Thakali Eating in Pokhara

Our last meal in Pokhara - this had to be special. What better way to celebrate than with a Thakali set meal!

Tucked away in a side street, Pokhara Thakali Kitchen is like a homey oasis. Everything was so fresh with a variety of flavors..and unlimited! They should have left the containers of food with us because we kept asking for more and more. What a great way to end our last night in Pokhara.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Thakali Pokhara

Can't get enough Momos

Four days in a small city filled with many options for dining. You know a place is good when you dine there twice. And, when you see the same diners eating there, too.

Tibetan Kitchen. Why was this place so good? Because they freshly made momos in so many forms. Momos, our favorite of the trip!

This is a family run operation. When you're eating, it feels like you're visiting a local family and dining on their comfort food. A foreign home away from home.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Tibetan - Pokhara

Dessert before Dinner

We were situated in the middle of Lakeside, the heart of the tourist area. So for an afternoon pre-dinner snack at Moondance Cafe, we treated ourselves to coffee and chocolate cake (and free WiFi).

When next to the Himalayas, enjoy Himalayan coffee!.. which pairs so nicely with a slice of rich, moist chococlate cake.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Moondance - Pokhara

Craving for Indian Food in Nepal

Indian culture is vibrant in Nepal. The people and the cuisine were surrounding us. So naturally we craved for some Indian fair, twice.

The meals were light and healthy. One was even pure vegetarian. I love eating healthy after long days of being active under the sun.

The healthy meals and long days were perfectly paired with large bottles of local beer. Those beers were our daily reward. What great vacation meals!

Laxman Restaurant

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Indian - Pokhara

Indian Vegetarian Restaurant

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Indian Veg - Pokhara

Mexican Food in Nepal

In researching our hotel in Pokhara, we were so excited to read that Mexican cuisine is a specialty at Mike's, the hotel's restaurant. My best friend and I met in high school in California - so, of course, we both like Mexican food.

Chicken enchiladas, a sausage burrito, and the beautiful lakeside. While not completely authentic, the flavors were familiar and so fresh, perfect for a blue sky day.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Mike's Pokhara

Escape to Pokhara!

Time to escape from the city, and fast! How about for a 30 minute flight for fast?

Flying high, near, and nearer to the Himalayas. Blue skies and the snow capped Himalayas in the nearby by distance. This is a sight I never thought I'd ever see in my lifetime. Stepping off the plane, only one word can describe that moment - breathtaking.

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal. It is known as the trekkers' stop as it's right below the Himalayas. While we didn't trek the mountain tops, we did enjoy the natural setting of the hills and the lakes around us.

4 days and 3 nights in Pokhara was the most peaceful and scary times of the trip. We found peace away from the bustle with the fresh mountain and lake air.

Our hearts raced when we kept getting lost on our way hike down the hill, 2 hours away from our hotel. Climbing down the hill soon felt like the height of the Himalayas as sunset became darkness.

The beats in our chest came back when the airport closed on the day of our departure. We had 8 hours before our flight to Kathmandu. Our only option was to take a local bus (more like a public minivan) for a 6 hour ride back to the capital, all for $6.00. The 12-seater van somehow fit 23 people.

Pokhara was an amazing adventure. It was a necessary getaway into nature. And it was a challenging adventure that tested our survival skills. It's great to be home.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Pokhara

Feasting on Newari Cuisine

One last night in Kathmandu before our flight to Pokhara called for a celebratory dinner with our new local friends.

We were taken to a gem of a local spot, Bhumi, to feast on Newari cuisine. Newari food is a type of Nepali cuisine.

We started the night with shots of Aila, the local liquor. The taste reminded me of gin with the feel of vodka.

The food was memorable! Grilled, seasoned, and filled with so much flavor. I highly recommend this restaurant if you ever make your way to Kathmandu.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Bhumi Newari

Momos in Nepal

A mid day break from touring and sight seeing - Food time!

In our local friend's hometown in Kathmandu, we relaxed with snacks and momos in a neighborhood restaurant, Le Trio.

These momos were some of the best we had in Kathmandu. It's the traditional momos drowning in delicious spicy, rich soup. After eating these bowls, I was addicted and looking for momos every chance I could get.

Chinese steamed dumplings with bold, spicy Indian flavors. The India-China influence of Nepal can totally be summed up in these dumplings.

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The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Trio - Patan

Taking a Break from Local Cuisine

Escapism appeared to be the theme this trip. Escape from our home cities. And now escape from the city we were in.

As much as I love exploring local cuisine, the chaos of the city had us wanting for a taste of something familiar.

American cuisine, jazz music, and the sight of white people were such warm, comforting images at New Orleans Cafe.

Mulled Wine heated up the chilly night. Fried Chicken and fries brought back familiarity among the foreign chaotic overload. Tandoori Chicken and Roti reminded us where we were. And the Apple Pie capped the night of escape.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: New Orleans Cafe - Thamel

More Thakali Eating in Thamel

After our quick bite of papad and momos, we met up with my best friend's college friend for lunch in Thamel. And we also were introduced to the Thakali set.

The set is a complete meal and it's the best way to fill up until you're absolutely stuffed. It includes daal (black lentil soup), achar (pickles vegetables and spices), green vegetables, potatoes, fresh raw vegetables, yogurt, and rice --> All Unlimited.

The mutton curry is the additional non-vegetable choice (which is not unlimited). Aside from rice, you can also order roti to sop up the liquids and the spices.

Every bite is mixed and eaten with rice. This set meal truly filled you up and satisfies your tastes buds with all the salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter flavors. This is definitely a complete meal.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Himalayan Restaurant - Thamel

Thakali Eats in Kathmandu

I think it should be an absolute requirement to taste the local cuisine when you travel anywhere.

Our first and last meals in Kathmandu were local bites in the same restaurant near our hotel in the Thamel district. Thakali Chef's Bhanchha Ghar features roof top dining - a popular feature in restaurants in Kathmandu. It's a great way to enjoy a drink or meal while taking in the sights of the city. It's also a great escape from the chaos below.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Thakali Roof Top

Bhaktapur, Nepal

Bhaktapur is another ancient town in Kathmandu Valley and the third old kingdom. It was formerly the capital of Nepal in the 15th century.

Just a 20 minute taxi ride from Patan and we arrived at the entrance of the old royal kingdom.

Bhaktapur is known as the ancient Newari town. It is also known as the City of Devotees and the City of Rice, as rice is one of the staple agricultural products in this city.

The city is now a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with temples, crafts and culture.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Bhaktapur

Patan, Nepal

Patan is the third largest city after Kathmandu and Pokhara. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley and was once one of the 3 old royal kingdoms in Nepal (Kathmandu and Bhaktapur comprise of the other 2 kingdoms).

The city is filled with temple, rich culture, and handicrafts. The crafts include wood and stone carvings, metal statues, and ornate and intricate architecture. The architecture is all around the temples and buildings highly inspired by Buddhism and Hinduism.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Patan

Namaste, Nepal!

I'm a city girl. I need to see high rises and people.

But, sometimes city life can get routine and overwhelming.. Enter, vacation time!

Usually vacation is to another city or to nature. This time my best friend and I needed something COMPLETELY different.

Namaste, Nepal!

Kathmandu is one of the most dense and overwhelming places I have ever been. It is also one of the most culturally dense cities. You can feel the influence of India and China, its neighboring cities. At the same time, they have their own unique features, traditions, and culture.

Aside from the beautiful pictures that drew us to this trip, we also were comforted by the fact that my best friend's college friend is a local. A local guide to show us the city!

We staed in the tourist district, Thamel, is filled with vendors, trekkers, locals, cars, rickshaws, and what seems like everything else. The bustle is endless!

The city and the surrounding cities are so rick with culture and history. So much so, the temple and squares in the valley are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Kathmandu did not provide us the getaway from our respective cities (Manila and Hong Kong), but it definitely took us worlds away.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Kathmandu