Ghalegaun- Kaulipani (Gaunsahar) Trip - 3rd Excursion - 2017 JAN 16-18

Ghalegau

About Ghale Gau.

Ghale Gaun is one of the best villages among South Asian villages and a perfect example of home-stay based tourism destination in Nepal, situated at an altitude of 2070 m from sea level belonging to warrior ethnic Gurung tribe. This beautiful village lies in along the round Annapurna circuit route, the world’s as well as Nepal's most popular trekking destination. Most of the men serve in military groups in Nepal army, Indian army, British army as well as police services. Besides this, the main occupation includes agriculture and animal husbandry. The total numbers of houses are about 115 and majority inhabitants are Gurungs. This majestic village is only 205 km northwest of Kathmandu and 125 km northeast of Pokhara.

The rustic and traditional settlements, the ancestral home of brave Gurungs: Ghale gaun, lies in the Ghale UtterKanya Village Development Committee. The road lanes are stone paved and clean. One can feel peace and harmony when one will be there. Now-a-days, everyone is praising the place. Similarly, during these few years, Ghalegaun has developed tremendously along with the home stay. It has attracted many foreign as well as the domestic visitors. Women here, normally wear blue and red attires, called Ghalek and Lungi whereas men were Kachaad, Bakchu etc.

Motive: Educational tour of Annapurna E.B.School.

Tour coordinator: BHTTC.

Date of Trip: 2017 Jan 16-18

Personal Trip Dairy

This was my third trip of the year. I have collected my memories and experiences, below here.

Day 1 2017 Jan 16.

As before, I woke up early in the morning in order to reach Suryabinayak for the bus but I got the information that bus was coming from Banepa, so I felt it was better to wait at Jagati. I had to wait for 25minutes and so, I had a cup of tea while reading newspaper. I got miss call from Kumar dai, so I went to bus stop to catch up the bus. Then, we straight headed to Chundevi to pick up Raaga sir, and after that, we moved to Sallaghari bus permit clearance. I was not feeling excited because something was playing in my mind. I was staying alone until we reached Annapurna School to pick up the students. Everyone was ready for moving on. While waiting for some students, the school principal and chairman sir along with Raaga sir were discussing about the school establishment and experiences. I was so interested to listen the incidents that occurred in 2046 and about the civil war. I wished to hear more but then, we had to move on to Kalanki. In order to avoid the traffic jam, we chose the alternative way to save our time. Due to limited number of students, we soon completed our breakfast and moved on to target Benighat for lunch. But after crossing Thankot, we observed there was road jam, hence, we began to discuss about our recent trip road jam while returning Bhaktapur. We stuck in the jam for 30minutes. So, to utilize the free time, students wished to view a movie. Kumar dai played the movie ‘Chaaka Panja’. Raaga sir began to act some scenes of the movie which was making us entertaining. We reached hotel Blue garden at 12 pm and like before, there was no crowd of guests. Without wasting time, we had our lunch. While we were having lunch, I found that sir was feeling like before and so, I suggested him to have lemon and salt. I moved forward to gather students, when I found Prajwal was drawing mermaid in the sand, which made my memories refresh. When I was at class 11, for the first I came to this hotel and like him, I had also drawn the pictures in the river bank. Prajwal and Bipin were so excited to hear about my experiences and I added that I would be sharing my experiences and we would be enjoying more in Ghale gaun and Gaushar. 
                                                      We approached the bus and I was assured that sir was more active than before because I had shared hajmola of my previous trip, given by Tulsi sir and ms.Anu. We were recalling our memories when we had trekked Ghale gaun 4 years before. Students were enjoying the remaining half part of movie and sir was still continuing his acting of the dialogues of movie. Kumar dai sped up the bus. I was remembering and sharing our Ghalegaun memories. I was comparing my position 4years before with current one because this time my position was completely different. Students were enjoying the view of beautiful nature and when they saw Marshyangdi river flowing, they got more excited for the remaining trip. We reached Besisahar at 2pm where Dawa dai was waiting for us to march to Ghale gaun. 
Students were so surprised to meet him and wished to take a photo. Then, he told us that the way was farther and thus, we needed to move quickly before 5 pm. I was at the last seat where I started to interact with the student Prajwal, who was very excited to be with me, I could tell. They shared their junk foods with me and I shared my experiences. After driving for hours, we took a break time on the way.

Pemba stunned me, because he reminded me of my classmate Shankar, who also used to do the same act whenever we took a break. Everyone was feeling so excited but I was warning them that the way was very dangerous and we had to trek up hills and up hills continuously. After break time, I saw Dawa sir praying for good luck. Watching that, I began to worry and started to think if driver dai was scared, then what would be our conditions. I left my seat to approach chairman sir along with Raaga sir, and then, we sat over the floor to discuss for tomorrow’s plan. Students were scared viewing the up hills and down hills. At Ramasigh, our bus got stuck and it took minutes to clear up the problem. However, as predicted we reached Ghalegaun at 5 pm. I was astonished to find that Ghale gau had changed. I was just waiting to view the whole Ghalegaun sites wanting to compare it 4 years before and after it. Raaga sir registered everyone and allocated them their respective homestay. On the other hand, we moved to Krishna Maya aama homestay, where she welcomed us by serving local organic tea. Then, few hours later, we had our dinner, when I felt surprised to know that Bivutu did not know how to have dinner with hand. He tried to copy me but I could tell that he was feeling difficult to do so. He asked for a spoon then. We enjoyed the dinner and after that, principal sir and chairman sir began to share their experiences. I was so interested to hear their experiences.

               After discussing for hours, at 10 pm everyone moved to their room for rest.

Day 2 2017 Jan 17.

@Ghalegau viewpoint

This is our second day of our trip. Early in the morning, everyone woke up in order to move to the viewpoint to watch sunrise. We were on time, due to which, we got the chance to have a clear view of sunrise. Everybody was enjoying the natural scenery whereas I along with Raaga sir, sat in a chair to discuss about the upcoming plans. I was feeling very different because when I was at Ghalegaun for the first time, I couldn’t view the scenery like this and it was raining as well at that time. Raaga sir took the first ever group pic, and we spent 30 minutes. Everyone was just snapping pics and at departing time, for captivating memories, I requested Prajwal to click my pictures.

@Ghalegau viewpoint

Then, we moved to Uttarkanya temple but before that, we crossed a school and reached a football ground for which we had to pass through slippery hills. I skated over the slippery area and Prajwal and Bipin tried to copy me but they slipped. After crossing, Uttarkanya temple, we moved to local tea farming where we spent 15 minutes. Snapping pictures was still on, and then later, we informed them to have breakfast at respective home stay, after that got ready to move. We had our breakfast at 8 am, soon later we marched to check out. There Dawa dai, and Raaga sir were discussing, because Dawa dai wished to travel with load, not an empty bus. He was describing that it was difficult to drive in rough road with empty bus. Everyone got ready to travel by bus but some of the mam, had already moved front through the trek trails. So, principal sir phoned one of the mam to wait at the main road. After driving for minutes, we picked up the remaining teachers. Then, at 11am we reached Rapasingh where we had our lunch . I was recalling my memories because home stay had tremendously changed but aama over there, havenot. We spent hours and aama farewelled us by tika and garlands. Everyone was so happy to have such a farewell, we took our pictures and had some rest for few minutes.

@Rapasingh.

After that, we decided to move forward for Gausahar. I was walking by sharing my experiences and at one point, we just got dispersed. I was moving with Bipin Bikash Prajwol Aman Sijan Sidhartha Dikpal Pemba Piyush Aakriti Krtitishma  Samana Sahin Sneha Itisha etc .We walked for hours to reach Chihandanda. Incidentally, we decided to approach in a group and as per my command, students were walking. They were very excited to hear my Ghalegaun experiences. 
Walking for hours, they were exhausted and thirsty too. I told them to have patience because I knew that a local tap was nearby us. We rested for 15 minutes at a local school premise when Raaga sir informed me to stop. We waited for rest of the teachers and students, and after gathering, we moved forward for Gausahar.  
                                 Walking for hours, Siddhartha waited to have some rest. I was describing about my Ghalegaun trip to Aman .We reached Gausahar at 4 pm and I was surprised because I had told Aman that there would be a welcome gate, consequently he asked me about the gate. I showed him the gate. There was a drastic change comparing four years ago and there was not a hall before and a way to Kaulipani temple was under renovation. In the hall, everyone got busy in their cell phone and I decided to visit home stay, where I rested before 4 years ago. Aama was so surprised to meet me and we interacted for few minutes. Waiting for hours, everyone was feeling bored, so Raaga sir told me to take them to Kaulipani temple. Interested joined me and we headed for temple. After reaching there, Siddhartha got excited seeing a fish over the pool. Bipin and Siddhartha tried to catch the fish up and I warned them not to do so. We stayed there for about1o minutes and moved back to the hall. Gathering everyone, we moved to Lamjung Durbar where I interacted with new faces, and after returning, most of the boys went for playing football. They did not leave the ground unless they scored a goal. We waited for Dev sir, who was going to host the welcoming. He requested us to move back to then welcome gate for welcome ceremony. We were welcomed by Pancha kanyas (5 girls). After awhile, we moved to welcoming hall where Dev sir welcomed and called out our name in the dash line. Clapping and hooting began, with louder pitch. Dev sir called out my name to be in dash line. That was my unforgettable part of this trip; I felt so happy to know that in four years, my position had changed. In 2012, I had visited Guasahar as a student, and now as excursionist. I had never thought that one day I would be staying along with teachers. I was recalling my 4 years’ old trip memories and keeping a smile in my face.

2012@gausahar

  Later, Dev sir began to describe about Gausahar Home stay Tourism and its achievements. Gausahar has been award as the best home stay of Nepal in 2014 and has been listed in top ten villages for tourism home stay, on the occasion of “Ghumfirbarsa2073”.While he was briefing; aama was welcoming by putting garland and tikas. Everyone was offered local organic tea, sell roti, corns etc. while we were offered with cold tea knowing that we were fan of it. After welcome session, we moved to hall where Gurung performances and dohari was going to be held. Students took me to make me dance (funny moments….. ahahhahaha). I began to dance and everyone laughed and joined me to dance. Then, dohari began and Bipin informed that he was feeling scared. Dohari started with fun and Sahin joined to help. It was very entertaining and lastly Dev sir ended the dohari program. He requested everyone to move to their respective home stays. While I was moving to Dev sir home stay, I told him about my visit 4years ago and described about the progress and achievements in Gausahar. We conversed for few minutes, and then we had our dinner. Later, I was offered with cold tea but it was getting over me because I had a heavy dinner. Chairman sir was so happy with our guru-chela relation (Raaga sir and mine), and he just adored our discussion styles.

After dinner, we conversed with Dev sir for few minutes and then decided to move to our respective room for rest.

Day 3 2016 Dec 16.
This was our last day of the trip. Wowwwww, a very superb morning, I woke up early to view the mountains in the morning time. Before that, I helped the home stay aama to prepare sell rotis. I congratulated her for, she became a grandmother. I shared my first visit talk and she was surprised that I had been in Gaushar before too. At 7 am, sunrise was making the mountains shine, which made us lighten up and chairman sir shared his memories. I was very curious to listen to their experiences. We had a very heavy breakfast, then later on, with Raaga sir we went to home stay premises, where rest of the people, were getting their bags packed. We began to discuss about the water fountain. Sir told me to open the fountain and I did so. Suddenly, then fountain burst and water soaked me. It was a very funny moment, being watched by our chairman sir who told that the discussion has begun again, (hahahhha) everyone laughed. After getting ready, we moved to hall, where students were waiting for us along with the organizers to farewell us. They offered us garland, tikas, locket and curd etc.

At farewell gate, they sang a farewell song and offered us sell rotis, and cold tea. Raaga sir offered me cold tea in a traditional style and looking at me, students wished to have the same. Just like me, he offered them too. I took a can of cold tea for Kumar dai, who was waiting for us at Sera. We moved downward where we dispersed slowly. I was walking with Aman, who used to control rest of his friends. Walking for hours, I got called from sir informing that sir had arrived at the bus stop. 
Consequently, after 45 minutes of his call, we reached the bus stop too. Kumar dai was so happy to meet us and I told him about the can. He was so pleased to have it. After that, I went to Bheri hospital to pick up rest of the teachers and students. Gathering everyone, we began our travelling and driving for hours, we reached Abu Khaireni at 2pm, where we had our lunch. I found that everyone loved the lunch. After completion of lunch, we directly moved for Kathmandu. For few minutes, I sat in front seat and knowing students were feeling asleep, I approached the last seat where I communicated with the rest of the students. Interacting for hours, everyone started to feel asleep. Hence, I moved to the front to hang out with sir. Seating in front seat, and listening to South Indian songs, was my best part of the trip. Everybody was stunned to listen up the telegu and tamil songs. Kumar dai was questioning me about the songs and I replied him that although, those songs are not understandable, they were heart touching (hahahhahhaa). I was playing my favorite songs, which was making my travel enjoyful, but rest of the students wished to change the music, and so, I played the music according to their desire. We reached Thankot at 5 pm but trapped in the jam at Kalanki, was making us late. At 7 pm, we reached Annapurna school and we dropped remaining stundents at pepsicola and thimi. Then we straight moved to Jagati . I was feeling so fresh because I was listening to my favorite south songs and  before that for the first time, I had visited Duwakot. Soon, we departed from there and we dropped Raaga sir at Chundevi .Then our fun began because Kumar dai was asking meaning about the songs. Me and driver brothers were just laughing and laughing until my last departure.  At Jagati, I left them and they moved on to Banepa.  I was enjoying the 600m walk listening to my favorites song pooolane/pookale/tu chale…(Denakri_ka_dhanita_dha.Denakri_ka_dhanita_dha naaa).

         

       Overall, I enjoyed the trip a lot sharing my previous trip. I hope that students and teachers were also satisfied with this trip.

          

Masters Sikles (Che-leh) Trip - 1st Excursion - 2016 DEC 14-17

About Sikles

Sikles, a nature boomed place, lies at an altitude of about 2000m above sea level. It is one of the largest Gurung villages in Nepal housing about 700 households with about approx 2500 residents. It lies in north-east of Kaski district beneath Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II, the eastern border of Namarjung VDC, south of Sildujure VDC, and west of Sardikhola VDC. The locals call their village ‘Chili’, a derivate of the Gurung word ‘Che-Leh’. which means ‘flat pasture’. The Gurungs, who were primarily agro-pastoralists, who settled here, must have chosen the area as relatively flat. Sikles is popular for its well maintained ritualistic flair of traditional Gurung village. Village lanes are narrow and flanked by stone and mud houses traditionally grouped in a ribbon pattern. In the past, houses were roofed by pine planks, which are now slowly being replaced by slate stone and more recently by corrugated iron sheets. Most houses are two-storied with the upper floor mainly used as a granary and the ground floor left for kitchen and family living. Additional small houses called Tharpa are used for sleeping and downstairs for cattle. This village has its own micro-hydro plant of 100kw since 1995.

Sikles consists of 5 neighborhoods i.e. Sarva, Kongi, Harpu Lama, Dharpang, and Gairi Thar. Sarva Thar decides the dates to initiate different matters including the beginning of agriculture, different villages leveled rituals and a seasonal rotation of cattle.

Motive: Educational tour for RD faculty, Master level of BMC.

Tour coordinator: Bhaktapur Hospitality & Tourism Training Center.

Trip: 2016 Dec 14-17

Members

Subash, Sanjay, Sabin, Salik, Bikash, Rohan, Dhurba, Susila, Nila, Binita, Sangit, Roji

Personal Trip Dairy

This was my first trip which I was going to escort for the first time ever. Here, my trip experience goes like this.

Day 1 2016 Dec 14.

I woke early in the morning in order to reach BMC premise for gathering from where we were going to begin our trip. I was in a dilemma when I found only 20 students were going to attend the trip. So, I consulted with Pravakar sir and Risave sir for the trip. As per their discussions, we concluded to begin our trip with 12 students. We had our breakfast soon and at 8 am, we moved for Pokhara. I was concerned about handling the overall trip. The master levelled students who were senior to me, were very excited for the trip. We received Dhurba dai from Balkumari and fun in the bus began with his songs and jokes. We had our lunch at Blue Heaven discussing about the trip.

@hotel blueheaven

Before leaving this place, we snapped some group photos and then, we travelled non-stop until we reached Begnas lake. Before that we picked up Sabin dai from Dumre and RJ,(code name for Sanjay dai), was very happy to meet him because the reason, which I knew later, was that they were best friends. At Begnas lake, we spent 15 mins and then straightly destined to hotel Jharana. Laxman sir, the owner of hotel Jharana welcomed us. Laxman sir allocated roomed for us. The students were chilling themselves with joys and humors. We went to have our dinner where meanwhile I was shocked from the size of dinner plate which was larger than from our normal plate’s size. Maila dai came to our place where we were chilling. He described our Sikles trip in brief and after that he left. The guys were being crazy with their hands wide opened and tried flying in the air like a bird, (which I named c2h5oh trip walk ). In order to make them refreshed, one of the female student, Sushila didi, to whom, I talked after 12 years and was surprised seeing me at BMC premises before, (hahahaha ), decided to visit lake side but I objected because it was a 3.5km distant walk from dam side. Everyone was eager to walk; so forcibly, I had to join them. I was just worried for them because they were joking and dancing in the middle of the road and whenever cops  arrived, I had to repeatedly warn them to act normally. After reaching lakeside, everyone got tired because they failed to notice that they had been walking for about an hour. Checking time, we decided to move to hotel. They were getting annoyed because of walking only and at 11:30 we reached the hotel. Everyone entered their respective room, and I too got in my room for rest.

Day 2 2016 Dec 15.

This is our second day of the trip, and everyone woke up early in the morning in order to move to lake side for boating and visiting Taal Barahi temple. We booked two boats and headed for the temple. Everyone was enjoying the boating and after spending 30min in lakeside, we headed for Bindabasini temple. We spent only 10 min because we were in a rush to reach the hotel for our breakfast. After having breakfast, the students got ready for a check out. At 9:30 am, we moved for Sikles. We travelled for an hour by bus, and reached the hydro power at 11am. Maila dai informed us to be ready for hiking, and we walked along the bank of Madi river for hours until we reached Sondha, where we had our lunch. I was feeling that the guys were getting exhausted; so, I asked Maila dai how far Sikles was. He answered it would take 2 hours for local people; which meant that; for us, it would be more than two hours. The guys moved forward whereas I was walking at last enjoying the nature; listening to my favorite songs. Walking for minutes, we reached the suspension bridge. We were enjoying the walk, in suspension bridge and after crossing it, there I saw up hills, which we had to cross in order to reach Sikles. Moving uphills for hours, I found everyone was getting tired; so, we took rest below a shade where Prajapati sir began to sing a song and Anju mam joined him by dancing.

We had rest for 15mins and walked until we reached at a temple lying on the way. We were so closed to our destination, so everyone was moving continuously. But I was in a pressure whether we would get enough room or not. Thinking about the room, I forgot about everyone and just walked until I reached at the place where everyone was resting. I asked Maila dai where our hotel was and he replied: there it was pointing me the hotel. Wowww….the surrounding was so amazing and spectacular that we felt relaxed and calm from bottom of our heart. Maila dai informed me that room had already been allocated. I felt so relieved from my pressure. Relaxing for hours, we had our dinner at 8pm. Everyone was so glad to have such a perfect, delicious dinner. While I was having my dinner, I got an information that one of our sister was not feeling good. Hurriedly, I approached her and asked about her problem and then, I came to know that because of walking for hours in the sun, she got severe headache. Consequently, I told her to attend the camp fire so as to get relief by diverting mind. At the camp fire, the guys were dancing in their own way which made me laugh until the camp fire was over. Not again… like yesterday, ‘c2h5oh trip’ of four of the guys started sing with louder voices. I requested them to enjoy in a low volume. RJ dai asked for two minutes of our time to share his speech. After that, we moved to our respective rooms but RJ dai was asking for two more minutes for his speech. Looking his action, Rohan dai, Salik dai and Sabin dai along with me; we starred at each other’s face and started laughing because RJ dai was repeating same speech for many times. I was informed that rest of guests were getting disturbed. So, I requested him to conclude his speech. I felt relieved after stopping the noise but not again… Salik dai and Sabin/ RJ dai were wishing goodnight to each other and everyone too. I told Salik dai its good morning, not goodnight and realizing the time, wishing act ended. Due to this, I think everyone got peaceful environment for sound sleep.

Day 3 2016 Dec 16.

Wowww….it was a very nice morning; I could tell. I woke up early to view the morning scenary. It was such a heart pleasing moment that my tiredness washed away. Sushila didi was already prepared for sightseeing; when I had to inform our yesterday’s late night perfomers to get ready to go for sightseeing. We walked for hours to reach the view point where Maila dai briefed us about the place and after briefing was done, everyone got busy with taking pictures. We spent 30min and moved back to the tower for viewing the entire Sikles villages. After that, we moved back to hotel where we had heavy breakfast. While I was having breakfast, I got to know that 4 of the students had not returned yet. So, I went on to get them but I could not find them. Later on, I knew that they were in local houses for data collection for their survey report. Before moving ahead, Sushila didi wished to wear a typical Gurung costumes. They were excited to click pictures. After completion of photo session, we moved to ‘Eco Museum’, where we viewed the Gurung cultures, traditions, costumes, musical instruments and flora/fauna present in Sikles. We continuously walked for hours in order to reach Sondha where we had our lunch. I communicated with everyone that it would take hours to reach bus stop and then, we would lead to Bandipur. Crossing Madi river and walking along its bank, we reached Sabi at 4 pm, where our bus was waiting for us. I requested Nila dd to snapped my pictures  while waiting remaining members,

Durga dai, our driver was very happy to see us after 24hrs. Eventually, I told him to move on for Bandipur. He asked me about the trek and I told him that Sikles was very beautiful and peaceful. Due to injury, I stayed beside driver dai so that I could have by some rest. Before we arrived at Bandipur, we had tea on the way where everyone was just chilling and enjoying themselves. But I was feeling extreme pain in my knee due to which I could not join them in their fun. Travelling for hours, we finally reached Bandipur at 7pm and I informed Risav sir that everything was under control. I faced a small problem during allocation of room whereas the students went to have dinner. I was resting in my room and suddenly, I heard loud laughs from the dinner room; I did not know what actually the matter was. I went to have dinner where 4 of the female students were waiting for us. I asked about the reason behind the loud sharp laughs but they told that something funny happened to Subash dai. After dinner, I joined master students where all of them were conversing about the whole trip. I asked the sisters/ female students about the room and they replied everything was fine; but I felt they were not fine because I knew their discussions about the hotel structure. I asked Subash dai about the dinner incident and he just began to laugh and told me that was a funny moment. After checking the overall situation, everything seemed under control and so, I headed for my room to sleep.

Day 4 2016 Dec 17.

This was our last day. I woke up earlier and I found that no one has waken. So, I decided to get my bag packed. At 6:30am, everyone got ready in order to reach the view point; which was our last hike of the trip. We had our tea and began our hiking to the view point. I recognized some known and unknown faces. As I walked few meters, there, I saw one of my teacher from my college. He was just shocked to see me. I described him everything and I moved on to the view point with Durga dai. At the top, everyone was enjoying the scenery and capturing the moments.

Spending 30 min, I informed everyone to move back. At 9am, we departed from Bandipur. On the way, everyone was feeling sad to bid farewell to Sabin dai at Dumre. Before leaving, he offered us breakfast. He was so supportive and faithful towards his duty and friends. Among us, RJ dai was the most hurt one, who had to say goodbye to his best friend (25^th years old friendship). I informed the remaining guys that we would have our final lunch at Blue Heaven and so, we had it at 12pm.We took 15mins break after lunch and continuously travelled until we reached Naubise. During the travel, Prajapati sir, Subash dai, Dhruba dai were dancing with joy. I was enjoying their crazy dances. While we had a short break time, I got information from Risav sir that Nagdhunga is having traffic jam and I hurriedly informed Durga dai. He suggested us to move on and so, I requested everyone to get in the bus. At Nagdhunga, we found that number of vehicles were lower than previous day’s, so we moved on relaxing but on the way of Thankot, Durga dai just shocked us by driving in a way as if we going to face an accident. I was feeling fear inside but seeing rest of the people horrible faces, I could not suppress my laugh. Durga dai, unknowingly, asked me what happened but I already knew the reason, and so, I told him that everyone was just scared. We reached Kalanki very soon, and there, we bid farewell to Rohan dai. Then, at Balkumari, we dropped our principal Dhurba dai, and at Koteswor, we fare welled Anju mam. Farewell was still going on. We bid farewell to Binita didi and Subash dai at Thimi. The bus was getting empty as one after one left us. We went to Shanti oil pump for final fueling. Risav sir was waiting at oil pump where we fare welled Pravakar sir and moved to BMC for bidding final farewell to rest of us.

               Overall, I found this trip very interesting and full of fun because every member was so supportive to me and I felt they were sincere towards their friendship as well. I wish for their prosperous future.

                    

                                         Look To This Day 

                                        For it is Life, the very Life of Life. 

                                        In Its brief course lie all the Verities and Realities of your existence; 

                                                     The Bliss of Growth; 

                                                     The Glory of Action; 

                                                     The Splendor of Beauty; 

                                                              For Yesterday is but a Dream, 

                                                              And tomorrow is only a Vision: 

                                                               But Today well lived makes every 

                                                       Yesterday a Dream of Happiness, and 

                                                       Every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope. 

                                                       Look well, therefore, to This Day! :):)

Ghandruk BBA Trip - 2nd excursion - 2017 JAN 9 -12

About Ghandruk
Trekking grade: easy
Max altitude: 2000m
Best season: Sept to June, trekable all through the year
This is the most scenic and popular trek that can be done from Pokhara- Ghandruk. It is one of the famous rural homestay trip in Nepal. This trek is an easy and short trekking in Annapurna region. The trek takes you to a homely peaceful environment and give immense relief from your hustling city life. It is also very enjoyable and nice for children as families can trek & tour in the mountain region. Popular destination for cultural, and geographical diversity along with spectacular views of mountains and stone roofed houses. Ghandruk is a small village also known as ‘Stone Village’ or called as ‘Konda Village’ in the local language.Trekkers can have a heart touching view of various high mountains such as Annapurna South 7219m, HimChuli 6441m, Annapurna III 7555m, Gandarba Chuli 6248m, Machhapuchre 6993m, Annapurna IV 7525m, Annapurna II 7937m and more peaks.


Motive: Educational tour for BBA faculty, 2nd Batch of BMC
Tour co-ordinator : Bhaktapur Hospitality & Tourism Training Center
Date of Trip : 2017 Jan 09-12
Members: BBA students and teachers.
Personal Trip Dairy

This journey is marked as my second trip of 2073 and this time I escorted bachelors level students of BMC. My trip experience is shared here.

Day 1 2017 Jan 09
I woke early in the morning in order to reach RBB at Suryabinayak for gathering with the college students, from where we were going to begin our trip. I felt so happy that out of 60 students,5 students were well known to me. After gathering we headed towards our journey. I was in section A’s bus and before interacting with students I communicated with the teachers. Due to seat imbalance, one of the students wished to sit in the front seat, so I moved to last seat of the bus where I interacted with some of them and I soon found that everyone was entertaining and cooperative. We had our breakfast at Kalanki, where due to lack of enough space, most of the students had to wait for their turns. It took 1hour for the completion of breakfast. After that we moved on for Pokhara. On the way we had our lunch at Blue Heaven Restaurant. Everyone enjoyed their lunch and it took approx 1.30 min. I was wishing that after lunch, students would enjoy in the bus, that’s why I asked Amrit to begin dancing. He stood in the middle of the bus and started to dance. Ritu joined him along with Rojina and Jyoti. I was enjoying their dances and craziness along while I interacted with rest of the students. Dancing for hours made everyone exhausted and so all of us remained silent until we reached Davis Falls. My memories from school trip to Pokhara returned and comparisons with this trip triggered in my head. Then, we moved to Gupteshor and soon forward for the hotel in dam side of Pokhara and due to my interesting trek experiences, the BBA students asked to share my trip and I began sharing my previous trips and experiences in trekking until we reached hotel. Everyone was wishing for cycling in Pokhara but because there was lack of time, I told them to do cycling at 3rd day of trip. Students had some free time, so in order to kill the time, they wished to visit the lakeside, which was 3.5km far from hotel. I joined them in order to meet my school friends. When we reached there, some of the students were enjoying themselves. Crossing lake side, I was walking along with Rojina, Anu, Renu, Nabina, Sanu and Sushmita. I told them to carry on the walk and I became hypered because I was unable to meet my friends. I messaged them that I had reached my hotel. On the way, I met Tulsi sir and reported him that two of the students were missing. After reporting, I moved to hotel and joined Risav sir for the arrangements of dinner. At 9 pm, dinner was over and I got a call from my friend that they were on the way. Hurriedly, I ran to meet them after informing Risav sir. They were angry with me because they had been walking for hours and were even unable to find me.
On the way, I heard my code name and there they were waiting for me.When I met them they poured their anger on me but after describing them about the situation, they calmed down.After talking for about 10 mintues, I went out of there and reached hotel on time. The teachers were discussing for tomorrow’s plan and after drawing conclusion, every one of us headed to our respective room for rest.








Day 2 2017 Jan 10.

This is my second day of the trip. Early in the morning, everyone woke up in order to reach Sarangkot for viewing the sun rise. We moved on from our hotel at an early morning but on the way, one of the bus got stuck due to lacking of diesel. Our bus provided them the diesel in order to carry on the journey. I was phoned by Risav sir to lead the students. After the buses stopped, we started walking but I got confused while counting the students because a lot of students were there from other colleges and schools too. I hurriedly moved to the viewpoint of Sarangkot in order to count the students for paying entrance fee. I found that everyone was not at the viewpoint, so I asked one of them where were the rest of the friends and I got answered that they were at the bottom due to tiredness. Only 30 students were at view point and so I cleared the entrance fee. Then after we moved to Bindebasini temple, where BMC BBA took their first group photo and soon after; it was printed for souvenir.


Spending 20 minutes, we moved for hotel where our breakfast was waiting for us. After breakfast, everyone was informed that we would be heading for boating after which we would be moving for Ghandruk. Everyone was excited for boating but I was wishing for paragliding because while boating, everyone was watching in the sky where other people were enjoying paragliding. We spent 30minutes in Taal Barahi; then after we moved for hotel in order to have our lunch. We left the hotel at 1 pm and while we were riding, I along with Risav sir, were seated in the last seat of the bus. He said to me,” today is my birthday” but I took it as a joke but then, he was serious and in the moment, he got a call from home wishing him happy birthday. As a celebration, we had hajmola candy party till we reached Ghandruk. I think we had more than 10 candies during the ride. He was informing me about the trek route as well as I was sharing my ABC trek experiences. On the way, one of our bus which was driven by Kumar dai got stuck on the road, and because of that our driver dai braked the bus. Suddenly, everyone was pushed at the front at once. Everyone got shocked saying what was the matter. However, to maintain their enjoyment I told them that it was a break time. Ahahahah... listening to my command, Amrit hurriedly got out of the bus to feel the nature and be relaxed. Everyone went out to get refreshed; but in reality, due to short height of the bus, it was stuck. But after few minutes, our travelling began and ended at Kimche from where our trek to Ghandruk resumed.We walked for 45 minutes to reach the Sherpa hotel at Ghandruk. Before us, Risav was already there and he was busy to manage the rooms for us. He told me to help the students to show their allocated rooms. After allocation of rooms, everyone was wishing for conducting campfire but the weather was in raining mood. At 9 pm, we had our dinner and at 10pm we continued our campfire.
Students were enjoying the camp fire; while I was with the teachers for discussing about the day after plans. After the completion of discussion, I moved to hang out with students. But before that I went to RRAN's hotel, in order to inform them about the campfire. Then there, I found that the remaining girls Pramila, Rasmila, Saraswoti and Razee who were missing, but after searching, I found them. They were enjoying themselves at Shakti hotel with their other remaining pals. In the campfire premises, I found two groups were enjoying in their own way: section A was singing, playing guitar and madal, whereas section B was dancing in the hall room. Firstly, I entered the hall in order to end the dancing and after that, I walked towards the campfire zone where everyone gathered to enjoy the campfire. After completion of campfire, everyone went to their respective hotels for sleep. Along with students and teachers,moved to respective camp for rest.



Day 3 2017 Jan 11.


                                               Ghandruk

Like before, I woke up early but due to darkness, I was staying in my bed. But again, due to noise of students, along with sir, we hurriedly got ready to march towards the view point. We walked for few minutes and at the view point, Laudri sir, the Sociology teacher of BMC, shared about the report which was needed to be prepared by the students. His briefing was so interesting to me because he was describing about Ghandruk and its natural diversity. While he was briefing, Sapna mam, and I were snapping our pics. After the briefing was done, we returned to the hotel. On the way, some of the students wished to dress up in traditional Gurung uniforms , which could have been one of best part of the trip for them.


While moving, I informed students to have breakfast in their respective hotels and after that, gather at hotel Sherpa for final departure. At 9 am, we marched for Kimche by walking. Everyone was enjoying their walk whereas I was busy counting the students. When we arrived at Kimche, our bus was waiting for us. We got into the bus and then I found that everyone was having fun and after travelling for hours, we reached Birethanti where we had our lunch. Queue for lunch was very long. So, I used the free time reading map of ABC where section B boys joined me. They asked about the ABC trek and I shared my experience with them. They were so motivated to trek ABC while hearing my experience. We went on for lunch where I found that some of the students were having additional curry and rice which made me think that the lunch was good. After having lunch, all of us were interested to visit the waterfall, which was at a short distant from our lunch place. We walked for about 10 minutes and on the way Mausomi mam said, "Age doesn't matter, just live the moments", which greatly touched my heart. And finally when we reached the waterfall, it was so mesmerizing that we could not prevent ourselves from taking few shots. In the waterfall, everyone was chilling. In order to chill myself, I sat on the stone, Bimala mam suddenly warned me not to move; I was stunned for a moment and then I realized that she quickly took her mobile phone to snap my pictures.

She said she liked my natural pose. Hahahahhaa ....with surprise, I told her that I was chilling by myself and she wished me to always stay happy like this. After that, it was my turn to take some of her pictures, like she took mine. Everyone was feeling so refreshed from this waterfall. Risav sir clicked some pictures of me with Rojina, Nabina and Anu, while we were posing in our own funny ways. Spending 45 minutes altogether in Birethanti, we moved for Pokhara and at 2 pm, we reached the Bat cave (Chamero Gufa), where interested students went inside the cave. This moment was one of the funny moments for me because; in order to escape from the cave through a small hole, I was helping Risav sir and whenever students were struggling to get out of the cave or managed to escape from the hole, the outsiders or some of the other students, would just hoot and cheer them, which just made me laugh. After completion, we continued our visiting to Shanti/ Peace Stupa but before that, Risav sir and I, discussed not to go there because we won’t have enough time to be visiting the place. As our prediction, only sec B got the chance to visit the stupa while section A could not because the visiting time at stupa was over. Section A was not happy and their faces expressed great disappointments. I tried to console them but they were just in an angry mood. We reached the hotel and everyone wished for cycling. So, Rishav sir allowed them to enjoy on their own. I was at hotel, reading newspaper where Sabina joined me. We conversed for few minutes and after a while, Nabina and Renu joined me. Renu told me she was very angry with some one else but she was also laughing. I was just confused whether she was really in anger mood or she was joking. We conversed for half an hour when I got to know that dinner was ready. I told them to have the dinner and go back to their respective room for rest after finishing dinner. At 10 pm, we took our dinner and talked about our today’s experience and also discussed tomorrow’s plan. We discussed for about 2 hours and at 12 am, we moved out to our respective room for rest.
I found that today’s trip was more interesting than yesterday’s because everyone was enjoying in group, which I was wishing from the first day of the trip.



Day 4 2017 Dec 12.


begnas taal

This was our last day. I woke up earlier and I found that no one has waken. So, I moved to my room for getting my bag packed. We had our breakfast at 7 am and after completion, we straight headed to Begnas Taal where we spent nearly 30 minutes. We took some group pics here but before that, I snapped a few pics with Pramila, and Rasmila and captioned them as ‘Gainju brosis’
.

While moving back to bus, I interacted with Renu who told me that she was not feeling well. So, in order to brainwash her, jokingly I shared my experience of nausea but then, she got angry and started chasing me to hit me. I ran toward Tulsi sir but she suddenly stopped and ran back to opposite direction. After that, we travelled until we reached Bandipur. On the way, I bought sweets for everyone. Sabina was asking me what was inside the boxes and I replied that they were edible copies. She was just eager to look inside the boxes. We reached Bandipur at 11am where we marched to the core area. I was walking with Renu,Anu ,Nabina, Rojina and Laudri sir. we just round the tower and moved back from the same place where I took their pictures and Renu was entertaining us by her loud laughter and punches.


I found out that rest of the students were coming back from the view point of Bandipur. At bus stop, I shared my sweets to everyone and felt very happy to know that everyone was happy on my success. Sabina was just shocked while getting sweets from the box because before that, I told her that inside it, there were edible copies. With a short visit at Bandipur, we rode back for Abu Khaireni. Jyoti informed me that she had not got any sweets along with I came to know that 8 more students had not got the sweets and in the bus but luckily, I managed to give sweets to all of them.
We arrived at Abu Khaireni at 1 pm, where we were going to have our lunch but due to busy works and lack of space, we had to wait for our turn. Meanwhile, Risav sir told me to hang out with sec A in the river bank across the road. We went to the river and I told the students to enjoy by themselves.

Signature Poses from Ghandruk to Marshyangdi
I was observing everyone as well as thinking that everyone is different from each other in one or other way. I was comparing; being an organizer and a student, the freedom to do thing had vast differences. Students were enjoying each moment and even I was encouraging them to enjoy because today was our last day of the trip. After 2o minutes, I got a call from Risav sir to bring sec A for lunch. Everyone was enjoying the meal but before that, I had told them that meal over Shanti hotel was good. At last, I along with Risav sir and Mausami mam had our final lunch. After completion of lunch, we began our last travel and in the bus, Nishan was sharing chocolates to everyone because it was his birthday. We exchanged our chocolates and sweets and I wished for his bright future and he too wished on my success. I interacted with Nishan for hours having corns. Both of us shared our school and plus 2 experiences as well as this trip. Travelling for hours, crossing Galchi, I found the road was empty and silent and I guessed there might have been a problem in the highway. As predicted, when we reached Simle, we knew that there was a long jam and so, we got stuck in jam for almost 1 hour. Everyone was sleeping but I along with Rasmila and Pramila, were just chittering and chattering. Then I intentionally made a louder noise in order to grab attention of front seated members to make them joined us. We began to play antakshri composing music and songs by ourselves. After few minutes, Ritu joined us and she added loudness and madness more than before.

Enjoying in Ghin-Tang-Gisi Tune.

We enjoyed in ghin-tang-gisi tune and newari songs. We danced and sang for approximately 30mintutes and after a while, driver dai informed me too reduce the wilderness. Stopping the dances, however the loudness was the same, Manish joined us but because everyone was exhausted, we stopped singing as well. Soon, acting began; Rojina did real acting of a beggar saying, “Dai, Rs.5 dinu na.”, which resulted in louder laughters in the bus. I enjoyed this 30minutes, which was my best moment of the trip. I hadn’t laughed in such a way in this whole trip. Staying in jam for 1 hour, vehicles slowly started to move but our enjoyment was still on until we reached Koteswhor. After crossing Naubise everyone was exhausted due to wilder enjoyment and felt asleep.Then, I interacted with Sabina who woke up after rest of guys slept. I told her about the enjoyment done in the bus and while conversing, she showed the pictures and even told me that was the best picture which was snapped at Ghandruk while we were returning to hotel.

Surprised snap

I was surprised because, even I did not know when this picture was taken. I asked about the pictures but she was enjoying songs; so I left out from there and moved at front in order to help sir because we were nearly going to reach Bhaktapur. Students began to get out from the bus whenever their home destination arrived. At Sallaghari, I changed the bus and along with me, were Renu, Rasmila, Pramila, Sabina, Suman, Saraswoti, Razee and Alisha. We got out from the bus at Mahakalisthan in order to drop Razee. Then after, Saraswoti dropped at Incaho and we got dispersed. I reached home at 9 pm and soon got into bed for rest.

Overall, I found this trip familiar. Firstly, I did not think it would be enjoyable because students were sitting in a group of two and were not much interactive, even in second day. But lastly, everything turned remarkable. I found that every student with whom I interacted, was familiar and friendly towards me and they were obedient to their co-ordinator Tulsi sir. I wish for their progressive results.





                                                         be explorer b diffrent