This year has been all about exploring the areas around Kathmandu, and we finally got around to visiting Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. While we have visited the Shivapuri section many times, we hadn’t made it inside the Nagarjun National Park section, and we were eager to try the Jamacho Gumba Hike. My friend Laura told […]
Shivapuri National Park: Hiking in Kathmandu
It’s been my mission to get off the beaten path in Kathmandu during my first two weeks in Nepal. It’s a city that every visitor spends time in, yet very few enjoy. It’s dusty, noisy, and swarming with tourists. When everyone hates a city, I like to think of it as a challenge. I know […]
Pottery Class in Kathmandu: Backstreet Academy Review
One of the great things about being in Nepal is the incredible dedication to the arts. Many of these ancient forms of art are still being practiced and used regularly today which keeps the customs and traditions alive. Around Nepal, you can take a myriad of classes to learn each of these beautiful art forms, […]
Aloo Choka Recipe: Nepali Mashed Potatoes
The word “snack” in Nepal is kind of a funny thing. Back home in the US, we think of snacks as chips and dip, fruit, or something simple and light. In Nepal, snacks can mean an entire meal or at the very least, cooking something. My mother-in-law doesn’t eat junk food or pre-packaged food, so […]
Easy Yellow Dal Fry Recipe: Nepali Lentil Soup
Dal is a Nepali lentil soup which can be made from any type of lentil. My personal favorite is yellow dal which is often mixed with garlic. As an Italian, I love anything with garlic in it. Dal is extremely easy to make, and it’s highly affordable which makes it a staple in Nepali cuisine. […]
6 Unexpected Benefits of Boxing for Girls & Women
When I think back to a few years ago, I never ever would have thought that my favorite exercise would come in the form of boxing. It seemed like a heavily male driven sport that was violent and had little to no appeal. But now, I absolutely love it, and I’ve found that the benefits […]
Book Review: Edge of the Map by Johanna Garton
A lot of the books I read are recommendations from travelers I’ve met on the road or special finds at the local book shop in Kathmandu. Every once in a while a PR rep sends me a book to read and review, and truth be told, they normally aren’t very good, so I don’t write […]
Nagi Gompa Monastery: Half Day Hike
After spending an entire year in Kathmandu, you can imagine how much we wanted to get out and explore. With so few options, we have really started to dig even deeper into the areas surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. I always felt like we’d seen so much of the city, yet it never disappoints with an […]
Book Review: The Barefoot Surgeon by Ali Gripper
In Nepal, it’s common to hear of books or movies about people risking their lives to go mountain climbing. The Himalayas are often seen as the only noteworthy topic in this country which is a shame when there are stories out there as interesting as Dr. Sanduk Ruit. The Barefoot Surgeon by Ali Gripper tells […]
10 Fun Things To Do in Cat Ba Island, Vietnam
Sometimes we make mistakes, and sometimes we make happy mistakes. My friends and I booked a Halong Bay cruise with some high expectations. Needless to say, it didn’t live up to them. After hearing “Follow me! Follow me! This way! Quickly,” a few too many times, we decided to abandon ship (literally), and stay on […]