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Looking for something fun to do this Christmas? Why not get together at Base Camp? They will be serving roast dinner (including vegetarian options), mulled wine, Christmas tunes and other Christmas-related stuff.

Venue : Base Camp : Outdoor Lifestyle Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur

Time :7 pm

Date : Tuesday, December 25 

A recent opening on the Milap Road near Sanepa Chowk, Lalitpur, the Chimes Restaurant is already becoming famous for its luscious food and special events. From special jazz nights to live performances by the Kathmandu Strings Ensemble, and Special Seafood Sundays to Saturday/Sunday brunches, Chimes seems to have it all. Chiming with its slogan “Food for the Soul” it opens from breakfast to dinner and has a small but substantial option for desserts, including the Chef Special Cheesecake in different flavors. Upper Sanepa, known for its quiet and calm neighbor­hoods, perfectly suits the minimalist decorations and laidback ambience of Chimes.

 THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Anti Pasti Platter

- Bealim House Chicken

- Grilled Duck

Opening hours: 9am - 10pm

Location: Sanepa, Lalitpur

Cards: Accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 2,000

Reservations: 982-3717878

Q. What are three adjectives that best describe you?

A. Fun, chill, bhullakad

Q. A career decision that you regret?

A. Not yet... Let’s see what the future holds.

Q. Your favorite Nepali politician?

A. Very difficult question. I don’t have an answer for this.

Q. Best compliment you’ve received?

A. ‘Kya dublo dekheko! You’re looking so fit!’ This always works on me.

Q. Words that keep you motivated?

A. Live life to the fullest.

Q. The number 1 song on your current playlist?

A. Iris by Goo Goo Dolls is always my number one.

Q. The best celebrity or socialite you’ve hosted on your show?

A. Paras Khadka

Welcoming a million foreign tourists in a calendar year has long been consid­ered the holy grail of Nepali tourism. Now that mark has been breached. According to Nepal Tourism Board, in the first 11 months of 2018, Nepal welcomed 1,001,930 foreign tourists who came here by air, a 17 percent increase from the same period in 2017. Factor in those entering Nepal via land, and the tourist number shoots up by 23 percent. This is something to be celebrated, partic­ularly after the slump witnessed in the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake.

Even before data for this period were in, the govern­ment had already made public its plan to attract two million tourists by 2020. Many considered it impossi­ble as the country could not get even half that num­ber for so long. But better-than-expected numbers this year could make the skeptics rethink. If not exact­ly two million, it would be quite an achievement to welcome, say, 1.5 million. But are our airports, hotels and transport services prepared for so many visitors? For instance, cumulatively, Nepali hotels can handle around 500,000 guests a year, excluding stay-home options and Airbnb rooms. Can the number of rooms be so drastically ramped up in such a short time?

The same with our air transport facilities. Right now the country has a single international airport. The good news is that the pace of work at both Pokhara and Bhairahawa international airport projects is brisk and on current course both will come into operation by the end of 2020. But even if we can accommodate two million visitors, is it wise to have them all? Phewa Lake, the center of attraction of the tourist city of Pokhara, is shrinking because of building works in the area. What remains of the lake is highly polluted. Meanwhile, Mt Everest is fast turning into a garbage dump. Hoteliers also complain of the increasing influx of ‘lightweight’ backpackers who like to complain but not to spend much cash.

If the goal is to make tourism a strong pillar of the Nepali economy, perhaps the time has come to focus on high-end tourism. The Swotha neighborhood in Patan, for instance, charges upward of $100 a room for an authentic Newari experience, and the rooms there are seldom empty. Perhaps a few of the 100 new ‘tour­ist locations’ in Nepal can be developed for such high-end tourism. Sustainability and profitability need not be mutually exclusive.

The Garage Lounge and Bar on Jhamsikhel Road (opposite St Mary’s School) is a popular joint among the young crowd. Perhaps the well-lit ambience, non-conventional decorations and of course moderate food prices have something to do with it. Surely you would agree that Hawaiian Pizza for Rs 360, New York Pizza for Rs 350 and Mojitos for Rs 365 are fairly priced, considering the high average dining costs in that posh locale. Photos and posters of vintage motorcycles and cars adorn the interiors while the center-piece is a real bicycle embossed with the restaurant’s name. The warm lightening, an assortment of auto related decorative pieces and the tin roof give Garage a rus­tic, yet glamorous look. With the facilities for hosting private birthday parties and watching live sporting events also available, this retro Garage is one place you would want to park your hungry tummy.

THE MENU

Chef’s Special:

- Chicken Basket

- Nasigoreng

- Chicken Sadeko MoMo

Opening hours 12 pm - 10 pm

Location Jhamsikhel Road (opposite St Mary’s School)

Cards Accepted

Meal for 2: Rs 1,200

Reservations: 9823211215

Off-road bike riding is incredible fun. On the road, you learn to slow down for safety. Riding where there’s little traction, off-road, is a differ­ent ballgame altogether.

Nepali Rider is an annual adventure bike ride organized by Yatriyo.com. This time the event is being organized at Kalinchowk, the Rolwaling trekking region in Dolakha district, from Dec 30-Jan1. Kalinchowk tour is ideal for the explo­ration of Nepali culture as well as to immerse yourself in natural beauty. Those who go on the tour can enjoy panoramic views of Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Lamjung, Jugal Himal, Shisha Panga and Gauri Shankar. Then there is the Kalinchowk Bhagawati temple, at a height of 3780m.

The event also features top DJs, popular singers, and other renowned artists.

Dubbed “Small Ilam” by the locals, this beautiful tea garden is located at Bhotechaur of Sindhupal­chowk district, an hour’s drive from Kathmandu. You can take either a private vehicle or a public transport to Sankhu and then trek up from there. Spare a day to enjoy the whole tea garden and the beautiful surroundings. You can even hike to Bhotechaur from Shivapuri or Nagarkot, through a scenic trail.

Q. How would you describe your­self in three adjectives?

A. Spontaneous, self-obsessed (wink), empathetic

Q. Apart from your phone what are the three things that you always carry in your bag?

A. Common sense, humor, and my perfume: Not so new obsession— Narciso Rodriguez for Her

Q. What is your biggest fear?

A. Fear of PMS-ing earlier than I should

Q. What would your last meal con­sist of?

A. My last meal would consist of anything that is light, followed by prayers.

Q. A late night food that you crave?

A. I don’t really crave for food during sleep hours but sometimes any­thing that I come across on my newsfeed makes me drool.

Q. What is a food that you would never try?

A. Anything that has bone marrow in it

Q. Most overrated food trend?

A. I can’t understand why people love ice cream so much.

Q. The favorite place that you have ever visited?

A. My favorite place is not really a place, instead it’s an experi­ence. On my trek to Gosaikun­da, we stopped by at a small village called Chandanbari. Colorful houses, golden hour, amazing company, breathtak­ing view, surprisingly somewhat “Italian food”, unplugged music and sunset, I seized every bit of that moment.

Q. Your guilty pleasure?

A. Oh lord! Procrastination