I’ve recently returned home from 2 weeks in Nepal…it is ranked 12^th poorest country in the world but is renowned for being one of the most beautiful. Every day I was wowed…and my “wows” were usually accompanied by an expletive because without a doubt, a swear word makes it ring truer!

Kathmandu, the capital, was a dirty and dusty city full of chaos, but somehow it all worked. There are no traffic lights in Kathmandu, only brave young souls employed to direct traffic. With a population of about 1 million in the city proper, it is not the prettiest place I’ve ever been, but is certainly full of character!

I think my favourite place was Chitwan, sitting on the Rapti River and surrounded by jungle, it was truly beautiful. I did an elephant safari through the jungle during a misty sunrise, a jeep safari in the afternoon heat and humidity, a river canoe ride in the mist where we didn’t know whether the things moving were crocodiles or logs. Where the only way to find the ever-present rhinoceroses was to find the objects that looked like big grey boulders!

Pokhara, the gateway to the Annapurna Ranges – part of the Himalayas and home to the 10^th highest mountain in the world – Annapurna 1 – was a gorgeous little city lying beside the stunning Phewa Lake full of adventure-seekers. I was lucky enough to take a helicopter up to Annapurna Base Camp and spend some time up in the 4130m altitude. It was certainly a highlight of my life…surpassing the flight over Mt Everest I did a few days later.

Nepal runs on Nepal time (just like Cuba time!) and we just had to sit back many a time and not worry about being late. The not worrying about some of those steep and winding treacherous roads in a bus was a bit harder!

Nepal is made up of 80% Hindus, 10% Buddhists and 10% other and I was reminded again and again while I was in Nepal that nothing is permanent…I’m doing my best to fit in as much as I can and am heading up to almost 50 countries that I have been to, and am already planning the next trip!

If you ever want to go to Nepal, contact my dear friend Cecilia at Helloworld Travel Oakleigh, because not only is she absolutely wonderful, she’s the expert in Nepal that you will need.