Secret Glimpses From Nepal

The last rays of the sun pierced through the window. A gecko on the window-glass inched closer to its prey, a mosquito. I lit a cigarette and silently waited to see how the lizard preys upon its victim.

- Shahriar Feroze

A spider, almost on the edge of the window’s wooden frame was busy weaving his flimsy web. Then came the rapid move of the Gecko – he swallowed the mosquito – just in the likes of a snake biting a preoccupied victim and speedily retreating. It all happened too quickly to capture in my phone camera. However, the spider seemed all too sloppy on what had just happened near his incomplete web.

Craving for a little more daylight to brighten up the room, this traveller stood up from the sofa and pulled the curtain on one corner.

The view instantly etched in mind forever. The spectacular Himalayan mountain ranges stood right in front against the backdrop of a clear blue sky. Small patches of scattered clouds hung over and the rays kept reflecting on their icy peaks. The day’s weariness from the six hour bus journey from Kathmandu vanished in a flash.

While travelling home or abroad it’s these smaller details which together define a journey.

This traveller notes these minor but powerful scenes at the small hilltop settlement in Bandipur - a carefully preserved Newari village some 180 kilometres west of Kathmandu. Not only for the surrounding views or panoramic scenes, but for its preserved, old time cultural ambience, Bandipur has noticeably become the attention of tourism in the last few years.

Picking Bandipur was actually to explore an off-the-beaten destination in Nepal. The decision paid back with many times more dividend. The quiet and small village has one main road blocked on both ends to restrict entry of vehicles. Coupled with a spacious piazza and two storied wooden houses, restaurants, grocery shops it sharply resembles one of those small Old Italian towns.