travel diaries

Travel reflections

Posted on August 12, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

Traveling as a group is fun and enjoyable.

When we visit a destination or take part in a special occasion together, it helps to create memories and shared experiences with other individuals who were also present with us. If you want to create the best experience for everyone going on the trip, it’s good practice to start the trip with intention and end with reflection!

For the best travel experience for your travel group:

Ask each member to write or share their vision of the trip.
Check in with each member on how they are feeling about the trip so far.
Have each member share their top highlights and what can be better next time.

Travel Tips from Road Trips

Posted on May 27, 2024June 9, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

Road trips are fun and adventurous with a good group, couple or on our own.

If we’re driving to a destination, we can choose some places to stop along the way that interests us : local eats, city attractions, must-see locations/landmarks and other interest(s) we have.

A good mix of planned activities/stops along the way and unplanned stops to see if certain locations/ landmarks seem exciting can make the journey memorable.

Few good music playlists, podcasts, and audio books can make the travel fun and entertaining.

Packing healthy snacks and drinks provides needed fuel and energy to our body!

Simple, easy, and best choice!

Posted on May 12, 2024May 12, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

I love chicken wings!

Buffalo, NY has many restaurant and bar options to have the best chicken wings. There are favorite local chains as well as renowned food establishments. We recently visited The Nine-Eleven Tavern located in 9-11 Bloomfield Ave, Buffalo, NY. Established in 1981, the The Nine-Eleven Tavern is a Cash only establishment and opens on Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30pm-8:30pm.

In The Nine-Eleven Tavern’s menu, they offer Chicken wings – Wings are prepared mild, medium, or hot and include celery and bleu cheese or ranch dressing. For the sizes, you can choose 10, 20, 30 or 50 wings. They also offer Finn fries, Pizza Stix, Chicken Fingers, Corned Beef Sandwich and variety of extras. You can also buy a jar of their Wing sauce. I loved the chicken wings served on their special sauce. There’s only one sauce flavor you can pick and their wings are simply the best I’ve had so far!

From The Nine-Eleven Tavern, we can also takeaway some key business pointers.

Why offer too many sauce choices for the wings to customers when you can offer your best sauce and have customers come to enjoy what you serve best?

Why take credit cards if you can only take cash and avoid credit card transaction fees, credit card machines, and other credit cards related hassles that can come up?

Why open the tavern for long hours everyday if you can offer a window for customers to come and enjoy the wings?

The color of the grass

Posted on April 9, 2024April 9, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

A tourist from New York City, US visits Pokhara, Nepal for the first time.

The beautiful views of Phewa Lake and mountains from Pokhara’s Lakeside makes the tourist relaxed and joyful after a long time. The tourist lives a hectic lifestyle back home with job, daily commute, bills, and all the “luxuries” that come with city life. So the Pokhara scenery, atmosphere, and the local people make the tourist comfortable and appreciate everything that is around. The local Pokhara tour guide shows the tourist the best spots in the area and makes the tour enjoyable and memorable. The tour guide lives a relaxed lifestyle with seasonal tours when the tourist season is at peak and takes other temporary gigs in the off tourist season time.

The American tourist sees the tour guide and admires the simple life of the tour guide who is bestowed a place full of natural beauty, hospitable people, and delicious food. The tour guide sees the American tourist and admires the relaxed life of the tourist who is bestowed financial freedom, choices to splurge their money on, and travel flexibility.

Enjoying Vacation Time

Posted on April 4, 2024June 9, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

Planning activities and leaving room for spontaneous moments is one of the best ways to enjoy vacation time.

I used to have an itinerary for my trips and go from one activity to another activity. With that type of schedule, I felt accomplished and proud. There was no much time for “unplanned” activities or moments to just relax or take a break. I was always on the go. If an activity or event started late or went over the scheduled time, we would have to rush and “new/other exciting activities” would have to be rescheduled until next time.

Now I find more joy in planning activities for my trips and leaving ample room to take a break, rest or do an activity that could come during my trip. It’s a better way for me to have an enjoyable vacation experience.

TGND Buffalo NY – Nepal Through A Lens with Siraj Ahmad

Posted on October 19, 2023June 9, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

I’ve followed Siraj’s work on Instagram for years now.

I love the way he captures places, people, objects, colors, and simply the beauty of everyday life. It’s a perspective that I’ve always appreciated and look forward to his work!

I’m having a virtual conversation with Siraj on his photographic journey on Sunday, October 22, 2023 at 11am est / 8am pst / 8:45pm Nepal time. If you’re interested to join this event, do register on Eventbrite.

Design made by Reeya Shakya

30 Stories: TOMS

Posted on August 29, 2020August 29, 2020 by Nirmal Thapa

@toms Story

ABOUT TOMS

As the Original One for One Company, we’ve always been in business to improve lives.

Since 2006, our community has given nearly 100 million pairs of shoes to people in need. And while shoes can have a big impact, we’ve learned that giving shoes and impact grants can have an even bigger impact.

Now, for every $3 we make, we give $1 away. This is our commitment—to our customers, to our partners, and to our future.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

While traveling through Argentina in 2006, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie saw the hardships faced by children without shoes. This inspired him to create a for-profit business with giving at its core. The idea? For every pair of shoes the company sold, a new pair would be given to a child in need.

And with that, TOMS—short for Tomorrow’s Shoes—was born.

Text credit : TOMS website

Image credit: TOMS Twitter

30 Stories: Auburn Foodie Sisters

Posted on August 12, 2020August 12, 2020 by Nirmal Thapa

@auburnfoodiesisters Story by @thestorieshub

We are two sisters from Auburn who love everything related to food.

Auburn, Alabama is our home, where we grew up, and very close to our hearts. From our early days of tailgating while eating barbecue before football games, grabbing a quick bite at Chick-fil-A before attending classes, to drinking lemonade at Toomer’s Corner while relaxing on Samford Lawn, we have watched the culinary landscape in Auburn grow tremendously throughout the years.

We decided to share our love of food and Auburn with you through our Instagram page. As the town’s culinary scene got larger, so did our appetites to discover, highlight, and share the best food spots. Join us on our food journey to tell the world about Auburn’s amazing eats, while supporting local Auburn and Opelika businesses.

Bio: Auburnfoodiesisters is an Instagram page started by two sisters covering amazing eats around Auburn while supporting local businesses. Follow their food journey @auburnfoodiesisters

Image credit: Auburnfoodiesisters Instagram

This story was first published on https://www.instagram.com/thestorieshub/

Life Lessons from the Youngest Person to Travel to Every Country

Posted on November 18, 2019November 18, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

Traverse Nepal v2.0 Vlogumentary Intro

Posted on November 12, 2019November 12, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

Nirmal “Nims” Purja, world record holder

Posted on November 2, 2019November 2, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

In just 6 months and 6 days, Nirmal “Nims” Purja MBE has completed his challenge to summit Earth’s 14 tallest mountains, smashing the previous record of almost eight years and taking his place in mountaineering history. – Bremont Project Possible website.

Best things to do in New York City

Posted on October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

Here are a few things that I loved doing in New York City. If you’re going to be in New York, check them out:

Museum & Gold Vault Tour This was one of the coolest things to experience in New York. Here’s what the tour is about: The Federal Reserve Bank of New York offers guided tours to school groups and the general public. Visitors will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the Federal Reserve. I don’t know how I first found out about this tour but it was definitely something that I really enjoyed and was thrilled to be a part of. It’s highly recommended that if you are interested in this tour, you must make a reservation 30 days in advance to your preferred date as seats are very limited. They also give you something to take home at the end of the tour. I won’t ruin the surprise for you! Pic: New York fed website.

The Roosevelt Island Tramway: The Roosevelt Island Tramway is always a treat because of the wonderful skyline you get to see of Manhattan (especially at night). Here’s what the Tramway is about: The Roosevelt Island Tramway provides the most modern aerial tramway in the world, running every 7-15 minutes from 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island. The tram connects Manhattan with Roosevelt Island. With a single metrocard ride (one way), this experience is something that often gets overlooked when there are so many other attractions in the city.

Visiting Dumbo: Dumbo stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. Here’s what Dumbo has to offer: Just a couple of decades removed from an industrial past in which few people lived there and there was little reason to visit, it’s now a hotbed of dining, recreation and shopping with great views of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Dumbo has always been one of my favorites places to hang out. The views of Manhattan are spectacular (especially at night) and there are many spots to take amazing pictures.

Travel to me…

Posted on October 8, 2019June 9, 2024 by Nirmal Thapa

Travel to me means to discover

Discover new food, places, people and culture

Cultures of people, customs, traditions, and how they live

Lives of people in different places makes me interested and curious

Curious to learn more about the new destination and myself

Myself is an evolving body and that’s why I love to travel

Visit Nepal 2020

Posted on July 2, 2019July 2, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

Why do tourists come to Nepal?

What is our country’s value proposition?

How can we offer them an experience that they won’t forget in their lifetime?

Are the messages across multiple channels consistent?

What are the numbers that we are targeting? (total number of tourists/daily spend/length of stay)

Sightseeing with a guide

Posted on June 9, 2019June 9, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

For almost all of my travelling journey domestically and internationally, I did not consider using a travel guide. I overlooked the value that a travel guide can bring to my travelling experience. One time just for the sake of it, I decided to hire a travel guide on a visit to Bhaktapur Durbar square in Nepal. I did not know much about Bhaktapur and taking a chance on a guide was totally worth the investment.

The benefits that I found of having a travel guide are:

-better knowledge and information about the area

-time savings

-choice and flexibility of activities

-local access to places and people

-a richer travel experience

When I visit a new place now, I would at least explore getting a tour guide.

And if you are travelling to Bhaktapur in the near future, reach out to me. I will recommend the guide that showed us around Bhaktapur Durbar square.

Beautiful travel quotes

Posted on June 3, 2019June 10, 2019 by Nirmal Thapa

Travel makes one modest, you see what a small place you occupy in the world.

Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell.

Let’s wander where the wi-fi is weak.

Once a year, go somewhere you have never been before.

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.

There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.

Travelling-it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.

In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.

Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer

Posted on April 28, 2018 by Nirmal Thapa

Whoever said that could not have said it any better.

What is travel? A better question might be what do you experience when you travel. When I travel, I feel alive. It makes me realize that the world is so much bigger than where I currently am. Although technology has brought so many places (almost all) around the world much closer to us, being physically in that location is what truly does justice. Nothing beats those moments. It’s not just that you somehow know what to expect of the place based on the YouTube videos, websites or blogs you visit; it’s so much more than that.

Nothing beats taking the step to see the world for yourself. Go travel to learn, live and to discover the world.

The Subway Ride

Posted on April 22, 2018April 22, 2018 by Nirmal Thapa

Swiping the metrocard, I rush downstairs to catch the subway

Knowing well that the next one is just a few minutes away

The New York City speed makes me this way

5 days a week, I’m like this everyday

Cultures from all walks of life moving in sync

All in one compartment sharing the day’s journey and we don’t blink

The tourists look over their map while the teenagers take a snap

The homeless shares his story while some commuters nod on rap

This beautiful circus unfolds in a given New York day

If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere is what they say

It could be the exact route, however the commute is never the same

Locals, tourists and station performers all captured in a frame

Aspiring and established musicians keep us entertained in the crowd

Some pause to appreciate and are very proud

Subway shopkeepers are numb to the commuters’ sound

Thousands spend so much of their day underground

There is a different world up above the subway station

We share a New York minute on our way to the destination

Travelling on a subway is the best way to experience this city

The subway ride is one of a kind in New York City

Thank You, YouTube

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Nirmal Thapa

Dear YouTube,

Thank you.

You have provided a platform to show the world how beautiful and amazing Nepal is. From the natural beauty all across Nepal to the vibrant and colorful life of the capital Kathmandu, you gave everyone a glimpse of life as a local.

We are rich in culture, tradition and heritage. We are more than just mountains, lakes and valleys. We are people who are genuinely humble, hospitable and happy. We welcomed you inside our homes, villages and country to help us show the world how wonderful it is to be in a place like Nepal.

Thanks again.

Nirmal

Touristanbul: A traveler’s review

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Nirmal Thapa

Recently, I flew from Kathmandu to Istanbul and my final destination was New York City. I decided to fly through Turkish Airlines this time and visit Istanbul instead of my regular routes through Dubai and Doha.

I had done research on Touristanbul and was excited to experience it first hand. Tours are available on different days and times. Anyone who flies through Istanbul and has a waiting time of at least 6 hours can join any of the tours. You would need a visa to get out of Istanbul Atatürk Airport and to travel within the country. It is a very easy process to get an electronic visa and you can get all the needed visa information right here.

Based on my Tuesday morning tour (8:30am-11am), here are my observations:

Best things of the tour:

-Free
-You will get to see a variety of attractions in just two hours
-Two stops (Galata Bridge and Dolmabahçe Palace) for photo sessions are worth it
-Tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful

Can be better of the tour:

-A much more immersive cultural experience might be gained through a longer tour
-20 minutes at Dolmabahçe Palace won’t give you enough time to visit the palace so a different location where the visitors can actually get to experience Turkish culture/history/food would be better
-A short stop at a local souvenirs shop towards the end of the tour would be good. I actually had to rush through the airport shops to buy the souvenirs after the tour.
-Since the longer tours include lunch or dinner, this short tour can include a local Turkish treat (can be eaten in the bus or when stopped for photo sessions). I had heard a lot about Turkish treats and wanted to enjoy it while there.

Category: travel diaries