Thrilling adventure Desert Safari

I don’t see the desert as barren at all; I see it as full and ripe. It doesn’t need to be flattered with rain. It certainly needs rain, but it does with what it has, and creates amazing beauty. Joy Harjo 

Adventure is my passion.  I love trying different kind of adventure.  Desert Safari is a real adventure to experience with sand dunes. Just imagine you are bashing, turning, twisting and cruising  in a four-wheeler vehicles in the sand dunes.  isn’t it amazing ? . This adventure was more thrilling for me because I experience while I am sick.  The saddest thing is after desert safari I could not take single pictures due to exhaustion and headache.  No doubt  I am happy  experiencing desert safari.

Sand dunes

Dubai is the most developed city of United Arab Emirates ( UAE). If you are visiting  Dubai and you do not experience the adventure of Desert Safari than you missed the most exciting part of your visit. I experience  desert safari with my friend Laurie.  Though I was sick I join Laurie because she has come all the way from USA to visit me.  There are many agencies who will arrange you the thrill of desert safari.  On September 24^th at around 5pm our exciting journey started.  We boarded four-wheeler land cruiser.  Before starting a young driver let off some pressure from the wheel of the vehicle   so as to have proper grip of the sand while undertaking the desert ride.

Photo Credit : Google

We fasten our seat belts and we are ready for the thrilling desert safari. The driver shows his skill by turning, twisting , bashing  the vehicle in the sand dunes.  Desert Safari is  a dune bashing.  We shouted, screamed in  excitement as vehicle went up and down, sideways. We could see sand dunes like a big waves passing by. The excitement is difficult to put in words.

video credit : Laurie Lange

After nearly an hours of  thrilling dune bashing, we went to the desert t camp. It is a camp with  low wooden tables kept around and low cushions known as majlis to sit on.  As soon as we enter a camp we can hear a  disc jockey playing melodious Arabic music. Outside the camp, we can experience  camel ride and or the four-wheeler motor bike ride .  Other than this there is availability of traditional costumes photography, Shisha or water pipes for smokers. . There are souvenir shops and a henna mahendi tattoo for decorating hands and feet for those who had an interest .  After experiencing all this the cultural program begin. A male and female dancers presented traditional Arabian dance and  belly dance.    Fire dance was another attraction of the program.

Camel Ride

Shisha smoking

Henna Tatoo
Photo Credit : Google

Shisha smoking
Photo credit : Google

At 7pm we had our  buffet dinner which includes  vegetarian and non-vegetarians food.  Prior to the buffet dinner we had cold drinks, stuffed roti, pasta and fried potatoes. At around 8pm the program ended.  Though I was sick it was a good opportunity for me  to know the different cultural aspect of the desert life.   I have never imagined desert can be so much fun. An evening drive through the golden sand dunes with the sunset is one of the most desirable and preferable  adventure in Dubai. It was a life time experience that everyone should enjoy visiting Dubai.

friend Laurie, me sitting quietly as I was tired and exhausted

 

 

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Miracle Miracle everywhere

What else can be miracle than to see more than 45 million blooming flowers in stunning designs, awesome shapes and structures ? . Another miracle is too see the garden in the middle of desert. Miracle Garden is located in the North West Quadrant of Arabian Ranches interchange along Shiekh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road within Dubai Land Development Project. You can take a cab from mall of the Emirates. It is open daily from 9am until 9pm on weekdays, 9am until 11pm on weekends ( Friday and Saturday) . Entrance fee for adult is 30AED. Disabled person, child of 3yr old and below are free. This garden is expanded in an area of 72,000 sq.m with 4km pathways, 1km flower wall and more than 45 million flowers.

entrance gate to the miracle garden

 

beautiful statue of women covered with flowers

umbrella garden

colorful flowers

Once I enter the garden I was astounded for a minute and stopped at the entrance gazing the beauty of flowers. I can’t believe it. I didn’t know where to start to look the garden. Finally I take a deep breath and start to explore the garden. The landscapes designs are not only unique but also incredible. Every nook of the garden is eye catching. Man made lake gives life to the garden .

man made lake

lovely flowers

 

posing for picture

The most attractions of the garden are a huge floral clock around 13 meters in diameter, made out of real plants and flowers with changeable design for every season (twice a year). Likewise Flower Huts, Flower Castle with stunning design, Flower falls, Umbrella Pathway, Flowers Tents, Flowers Fall area, Lake and Fountain, Burj Khalifa of 18 meters height built with flowers, peacock with a very a very large tail are stunning to see.

different shapes houses

huts

tents with stunning designs

nice design

flower house

amazing designs

Miracle Garden holds the record in Guinness Book of Records for having the longest wall of flowers. It is an unique display and extravagant outdoor recreational destination for the all the people. This garden was divided into two phage for development. Completed first phase includes state of the art services and facilities including open parking, VIP parking, sitting areas, prayer room, toilet blocks, ablution facility, security room, first aid room, carts for handicapped visitors, retails and commercial kiosk and all other related services available to facilitate visitors. Likewise new attraction for phase II are the Butterfly Garden, souvenir Shop (for buying memorable gifts to make your visit memorable), Aromatic Plants Garden,

flower huts

flower clock

awesome designs

lovely peacock looks as real peacock

more flowers

whose house is this ?

flower in different landscape

Edible Plants Garden, Flowers Valleys made with different stunning designs etc.
It is one of the most memorable visits of my lifetime. It refreshes and reenergizes me. Your visit won’t be memorable if you don’t visit this garden if you have planned to visit Dubai.

Photopraphs of recent Poon Hill trek

Remembering the people who lost their lives in the recent avalanche in the Annapurna Region ( Thorang La Pass) area in Nepal on October 19, 2014.  At least 38 people died and many are injured.  A few weeks ago I trek through Poon Hill. I am overwhelmed to see natural beauty.  Questioning myself how can natural disasters sweep away all the beauty of nature within a second taking so many innocent people’s lives ? . Pray for the dead,  injured, and people who lost their loved ones. OM MANI PADME HUM

 After one and half hours drive from Pokhara to reach  Nayapul. From Naayapul the trek starts. We can also take a jeep from Naaypul to Tikhedhunga.

Modi River

traditional village house

serene river

Birethati

Way to Hille

Rice Paddy field

beautiful village

the walking trail after Tikhedhunga

Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani (2675 m.) takes about six hours. To begin your trek, you could ascend steeply for the early 2 hours and then ascend gently passing through Ulleri (2070m.) and Banthanti, Magar villages.

suspension bridge before walking the stairs of Ulleri

nice water fall

more waterfall

Green Hills

traditional Nepali DOKO used as Dustbin

dead snake spotted in Ulleri

nice Hills

traditional way of keeping maize at Banthati so that villagers can use it after years

tough slippery  steps of Ulleri

Nagaethati

From Nagaethati to Gorepani is one and half hours of trek.

Entry gate of Ghorepani

lower Ghorepani village

Mountain veiled in fog

Helipad at Upper Ghorepani

sun is about to rise

Sunrise from Poon Hill

Poon Hill

Tower at Poon Hill

majestic mountain

Major Tek. Bahadur Pun is the founder of Poon  Hill

people are enjoying the breathtaking mountains

walking down the stairs of Ulleri

life is beautiful as the marigold flower

I am tired

Photographs of my recent visit to the land of natural beauty Pokhara

Fewa lake, largest lake of Pokhara

Pogoda Style temple of Baharahi also know as Tal Baharai Temple ( Water Goddess) lies in the Fewa Lake

People enjoying at Tal Barahai ( Water Goddess)

Boat carrying people to Tal Barahai

pigeon and kids enjoying at Taal Barahai

Vigorous Devis Fall, most fascinating waterfall in Pokhara

view from Sarangkot

People enjoying Paragliding

colors of rainbow, pagagliding

destitute guy begging money

Baby cradle at Sarangkot village

this is how people keep maize for long time in village of Sarangkot

Begnas Lake, second largest lake of Pokhara

child enjoying swimming at Begnas lake

Peace Stupa

 

 

Nepal Yoga Retreat and Spa Center- a Paradise on Earth

Here is, in truth, the whole secret of Yoga, the science of the soul. The active turnings, the strident vibrations, of selfishness, lust and hate are to be stilled by meditation, by letting heart and mind dwell in spiritual life, by lifting up the heart to the strong, silent life above, which rests in the stillness of eternal love, and needs no harsh vibration to convince it of true being.  Patanjali

When I think of Yoga Retreat and Spa my mind summoned images of peaceful green mountains, quiet spaces, fresh air, greenery, and much more. I have visited many Yoga Retreat and Spa Centers but none satisfy my dream. After visiting Nepal Yoga Retreat and Spa Center (NYRSC) I feel we need to dream and one day it will be fulfilled. My dream destination NYRSC is located between Kathmandu and Nagarkot. It is just 5km from Bhaktapur and 1km from Telkot. It is 15km from the center of Kathmandu or Thamel.

Photo Credit: Nepal Yoga Retreat and Spa Center

Bamboo cottages

NYRSC  is surrounded by the dense Shreeban forest. This is the perfect nature where you could do yoga, eat organic food prepared from the garden, and relax yourself doing an Ayurveda massage. Jungle hiking, and serene river adds more exquisiteness. You can also volunteer in the village area or experience exploring. The place is so peaceful that the only sound we heard is insects humming in the evening. The panoramic view of Nagarkot is worth watching.

Panoramic view of Nagarkot

Lovely Greenery
Photo Credit : NYRSC

Night view
Photo Credit: NYRSC

The hospitality, facilities, and services of the internet at NYRSC make you forget the luxury you could get in any deluxe hotel. The bamboo cottages and the well-furnished room is incomparable to any five-star hotel. Needless to say, NYRSC makes you forget your sweet home. I realized it is a manifestation of my dream.

Cottage

room

cottages

Panchamahalaxhmi Dham temple at the NYRSC premises is the magnificent and sublime reality of the divine surroundings. This is the Ashram area of His Holiness Swami Kamalnayanacharya Shree Ji Maharaj who is the supreme spiritual guru of Nepal Yoga Retreat and Muktinath Temple.

Panchamahalaxmi Temple

You will get amused once you learn yoga here. It is a matter of pride to learn yoga with Dr. Chintamani Gautam. He is a highly qualified and recommended yoga Guru. He has been involved with yoga and its teachings for over 15 years in both Nepal and India and has a depth of knowledge unsurpassed in the region. Apart from this spa and naturopathic services, yoga packages, and ayurvedic treatment soothes your body and mind.

Dr. Chintamani Gautam

happy to be @NYRSC

NYRSC is a soul-invigorating retreat center; it catered to each of our chakras, from root to crown. It detoxifies your body and mind. NYRSC helps you to know more about your body and mind and experience something. It connects you to the magnificent reality, spirituality, silence, and above all with yourself. If you are looking for something unique to experience NYRSC is the only one. You cannot even imagine heaven exists here on earth and it is just so close to us.

students receiving teachers training
Photo Credit: NYRSC

more on NYRSC

Photographs of farm visit at Nagarkot

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” ― Albert Einstein

Sherpa Alpine cottage is the best place to stay in Nagarkot.  They serve good food, and warm hospitality except for no hot shower. A few days’ stays at this cottage won’t make you bored.

It was my long-time dream to stay in the cottage. After fulfilling my dream I move ahead to visit the farm in Nagarkot.  It is difficult to express in words the beauty of nature on the way.  Look at these pictures. 

Why not gaze at the beauty for a while resting? 

Agriculture remains the key sector for the economic development of developing countries like Nepal.   Farming ( animals and agriculture) is very appropriate to raise the living standard of Nepali people. Maybe you are more curious to see more pictures. The farmhouse is situated in Rohini VDC of Nagarkot. Here go the awesome pictures. 

More pictures

Amazing tomato farm. 

more than happy 🙂 

Explore the beauty of Surkhet

Surkhet lies in the Bheri Zone of the Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal. The beautiful Surkhet Valley, which resembles Kathmandu valley is approx. 400 km west of the capital city of Kathmandu.  It is a hub for remote districts like Dailekh, Kalikot, Mugu, Jumla, Jajarkot, and Salyan.

Surkeht valley and beautiful sky

Surkhet seems like a beautiful bride that attracts all people with its enchanting beauty. Birendranagar city is the heart of Surkeht. The valley is blessed with magnificent mountains, skiing slopes, and dense forests,   magnificent river, gigantic Himalayas peaks which also includes many shrines and pilgrimages.

Entrance of Kakrebihar

 The main tourist attractions of Surkhet are Kakrebihar, Bulbule Taal (lake), Deutibajai, Ghantaghar, Bheri River, and many other places with religious as well as historic values. 

KakrebiharKakre Bihar is a Hindu-Buddhist Temple Near Birendranagar city. Kakre Bihar has a  shape like the seed of a cucumber thus it is called Kakre Bihar . The Nepali name for cucumber is Kakro.  This temple is believed to be built in the 12th century.

Cucumber Shape Kakrebihar

It is made up of solid stone with attractive bronze Idols of Hindu gods and goddesses along with Buddha.  This place is also famous for its natural beauty. It is situated over a small mountain.

Status of Buddha

Kakrebihar is the remains of an old Buddhist Monastery (palace), which is on the list of national heritage sites in Nepal. According to local villagers, Mahabharat’s Heroes-“The Pandavas”, came here, built cottages for their living, and passed their Banbas Period (hiding from other people).

Place where Pandavas hide themselves

Bulbule taal (lake)  A small pond welcomes visitors which is full of fish. This pond is the source of natural water spring, which comes in the form of bubbles.

Bulbul taal ( lake) where you can see water bubbles coming

Bulbul taal (lake)

 DeuitBajai is the most famous Hindu Temple in Surkhet and the entire Midwestern Region of Nepal. Especially, its history is relative to “RAJI” society’s people where they used to pray.

Deutibajai Temple

People worship the Peepal tree nearby Deutibajai

Every day people from near and far come to pray and make BHAKAS (a promise to god).  People from every community and class are welcome here.

people gifted Deutibajai bell once their promises are fulfilled

Ghanta Ghar( Clock Tower)  is one of the highest cemented towers as well as the Public clock in Surkhet. This cemented high tower is also the landmark of Surkhet. 

Ghantaghar ( Clock Tower)

Bheri river is a well-known destination for rafting. There are many natural resources and beauty. The green jungle is also another attraction.

Bheri Bridge

Surkhet is accessible by air service and roads from various parts of the country. Karnali Highway linked  Surkhet to the remote Western region of Karnali. You can take a flight from Kathmandu-Nepalgunj and Kathmandu-Surkhet flight to explore this natural beauty.