Let's visit Nepal

It was 12 March, 2018. 2:15 pm local time, Kathmandu. Let me remind you a sad memory. I am sure, everyone could still remember the crash of a private Bangladeshi airline Dash 8 at Tribhuvan Airport.

As we used to work in the newspaper, we had a keen eye on this terrible accident. All the television channels were broadcasting some moving and still images sent from Nepal. With the analysis and statistics of plane crashes in Nepal, the television channels became tremendously active. People were naturally worried.

Sad news came one after another. The pain of loss was spreading everywhere. Since then, I had a kind of fear about Nepal. But an accident is an accident. No bad times, no bad memories can keep people away from nature.

20 October, 2023. Just 15 minutes before landing Bangladesh Biman at Tribhuvan Airport, the announcement came from the cockpit that we are now crossing the Himalayas. The huge empire of ice, Himalayas were clearly visible from the window. It seemed as if the plane was stationary parallel to the sky and the Himalayas.

It was not difficult to feel how enormous the Himalayas are! This is the first time to see the Himalayas from the top of the sky! What a wonderful feeling! The painful memory of March 12, 2018 was instantly erased and beauty of the Himalayas took place there.

Nepal-Bangladesh time difference is only 15 minutes. It is barely noon when the plane touches the runway with a flight time of one hour and 10 minutes. Tribhuvan Airport is located in the heart of the city. The airport has served as an airfield since 1949. It was inaugurated by King Mahendra in 1955 and was renamed in 1964 under its present name. Initially it was a grass runway. The concrete lining was laid in 1957.

The runway has been extended several times. Now gigantic planes like Boeing are also landing here frequently. So, the fear of short range of the runway is no more. If the sky is clear, the Himalayas can be enjoyed from here too. So, rather than worrying about getting bus and immigration just look around a bit. You might want to take a selfie.

local travel companions in Nepal were pretty impressive. While reaching to Hotel Vaishali, a beautiful city was seen on the other side of the road. It is the city where there are no skyscrapers, no huge flyovers, no overpasses, nothing. There was only the fascination of nature.

From six in the morning to two in the afternoon, we had to stand for a long time to get the boarding pass and go through the immigration. So, everyone was tired and needed some rest after lunch.

Distance from Dhaka to Kathmandu is only 70 minutes. But it is easy to visit Nepal as there are no visa complications. If you want, you can fill the visa form online in the country. However, there are two categories of visas. First you can pay $30 fee for 15 days or filling the visa form on the digital board at the airport and taking a picture on the mobile, would be enough. However, there is a free visa system for SAARC countries.

Kathmandu at evening
The late October evening had a bit of a wintry feel. The temperature sometimes drops to 12 to 13 degrees. This weather is not similar to Dhaka. So, if you don't take winter clothes, you may be in trouble.

There are not many shopping places in Nepal for tourists. Vendors display various products in small shops in Thamel area. Most of the products come from India. Neither Nepalese nor Indians require visa to visit these two countries. So, they have excellent trade relations. The distance from Nepal to China is not too far. Hence, many Indian and Chinese products are available in Kathmandu. Bangladesh could also expand trade in Nepal if it wants. Especially, the local brands of clothes made in Bangladesh can have their outlet in Nepal.

Because I reckon, the price of clothes in Nepal is much higher than Bangladesh. Despite being a small town, Nepal has its own outlets of European and American watches, bags and shoes due to the large number of tourists. But most of them are operated by Indians. Surprisingly, the price of some products in Nepal is one fourth of Dhaka. Half a liter of Life Boy hand wash is only 90 rupees. One kg packet of Nepal's own Tea Teklo is Tk 570. The price of Indian and Chinese chocolates is just half of Bangladesh. But in Thamel, you have to bargain to buy goods. Otherwise there is a possibility of cheating.
Here tourists can buy a variety of shawls and handicrafts of Kashmir at a slightly lower price.
When I told the owner of a supershop about the price, back in Dhaka, he said that Nepal might import these products. The price of the products of those who import are much lower, compared to those who manufacture the products in our country. On the flip side, when a senior official of a tea company was informed about the price of Nepalese tea, he said that they sell the best quality tea in the country at an auction at Tk 350 per kg. But he could not answer how it is sold for thousands of takas in the retail market.

The great attraction of Kathmandu in the evening are the bars and dance bars. It is possible to taste alcohol at the roadside restaurants. However, the dance bars are running under cover.

Kathmandu to Nagorkot
Nagorkot is 40 km away from Kathmandu Valley. Nepal city is clearly visible from here. While it takes about an hour to go through the flat roads, it takes about three hours on the hilly roads. After half an hour from the hotel lobby, thehilly road starts. Meantime, the guide showed Nepal government offices, Supreme Court and army offices. But all eyes were on the Himalayas. Sometimes we could see the Himalayas through the gaps in the urban streets.

Nepal has China on one side and India on the other.
Even if it returns to the democratic trend, the influence of two powerful countries of the world remains on the government here. An open question to the guide was how neighbors influence Nepal's government. He did not deny the matter while giving a diplomatic reply. It is very similar to Bangladesh. China is their development partner and Nepalis have a kinship with Indians. Visa-free travel to India, the expanding business and trade of Indians in Nepal, are playing a special role.

The movement against the monarchy started in Nepal from the last century which continues in this century too. In the nineties it took a terrible form. Nepal suffered from a civil strife from 1990 to 2008. A peace accord was then signed in 2006 and the poll were held in the same year. Nepal's parliament voted to end the monarchy in June 2006 for constitutional elections. The country became a republic and the 200-year-old Shah dynasty toppled down.

Going up to Nagorkot along the crooked hilly road, it was amazing to see how the houses are existing on such a high hill! It looks ordinary up close but scary from a distance. For those with a fear of heights, this journey may seem daunting. But honestly, the beauty of nature in the mountains is so very picturesque!

When we were at the very top of the hill in Nagorkot, the clouds were drifting down. From there the Himalayas were more visible. While we were looking at the surrounding mountains, a plane was flying very closely to a mountain. We felt that we are above the plane! This feeling is hard to describe. You will just feel like you are closer to the sky.

Monkey Temple on the way back
After lunch everyone wanted to visit the Monkey Temple. Earlier the guide informed that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Buddhist temples are scattered all over Nepal. All the Hindus and Buddhists of Nepal go to these places to pay their respects. These places, which are very sacred to Buddhists, are now crowded with tourists throughout the year. But October and November are the best time to visit during mild winter.

Kathmandu is located in the center of the city. According to the Gopala Rajavamsavali, it was built in the 5th century by Raja Vrasadeva, the grandfather of Lichchavi king Mandev (464-505 AD). It is said that Emperor Ashoka visited here in the 3rd century and built a temple, which was later destroyed. However, it was rebuilt after 1500 years of construction.

The pagoda was extensively renovated in 1921. And it was renovated in 2010 as well. Monkey Temple In 1979 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A golden idol of Gautama Buddha is placed at the very top of the temple. But the idol kept in such a tight security ring that it is not possible to see it easily. The shopkeepers have arranged various products here too.

Chandragiri Cable Car
Chandragiri is only 40 minutes away from Kathmandu. Nepal has made this mountain attractive for tourists. The biggest attraction here is the Himalayas. The Himalayas are clearly visible from Chandragiri. We have seen pictures of the Himalayas for so long, now that Himalayas are in front of us! Anyone would enjoy this snow white empire with heart and soul and wouldn’t be able to move eyes anywhere, it is that stunningly beautiful!

A private company came up with a proposal to build cable cars in our three hill districts as well. But the government did not respond to that proposal. Initiatives taken in the country to attract tourists are very limited. Tourists actually bring dollars, Euros with them in the country. Probably our government does not care that.

Sometimes people get loud about tourism. But nothing works. Even, robbery happens on the world's largest beach! How could we hide this shame? Looking at Nepal, it seems that we have failed to utilize our resources to attract tourists,
which Nepal achieved. What will attract you visiting Nepal is, the behavior of Nepalis. It is rare to find people who treat so sincerely.

It will be easy to get it if I give two examples. A gentleman was crossing the immigration line right before me at Dhaka airport. He was flying to Saudi Arabia. At that moment, a female sub-inspector was harassing him constantly. But why? The gentleman kept saying that he has been living in Saudi Arabia for last 12 years. But she did not want to listen anything rather than asking various explanations. With every word she was just shouting.

Another day, as we were walking along the streets of Kathmandu, a car was coming behind us. Suddenly looking back, I saw the car coming slowly. A few other cars behind that car were slowing down in the same way. I was embarrassed and said sorry. As the car passed by, the driver said - thank you. He was not honking because he thought, there might be a problem with the tourists. Waited, when the tourist looks back!

Most houses in Nepal have no grills on their windows. But you know why we imprison ourselves in iron cages? Just for safety. So that, no one can steal. Well, think once, if the grill was not installed on the window, how much iron could be saved! Nepali people leave their bikes in front of their houses. No one even touch it. But why we people are like that!

Cable car fare to Chandragiri is $20. If you wish, you can go in the morning and get back in the afternoon. Nepalis also enjoy home-cooked food in groups while traveling by cable car. If you would like to, you can have your food sitting in the restaurant there as well. Another hilltop resort can also be seen by cable car. It seems the only way to get up there is, helicopter.

I had previously taken the cable car to climb the Great Wall of China in Beijing but the ride was not as thrilling as Chandragiri. On this trip to Nepal, I just thought, how long will it take to prepare our mountains, rivers and seas aesthetically for tourists.