I’ve been coming to Nepal more often than any usual tourist. Simply because there’s a lot more reason to visit this amazing country than Everest or as locals call - Sagarthama. There’s just too many regions, and places and locals, and always so little time. Yes, so little time. I spent almost 3 months in Nepal before but still there were so many places i have missed and decided will come for a visit next time. For a country not too big in size and a population not too many compared to the Philippines, Nepal is just jam-packed with many exciting adventures. You may have to draft your itinerary countless number of times before your trip because another place pops up and you want to visit it too.

Surprisingly, this very popular place called Nagarkot has escaped my to visit list before. I’ve read reviews how touristy the place is, and how the crowd can sometimes alter your peace during sunrise. But still, one may never know until you’ve personally been there. 

From Sankhu, it must have taken us forever. Forever doesn’t mean how long the trip took us but how we endured never ending sharp curves with killer cliffs. No pun intended. The driver and I cruised high altitude roads towards the town of Nagarkot. Obviously, the highway is called Nagarkot, too. Can you believe some travelers navigate the highway at night? They leave Kathmandu around 5 in the morning and reach Nagarkot after an hour just in time for sunrise and the start of the trek. Nagarkot is a very popular trekking destination, and sunrises and sunsets are one of the best ways to enjoy the place. You have sweeping views of the Himalayas from cool vantage points within Nagarkot. 

My driver was actually calm and very precise considering some parts of the Nagarkot Highway needs repair (as many Nepali Roads are), and the unmanned cliffs are a bit terrifying, to be honest. From Sankhu, we bypassed the main highway passing through a Hindu Temple called ??? True enough, most people who go to Nagarkot hire their own car and so a bus stop is simply a bus stop. To get from the bus stop to your hotel, you need to walk. It would be best to plan this ahead of time as you don’t want to navigate Nagarkot and its dusty highway on foot, day time or worse, at night.

Hotel Country Villa is just how i imagined it to be. With its unassuming entry, the experience begins as you enter and what view would be waiting for you. The hotel is pretty well-maintained. Perhaps one of the many reasons this hotel is very popular with foreign tourists and locals alike. The staff are professional, and so checking in and out was a breeze. I arrived on a Wednesday, and yet it’s not entirely devoid of crowd. People eat breakfast early, and leave right away. I don’t understand. Nagarkot is really very popular, and for one good reason - the view from high up the mountains. That is if you’re lucky. I am about 20% lucky because the peaks show up for a bit, but mostly it’s all clouds. 

After checkin in, i found time to nest and just prepare myself for mountain weather. I ordered another small pot of Masala in one of the many resting places in the hotel, and off i go just doing absolutely nothing. Well, sitting and relaxing. I thought i would be able to catch up on my reading, but i was wrong. I couldn’t take my eyes away from the view. I hoped for a better picture at sunset or sunrise. But like i always do from hereon, accept that things happen for a reason. I may not see the Himalayas clearly now, but soon i will be. I am manifesting.

I ordered Chicken sizzler with rice and it was just okay. Probably not the best Chicken dish i’ve had in Nepal. It seems Chicken is quite popular as even basic menus usually have it. It didn’t take long for me to finish the meal. I was stuffed. Later on, i enjoyed the rest of the sunset view from my balcony. Every now and then, i would go outside the and people watch see what’s happening. And then i would go back to reading my Lonely Planet Nepal guidebook again from my comfortable bed. I actually paid quite a premium for this accommodation, and it didn’t dissapoint. It’s also surprising that the room was warm. I don’t know if it’s because of its cabin feel with teak wooden floor and ceiling but it does its job to control the temperature. I actually had to take off my lounge socks because it was getting warm already. My suite in Kathmandu was colder but it’s because the room’s interior design is classic Newari.

Sadly, i barely slept and up until now i have no idea why. It must have been the elevation or too much Masala Tea, perhaps? In no time, i woke up to an alarm on my phone at 5AM, and sunrise doesn’t happen until 45 Minutes later. As early as that time, staff at the hotel are already setting up the place for breakfast buffet which starts at 6:30AM. It’s so cold outside yet they have to power through early morning because it’s work. They need to earn to survive.

I now need to talk about the working conditions of many NepalIs. I reckon those who work in the hospitality business as managers and even staff have it better compared to taxi drivers or construction workers who start work as early as 6AM and come back home at 10PM. It made me think how lucky i am staying at a “monggo” place, that’s expensive in Nepali, with a room so big an actually family can fit on it.

10 years ago, i didn’t have this realization. I was just exploring. Now, reality is more glaring than ever. Perhaps, i am starting to fully embrace the Nepali culture and traditions, and realizations like these would soon happen. It seems me being able to come back to Nepal three times already says so much about the privilege i have. The only thing i can offer to my Nepali brothers is a few minutes of amazement when i meet them. That i look Nepali but i am not. That i’m able to speak a phrase or two and my accent is perfect yet i am not. People are just so amazed. One person even told me maybe in my past life i was born Nepali, or that my mother or father was Nepali. 

Anyway, the mountains appeared for a bit around noon when everybody left already. Don’t believe guidebooks when they say that the best time to view the Himalayas is early morning or late afternoon. It changes. You’ll never know. If you stay longer, you’ll reap what you saw. 

I was glad to be able to visit Nagarkot and experience it for myself. Will i go back again? Probably not. Nepal is just too blessed. There’s countless number of view points around. Just do your research. Find one that you like, and treasure it. 

By the way, getting In Drive from Nagarkot to anywhere within the Kathmandu Valley is not easy but it’s possible. I had to offer a much higher rate when i booked for a driver just because i am time dependent. I don’t want to lose sunlight while on the road and not get the full potential of the mountains. Little did i know, i was in for a treat to a place i’ve visited 11 years ago. I will be staying in the very same resort. I just hope to see familiar faces. Dhanyabad! 

Back in the days, there was no In Drive to book a driver. You just hail a taxi cab in one of the many busy streets of Thamel and pray that you get a nice driver. Well, everyone’s nice here in Nepal. Never had a problem. Now, going from point A to B has become painless. Last time, i was going over my draft itinerary trying to figure out where i will go today. I am sleeping overnight in the mountains outside of Kathmandu, and Sankhu is on the way. I might as well pay a visit. 

I’ve been reading my past blog entries and Sankhu has been mentioned countless number of times. It’s one of the most highly recommended places to go to in the Kathmandu Valley, and yet i haven’t been there. What the heck. Reading my travel notes, i reckon it’s either i missed the bus going there or i am losing sunlight to go back to Kathmandu that’s why i always forego the trip there. This time around, i surely made time.

Raj Baruwal was my driver for the day. He will take me to Sankhu first. If the taxi cab i rode before was bad, today was worse. The white Maruti Suzuki i rode today should retire. It’s that bad. My driver didn’t speak any English, but was very polite, timid and shy. He’s quite aggressive as a driver, and very eager to tour me around. I was actually surprised later on because i thought he would just drive - not realizing he’s willing to guide me all day.

The route took me to Boudhanath Road again, where it’s traffic and polluted. But once you’ve passed by the area, the trip becomes faster and the mountain ranges appear from the horizon. You’ll feel as if everything’s already moving fast. I am still trying to study the route the driver took to Sankhu because all in all, it took us about an hour to reach the place. We surely were in for a treat. 

There must be a festival of some sort because throngs upon throngs of people come and go to the Vajra Yogini Temple. Later on, i found out that it’s the Madhav Narayan Festival. The driver told me he would come with me which again is a nice gesture. With too many people going in, this chap helped me in the maze going to the temple. I took about a thousand photos because festivals in Nepal are a different league. If you can, time your visit during one. You won’t be disappointed. Later on, i realized that all throughout this particular trip, there’s always a festival wherever i am going.

Even for a non-Hindu, this visit has become a meaningful, albeit unforgettable. Coming from the Philippines, and even for Asia, a Hindu festival is always mind blowing. One thing i enjoyed during the trip was observing life as it happens. Walk around, look around. There were many people bathing in the holy river, lighting butter candles, worshipping the Hindu gods, asking for blessings from Sadhus. The infinite sound of drums and bells, the chatters and clapping still ring in my ear as i type this. 

As i look back, it must be the right timing for me to visit Sankhu. Reading about it the other night, i thought it’s a sleepy and quiet town. Well, after today, it was the exact opposite. Today reminds me of Diwali which i was lucky to experience in Varanasi in India back in 2011, only today was daytime. I realized there are really so many Hindu festivals, and the interest is growing on me. More festivals to visit soon, perhaps. 

Upon further research, i discovered that in India celebrating the same festival, and about 30 people died during a stampede. Truly a heartbreaking news. At Sankhu, heaps of people gathered and for a bit, i got worried that there might be too many people around. But once you see the police manning the place, it’ll keep you calm.

Back to Raj Baruwal who takes the worse photos. Sorry dude! But when i take his photos, it’s always perfect. Now that i think about it, maybe it’s a sign for me to stop taking selfies or asking some to take my photos. Instead, i should just take photos of places and people. This has more meaning. You don’t always have to be the center of attention of your world. It’s not always about you. You see, you get lessons from anywhere and everywhere, if you only look with eyes wide open.

He made a sign, holding his pinky finger which means he wants to go to the toilet. I never heard of that. Earlier, he didn’t even drink water when i offered to buy him one. Today, i am in a limbo. I don’t know which made a more lasting impression to me — Sankhu and the Madhav Narayan Festival or my driver / guide - Raj Baruwal.

In In Drive, you can check how many kilometers the ride was, and it’s 103.5 Kilometers in total. Wow! It seems paying 4,785 Nepalese Rupees for the ride to Sankhu and my final destination for the day was such a bargain.

It must have been my 10th time visiting the durbar square and yet it always feels so magical, so out of this world. It seems like there is an invisible energy that draws you in. You feel amazed and blessed at the same time. You know what’s even more recommended, you come at night when there’s no more tourists. Locals go to have puja stops, merchants waiting for a bit to close shop and lovers chatting in the cold January weather in the steps of the temples. What a vibe! Next time you visit the Durbar Square, do so at night and you’ll be rewarded with an experience like no other. For example, the Kal Bhairav is flocked by Hindus worshipping and you get to really see up close and personal how one Hindu worships and go on with their lives after a prayer. Be discreet, and they won’t mind you.

I’ve seen vloggers (you call them now as i am still a blogger) and do their first impression of Nepal and they immediately go to Kathmandu Durbar Square, and yet they don’t get to fully immerse themselves because they have many stops to go for the day. The beauty of Nepal is you have to visit the place in different times of the day, and in different days. I went on a Tuesday night and yet it feels like the weekend or a holiday.  I cannot say the same thing for the day but i will in a few days. Let’s see. I have been to the three durbar squares before and Patan has always been my favorite, followed by Kathmandu and sadly, i have to put Bhaktapur the last. I find it too chaotic for me, and there’s very little light at night which makes the trip there not as comfortable or secure as i hope it would be. Although one rooftop restaurant there serves the best chicken fried rice ever. I will edit this with the name. 

I was actually thinking where else to go after Boudhanath. It was either Pashupatinath or Kathmandu Durbar Square. I chose the latter because i want to visit the cremation ghats on another day, sunrise or sunset perhaps. 

I am eating my breakfast now at the courtyard of Swarga Heritage Hotel and i could’t finish anymore my French Toast with my small pot Masala Tea. 

I also love that i am writing everything here on Blogger so i won’t forget my successes and mishaps on the road. Imagine, i started blogging again because of Nepal after 10 years. And i want to continue doing so. All for the love of Nepal! 

Next stop, another place i haven’t been to before. I hope everything pans out great because transportation seems to be a problem for me, or lack thereof.

Last time i went to Bhouda, i actually stayed overnight at Comfort Guesthouse so i can watch the stupa from dusk till dawn. It’s one of the highlights of my three month expedition to Nepal back in 2015. This time around, i may not have the same luxury of time but what i do have now is a much more calm mind and purposeful drive. You see, what’s particularly nice about Bhoudanath is that any religion is welcome here. And as a Christian “trying” to practice Buddhism, i feel a surge of energy, like Lord Buddha guiding me as his son. As i move clockwise around the stupa, and focusing on my intent as i say the mantra while spinning the wheels (which i discovered before to have actual scriptures written on it).

Buddhism is a very interesting religion because it’s very simple to follow. So simple that my favorite thing to say is that my religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. You don’t need to complicate things in order to be a good person. Whatever you do comes back to you ten-fold.

I went up the stairs that lead up to the Himalayan View Restaurant and started reading my book. All this while i was eye to eye with the Bhouda. It didn’t take long for my chicken fried rice to arrive, and me to finish it in less than 10 minutes. The staring contest was truly unforgettable. If you’re reading this, the views from this restaurant and the outdoor seating are the best. Price is very cheap considering you have premium seats. Go there.

I continued on walking clockwise while i was praying. This happened maybe 3 more times before my feet start to hurt. During my last interval, i went inside the corners of the stupa and found myself passing by Buddhist pilgrims praying. Without a doubt, sunset is the best time to visit Boudhanath. While everyone is rushing going here at noon as part of the UNESCO heritage sites tour, one misses this epic moment — when the energy from day to night is full on and the chants become louder, worshippers more tantric. It’s an out of this world experience. I have a 49 second video with me for keeps. Whenever i feel like my life is on a limbo, i’ll just watch it and keep calm. Then, i know how to move forward. 

I’ve been to many places outside Kathmandu but i haven’t been to Budhanilkantha. It seems this trip is all about visiting places i haven’t been to before. I read in my horoscope before to finally get out of my shell and start discovering new places again. I baby myself to go to the same places that are in my comfort zone. I didn’t plan it this way but i feel like ticking off the list of every Nepali tourist place there is. And thankfully, i’ve been blessed to have been to a lot of places. If you get to read this, feel free to browse through my travel notes section of Nepal. There’s a lot. And because i am simply staying in and around Kathmandu, i have plenty of time to soak in the senses and just relax in every place i go to.

This place reminds me so much of Dakshinkali, 22KM from Kathmandu, and it’s infamous Hindi God Kali sleeping in a reclining position in a water shed. As always, non-Hindu and non-Buddhists aren’t allowed to go inside and see Lord Mahavishnu, as they should be out of respect. People are taking off their shoes, worshipping and praying, coming out of the place blessed. I sat down in one of the benches trying to remember every butter candle, every lotus, the kids studying to be monks, and occasional besties chatting and taking photos. There was not a single tourist in sight in this place. I reckon everyone’s in Pokhara now.

I realized how it would really be nice to be able to speak actual Nepali and have a long conversation, and not the usual Jerik Gurung. If i really want to formalize the once a year visit to Nepal in January, then i have to widen my vocabulary. I get a couple of stares because i look like everyone else but i take photos like a tourist, and i sound so different. Also, i wasn’t able to go inside the sleeping Hindu God Mahavishnu water tank. Later on, i discovered that it’s actually the largest stone carving in Nepal at 5 meters.

I don’t know if there’s a ticket to get inside Budhanilkantha, but i wasn’t asked. Later on, even in Boudhanath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. This has always been status quo. And Nepal understands. I hope so.

The ride going there was bad as expected but what made it a whole lot worse is the fact that it has become more dusty times ten. With no air condition on, i still had to close the windows because the air has become too dusty. Pollution has become a lingering problem eversince i arrived. And yet, Bangkok has worse pollution. And i’m going there after Kathmandu.

I want to know what Nepal is doing to eradicate this huge of a problem. Pollution is really Nepal’s biggest problem. And 10 years have passed, and it has become worse. How about 10 years from now? In Sagarmatha, we trust. 

What a terrible waste of time, energy and Nepalese Rupees today is. I’ve been reading my Lonely Planet Nepal travel guide, and on the edge of Shivapuri National Park is the now popular Kopan Monastery. Looks interesting plus i haven’t been here. There are only a handful of tourist places now in the Kathmandu Valley that i haven’t visited, and Kopan is one of them. As part of my rented car from Budanalikantha, me and my driver Yogi Gautam mazed our way to Kopan. The ride was long and zig zag going up, snaking our way to one of the worst road condition i have ever experienced in my lifetime. It didn’t help that we’re riding a beat up, worn down White Tata Express. Terrible! As soon as i arrived at the gate, the security officer asked if i had a booking. Of course, not. What the hell?! Who books for a tourist spot ahead of time to take photos and visit the exterior of the place? This is a first. The driver talked to him, begging for us to just come in for a few minutes to take photos and maybe walk around for a bit. Mind you, the ride going there wasn’t short. And in its maze like path, you become dizzy. Sadly, he said no. And he left us - bored and nonchalant. Like nothing and without any consideration. I was shooed away from a Buddhist Monastery - the irony of it all. I think, this is the first time i experienced something like this in Nepal. Why the heck would Lonely Planet put Kopan Monastery in their guidebook and not put a reminder to book before going there. I get that maybe they’re quite strict with the visitors, but hey i don’t even have to go inside. I just need to make sure that i didn’t go all the way there for nothing. A photo or two wouldn’t hurt. I left the place, confused but as in my previous blog — reminder to always have a back up plan. Things don’t always go how we envisioned them to be. That is a way of life.

The driver must have felt my disappointment. But i wasn’t taking it too seriously - just calm and collected and ready to move on. In true Jerik fashion, i just kept quiet like i always do. Meanwhile, my driver kept on stopping by every temple he sees so i could take photos. It’s not his fault really but i can sense the Nepali pride in him. He would do his best to make up for the disappointing Kopan Monastery. This kind gesture is very much appreciated and one of the reasons why Nepali people are very close to my heart.

I just started reading a book called Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno and its 100 daily practices for Zen Buddhism. I am pretty sure this debacle is one of them.

I’ve arranged 2,000 Nepalese Rupees earlier via in Drive to take me to 3 places with waiting time im between — Budhanalikantha, Kopan Monastery & Boudhanath. I’ve researched the route and which place to go first. This is the best route possible one can take yet only to be disappointed with Kopan Monastery. 

On my way to Boudhanath, we stopped at this view point, one where no guidebook has ever written before, where one could see the whole Kathmandu City from a great vantage point. I took photos of the driver, and he took mine. In true Nepali fashion, mine wasn’t so good. I laughed it all out. Because today I realized - sometimes it’s not even the photos that matter. One can have the best photo with no meaning. I, on the other hand, had a not so good photo but with memories of failed Kopan Monastery. A selfie with Yogi Gautam would suffice. All is good in this 8 degrees weather as i type my experiences yesterday. 

On my first day here in Nepal, i took things slow. Walking around the same path as before was simply magical. You really have to be here to experience it. I am pertaining to the the lingering smell of incense, masala being cooked and just the musky afternoons  (minus the pollution) were all spectacular, and stellar to me.

I chanced upon this shop Root Nepal Handicraft and looked around for incense sticks. I have been big on it since late last year. I light up mornings and afternoon. And i fancy buying here in Nepal would be a good idea. It’s called a Zodiac Incense and it only costed me 300 rupees for 16 sticks that’ll burn for 45 minutes each. I actually didn’t bother to check if that’s the right price, because in itself it’s already a very cheap price. 

I also checked out other shops in the main shopping area until i got hungry. Initially, i was looking for fried rices but weirdly couldn’t find one. I checked the menu at this fancy place called Third Eye and ordered stuffed chicken breast with mashed potatoes and vegetables - it’s actually quite good although not very Nepali. The ambiance is also nice with a little fireplace in the courtyard to keep diners alfresco some warmth. The staff are pretty good to, and all weirded out by this Nepali looking dude who’s no Nepali. Ha ha I also ordered a small pot of masala tea which i drank to the last drop. Never a day, without a small pot or two. Because the tea is usually served without sugar, you fix your own. I’ve prepared for this before arriving and bought with me zero sugar stevia. 

And since i wanted more incense sticks, the walk lead me back to the same shop. This time, i bought Heart Chakra Incense for 150 rupees and an Ohm incense stick holder. 

There are so many more shops that i should check out but Kathmandu and the Thamel area dies down after dinner so i have to reschedule. Surprisingly for a polarizing city, Kathmandu is very solemn at night. I headed back to the room which is called a Queen Heritage Suite Room 107, and unpacked and nested. At 12MN, i was dozing off already. Here in Nepal, i sleep early and wake up early - the kind of habit i want to continue. 

Global Warming is for real!!! After two visits in Nepal in the past, during the same month, i reckon i already know the max and minimum temperature of Kathmandu but boy i was wrong. Back in 2014 and 2015, temperatures in Kathmandu have been consistently chilly from day to night, and gets really really cold at dawn. That’s it. I’ve memorized it already. 10 years later, temperatures now are as high as 18 to 20 degrees Celsius at noon, and now as i type this in my suite here in Jyatha, it’s already 11 and will get lower at 8 degrees later. The gap is so wide, i was so confused what to bring - a puffer or fleece.

Thankfully, i brought with me an extra warm heat tech and a fleece and now warming up in my bed. P.S. Accuweather has failed me again. It says warmer than actual temperature. Wrong! Wrong! It’s becoming brutally cold at night. 

What a day it has been. What a blessed day  it has been, to see the Himalayas and Sagarmatha from the window seat of the plane. Because i got the best seat in the house at 3F, this American mom asked if i could airdrop a couple of photos so she could show it to her sons who’re all eager to see Everest. A lot of people say go to Nepal during autumn. I say, winter really is so underrated and there’s not a lot of tourists.

Suddenly, my fear of flying was non existent. I skipped watching my second movie on my iPad mini because i was already too busy looking at the window. My focus was on the great majestic mountain ranges. Zeroed in on that. I’m literally flying over the roof of the world. What an experience! In the two previous ocassions that i flew to Kathmandu, i don’t remember having this view. It’s a very rewarding and touching feeling — another core memory. 

Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport, i noticed a lot of differences since i embarked 10 years ago. The security, for one, got well… stricter. I don’t remember having to submit to checking your cabin luggage before you pick up your checkin luggage. Does that make sense? Forgive me for it has been half a decade since i last made a blog entry. Anyway, this is after the immigration check. But for security or safety reasons, i have no objection. The Visa on Arrival payment line is so long considering almost all of foreigners will have to pay VOA.  So you can imagine the number of people falling in line. More payment counters, perhaps? 

The immigration is always long in any country (depending on the arrival time) so i have no comment on this one. 

The ATM, as expected, wasn’t working to get me some Nepalese Rupees. I’ll try to find a Nabil Bank (The Green One) ‘coz i used it the last time. Good thing i bought US Dollars with me. Because you always need to have a back up plan for everything — the cardinal rule of traveling. ATM’s aren’t always 100% functional. Fact. 

The hotel where i am staying at provided a free pick up service. I assume the driver has been waiting for more than an hour because it takes a really long time upon arrival until you finally leave the airport. 

The ride from the airport to the hotel was a breeze. I tried to open the windows halfway to get a sense and sight and the smell of the city i have missed the most. 15 minutes later, the driver asked me to close the window. Too much dust, he said. I agree. 

Oh, Kathmandu i have missed you so much. The ride took me to see new places before i got to Thamel — Hilton & Marriott, a new mall and a rave club. Sadly, the roads are still in very bad condition. Just like before. And you have to move constantly because there’s no lane for pedestrians. This means you walk where the car passes through. Even the road leading to my hotel, Swarga Heritage, was in an unbelievably horrible condition. I am still trying to figure out if indeed the hotel has a good location or not. Mind you, Swarga Heritage Hotel is #3 on TripAdvisor in the whole of Kathmandu. After re-familiarizing myself again around the Thamel area, i guess i can say it’s not so bad. Hotel’s location is actually in Jyatha - an up and coming district of Kathmandu where you are near Thamel but minus the hustle and bustle. I can’t wait to eat breakfast tomorrow so i can make a final review. Have a pot of masala tea and freshly cooked omelet. Oh and by the way, the hotel serves breakfast until 3PM — the only hotel to do so in the city.

It’s only barely 2 months since my last travel, yet it feels like a lifetime. I am so used to traveling every month that one missed month of travel and I feel like a newbie. The flight from Manila to Don Mueang was late for about an hour. Good thing my connecting flight doesn’t leave until the next day at noon. Don Mueang is an old airport, albeit it looks like I was transported back to the 80s. Everything looks older. The only positive thing is that the line towards the immigration is a lot shorter. In no time, I was ready to leave. But first, 7-11. So good to finally buy my usual favorites - Spinach & Cheese Sandwich & Green Tea Genmai. I hoard this drink and take it home with me back in Manila.

It’s only about 10 minutes to get to my airport hotel. I paid P162 Baht via Grab and arrived and checked in at Moji Hotel in a breeze. My stay doesn’t come with a breakfast. Good thing, I bought a Ham Sandwich & Banana for breakfast. I am such a light breakfast eater. That’s why it’s impractical for me to avail of a buffet breakfast in any hotel.

I booked my accommodation via Agoda. Now that I think about it, the room isn’t at par with what I paid for. There are visible signs of use, scratches on the floor, paint chipping, and bed sheets that looked like they’ve been used overtime. I don’t know if it’s the location, but there were mosquitoes in the room. Would I stay again at Moji? Probably not. After long years of travel, I’ve become more choosy with where I stay. Gone are the days of me staying in hostels and dodgy guesthouses. And room size has now become a top priority. My last draw was in Hanoi. Will share this story in another post. 

I woke up at around 7 a.m., and prepared myself my breakfast. I am not worried about leaving late because it only takes 10 minutes to get to Terminal 1, and I availed of an AirAsia Fast Pass. It enables me to have a separate check-in counter, ideally a priority over the immigration, etc. I just hope Cebu Pacific will have something like this in the future. I’ll purchase this again next time I fly AirAsia. And looking at the signboard - Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Siem Reap caught my eye. I’ve always wanted to fly there bound for Kashmir. Let’s see. I think I am ready to come back to India for the third time.

I am writing this blog on board my flight. In less than an hour, hopefully, the view of the Himalayas will appear on my window seat. I specifically purchased a seat 3F so I have a view of the mountains, if it’s not too cloudy. In the meantime, I am finishing the movie Solo Con Tu Parejas directed by Alfonso Cuarón, back in the day. Yesterday, I watched Yolo, a Chinese film, and it was great. I can’t believe the lead actress didn’t use any prosthetics. It took 3 years to film because the lead actress started as overweight, and after a diet and intense workout regimen which included boxing, she lost 50 kilos. Wow! So inspiring!

I’ll be more focused with my Muay Thai training once I get back to Manila. My main goal has never been to lose weight but to exercise my heart. It’s a bonus if I become thinner, though.