Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (Bardiya)

Bardiya National Park (968 sq km)

The Bardiya National Park is the largest and most undisturbed protected area in the Terai and is home to the endangered Royal Bengal tiger and Nepal’s famous one-horned rhinoceros. The national park located in the far western district of Bardiya, is borderes by River Karnali in the west, the Churia range in the north, while the River Babai flows right through the park. The varied geographical factors together with the thick cover of Sal, savannah forests and grasslands render this region ideal as wild animal habitat. The park hosts 53 different mammals, more than 400 species of birds, and several varieties of reptiles and water animals. Some of the other animals found here are elephant, swamp deer, black buck, gharial crocodile and marsh mugger crocodile. The fresh-water gangetic dolphin is also commonly seen in River Karnali. Birds include endangared varieties of Bengal florican, lesser florican, silve-eared mesia and sarus crane. The park offers the rare oppurtunity of fishing /angling at River Karnali and River Babai.

Activities: Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, boat ride, jeep drive
Accomodation: Jungle lodges
Access: Three hours by jeep (95 km) from Nepalgunj which is 1 hour 10 minutes by air or 531 km by road from Klathmandu
Best Season: Oct-Mar; Apr-Jun (hot, up to 45 degree Celsius), Jul-Sep (rainy)
Park Headquarter: Thakurdwara, Tel: +977-084-429719

Nepal Tourism Year 2011 (Sagarmatha)

Sagarmatha National Park (1,148 sq km)

The prime attraction in the Sagarmatha National Park is Mt. Everest, the highest peak of the world. The park was added to the list of World Heritage Site in 1979. The park, a part of the Himalayan ecological zone, has several other prominent peaks most of which are above 6,000 m. With most of the park above3,000 m, Sagarmatha is full of rugged terrain with deep gorges, glaciers and huge rocks. With its Himalayan terrain and its unique culture, the park offers a blend of natural and cultural tourist products here. The vegetation at lower elevation is dominated by pine and hemlock forests, while above 3,500 m the forest is dominated with silver fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper trees. During spring and monsoon the varieties of rhododendron flowers are seen. The common wildlife ib the park are himalayan tahr, ghoral, musk deer, pikka (mouse hare) weasel, jackel. Other rarely seen animals are Himalayan black bear, wolf, lynx, and snow leopard. Birds inhabiting the park are of over 193 species. Common ones among them are the impeyan pheasant(Danphe), blood pheasant, red-billes chough, yellow-billed chough, snow cock, snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon, and lammergeyer. The national park also showcases the cultural trophies with the warm Sherpa hospitality and its many monasteries and cultural landmarks.

Activities: Trekking, Mountaineering, Experience of Sherpa culture
Accomodation: Resort hotels, Lodges, Camping

Access: Two day walk from lukla which is 30 minutes by air from Kathmandu

Best Season: Oct-Nov and Mar-May; Dec-Feb(snow, daytime temperature 5 degree Celsius), Jun-Sep (rainy)

Park Headquarter: Mendalphu, Namche Bazaar, Tel: +977-038-626043

Festive Choice Wine 1

1.White B&G Pouilley Fuisse Chardonnay 2006

Pouilley Fuisse comes under the appellation of Burgundy located at central part of France with fantastic dry white wines made out of chardonnay. No wonder Chardonnay is believed to be originated in the region of France. However, there is other Sauvignon Blanc variety called Pouilley Fume. Don’t get confused about it. It is extremely distinctive grape variety. Normally 90 % of the Burgundy white is made of Chardonnay. If you see the bottle of Burgundy which doesn’t mention the grape variety, then it is Chardonnay.

In France, Pouilley Fuisse is not considered as expensive wine thought it is moderate and consumed in daily basis. Its distinctive nature of pale and refreshing color indicates sophisticated smell reminding of fruit basket of spring full of different flavors.

It has distinct taste than Australian Chardonnay being lighter on crisp side and aged in oak barrel makes it milder and smoother. Therefore, lots of people relate their character with buttery mostly seen in Sauvignon Blanc.

Why should you drink it?
It goes well with our spiced food on festival especially with Mutton delicacies though not to be combined with BBQ. Simply pair it with your regular stew or braised food. My best pairing will be with Liver Fried, Lungs Fried, Intestines and Rakti.

(Source: Food & Wine Magazine)

Festive Choice Wine 2

2.Red Chemin des Papes Cotes Du Rhone 2003

Cote du Rhone is region in France, which comes under the Appellation of Rhone Valley wines, one of the major wine making regions popular for full bodied wine with reasonable tannin making it softer. The range comes in from Red, Rose to White. The most popular grape variety of this region is Grenache for red and rose. In other hand Grenache Blanc for white wines. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the perfect example made out of blending at least 12 grape varieties grown in region.

The rarest of white wines made from Cotes Du Rhone is made out of Viognier grape variety. However, Rhone wines are normally blended with other grapes as Syrah and Viognier.

The special feature of this wine is light hearted ruby red to Mandarin tint making it look like rose more on white color bottle. These wines are one of the wines which could be easily paired with white meat.

Why should you drink it?
It goes perfectly with mildly –spiced mutton or chicken delicacies chatting with friends while playing cards or flying kite. I would pair this with something like Mutton leg Soup and Meat Kebab. You can even pair this with BBQ.

(Source: Food & Wine Magazine)

Festive Choice Wine 3

3. White Cheateaux de Nivelle Bordeaux 2002 Blanc Sec

Blanc Sec word stands for white sweet. No wonder this wine has mild balanced natural sweetness. The grapes are picked up late and first chilled and then fermented to keep the balance of fruitiness yet with sweet taste. Sweet should be like nectar and pleasing not like having tea with 2 tea spoons of sugar.

Bordeaux is one of the most popular regions in the world almost selling 800 million bottles of wine a year. Most of the reputed manes like Graves, Medoc and Cheateau Haut Brion with oldest wine appellation in world going back to 1855.

The most of the white wine in Bordeaux are made up of major Sauvignon Blanc and less Semillion grapes. The Bordeaux is also popular for making Dessert wines like Sauternes, though they are expensive in the market. Sometimes, the grapes are left to over ripe and convert into juice. In many places of Bordeaux, grape varieties like Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle gets rot in a noble way.

Why should you drink it?
This wine has mild sweetness which helps to balance the spicy character of the food. If you are looking forward for some spicy palate in this festive season, then this is the wine to go for. Especially with Choyela, Spiced Cucumber Pickle and even with Aloo ko Aachar. The best pairing would be Aloo Tama.

(Source: Food & Wine Magazine)

Festive Choice Wine 4

4. White Whispers Chardonnay Australia 2005

The grape varieties made popular by Aussis are non other than Chardonnay in white and Shiraz in red. The Australian has distinctive taste compare to French. The terrior of Australia makes it more refreshing and pleasant to drink. The Australian Chardonnay is considered as more refreshing and specialty of the grape is that it works well in soil which can retain lot of water. Another trick to serve Chardonnay is to chill more than other wines. The simple reason is due to its wild crispness making it aggressive.

The whisper Chardonnay is less in oak and should be drink young within 4years. Therefore this wine is not aged in oak barrel. The present state of 2008 makes it less aggressive and smooth drinking making very velvety neck. It still holds the tropical fruit character along with character to drink by itself.

Why should you drink it?
This wine is excellent to drink chilled while you are busy getting meats cooked and small portions of appetizing like internal organs come in mean time. I recommend this wine with Kalejo Fried, and small tender mild cooked meat.

(Source: Food & Wine Magazine)

Festive Choice Wine 5

5. Red Hardys Cab Merlot

One of the most desired wine goes off the shelf is Hardys Stamp wine. This wine has been there for tradition with great art. The Hardys wine are more on flavor, structure and balanced character. The Hardys are master blender when it comes to merit age wine.

The featured wine Cabernet Merlot is not exceptional as per their style. The worst part is people not being able to see Hardys as some wine to drink. The above wine being blend of Cabernet Sauvignon has long finishing character along with complex flavor and structure. Sometimes you can’t utter the exact word; this is exactly the character of this wine. The hint of Green Pepper, Cherry and Mint is the best combination of this Coonawaarra style wine, making it good with spiced red meat.

In other hand Merlot being a blend brings their signature of early ripe fruit with less tannic effect and sugar content is high. These Merlot are very softer and dark rich and fruity in mean time.

Both of these combinations make this wine supple with complexity and round character. Definitely a wine to look for.

Why should you drink it?
It goes well with Mixed Vegetable Curries to Chucky Meat Kebabs normally cooked in Festivals. This wine is ready to take challenge of rich spices balancing it much better.

(Source: Food & Wine Magazine)

Festive Choice Wine 6

6. White Jacobs Creek Reserve Chardonnay 2005
(Best Chardonnay so far tried in Nepal with 2005 Vintage)

This is one of the wines in which I can take pride to talk about in sense of price and taste. Honestly, if someone is genuinely honest with their wine would be these guys, especially in Nepal. The name itself sells but with the specialty of this wine is Reserve meaning kept in oak barrel to enrich the flavor and survive longer in shelf. This is definitely a wine to bank. However, it may be a wine with full enchant a wine lover who loves their wine seriously.

The South Australian 2005 vintage represents wet winter and cool moist spring converting very healthy and character to protect during dry summer with its canopy of leaves. Therefore this vintage has amazing flavors and characters could be traced at maximums. The medium light hay color with green olives hues makes it special and fruity. The nose has the intensity of peach fruits and reminds me strong of honey melon and being reserved in old French barrel for 12 months provides buttery character along with nuts after taste due to oak.

Why should you drink it?
When you taste this wine, it will enchant you with citrus character flavoring fresh and long finishing with peach and apricot taste lingering in mouth. If you get bored with regular meat then try this with Fish fried or even Grilled. The best will be BBQ Pork Chop with Tangy Chutney.

(Source: Food & Wine Magazine)

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK (NTY 2011)

INTRODUCTION

Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. The park is situated in south central Nepal, covering 932 sq. km. in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. The area comprising the Tikauli forest - from Rapti River to the foothills of the Mahabharat - extending over an area of 175 sq. km. was declared Mahendra Mriga Kunj (Mahendra Deer Park) by the late King Mahendra in 1959. In 1963, the area south of Rapti River was demarcated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. The area was gazetted as the country’s first national park in 1973. Recognizing its unique ecosystems of international significance, UNESCO declared RCNP a World Heritage Site in 1984.

In 1996, an area of 750 sq. km surrounding the park was declared a buffer zone which consists of forests and private lands. The park and the local people jointly initiate community development activities and manage natural resources in the buffer zone. His Majesty’s Government has made a provision of plowing back 30-50 percent of the park revenue for community development in the buffer zone.

HOW TO GET THERE

Chitwan is linked by public buses, tourist coaches, and air service. There are eight entrance gates to the park:
1.Kasara via Jagatpur
2.Ghatgain via Patihani
3.Bhimle via Meghauli
4.Khagendramalli via Bhandara
5.Sunachuri via Sunachuri
6.Sauraha via Tandi (Ratna Nagar)
7.Laukhani via Pragatinagar
8.Amaltari via Danda

PARK REGULATIONS

1. An entry fee of NRs. 650 has to be paid at the Park’s Entrance Gate.
2. Flora and Fauna are fully protected and must not be disturbed.
3. Do not purchase illegal animal or plant products.
4. Respect religious and cultural sites.
5. Place trash in rubbish bins.
6. No one should walk within the park between sunset and sunrise.