Nepal – what’s on during your elective?

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Nepal has a hugely varied landscape considering it’s relatively small size. You have the highest mountains in the world leading down into the best river rapids and finally into the steamy heat of the plains. It is a mecca for adrenaline activities and canyoning, trekking and mountain biking are available all year, but also one for spiritualism; there are amazing temples and world heritage sites with some fantastic architecture and history. Weather often dictates a trip to Nepal, but we don’t think you should restrict yourself…..

DSC03533 150x150 Nepal – what’s on during your elective?

The peaceful lake - good for kayaking / boating

Abby 2011 27 150x150 Nepal – what’s on during your elective?

World peace pagoda - Pokhara's best walk

(more…)

No Comments »

200 years ago we had a revolution…now it’s time to party!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

It is a very special time in Argentina…

A public building dressed in light blue and white 150x150 200 years ago we had a revolution...now its time to party!

A public building dressed in light blue and white

About 200 years ago, between May 18th and May 25th, a series of revolutionary events took place  in Buenos Aires. BA is the the capital of the Rio de la Plata (which was a colony of the Spanish empire at the time) and as part of the revolution, the Viceroy was ousted and a local government was set up. The May Revolution is considered the starting point of the Argentine and Spanish war of Independence…. looking at where we are now you can see what happened. We got our independence!

Because it is the bicentenary we had a reason to celebrate. Festivals and activities took place throughout the length and breadth of the country. Argentinians and tourists enjoyed traditional activities during the extended weekend (which actually lasted until Tuesday!). In Mendoza we had a big festival and I have been looking forward to it for a while.

(more…)

No Comments »

Festival time in Nepal!

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

It’s a really interesting time to be in Nepal. We don’t celebrate Chinese New Year but the the Tibetan community living in Nepal celebrate Tibetan Loshar in a big way.  They worship local deities and family and friends get together to offer prayers and prayer flags as well as burning incense. It actually starts on the first day of the lunar calendar and the Loshar continues for 15 days. This year is the Tiger year. And it’s year 2137 according to the Tibetan Calendar.

DBNepalAug09 B67 150x150 Festival time in Nepal!

Offering prayers in Nepal

It’s also the time the Sherpa’s celebrate their New Year. It’s a couple of days celebration with lots of merrymaking, feasting, meeting relatives and offering prayers. Both the Tibetans and Sherpas make khapsey, a mixture of wheat flour, sugar and butter which is fried. The khapsey can be stored and eaten a couple of days or weeks later but I don’t know how they keep it so long. When Tibetan and Sherpa Loshar dawns, I personally wish i had lots of Sherpa and Tibetan friends so that i could get more khapseys!

(more…)

1 Comment »