brewery and HEROES brewery.

Beer lovers can also pick their beer sizes ranging in 3 sizes (200ml, 330ml, and 450 ml). Second Draft also allows customers to have a taste of their craft beers in a shot glass before ordering a whole glass.I got to say, where can you really find this in Hong Kong as there are not many places that offer this kind of hospitality. 

BEER RECOMMENDATIONS

In Second Draft, there is a list of beer favourites. I have personally tried these beers and I came up with my top 5 picks.

• Rye On Wood by Young Master - Oaked Rye Ale containing 6.0% alcohol 

This is probably every gentlemen's top pick. It has caramel taste and it is very mouthful. 

• Hangry Donut by HEROES - American Wheat containing 5.1% alcohol

Hangry stands for Hungry + Angry. This beer is definitely something that would fill you up a bit when you enter the place "hangry". 

• Cha Cha Teng Gose by Young Master - Salted Lime Gose containing 4.5% alcohol

Also known as CCT, it is a light beer with sour taste. I like this beer simply because of its simplicity and it doesn't make me feel full after having more than 2 glasses of it. 

• Hygges Bro by HEROES - Session IPA containing 5% alcohol

This beer tastes a little bit bitter but just the type of bitter that every ladies would enjoy and wouldn't mind having another round of Hygges Bro beer. 

• Vanilla Stout by Sankt Gallen - Sweet Stout with Vanilla containing 6.4% alcohol

This beer is very refreshing and not too heavy in the belly. However, the alcohol percentage is a bit high. It kind of taste like coffee too because of the vanilla flavours. 

OTHER BEVERAGES

Aside from beers, there are other beverage options that Second Draft serves. The bartenders can make a pretty good cup of coffee, some cocktails and fruit juices for people who don't drink alcoholic drinks or if you are detoxifying. 

COFFEE

There are 5 different types of coffees that Second Draft serves. Espresso would be the basic ones, followed by Hand Craft Coffee, Ice Drip Coffee, Nitro Cold Brew and Coffee Mocktail. 

SODA

There are some sodas and non-alcoholic drinks are available in Second Draft, such as CoAqua coconut water, tonic, ginger beer, ginger ale, lemonade and Cuban iced tea.

WINES & COCKTAILS

Wines are also available in Second Draft. They serve Sparkling wines, Red & White wines, Rose and Orange wines. There are a few cocktails for drinkers to try out. The 2 famous cocktails are Chen Pei Negroni and Siu Yeh Sour. 

FOOD

The food menu looks pretty appetizing and the taste is just perfect to pair with the beers. It is a mix of Hong Kong culture with some international touch, hence it is a fusion cuisine. The food is carefully selected with vegetarians and meat options included. Second Draft caters to both healthy and big eaters as they offer plenty of dietary and satisfying food choices. 

BAR SNACKS & BITES

There is a good selection of bar snacks and bites for hungry eaters to try. Here are some recommendations for bar snacks and bites.

• Edamole made and mixed with Edamame and Guacamole to be dipped with some crispy chips. 
• Ink Croquettes - fried Oysters with Squid Ink.
• Hong Kong style French Toast with Foie Gras butter and syrup on top of the toast.
• There are 2 delicious chicken dishes that are to die for, Jer Jer Buffalo Wings - yellow Chicken wings with Buffalo sauce and Blue Cheese and Fried Chicken cooked with roasted garlic.
• Beetroot & Avocado serves with vinegar and candied sesame walnut.
• One of Second Draft's signature dish - Tai Hang Fries with cumin and dried chili. 

Beetroot Avocado with Walnuts

Squid Ink Oysters

Tai Hang Fries

MAINS AND MEATS

The main dishes are something what hungry eaters would want to have along with beers. The main dishes are good for sharing and here are my recommendations.

• Coffee Risotto with sesame seed and coffee powder. This is a unique dish and something I have not tried before.
• Mushroom & Asparagus with assorted Mushrooms, grilled Asparagus serves with sweet soy sauce and Onsen Egg on top.
• Fried Chicken Sandwich - yellow Chicken, mayo, pickled ginger and coleslaw all mixed together in the bun.
• Hanger Steak with black pepper oil and it is always serves as rare.
• Second Draft's signature main dish - Flower Crab Pasta serves with butter sauce, thick Shanghainese noodles and egg yolk.
• The biggest dish in the menu - Chiella (serves in Pork Leg or Lobster, depends on availability). There is only 2 portions serves per day and it takes about 45 minutes to prepare the delicious dish. The Chiella dish also comes with crispy Shanghainese vegetable rice. 

Flower Crab Pasta

Coffee Risotto

Hanger Steak

Grilled Asparagus with Assorted Mushrooms & Onsen Egg

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Chiella (Pork Leg) with Shanghainese Rice

SERVICE

The service in Second Draft is nice and the staffs are very friendly. They would also provide a good recommendation from the menu, in case customers are unsure of what to order. It is very casual, which is less intimidating and more relaxing. The orders come pretty fast and I really appreciate it when the staffs explain the dishes well. I hear that most of the regular customers who come to this place are there not only for the food and beer but also because of the hospitality that the staffs have provided. 

Overall my experience at Second Draft has been great. I would recommend this place to people and for those who are seeking for a nice gastropub in Hong Kong. I have been coming back to this place from time to time and I will continue to do so. The venue makes me feel at home and it is definitely a place to unwind with some nice food and beers.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Chan

The Mardi Himal Trek

As mentioned in my "Discover Nepal" blog, here is my blog about our Mardi Himal trek experience. I was very hype on writing this blog and i hope that the resources that i have provided in here would be useful. 

This blog contains information about the trek, routes, requirements, weather, best season, food, lodges, teahouses, the do's and don'ts, things to bring, what to expect, my personal experience and the ups and downs during the trek. 

A SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT MARDI HIMAL

Mardi Himal is located at the east of the ABC (Annapurna Base Camp) and facing front is the Macchapuchhre (Fishtail). Mardi Himal has been open since 2011 and every year, more and more trekkers are beginning to discover it. Mardi Himal is a very peaceful and not very crowded area compare to other major treks in Nepal such as the Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit and ABC (Annapurna Base Camp).. Mardi Himal is surrounded with many beautiful flowers and plants. There are also many buffalos, donkeys, chickens around the trail and yaks/ naks can be seen at the Mardi Himal Upper View Point/ Base Camp. 

The highest point of the Mardi Himal trek is at 4,500 meters (Mardi Himal Base Camp). The minimum duration for Mardi Himal trek is 4 days and 6 days being the maximum. There are plenty of camps around the Mardi Himal route that trekkers can stay and also have their meals. 

THERE ARE 8 CAMPS IN THE MARDI HIMAL ROUTE:

• Australian Camp (1,650 meters) - Plenty of lodges and teahouses are available in this camp
• Pitam Deurali (2,100 meters) - Plenty of rooms for trekkers to stay and very nice people
• Kokar Forest Camp (2,600 meters) - Plenty of rooms available and nice food
• Babal Dada Low Camp (3,150 meters) - The best view of the Mt Machhapuchhre in the trek
• Middle Camp - More lodges and teahouses are being build and should be ready by next year
• High Camp (3,600 meters) - Limited space but more lodges are being build at the moment
• Base Camp (4,500 meters) - No lodges or teahouses, need to bring your own tents
• Sidding (1,750 meters) - The most beautiful lodge in the Mardi Himal route

WHY MARDI HIMAL

They are a lot of mountains in Nepal but why did we chose Mardi Himal? The reason is very simple, it is because Mardi Himal is probably the newest trek. It is also because we want to have a glimpse of the Annapurna South and the Mt. Machhapuchhre (also known as Fishtail). Machhapuchhre is a holy mountain and no one has ever climb that mountain. Mardi Himal is also not very crowded. It is definitely a perfect place and a good start for our first trek. 

HOW TO GET TO MARDI HIMAL

There are 4 options on how to get to Mardi Himal, from booking through an agency to doing it yourself. Do your research to know which of these options suits you best.

OPTION #1 - BOOKING A PACKAGE TOUR THROUGH ONLINE

The good thing about booking your trek online is that it is convenient and everything is arranged accordingly. There are plenty of online trekking agencies for you to choose, which also give you enough time to pick the right one.

Package tours include a set of an itinerary, a mountain guide, porter/s, food, accommodation and permits. Prices start from $700 up to $1,500 per person. Prices also tend to increase during peak season. 

However, booking through online can be very expensive. It is the most convenient option but expensive. 

OPTION #2 - BOOKING A PACKAGE TOUR IN NEPAL VIA TREKKING AGENCY

Booking a package tour within Nepal is a lot cheaper than booking through online. If you have extra days in Nepal, you may take some time to go and inquire about trekking packages around Pokhara and Kathmandu. Another good thing about this is that you get to talk face to face with the agency yourself and it is much clearer to deal with the trekking details in person. Plus, you will meet your guide in person and to confirm everything before starting your trek. 

Package tours include a set of an itinerary, a mountain guide, porter/s, food, accommodation and permits. Prices starts from $500 up to $800 per person. Prices also tends to increase during peak season. 

OPTION #3 - BOOKING A MOUNTAIN GUIDE ONLY VIA TREKKING AGENCY

Booking just a mountain guide can save you a lot of money. As the money that you pay for goes directly to your mountain guide and of course a bit of commission to the agency. This is a lot cheaper than getting the package tour. The good thing about this is that you can do the trek your way. For example, making your trek shorter, hence you pay your mountain guide a lot lesser. 

However, you will need to find and bargain your own room in the lodges and order your meals during the trek yourself. I mean, this is not hard as communication is quite easy. All the food and drinks menu are all in English and the lodge owners speak fair English. On the other hand, if you treat your guide nicely and if you try to build a good relationship with your guide, then the chances of your guide helping you out during your trek would be likely. 

Prices starts from $20 up to $50 per day, depending on how experienced your guide is. Your mountain guide should be paying for their own accommodation and meal throughout the trek. Be sure to discuss this clearly and agree on the terms. Also, make sure that your guide has a proper insurance and it is still valid. 

Aside from your guide ffee, there will be an additional charge for getting a trekking permit when booking from a trekking agency. I would really recommend people to try to book their mountain guide from an agency because it is safer and most of the guide are legit. Remember that your guide will be with you for a few days. 

OPTION #4 - INDEPENDENT TREKKING

If you are an experienced trekker/ mountaineer, then doing an independent trek to Mardi Himal is possible. This is probably the cheapest option to complete the Mardi Himal trek. You only need to pay for the permits, your insurance, transportations, food, water and accommodation. The trail in Mardi Himal is quite stable and you can ask around the mountain people about the trail in case you are in doubt. Independent trekking allows you to challenge yourself and achieve something. However, there are a few cons doing an independent trekking. 

THESE ARE THE CONS OF INDEPENDENT TREKKING

• It is more challenging and the chances of getting lost is high
• It may be harder for you to communicate better without a mountain guide
• There might be some information or updates about the trek that you may not know of
• It is not safe when you are doing it alone
• In case of any accident, nobody is there to help you

HIRING A PORTER

Getting a porter for your trek will be good during the trek The best thing about it is that you don't need to carry your own backpack and you can relax more while trekking. It is less exhausting having somebody carrying your belongings. 

Please be reminded that if you are hiring a porter, remember not to put too much stuff in your backpack and don't take advantage of your porter. Try to pack light and be kind to your porter. The price for hiring a porter should be lower than what you are paying for your guide. 

But of course, if you are the type who likes challenges and hard work then you shouldn't consider hiring a porter at all. Nothing else feels better than achieving something without the help of anyone unless of course you have a health condition, then taking this challenge is just a bad idea. 

WHICH OPTION DID WE CHOOSE?

We chose option #3, which is booking a mountain guide only via trekking agency. Honestly, I think this is the most reasonable and the best value out of all the options. We booked through "Plan Himalaya" and we got this amazing mountain guide. Everything was settled smoothly and professionally.

Chandra, the owner of "Plan Himalaya" is very professional and he took time to meet us before we leave Kathmandu to Pokhara and quickly brief us about the trek. He have also given me advices and information about the Mardi Himal trek over the phone. He helped us arranged our trek and everything went perfectly. I would definitely recommend Plan Himalaya and I will book my next trek with Plan Himalaya again. 

Our mountain guide, Kapil is originally from the Mt. Everest Region and he has been a mountain guide for many years. He has plenty of experiences not just in mountain trekking but he also knows a lot about the nature, health, religions and the economy. He is very outgoing, open-minded and professional. I would definitely look for him when I do trekking in Nepal. 

HERE ARE THE CONTACTS OF THE AGENCY AND OUR GUIDE IN CASE YOU NEED IT:

TREKKING AGENCY - PLAN HIMALAYA

Website - www.planhimalaya.com

Contact - Mr. Chandra GT (Managing Director & Owner of Plan Himalaya)

Contact number - +977 985 1105516

MOUNTAIN GUIDE - KAPIL MANTHERBU KULU

Contact number - +977 982 3397547 OR +977 984 9501441

Meet our mountain guide, Kapil. He is a very kind and friendly man.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS

TREKKING PERMITS

Trekking to Mardi Himal would require you to obtain some permits. You need trekking permits for ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and a TIMS card (Tourism Information Management System). You can easily obtain these permit from any trekking agency and if you have are booking your trek from a trekking agency, then the permits should be already included in your package, 

On the other hand, if you are going for an independent trekking. Trekking permits are also available at the Nepal Tourism Board official offices in Pokhara and Kathmandu

If you have hire your own mountain guide, he/ she can help you to arrange your trekking permits. 

GET AN INSURANCE FOR YOUR TREK

it is highly recommended to buy an insurance for your trek. You should find an insurance that can cover you up for 5000 meters above sea level, if you are doing the Mardi Himal trek. 

I got my insurance at World Nomads. The price is reasonable and it covers emergency evacuation, medical insurance, travel insurance and many others. I would really highly recommend World Nomads as it is worldwide and one of the best insurance for trekking in the world. 

Click this link "World Nomads" to find out more about the packages. 

PHYSICAL & MENTALLY PREPARED

There is no need to be super fit in order to do this trek. I would say, you should just be fit enough to do it - No heart conditions and if you don't get fatigue very easily. If you also suffer from a regular stomach ache, then you should consider seeing your doctor to see if he/ she can prescribe with some pills to avoid any diarhhea.

You should also be mentally prepared for this trek as the trek last for 4 to 6 days. The weather might weaken your body and mind or the food might upset your tummy and affects your mood. If you are not used to being around nature/ forest/ mountain area, then this may require you some time to adapt to it. 

It is important to know if you are really prepared for all the things you will have to encounter during your trek, so you will be fully aware and prepared for it in case some circumstances comes up. 

DO's AND DON'Ts

Even though you are going to be in the mountain area, there are something that you must know about the Do's and Don'ts. It is good to be aware, so you can avoid offending anybody just in case. 

DO'S

• Greet everyone you meet in the trek
• Be friendly to your fellow trekkers and try to help when you can
• Safety always comes first! If you feel like you are unwell, take a break for a while
• Only order sufficient amount of food that you can finish
• Turn off the electricity in your room whenever you don't need it
• Drink Ginger Lemon Tea and Garlic Soup to avoid having altitude sickness
• Take care of the nature, do not destroy them
• Have plenty of rest and sleep before trekking
• Have a good breakfast before starting your trek
• Chat with your mountain guide and get to know him/her better
• Always wash your hands and mouth before eating your meal
• Close your door and windows at all times to avoid having any insects (moths, butterflies, flies) to come in your room especially at night time. 

DON'TS

• No PDA (Public Display Affection), this is strictly prohibited and should be respected 
• Do not throw rubbish anywhere in the mountain/ forest
• Do not shout and talk too loudly, contain your volume
• Do not go trekking with an empty stomach
• Do not waste food and do not order too much food when you can't finish it
• Do not bring a lot of things. The ideal weight for one backpack should be no more than 10kg.
• Do not consume anything unusual. Trust me you do not want to trek with an upset stomach.
• Do not waste electricity, try to save as much as you can
• Do not swear too openly, try to swear in your mind
• Do not bargain for something unrealistic
• Do not harm any animals, try to conserve them or just leave them alone
• Do not drink water from the tap, only drink from a water bottle or boiled water

 

WHEN IS BEST TIME TO GO TREKKING TO MARDI HIMAL

Knowing when is the best time to do the Mardi Himal trek is also important as your entire trek will depends on how good the season is. If you are not aware of when is the best time to go, your trekking trip might end up into a disaster. 

FIRST BEST SEASON - OCTOBER TO EARLY DECEMBER

October to early December are the best season to go trekking to Mardi Himal as the skies are clear during these months. This is also considered as the busiest months and peak season in Mardi Himal. As October is the start of the Autumn season, the weather will be chill and you can experience a lot leaves falling down from the trees. November to December will be the coldest months and there is a possibility that some trail may be covered with snows, which will make it hard to trek. 

SECOND BEST SEASON - FEBRUARY TO APRIL

February to April will be the second best season to go trekking to Mardi Himal. Around this time the dry season is almost over and it is not super cold anymore. The snows by then will be gone and the trail will be easier to trek. 

THIRD BEST SEASON - MAY TO JUNE

May to June will be the third best season to go trekking to Mardi Himal. It is the summer season and if you enjoy the sun, then this is probably the best time for you to go. Take note that by June, it will be the pre-monsoon season and occasional rain may happen during the trek. On the other hand, flowers are starting to bloom beautifully during these months. 

NON-PEAK SEASON - JUNE TO EARLY SEPTEMBER

June to early September will be the non-peak season to go trekking to Mardi Himal. The reason why it is the non-peak season is because this time around is the monsoon season. The chances of rain and thunderstorms are very likely and very high during this period. Also, this is also the time that leeches comes out as it is the wet season. Remember to wear long trekking pants, long sleeves, long socks and wear ankle trekking boots to avoid those tiny teeny leeches to get into your skin. 

THE LODGES/ TEAHOUSES

The lodges and teahouses around the Mardi Himal route are very basic and simple. The mountain people are very friendly and welcoming. As you enter a teahouse, you will automatically feel at home. Staying at the teahouse and lodges is very laid back and relaxing. I also felt that time is actually slower in the mountain area. 

FOOD AND DRINKS

Both food and drinks are available in the teahouses. There are quite a lot of food selection in the menu - both meat and vegetarian options are available. The food are quite delicious and the portions are big. I find the vegetables very fresh as every teahouses grow their own crops. The prices for both food and drinks increases as you get higher to the top. 

ACCOMMODATION

The rooms in the lodges are very simple and decent looking. Most of the rooms are made from woods or stones. Every room has a decent mattress with nice bed sheets and pillows. Small rooms (good for 2 people) and big rooms (good for 4-6 people) are available in most of the lodges. However, trekkers will need to share the toilet and most of the lodges only have 1 toilet available to use. There is, of course, a place for you to wash but there is no hot water, so that means you will have to wash with cold water. Hot water is available too but you will just need to ask the owners/ staff to boil you some hot water. There may be some extra charges for that. 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE TREK

It is important to know what to expect before starting your trek. It is a must that you are aware of the possible circumstances you might experience during your trek. 

THE WEATHER

As we all know that the weather is very unpredictable and it changes all the time. Make sure to have your raincoat packed in your backpack and as well as jackets/ ponchos, thick socks, legs warmer and beanie/cap to protect yourself from the cold weather. Even though you are going to trek during the hot season, the weather in the mountain is different. The higher you get, the colder it gets. 

THE LEECHES, BEES AND OTHER FLYING INSECTS

During wet season/ monsoon time, there will be plenty of rain coming down, which means there will be a lot of leeches. This is the prime time for leeches to come out and find some people to hang on and have a taste of their blood. The good news is that leeches have their weakness too! You can throw some salt at them whenever they are on your skin. Another way to avoid those annoying leeches to get onto your skin is to wear something tight and cover up your ankles - wear ankle trekking boots, long sleeves, long pants and long socks.

There are also some bees and other flying insects. They are super annoying and they are just everywhere you go! Well, except when it is raining but once the sun's out then they are also out. As much as you hate them and their annoying buzzing sounds, you shouldn't really do anything to them. Do not try to fight with them or even try to hit them with something. Just simply leave them be and continue walking as if like they don't exist. 

THE DONKEYS AND BUFFALOS FOOTSTEPS

During the wet season, the trail will be very wet and muddy, which means the donkeys and buffalos will definitely ruin and make the way even more complicated to walk. It is quite difficult for us to get through the muddy paths. We had to find and make our own way to get through it. Just be careful and try not to fall in those muds.

POSSIBLE SICKNESS (ALTITUDE SICKNESS, FEVER, COLD, DIARHHEA)

Yes! This should be included in your top priority as staying healthy during your trek is a must because once you start to feel ill, then it is quite impossible to proceed to your trek. You should always watch out for any a headache or if you are feeling a bit of nausea, even a minor headache. When you feel that you are having any symptoms, then you should take some pills right away to eliminate any altitude sickness, headache or fever. Taking ginger lemon tea and drinking garlic soup could also help you a lot. 

MEAT SHORTAGE IN TEAHOUSES

For some unforeseen events, meat shortage may be possible around the mountain area while you are trekking. Running out of chickens and buffalos meat is possible especially during the non-peak season. On the other hand, there are vegetables and canned Tuna available if there is no meat available. Trying to be a vegetarian for a few days doesn't sound that bad. 

WHAT TO BRING WHEN TREKKING

In case you are wondering what you really need to bring when trekking. Here's a guideline for you to have an idea on what to bring and what not to bring, 

Take note that this is a "backpack travel", so trying to minimise your belongings would help you a lot while trekking. 

"Light packing should be always in your mind!"

ESSENTIAL THINGS TO BRING WHEN TREKKING

• Trekking Pants
• T-Shirts, Long Sleeves 
• A set of sleeping clothes (use only for the sleeping time)
• Quick-dry towel for body washing
• Towel for sweat
• Underwear
• Sports Bra/ Bralette (for girls)
• Waterproof and Windproof jacket
• Raincoat (get the one that can cover your backpack as well)
• Trekking poles/ sticks
• Socks (bring some thick and some thin socks with you)
• Trekking shoes (better get ankled trekking boots to avoid leeches and sprains)
• Slippers or Crocs 
• Sunglasses (with a good UV protection)
• Cap (getting a waterproof cap would be ideal - for sweats and in case of rain)
• Medicine kit (tablets for cold and fever, Betadine, band-aids)
• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, powder, cologne, alcohol, mosquito repellent, comb)
• Sunblock lotion
• Tissues and wet tissues 
• Flashlight/ Torchlight/ Headlight (bring some spare batteries)
• A travel journal or a small notebook and a pen (to write down your travel diaries)
• Plastic bags (for putting rubbish)
• Camera and charger
• Adaptors (for charging)
• Some protein bars/ energy bars/ Digestives (for snacks)
• Trekking map
• Hand gloves (if you have sensitive/ soft skin)

OTHER THINGS TO BRING WHEN TREKKING (OPTIONAL)

• Playing cards (for pass time and free time)
• Books to read when not trekking
• Bum bag (to put all your important stuff like phone, wallet, passport, etc)
• Water bottle (1L) or you may simply re-use a plastic water bottle to refill water
• Duct tape (in case any of your stuff breaks)
• Karabiners (for hanging wet cloths)
• Padlocks (to lock away your bags, but most rooms in the lodges have locks already)
• Shaver (It's not a long trek, so I'm sure you can let it grow a bit more)
• Water purification tablets (in case you want to purify your own water)
• Laundry powder (for washing of clothes/ underwear)

THINGS YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING

• Hair dryer
• Your whole make-up and cosmetic sets (I mean you're only trekking!)
• Ipad/ Laptop (you are there for nature and don't let electronics get in the way)
• Pillow, blankets (the lodges will provide, so there's no need for that)
• Kitchen utensils (the teahouses will provide)
• Pieces of jewelry/ accessories (you don't really need that)

 

WHERE TO BUY YOUR TREKKING EQUIPMENT

Yes! Don't forget to add this to your list. People often forget the simple things like making a checklist of what equipment you need to bring for trekking. Find a time to do a shopping checklist first to see what you already have and what you are missing. 

Don't buy cheap quality equipment, especially when buying some trekking poles, jackets, trekking shoes, backpack and safety/ medicine kits. Remember that buying cheap quality would only bring you some problems and not solutions. There are no trekking shops in the mountain areas, so make sure that you got everything ready before starting your trek. 

BUYING TREKKING EQUIPMENT IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY OR ONLINE SHOP

Buying your trekking equipment directly in your home country or online shop should be a good idea. It gives you enough time to think about what you need and what you are missing. If you are the type who likes everything to be in order and ready to go, then this is definitely what you should do. 

BUYING TREKKING EQUIPMENT IN NEPAL

There are plenty of trekking shops in Nepal. As Nepal is filled with mountains, it is very possible that you can find all the equipment you need for trekking anywhere in Nepal, except the mountain area. Buying your equipment in Nepal could be a lot cheaper and in nice quality too. 

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK DURING THE TREK

Knowing what to eat and drink can guarantee you a healthy and comfortable trekking endeavour. You need to watch out what you eat and drink while trekking as if you don't take good care of your diet then your trip might end up horribly. Trust me, you do not want to upset your stomach and having that while trekking in the mountain is not a good thing.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO EAT & DRINK PROPERLY: 

WHAT TO EAT AND NOT TO EAT

• Eat a lot of greens and vegetables
• Eat chicken for protein
• Don't eat too spicy food (especially if you are not used to it)
• Don't eat cheese (if you are suffering from Lactose Intolerant)
• Eat energy bars and Digestives for snacks
• Don't skip any meal, eat 4 times a day (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea time and Dinner)
• Eat more during Breakfast time

WHAT TO DRINK AND NOT TO DRINK

• Drink garlic soup to avoid altitude sickness
• Drink Ginger Tea/ Ginger Lemon Tea/ Honey Ginger Lemon Tea to avoid altitude sickness
• Drink plenty of water (only drink from water bottle or boiled water)
• Never drink water from the tap
• Drink some vitamins to avoid any possible cold
• Drink Ibuprofen (if you are feeling sick due to altitude sickness)
• Try to avoid drinking any alcohol/ beers to avoid any possible hangover or headache

 

MARDI HIMAL TREK DIARIES

During our trek, I have written down things we did during our trek and the circumstances we had to face while trekking. We trekk for 6 days and I made sure that I wrote down all the details during this unforgettable experience so that I will be able to share it to people. 

TREK DAY 1 - NOT A LONG TREK BUT A GREAT START

On our first trekking day, we left our hotel at 7:00am. We rented a taxi to bring us to Kande, where we start our trek. We ate our breakfast while we were in the car as we didn't had any time to eat our breakfast in the hotel. The car ride took us 1.5 hour to reach Kande. 

Left - In the car while admiring the Mt Machhapuchhre view

Right - Mt Machhapuchhre

When we started our trek, we were already feeling very excited. The weather seems very nice and clear. We met this male dog on our way and he followed and sort of guided us for hours. We decided to name him Blackie, the dog guide. 

Meet our dog guide, Blackie

We stopped at Australian Camp and Pothana after 2 hours and we submitted our permits at the registration area. Yes, trekking permits are required when trekking Mardi Himal. Please refer back to "What are the requirements?" to know more about it. Australian Camp was named after the Australian mountaineers arrived the camp area. It has plenty of lodges and teahouses. The camp looks nice and decent. 

Australian Camp

Registration are at Pothana

After the registration, we continued to hike up to PItam Deurali for 1.5 hours. The trail was very stable and we saw a lot of plants and flowers. It was such a beautiful day for trekking. When we finally arrived at PItam Deurali, we stayed at "Trekkers Inn-Lodge". We were the only guest at that time as it is not the peak season yet. We occupy a room with a dining table outside the room. 

The lodge owners are very welcoming and very nice people. We got to go inside their kitchen and watch them cook our meal live in action. Thanks to our mountain guide, Kapil as he happen to have a very good relationship with the lodge owners. The food was very delicious and fresh. 

Although, we didn't trek for long hours today but it was a great start. I thought to myself that we will definitely be trekking for longer hours in the next 5 days. Today was a relaxing trek and we perfectly enjoyed it. 

Trekking Route (in order) - Kande, Australian Camp, Pothana, PItam Deurali

Total hours of trekking - 3.5 hours

Total hours of car ride - 1.5 hour

Highest Altitude - PItam Deurali (2,100 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Trekkers Inn-Lodge (Deurali)

 

TREK DAY 2 - A LONG WAY UP TO LOW CAMP

On our day 2, we wake up early to start our trek to Forest Camp at 7:00am. We have been told by our mountain guide, Kapil that there is no camp around the forest area, which normally take around 4-5 hours to reach the Forest Camp. We had packed some energy bars, so we can eat that when we get hungry. There are many different types of plants and flowers around the forest and Kapil was very generous to share us his knowledge about the plants and flowers we saw on our way. 

Left - Direction to start trek to Forest Camp from Deurali

Middle - Small pond around the forest

Right - More uphill

After that exhausting and dry forest trail, we finally arrived at the Forest Camp after 5 hours. We had our lunch in one of the teahouse. There are plenty of rooms available in the lodges and it seems like Forest Camp is where most trekkers go for overnight stay. There was no meat available, so we ordered all vegetables dishes. It's not really a big deal for me, since I love eating vegetables but I can see that Ryan wasn't very happy as he is a meaty person. But the food were delicious and that was the best lunch we had so far. 

The Forest Camp

We continued our trek at around 1:30pm. The trail started off well, a bit of steep and muds. Then suddenly rain started pouring. We all thought it's just a small rain but it's actually getting heavier and we struggled real hard. While trekking and suffering at the same time, we met some tiny sticky creatures, the leeches! There are everywhere around our raincoats, pants and shoes. This is our first time encountering these tiny little creatures and we definitely dislike them. We stopped over at the Rest Camp to cool down for a bit and wait till the rain slow down. The camp is very small and there is no lodges, mainly only for resting for trekkers, guides and mountain people.

As soon as the rain has settle down a bit, we continued our trek to Low Camp. It was very challenging ascending to Low Camp. It is very muddy and slippery. Our shoes are all wet and full of muds in and out and leeches kept biting and drinking our blood on our ankles. We were all tired and we just want everything to be over. 

After trekking for 4 hours, we finally arrived at the Low Camp. We quickly settle down into our rooms. We dry and wash ourselves. We had to wash our shoes with freezing cold water because our shoes was very muddy. The temperature at the Low Camp obviously dropped especially it was raining. It felt like it was 10 degrees up there. 

Hotel Machhapuchhre

Trekking Route (in order) - Pitam Deurali, Forest Camp, Rest Camp, Low Camp

Total hours of trekking - 9 hours

Highest Altitude - Low Camp (3,150 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Machhapucchre (Low Camp)

 

TREK DAY 3 - ALL IS WELL UNTIL WE START TO ASCEND TO HIGH CAMP

On our day 3, we woke up very early to have our breakfast. The sky was very clear and we were fortunate enough to have seen the Mt Machhapuchhre in clear view while having our breakfast. It was the best breakfast experience ever! 

We left Low Camp at 8:00am sharp and we ascend up to Middle Camp first. The trail was stable and not very muddy. When we arrived at the Middle Camp, we took some time to take pictures with the spectacular "bed of clouds" view. The sky was very clear and nice. The phone and internet connection at the Middle Camp is quite stable, so I took some time check my messages and update my family and friends back in Hong Kong about our whereabouts. There are also a few lodges being build and it should be ready by early next year as Mardi Himal has been attracting more and more people.

"Bed of Clouds"

Middle Camp

On our way to High Camp

On our way up to High Camp, the trail started steep followed by plenty more of steep trail. It was challenging and I actually slipped once because I stepped onto some clay soil. I swear, those clays are traitors! Do not step on those! We have also seen plenty of buffalo and they stopped whatever they were doing and was just staring at us. The buffalos in the mountains are not very used to people and seeing them frightens them. 

Everything was going well until suddenly out of nowhere, some raindrops started pouring down. Everything happened very quickly but we manage to get our raincoats out just in time. It's a shame how we were just 30 minutes away to the High Camp and it was a pity that we all had to experience getting wet again and of course we had to deal with the leeches again. The trail are muddy and slippery once again. 

When we finally arrived at the High Camp, we saw some teahouses and lodges being build. I have a feeling that Mardi Himal will soon be filled with trekkers. We quickly settle down into our room and dry ourselves while our lunch meal are being prepared. As the rain didn't stop, we decided to postpone our plan to ascend Upper Viewpoint in the next morning.

Trekking Route (in order) - Low Camp, Middle Camp, High Camp

Total hours of trekking - 4 hours

Highest Altitude - High Camp (3,600 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Trekkers Paradise

 

TREK DAY 4 - ANOTHER RAINY AND FOGGY DAY AT HIGH CAMP

On our day 4, we woke up at 4:30am and it was still pouring outside. We were planning to ascend to Upper Viewpoint but the weather was just really bad. The rain and fog are just surreal. It rained all morning till afternoon. We were somehow loosing hope but we still decided to stay one more night at High Camp and plan to go to Upper Viewpoint the next morning. 

So, we spent the whole afternoon at High Camp in our room and at the dining hall. We played cards game and chat around. The rain somehow stopped for some time, so we walked around and hike up a bit for 30 minutes. Then, the rain came back! It comes and it goes. 

Left - Inside our room, just chilling and resting

Middle - Directions at High Camp

Right - It's going to be a long way up to Upper Viewpoint

We met a few trekkers who manage to get to the Upper Viewpoint. We asked about how the trek went and as expected, there was no view. It was all fogs and the weather didn't really cooperate. However, they had a rare Yak farm experience, which made their trek a bit better in spite of the rain and fogs. It's good to know that there's something else good in there. 

Trekking Route - High Camp

Total hours of trekking - 30 minutes

Highest Altitude - High Camp (3,600 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Trekkers Paradise

 

TREK DAY 5 - FINALLY CONQUERED OUR QUEST

On our day 5, we wake up super early at 4:00am and our guide, Kapil went to check out the weather situation and he came back with a great news that we can head on to Upper Viewpoint. We left High Camp at 5:00am. It was still very dark and we have to use our torchlights and headlights in order for us to see, of course! It was very cold and a bit windy but we warmed up after some time. While ascending, the weather started to get clear followed by a few fogs. It was drizzling a bit but not too extreme. 

We reached Upper Viewpoint after 2.5 hours and out of nowhere the sky became foggy again. We still try to head on further at the Viewpoint. We waited for some time. We can see that the fogs are eliminating but then some more fogs are on its way. 

While waiting for our luck, we stayed at the Yak farm and drank some fresh warm yak milk. It was a good experience and this is our first time seeing and being close to the yaks and naks. Yaks are male yaks while Naks are female yaks. I'm not so sure why people call it yak milk, i guess it's because it's a lot easier for people to say it, 

After waiting for some time, we decided to head down to High Camp before the weather worsen. Although, we didn't get to see what we came for, which is the Annapurna South and Mt Machhapuchhre view, but at least we reached the top at 4,200 meters above sea level and the breakfast at Low Camp with the breathtaking Mt Machhapuchhre view are already good enough. There is always a next time. We would definitely look for a better season when the sky are much clearer. We manage to see the Annapurna Base Camp but it was still covered with some clouds and it was pointless to try to take a picture of it. There is always a next time. 

Descending back to High Camp is very challenging. The trail are steep and plenty of rocks and stones. Most of the big rocks are actually moving when we step onto it. There were times that I though I would fall but Thank God none of us did. As soon as we arrived at the High Camp, we packed our belongings, had a quick breakfast/ lunch and descend to Low Camp. 

It was still drizzling when we left High Camp and it was very muddy everywhere. Everything is wet and slippery. The trail are harder to cross and we had to take more time to find another path that is safe to walk. It was horrible to be honest. We felt very dirty and we just didn't care about those muds getting into our shoes, all we wanted is to not pay too much attention on the muds but to just finish the trek. We had enough of rain and being wet for 4 days straight. The tiny and annoying leeches are of course in our way and it didn't failed to spoil our mood even more. But this this time we had our weapon, some salts. Yes, leeches are afraid of salts and they become weak after splashing them with some salt. 

After 3 hours of descending, we finally arrived at the Low Camp and as usual, we cleaned ourselves up and we took some rest as we are super exhausted. It was a long day and a wet one too.  

Trekking Route (in order) - Upper View Point, High Camp, Middle Camp, Low Camp

Total hours of trekking - 6.5 hours

Highest Altitude - Upper View Point (4,200 meters)

Overnight stay at Lodge/ Teahouse - Hotel Machhapuchhre (Low Camp)

 

TREK DAY 6 - LAST GOODBYE AND A TOUGH DESCEND

On our day 6, we woke up at 7:00am, we had a quick wash up and packed up all of our belongings. It was our last breakfast at Low Camp with the Mt Machhapuchhre view. We had apple pancakes and ginger lemon tea for breakfast. I'd say this is by far the best apple pancake I ever had in my life. 

We left Low Camp by 8:00am and started our trek down to Sidding. The trail was a bit dry, since the rain had already stopped. There are still some trail that are a bit muddy. We were so glad that the leeches had finally stop attacking us. Unfortunately, we had encountered many donkeys in the way. They were delivering supplies up to the high camps. They totally ruined the trail, while making it extra harder for us to pass without stepping into muds. Anyways, we still made it and found our way down. Descending down is not very easy. It is actually quite tough and tiring. The donkeys made our trek longer because we need to find another way to walk. It feels like we have been descending forever. 

After 3 hours of trekking, we finally reach Sidding. We saw a lot of donkeys assembling and ready to hike up to the high camps to deliver supplies, such hardworking donkeys! The lodge in Sidding is probably the most beautiful and modern looking lodge in the Mardi Himal route and they have a decent toilet. We had our lunch at "Hotel Trekker's Home Nepal" while waiting for our jeep ride to bring us back to Pokhara. 

Left - The most beautiful lodge in the Mardi Himal route

Right - Entering our last stop in the Mardi Himal route

Left - Donkeys assembling 

Right - Some buffalos dipping in the water

We left Sidding at 2:00pm and we arrived to our hotel in Pokhara after 3 hours. The ride was super bumpy and the roads were not very even, especially coming down from the hill. We had some mini adrenaline rush while inside the jeep. It was a rare experience and it was quite fun quite frankly. We also passed by the Mardi River. The water drop from the Mt Machhapuchhre. The jeep ride cost us 10,000 NPR but we had other people inside the car, so we sort of shared the cost. We paid 3,500 NPR for 2 people. 

Left - Some waterfalls while we were inside the jeep

Right - The Mardi River

Right after we arrived at our hotel, we quickly freshen up. I think I spent more than 30 minutes in the bathroom. I have never felt this good taking shower before. Just imagine 6 days of no proper shower. We also unpack our belongings and we bring out our dirty clothes for laundry. After that, we went to the Lakeside to celebrate for conquering our Mardi Himal trek together with our awesome mountain guide/ friend, Kapil. 

Trekking/ Jeepney Route (in order) - Low Camp, Sidding, Lumre, Pokhara

Total hours of trekking - 3 hours

Total hours of jeepney ride - 3 hours

 

A LIST OF OUR COST IN THE MARDI HIMAL TREK

* The prices indicated below was during September 2017 and it is good for 2 people

1. Mountain guide and trekking permits via Plan Himalaya = $240
2. Food and drinks at teahouses = 20,920 NPR
3. Lodges (overnight stay for 5 nights) = 2,540 NPR
4. Taxi ride from Pokhara to Phedi = 2,000 NPR
5. Jeepney ride from Sidding to Pokhara = 3,500 NPR
6. Tips for our mountain guide = 5,000 NPR
7. Tourist Bus from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu = $28 (roundtrip)

Total in US Dollars = $268

Total in Nepalese Rupees = 33,960 NPR

Total Spending (for 2 people) = 60,760 NPR ($608 US Dollars)

We were genuinely happy with what we have spent. The money that we spent was super worth it and this is probably where most of my travel savings will be placed on. 

THE PRO'S AND CON'S ABOUT MARDI HIMAL TREK

There are some good things and some bad things during our Mardi Himal trek. Well, there is no such thing as perfect isn't it? Every goal comes with a price, hence the consequences. 

HERE IS A SUMMARISED LIST OF THE PROS AND CONS OF OUR AND SOME OTHER TREKKERS' EXPERIENCES IN THE MARDI HIMAL TREK:

PROS

• The teahouses and lodges are in good shape
• The food is made freshly and the teahouse owners grow their own vegetables
• You can charge your electronics in some of the lodges
• There is WIFI available in some lodges but connection might be limited and slow
• You get to spend more time and get to know the nature even better
• There is hot water available for shower, all you need to do is ask the owners
• You get to sleep early and wake up early for 4-6 days straight
• An opportunity to meet new people and socialise 
• Good for meditating

CONS

• There are no internet and mobile connection starting from the Low Camp area
• There is only 1 toilet room in every lodges/ teahouses, so there might be some queue at times
• The chances of having to deal with leeches during wet and rainy season is very high
• The muds and unstable trail while trekking
• Time is slower and you need to find things to do for pass time
• It is very cold especially during night time at the High Camp
• The weight of your backpack stays the same throughout your trek (if you don't have any porter). It doesn't get any lighter.
• You may need to wear your clothes repeatedly (if you are packing light and smart)

Overall, my Mardi Himal and my first trekking experience has been great and I will always cherish these memories with me. The things I have gone through during the trek are not something I can find in my daily life. I challenge myself and even trained very hard at the gym to make myself fit enough. I did what I thought I couldn't. I proved to myself that I am capable and strong enough to take on this challenge. After this once in a lifetime experience, I will surely be craving for more. 

If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or send me an email. I will be more than happy to help.

 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

This is a very good question, what's next after conquering the Mardi Himal trek? As this is my first trekking experience, in which it turns out very well. Sure, I had some bad experiences too during the trek but i'm not going to let this stop me from doing what I love to do. 

My next trek would probably be still in Nepal. Why? I fell in love with Nepal and I want to see more of its beauty. I am thinking of trekking to Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp next. Let's see how things goes. Stay tune!

Yours Truly, 

Michelle Chan

Discover Nepal

Nepal is a very beautiful country and I have always wanted to visit this place. It has been 2 long years that me and my boyfriend, Ryan started planning our trip to Nepal. The reason why It took us this long to make this trip happen is due to our work schedule and we also needed a good amount of time to train ourselves to be physically fit for some trekking adventure. We both felt that 2017 is the right time for us to visit and that we are definitely ready for Nepal.  

A SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT NEPAL

Nepal is located in South Asia between China in the north and India to the east, west and south. Nepal is surrounded by mountains and rivers. The world's highest mountain can also be seen and climb in Nepal, the mighty Mount Everest measuring about 8,848 meters above sea level. 

The weather in Nepal runs like the 4 seasons. Summer (May-July), Autumn (August-November), Winter (December-February) and Spring (March-April). Temperatures varies in different places.

Nepali is the official language of the state. English is also highly spoken by many Nepali nationals. Nepalese hospitality is very warm and they are very humble people. 

"Visiting Nepal once is never going to be enough." To find out why, feel free to continue reading my blog.

HOW TO GET TO NEPAL

You may reach Nepal by taking a plane ride when travelling from another country or a bus ride when coming from India. Unfortunately, there are only a few airlines that brings you directly to Nepal with limited and selected flying schedule. I can name at least 7 countries that are able to fly directly to Nepal, which is Hong Kong, DOHA, Abu Dhabi, India, Singapore, Guangzhou and Thailand. These are the airlines that I saw flying direct when I was at the airport. In order to reach Nepal, connecting flights will be required. All international flights only stop at Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) and going around within Nepal by plane can be taken by their local airlines (Buddha Air, Tara Airlines and Himalayan Airlines). 

Left - Our plane tickets coming from Hong Kong to Nepal

Right - Waiting for our baggages. It was very crowded.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit Nepal will depends on what kind of excursion, festivals or activities you are looking for. The best time for trekking season is during October, being the most peak season and until February. The weather are supposedly to be nicer and cooler. If you are looking to experience some Nepalese festivals, then you will definitely need to check when the celebrations are being held and whether it is the right fit for you. Other activities such as Paragliding, bungee jumping, zip lining, water rafting and other outdoor activities are known to be available all year round but it is not highly recommended during the monsoon season which is around July, August to mid-September.

HERE ARE THE LIST OF POPULAR AND MAJOR FESTIVALS IN NEPAL:

• Dashain and Tihar (September) - This is the biggest festivals based on religion in Nepal
• Buddha Jayanti (May or June) - The birthday of the Buddha
• Gai Jatra (August - September) - One of the most popular festivals in Nepal
• Teej (August - September) - The fasting of Nepalese women, lots of prayers and purification
• Janai Purnima - Celebrated by the Hindu community of Nepal
• Shree Krishna Janmastami (August - September) - The birth of Lord Sri Krishna
• Fagun Purnima (late February or early March) - The celebration of colours, the Holi festival
• Indrajatra (August - September) - Celebrated by both Hindus and Buddhists
• Maghe Sankranti (mid January) - The harbinger of the holy month
• Mahashivaratri (February - March) - A celebration dedicated to the Lord Shiva

THE DO'S AND DON'TS  

Just like any other countries, there are some Do's and Don'ts that visitors should be aware of and should be respected accordingly.

DO'S

• Cover up and don't wear anything too revealing
• Tip the staff. Be generous!
• Try different types of restaurants and dishes, especially Nepalese delicacies
• Respect the locals and those who are older than you. Address them with "Dai" for men and "Didi" for women.
• Take pictures of everything. For example, receipts, tickets, certificate, etc
• Always ask questions when unsure especially when you are doing trekking
• Make the effort to learn some Nepalese simple phrases. For example, greet everyone "Namaste" which means good day, good morning or hello and say "Dhanyabad" for Thank you. 
• Be kind and be friendly to whoever you meet in Nepal
• Always buy your bus tickets or activities via agency or hotel
• Take good care of your belongings and don't be clumsy

DON'TS

• Do not touch someone's head or feet as this is considered as impolite
• Do not wear short shorts especially for women
• NO PDA (Public Display Affection). Most of the Nepali people are conservative and it is disrespectful to show any signs of affection towards your loved one. 
• Do not drink water from the tap. Always drink water from a water bottle or boiled water
• Do not give money to beggars as it will just encourage them to rely on begging
• Don't go to any unknown places, make sure you are with someone 
• Don't feed the monkeys when visiting temples with monkeys around
• Avoid being dehydrated, always have a bottle of water with you
• Don't take any pictures of someone without their permission
• Avoid bargaining too much, only bargain once and try to be reasonable and sensible too
• Don't order too much food, try not to waste food. Think about the people who have nothing to eat or struggling to work for meal.

THE NEPALESE CULTURE & ETHNICITY

Visiting some of Nepal's museum and reading informations from the internet helps me to know more about the people and its ethnicity. Nepal is filled with different types of ethnicity. There are about 101 ethnic groups in Nepal and with over 92 languages. Nepali is the official language and it is what majority of the local people understand and speak in daily life.  

There are many kinds of customs and traditions in Nepal depending on which ethnicity they came from. Festivals occurs almost every month and it is the most colourful and eventful of their time. In Nepal, religion is an important matter and it is being practiced on a daily basis. The religion in Nepal consists of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Sikhism and animism. 

HERE ARE A LIST OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS ON NEPAL:

THE NORTHERN HIMALAYAN PEOPLE

The northern Himalayan people are mainly the Sherpas, Lopas, Manangis, Dolpa-pas and Baragaonlis who speaks Tibetan language. 

HILLS AND VALLEY PEOPLE

The hills and valley people are among the Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Newars, Thakuris, Chepangs, Brahmins, Sunuwars, Thakalis and Chhetris. 

THE TERAI PEOPLE

The Terai people consists of the Tharus, Darai, Majhi and Kumhal who speaks north Indian dialects. 

HOSPITALITY

While Nepal is known for its warm and welcoming hospitality especially towards the visitors. I have notice two things about the hospitality in Nepal while I'm visiting that I would like to share.

So for starters, I honestly find Nepal's hospitality very welcoming. It immediately made me felt like I'm at home already as soon as I landed in Nepal. The Nepalese people are very friendly and they are absolutely easy to talk to. If you are lucky and of course if you also got a friendly personality, then you might get a lot of information from the local whenever you are in doubt. Nepalese people also enjoys entertaining guests and making sure that they are being taken care of. 

Meanwhile, there are some locals that are quite laid back and it almost looks like they are on holiday too. What I meant about this is that, the service is quite slower than usual and some really take their time to bring you your order. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing but this is just what I have noticed while I'm in Nepal. I feel like the time is slower in Nepal. But I do believe that there are always room for improvements. 

But overall, I am satisfied with the hospitality. I admire how some locals would still try their best to communicate with the tourist even though they don't speak a lot of English. Sometimes, it's not about how much you know but it's the effort that you put into it. I truly appreciate the warm welcome from the Nepalese people that I have met during my visit. 

NEPALESE FOOD  

Nepali food has been influenced by Tibetan and Indian styles of cooking. The regular and daily Nepali food is Dal Bhat (Lentil soup with boiled rice) together with some curried vegetables and some pickles. Momos (steamed or fried dumplings) would be the second most popular Nepali dish. 

Left - Steamed Chicken Momo

Right - Chicken Dal Bhat with crispy chip

I love eating Nepalese food. There are so much richness and spices in almost every dishes. Before coming to Nepal, I have already tried plenty of Nepali dishes here in Hong Kong, so I am quite familiar with the dishes. I have my top 5 favourite Nepalese dishes that I would recommend everyone to try.

Take note that Nepal doesn't serve any Beef as Cows are Nepal's national animal, so it is very obvious that they don't eat beef, let alone serve it to the people in the restaurant. So don't ever look for beef in the menu. 

HERE ARE SOME OF MY TOP 5 FAVOURITE NEPALESE DISHES:

MOMO

Left - Tuna and Cheese Momo

Center - Buffalo Momo 

Right - Vegetable Momo

One of the most popular Nepalese dish will be the "Momo" - Dumplings with meat or veggies with Chatne sauce. Momo are served with various types of meat such as, Chicken, Pork and Buffalo. There is Vegetable Momo available in any restaurant too for those who don't eat meat. My most favourite Momo would be the Buffalo Momo because it has more flavour and very mouth-watering. 

DAL BHAT

Left - Chicken Dal Bhat with Chapati

Center - Chicken Dal Bhat with rice and crispy chip on top

Right - Another dish similar to Dal Bhat, Mashed Cheese with vegetables and curry sauce

Dal Bhat is very popular in a lot of Nepalese restaurant. This is a set meal good for lunch or dinner time. Dal Bhat is served with rice or Chapati with lentils, potatoes or beans on the side. The main meat for Dal Bhat would be Chicken, Buffalo and Goat. There is also a Vegetable Dal Bhat.

CHOWMIEN

Left - Chicken Chowmien

Right - Vegetable Chowmien

Chow mien is served with fried noodles with a lot of vegetables such as carrots, cabbages, bell peppers, garlic and onions. Chow mien is also served with Chicken, Pork and Buffalo.

THUKPA

Thukpa is a soup noodle in Nepalese dish. Just like the Thukpa, it contains a lot of vegetables and it serves with meat such as Chicken or Pork with lemon to add more flavour. The soup is very tasty and satisfying. This is one of my favourite Nepali dishes and this is something I will always be craving for.

ALOO KAULI (GOBI)

Aloo gobi is prepared with some sliced potatoes, cauliflowers and spices. The dish itself looks very simple but the taste is very nice and trust me you won't be able to stop yourself from eating this dish once you started. 

NEPALESE BEVERAGES

TEA

Tea is probably my favourite drink of all time. Coming to Nepal makes me more excited to try out different types of teas. The teas are served with the tea spices and fresh fruits. I would definitely recommend the Ginger Lemon Tea, Fresh Lemongrass, Fresh Mint Tea and Black Tea. 

MASALA CHAI/ TEA

Masala Chai is very popular all around Nepal. Masala is served with fresh milk. I have tried Masala tea in lots of different styles. I love how I got the chance to taste Masala Tea in many different styles. 

YAK MILK

It is a must for you to try Yak Milk when visiting Nepal for trekking. If you are lucky to bump into a Yak farm while trekking, you should definitely give Yak Milk a go. It is fresh and good to drink it while it's warm. 

BEER

The top 2 popular local beers are Everest and Gorkha. I have actually tried both of these famous beers and I absolutely love it. I thought the taste would be a lot stronger than other commercial beers like San Miguel or Carlsberg. In my opinion, it is quite smooth and I really enjoyed drinking them. 

KHUKRI RUM

Khukri Rum has an alcohol content of 42.8%. The Khukri Rum is placed in a bottle with the shape of Nepalese Gurkha dagger, Kukri. I have never tried this drink yet, but I would definitely try it when I go back to Nepal. 

EXPENSES AND CURRENCIES

The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupees (NPR). The notes are divided into 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 being the highest notes for Nepalese Rupees. For your information, there are no coins in Nepali money. You may exchange Nepalese Rupees all around the cities in Nepal. I heard that Thamel is a good place to exchange with better rates. It is impossible to exchange your money to Nepalese Rupees outside Nepal unless you are exchanging it from your Nepali friend overseas. Make sure to ask for smaller notes when exchanging, for paying smaller bills. Be sure to also exchange your Nepalese Rupees back to your original money currency before leaving Nepal or better yet just keep it, in case you are planning to come back to Nepal next time. 

On the other hand, US dollars are also highly used in Nepal. Some rates are indicated in USD too. 

WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO VISIT NEPAL

Do I have one question? Yes, why wait? Just do it!

But seriously, Nepal is a very beautiful country. It is filled with plenty of giant and breathtaking mountains, plus the world's highest mountain is there, the great Mount Everest. Although, Nepal have no beach but Nepal is surrounded with a lot of large and amazing lakes all over Nepal.  

Since the 2015 massive earthquake occurred, it is a sure thing that Nepal will not suffer another natural disaster until 60-70 years later. So it's pretty much safe to visit Nepal now. 

Another reason to visit Nepal is that the more people visit the country, the more it will help develop the country even better and help the Nepalese people to earn more income. Traveling to Nepal is also like traveling with a cause, which is helping them grow. 

KATHMANDU

"A very busy and chaotic city I ever seen in my life" 

Now that is what I thought about Kathmandu when I first arrived. The roads are bumpy and the floors were not even. Aside from the traffic and rough roads, there are many things to do and see in Kathmandu. This is the main city of Nepal, which explains why it is so busy and crowded. 

Left - Shopping areas in Kathmandu

Right - Cows chilling around the side roads

We were fortunate enough to have our Nepali friend, Bijay accommodating us when we were visiting Kathmandu. I feel like without our friend guiding us and bringing us to places, we wouldn't survive Kathmandu or we might have a hard time getting into places. 

 

THINGS TO SEE IN KATHMANDU

THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS

Visiting Nepal will not be complete without experiencing any treks in Nepal. Mountains and hills are the golden treasures of Nepal, it is their pride and expertise. There are a wide range of trekking selections for you chose from being easy to difficult treks. There are plenty of trekking agencies for you to chose around Kathmandu. Please note that Trekking permits are required on most of the trekking routes around Nepal (TIMS), make sure to add this to your list of requirements. 

HERE ARE A LIST OF TREKKING ROUTES STARTING IN KATHMANDU:

• Everest Base Camp (5,416 meters) - 12-13 days
• Everest Base Camp 3 Passes Trek (5,540 meters) - 18 days
• Mount Everest Summit (8,848 meters)
• Gokyo (5,357 meters) - 12 days
• Island Peak Trek
• Cho-Oyu (8,201 meters)
• Lhotse (8,586 meters) 
• Makalu (8,463 meters)
• Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters)

THE GREAT BOUDHA STUPA

The Boudha Stupa is one of the world's heritage site. This is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple. It was built in the 14th century. This heritage is not only for meditation but it is also a popular tourist site. The stupa consists of 3 large platforms and the top tower bears the Buddha eyes on all four sides. 

The entrance fee for a tourist is 400 NPR for a one day ticket. Inside the heritage, you can also see a lot of shops selling different types of goods such as, spices, cloths, souvenirs, paintings, sculptures, snacks, pots, religious beads and stones and jewelries.

DURBAR SQUARE

Durbar Square was built between the 12th and 18th century by the Malla kings. Durbar Square was where the city's kings were once crowned. Durbar Square has became a living museum from past to present. 

Since the deadly 2015 earthquake occurred, Durbar Square had been damaged horribly and most of its temples and buildings had been torn apart. Up until this day, you may still see the destruction caused by the 2015 earthquake. 

THAMEL

Thamel is a place for shopping, food and drinking. There are plenty of shops to buy your souvenirs and restaurants to fill your hungry stomach. There are also plenty of drinking places such as pubs, restaurant & bars, live bands, clubs and shisha bars around Thamel. Thamel is probably the only area that opens until late night. It may get crazy at night so be careful. Don't go there alone, always go with a group of people. 

KAISER LIBRARY

Kaiser Library is also known as the Leshar Library. Visiting this library should be on your list as the main reading room contains some antique globes, stuffed tiger's heads and antique armours. 

THE LIVING GODDESS

Kumari, the living goddess can be found in Basantapur, where the Kumari (goddess) lives. While visiting Nepal, you should definitely take the chance to have a glimpse of the living goddess. During late August or early September, the festival "Indra Jatra" is being celebrated and it is one of the most colourful festival in Nepal. The Kumari will also parade across the city in her golden palanquin. 

THINGS TO DO IN KATHMANDU

MOUNTAIN TREKKING

Trekking in Nepal is probably the most popular thing to do. Majority of the people visiting Nepal will most likely go for some trekking adventure. Why is that? The reason is that Nepal have so many beautiful mountains to trek. As you stroll around Kathmandu, you will see plenty of trekking agencies and trekking shops. 

When I visited Nepal on September 2017, I went trekking to the Mardi Himal for 6 days. I booked through "Plan Himalaya". I had a nice experience and I have definitely achieved what I came to Nepal for. I would be more than happy to share my trekking experience with you all.

My blog about my Mardi Himal Trek will be added within 2 weeks. 

ROADTRIP

Roadtrip around Kathmandu can be a fun and a thrilling experience. Getting around different places in Kathmandu would give you a chance to know more about the culture and its heritage. It is easy to rent a car in Nepal but be sure to look for a reliable car renting company and driver. 

FOOD TRIP

Food hunting is probably one of the things every visitors would appreciate. Trying out different types of dishes would want you to crave for more. There are plenty of nice restaurant around Kathmandu. Here are some of my recommendation of restaurant for you to try on.

Left - BBQ

Center - Pad Thai Noodles in Nepalese style

Right - Buffalo Momo

• Tom Yum Goong
• Atithi Satkaar Restaurant
• The Tulip Kathmandu
• Thamel House Restaurant
• Thamel Momo Hut
• Utsav Authentic Nepali Restaurant
• Gorka Palace Restaurant & Bar
• Zibro Restaurant & Bar

BUNGEE JUMP ADVENTURE

If you are craving for some adrenaline, then bungee jumping in Nepal should be on your list  It is situated in a 160-meter above a suspension bridge. Imagine free-falling from a 160-meter bridge to one of Nepal's wildest rivers and get a touch of its water onto your face as you fall. That sounds a bit scary but thrilling isn't it? 

It is a 3 hour ride from Kathmandu to the Bungee jumping area. Getting there would require you to through an area near the Tibet border and the famous Friendship Bridge to reach the jump location. The price starts from 70-150USD depending on seasons and different packages.   

SHOPPING

Most of the shops will offer you a good price and bargaining is fine but be sure to be reasonable of what price you are asking for. There is also a higher chance to get a better deal if you buy more things from the shop. But to be honest, everything in Nepal is very affordable.

POKHARA  

Pokhara is known as the city of lakes. There are about 9 lakes in the city surrounded by more than 20 something stunning mountains. The largest lake in Pokhara is the Phewa Lake and from there you may visit some of its heritage and temple. There are also plenty of mountains/ hills to do for trekking. 

I love staying in Pokhara as there are many places to do and see around this area. It is also  tourist-friendly and less chaotic than Kathmandu. Even though the journey going to Pokhara and getting out of Pokhara is hard but it was worth it. To know more about why it is a tough ride to Pokhara, read "How to get to Pokhara from Kathmandu' below. 

HOW TO GET TO POKHARA FROM KATHMANDU

Getting to Pokhara from Kathmandu takes about 210 kilometres. Pokhara is reachable by plane, tourist bus, local bus and even private car. 

BY PLANE - EXPENSIVE BUT FAST

Taking the plane to Pokhara would be the fastest way to get there within 30 minutes but the cost is not cheap. It would cost around 100-120USD per person for a one-way ticket via Buddha airlines, Tara airlines and Himalayan airlines. But of course taking the plane would reward you with a more comfortable ride and a nice view of the mountains and if you're lucky enough maybe Mount Everest might even pop out when it's not foggy. 

BY TOURIST/ LOCAL BUS - CHEAPER BUT LONGER RIDE

The most ideal transportation for budget travellers would be taking the tourist/ local bus to Pokhara. Most of the tourist visiting Nepal and even some locals would most likely take the tourist bus. Why? Because it's more convenient, it's air-conditioned, seats are more comfortable compare to local buses and not a lot of stop-overs. The travelling time to Pokhara via tourist bus takes 6-7 hours (if no traffic, engine break down or accidents). The prices starts from 4-20USD depending on the season and which bus company you are taking. Be sure to find a reliable bus company, do your research and don't forget to read customer's feedback to know more. The buses normally assemble at Kantipath Bus Station. All buses leaves at 7:00am sharp.

BY PRIVATE CAR

Please note that by taking a private car does not guarantee you a faster ride to Pokhara and vice versa. It will still be about 5-7 hours ride and probably a rough ride too. The only good thing about taking private car is you get to stop whenever you want to and the whole car belongs to you. The price for renting a private car will start from 60-100USD for a one-way ride. 

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON GETTING TO POKHARA

It is always good to GPS your location while traveling just to know where you are heading and how long will it take you.

Being a budget traveller, i obviously chose to take the tourist bus to get to Pokhara. I took a tourist bus form "Global Vacation Travels & Tours" for 7USD. The ride took us 7 hours to get to the "Bus Park" in Pokhara. There were about 3 stop-over, one for toilet break, second for breakfast plus toilet break and third for lunch and toilet break. The ride was a bit bumpy and dusty but since it is an air-conditioned bus, the dust didn't really bothered me that much. I took a few minutes nap from time to time and enjoying the view. 

While the journey to Pokahara was smooth, going back to Kathmandu was very rough. I booked with "Blue Sky" for 7USD. The ride was smooth for the first 5 hours, no traffic and only two stop-overs for toilet break and lunch. After having lunch, the most unpredictable thing happened, our bus engine broke down and had failed to recover. So we had to wait and hitch in another tourist bus. The bus that we got on does not have any air-conditioner and we sat all way at the back, since that's the only available seats left. It was hot, dusty and horrible. We were stuck for some time when we reach the highway, maybe some accidents? (guess we'll never know). Overall, the ride took us 11 frigging long hours. My bums hurts and i feel very dirty with all the dust all over me. But I am still thankful that we reached back to Kathmandu safely without getting stuck there any longer than 11 hours and also we were not involved in any kind of accidents. This is an experience that I would never forget. 

THINGS TO SEE IN POKHARA

THE HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS

Visiting Nepal will not be complete without experiencing any treks in Nepal. Mountains and hills are the golden treasures of Nepal, it is their pride and expertise. There are a wide range of trekking selections for you chose from being easy to difficult treks. There are plenty of trekking agencies for you to chose around Pokhara. Please note that Trekking permits are required on most of the trekking routes around Nepal (TIMS), make sure to add this to your list of requirements. 

HERE ARE A LIST OF TREKKING ROUTES STARTING FROM POKHARA:

• Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) (4,30 meters) - 7-10 days
• Annapurna Circuit (5,416 meters) - 15-20 days
• Mardi Himal Trek (overlooking the Machapuchre) (5,587 meters) - 5-7 days
• Sarangkot Naudanda Hiking - 1 day (4-5 hours)
• Poon Hill Trek (3,210 meters) - 5-7 days
• Manaslu Trek (5,135 meters) - 14 days
• Khopra Danda Trekking - 6-7 days
• Dhampus Village Trekking - 1-2 days
• Upper Mustang Trekking (3,810 meters) - 10-15 days

WORLD PEACE PAGODA

The World Peace Pagoda is a massive Buddhist stupa and it is situated on top of a hill on the southern part of the Phewa Lake. The view up there is fantastic and it is definitely gives you a panoramic view of the himalayan mountains. 

We took a boat ride from the Lakeside to get to the other side for 650 NPR for 2 people for a one-way ride. The boat takes us about 15 minutes to get to the other side of the lake. Then, we hike up for 30 minutes up to the Pagoda. We met a nice dog along the way and he followed us until he wasn't allowed to enter the World Peace Pagoda. There is no entrance fee to the World Peace Pagoda. 

Getting back to the Lakeside can do the same direction as how you reach the Pagoda in the first place or you may take a shorter trip by taking a taxi back to the Lakeside. The taxi fare cost us 900 NPR. 

OLD BAZAAR

If you have spare time in Pokhara, then you must visit Pokhara's Old Bazaar. This is where the old market started before Lakeside became the new shopping destination. One of the most important Shrine the "Bindhyabasini Mandir" is situated in the Old Bazzar. It is around 4km from the Lakeside.  

While visiting the Old Bazaar, you may notice that most of the shops are closed. Don't be surprise as this is very normal as most of the shops have already moved to the Lakeside, where the business are. However, there are still some shops offering you some golds, jewelries, spices, cloths and cosmetics. Visiting the Old Bazaar is not just for shopping but also to take some time to visit one of the heritage in Pokhara and to also help out the locals to earn some living by buying some of their goods. 

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN MUSEUM

Left - Memorial for mountaineers who have lost their lives

Center - My favourite photograph in the Museum. It is a picture of a Porter carrying some heavy bags and sacks filled with equipment, cloths and food.

Right - The founders and creators of the International Mountain Museum

International Mountain Museum is one of the largest museum and the only mountain museum in Nepal. If you love mountains or if you are about to go for some trekking activities then visiting the Mountain Museum would be resourceful before doing your trek. The reason why Pokhara was chosen to build the Mountain Museum was because of its scenic location. 

The museum is very simple and informative. It has 4 different sections for visitors to see.

1 - Hall of Mountain People 

2 - Hall of World Mountains

3 -  Hall of Mountain Activities (equipments, ecology and environment)

4 - Hall of Temporary Display (Lakhang, library, artificial climbing wall, Mt. Manaslu & Yak model)

We took a taxi ride for 900 NPR (roundtrip). The museum charges 400 NPR for tourist, 80 NPR for Nepali nationals and 40 NPR for students. 

BARAHI TEMPLE

Barahi Temple is located in the middle of the Phewa Lake. Barahi Temple is a very important religious monument in Pokhara. It is used to worship by both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple is small but very peaceful and relaxing. Getting there will require you to take a boat ride, you can easily rent a boat around the Lakeside for a roundtrip ride. 

THINGS TO DO IN POKHARA

MOUNTAIN TREKKING

Trekking in Nepal is probably the most popular thing to do. Majority of the people visiting Nepal will most likely go for some trekking adventure. Why is that? The reason is that Nepal have so many beautiful mountains to trek. As you stroll around Pokhara, you will see plenty of trekking agencies and trekking shops. 

When I visited Nepal in September 2017, I went trekking to the Mardi Himal for 6 days. I had a nice experience and I have definitely achieved what I came to Nepal for. I would be more than happy to share my trekking experience with you all.

Check out my Mardi Himal Trek experience by clicking this link "The Mardi Himal Trek" to know about the trek.

PARAGLIDING & ZIP LINING

If you are craving for some adrenaline rush, well then Paragliding and Zip Lining are definitely your thing. it both gives you a 360 degree view of the Lakeside and some mountain views. 

You can easily book a Paragliding tandem flight and Zip Lining anywhere around the Lakeside in Pokhara. Just make sure to find the right and trustworthy agency. For booking of Paragliding, it must be done a day before your designated date. 

I booked my Paragliding flight with Buddha Paragliding for 65USD (including pick-up from hotel and pictures and videos)

ULTRA LIGHT & HELICOPTER TOUR

Ultra Light and Helicopter tour both brings you to a closer and nicer view of the mountains. There are different types of packages for both rides, which starts from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Prices may increase or may be cheaper depending on the season. Both of these tour operates daily and with a very precise schedule time too. They mostly do it in the morning time.

WATER RAFTING

If you fancy some water sports in Nepal, then you would probably enjoy water rafting. There are many rivers in Nepal and in Pokhara. The famous one would be the Mardi River, the water comes from the Holy mountain, Machapuchre. 

Water rafting can get really fun and wet too. I would say that you should definitely pick a perfect and suitable time to do this activity. 

SHOPPING

There are plenty of shops around the Lakeside in Pokhara. You can find a lot of cashmere and wool clothing shops, souvenir shops, stones and runes shops, trekking shops, supermarkets, tea shops and many more others. 

Most of the shops will offer you a good price and bargaining is fine but be sure to be reasonable of what price you are asking for. There is also a higher chance to get a better deal if you buy more things from the shop. But to be honest, everything in Nepal is very affordable.

FOOD TRIP

There are plenty of nice restaurants in Pokhara. Most of the restaurant are actually open very early but close quite early at night time. For some reason, people tends to close early around Nepal. 

HERE ARE SOME OF MY RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION IN POKHARA:

• The Blind Tiger
• The Moondance Restaurant and Bar
• Busy Bee Cafe
• Dunga Restro & Lounge Bar
• The Harbor at the Glacier
• Merhaba Kebab House
• Pokhara Thakali Kitchen
• Pokhara Pizza House
• Cafe Concerto
• The Black and White

RENT A BICYCLE

You can rent a bicycle but not a motorcycle as it is banned by the government due to road safety. Renting a bicycle is very easy. All you have to do is pay the deposit plus the rent fee and while handing over and leaving your passport or identification may be required, in case you didn't return their bikes. A nice bike ride around the Lakeside sounds very refreshing and relaxing. 

Overall, my Nepal experience was great and it is something I would cherish all my life. I would definitely come to Nepal and explore more places that I didn't have the chance to visit.

Would I recommend Nepal? Of course my answer will be Yes! Nepal is very rich in culture and I feel that people should come to Nepal to experience it themselves. 

If you got any questions, feel free to comment below or by email. I will be more than happy to help.

Yours Truly, 

Michelle Chan