Honeymoon in Nepal

Honeymooning in a royal mountain kingdom- it's definitely worth getting married for! Nepal, the tiny Himalayan country has always breathed romance and mystique, clocked in the robes of Buddhism, offering nirvana to the newly married as well as the much married!

Kathmandu is a short hop by air from Kolkata, though a slightly tedious road trip too is commonly made. The Tribhuan airport seems to be a dicey landing ground, with aircraft facing the snow clad Himalayas. The fun stars in the airport itself, if one is not being picked up by one's hotel service. Taxis are aplenty but the driver could try to make a fast buck by taking one to a hotel of his choice. Makalu, Mayalu, Oberoi, Yak and Yeti are some of the popular hotels. The main bazaar street is the hub of the city-loaded with imported goods, textiles, toys, shoes, chocolates, etc. Japanese nylon saris are frequently the sole ambition of women shoppers here!

Walking by day around the city in the residential quarters is really lovely. Red washed buildings seem mysterious-lots of men sit about sunning themselves. The old wooden homes are all but gone. Locals will happily point out the house of the Living Goddess- always a girl child before reaching puberty. To tourists coming from coastal areas, the sight of the majestic mountains is simply overwhelming. Naturally one must take the tour to view the peaks at sunrise. But, one has to be favoured by the weather-mist or fog means no view. But a glorious sunrise with the driver pointing out Everest and Annapurna somehow has one thanking him in abject gratitude!

A more exotic tour is the aerial trip, taken to view the peaks at close quarters. The city tour would take one to the Swayambhunath Temple, the pagoda that guards the city, with the painted eyes of the Buddha ever watchful in a benevolent gaze. The Buddhists have a shortcut to prayer-they simply spin the prayer wheels fixed outside. The Pasupathinath temple on the Bagmati river is also a popular attraction. A trip to a wool centre is included, where tepestries, carpets and sweaters are made. There is no colourful throwing of balls of wool-in the style of the movie 'Hare Ram Hare Krishna', but all the same, it is worth seeing this local craft. Wood craving and mask making too make pleasurable viewing.

A long trip to see the Chinese border can be given a miss, much touted though it may be. The end of the long drive is just the checkpoint with Tibet, manned by the Chinese. Local peasant life can be seen enroute, with masses of red

chillies being dried in the sun. The famed poppy fields, once the preoccupation of the hippies, is now practically a thing of the past. For the adventurous, river rafting and trekking are popular and offer thrills and scenic splendour. The Annapurna trek trail is one of the best, and food is no problem at all-pasta, pie, pastry, noodles, rice-it's all there in plenty. The Jomsom and Everest trails are also worth taking. Nagarkot is one hour from Kathmandu, very good for pleasant walks and lovely views-absolutely picture postcard. Its safari lodge style hotel is very comfortable.

The lake town of Pokhara, on Lake Phewa, with its backdrop of Fishtail Mountain on the Annapurna range is most idyllic for honeymooners. The birthplace of Buddha, Lumbini, is a very holy place to the Buddhists, ensuring Nepal a steady stream of Japanese tourists. For devout Hindus, especially newly weds, Janakpur and Tribeni are good spots-the birthplace of Sita, and the latter the place of her guru's ashram. It is said that the ruins here date back to her time. Shopping in Kathmandu is best done in New Road, supermarket area, Kantipath and Dabar Marg. Thamel is good for Nepali goods and camping gear. A visit to a casino is a must for a flutter at the coin machines. Taxis, motor cycles are all easily hired. Packed lunches are the best option for daylong tours, as also fresh fruit and canned drinks. Rice dishes are plentiful. One must try the Dhedo- a humble dish of flour mixed with boiling water and steamed into balls. These then are handed-held and dipped into dal, curries, milk or meat broths. Beer can be got everywhere, but the local tipple is Raski. The peasants in the hills have a strong tea, mixed with salt and butter, to give energy in constantly climbing up and down the hills. The lovely smooth rounded cheeks of the plump babies and the ever smiling people,m make the trip into the hills worthwhile. Nepal does have a lot to offer the jaded city dweller, with much of its secret charms securely guarded by the mountains. Memories and beautiful sights apart, a lovely Nepali antique beaten silver necklace would be a perfect keepsake for the bride, enough motivation for further trips. Packets of Yak cheese could make memorable gifts for the gourmet members of the family back home! What better way to start off the life as newly weds than basking in the glow of family approval?