Hotel De L' Annapurna

Named after Annapurna, the Goddess of Plenty, the elegant Hotel de l' Annapurna is located 6 kms from the airport in the heart of Kathmandu, and just a curtsey away from the Royal Palace. For over 2,000 years the name Annapurna has symbolised all that is glorious in Nepal. A name that celebrates Nepalese culture in its many forms. She is the Goddess of plenty. The name for a mighty cluster of peaks rising 26,000 feet above sea level. It is the birthplace of the Yartung Festival and sanctuary to one of the most fragile eco-systems in the world.

Room Facilities • Air Condition • Satellite TV • Telephone • Hair Dryer • Color Television • Internet • Coffee Maker • International & Email Capability Hotel Facilities • Air Condition • Banquet Hall • Restaurant • Shopping Arcade • The Coffee Shop • Safety Deposit Box • Conference Hall • Beauty Saloon • Meeting Hall • Business Center Leisure Facilities • Barber Shop • Fitness Center • Swimming Pool Family Facilities • Baby Sitting Services

hyatt regency ktm,

Introducing the timeless quality of Nepal's rich and fascinating culture represented in the arts and architecture, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu with 290 rooms is set on 37 acres of artistically landscaped grounds. The hotel is four kilometers from Tribhuvan International Airport and very close to the business district and shopping areas. The Boudhanath Stupa is within ten minutes walking distance from the hotel. The hotel offers International standards of service and accommodation to the discerning traveler.

There are various dining options in the hotel: The Café, which serves Nepali, Indian and Continental cuisine, overlooks the landscaped garden and swimming pool with a view of the Boudhanath Stupa.

The advantages of traveling

Robert Louis Stevenson's observation that books though good enough in their own way are a "mighty bloodless substitute for life", has always appeared to me as correct and rich with meaning. Those who live in a narrow. confined society find it difficult to develop an out-going personality: they, at times, are not to tolerant and it is always easy for them to fall into a dull routine. Amongst the aristocratic families of Europe of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries no young man's (or young woman's for that matter) education was considered to be complete without travel. Those who were not lucky enough to have adequate funds found other means of traveling. They either traveled as companions and employees of the rich people. or. if adventurous and daring. joined professions which took them abroad. People have traveled as tramps and stowaways. The whole world of commerce and the colonial system grew out of this urge for travel and adventure. Traveling does not necessarily mean traveling abroad: it means traveling as much as one can - travel to the next town. to the seaside resort, to the small hill station, the next state, or the nearest island. It basically implies getting out of the rut, seeing other people. learning about their way of living and thinking, and thus developing a broader and more tolerant outlook towards life. Traveling is the best kind of education. Of course, it is no substitute for the basic learning of the three R's. But it can be a substitute for most other kinds of learning. For when we travel we get the opportunity of seeing and knowing people at first hand. One sees them as people. but meets them as individuals. Traveling even in one country is beneficial. Some parts of the country abound in rain and in backwaters, in lush, green landscapes: others have the right kind of soil and terrain for plantations - rubber, tea, coffee or timber. Still others may be having factories for canning marine products. In another part of the country there may be oil fields or coal mines or oil extracting units. So by traveling over these areas one is able to see the different kinds of industries, soils and people. Customs, languages and religious practices differ from place to place. One learns about them and learns to live with and accept the differences. The truth of it can be seen in multiracial societies like Singapore and Malaysia where Chinese, Malays and Indians live side by side. Traveling from one corner of India to another is like traversing a whole continent. The cultural preferences vary from place to place. These experiences increase aesthetic sensitivity. Besides learning about the customs of other people and gaining a great deal of knowledge, travel also teaches adaptability. Those who travel a great deal and are willing to rough it out are not so fastidious about the ordinary comforts of life. They make cheerful and pleasant companions. Travel also breaks through religious fanaticism and encourages exchange of ideas. People who have succeeded in developing an interest in birds and animals, in rocks and minerals and in plants and trees find travel a rewarding experience. In the present day society, individuals can perhaps survive only if they can get out of their limited circle. It is important that they know what is happening around them not only economically and intellectually but also politically.

'Breathes there a man with soul so dead

Who never to himself hath said,

This is my own, my native land!

Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,

As home his footsteps he hath turned

From wandering on a foreign strand?'

Thus Sir Walter Scott felt about the mist, the heather, the mountains, lakes and snows of Scotland, his own native land. So do most of us, and this stems from affection and familiarity rather than from political and nationalistic considerations. So also must be Singaporean, away on business overseas, or the Vietnamese boat-person who cannot master a foreign language.

In my own case, at least fourteen years of my life has been spent in a series of permanent Army postings abroad. Two were spent on the beautiful island of Singapore, six in Germany during the second world war and again later, three in West Africa, three in Palestine. Each time I flew into the UK my heart leapt at the green familiarity of the little fields and villages, the woods and streams, the undulating landscape, as the plane came in to land.

Yet, there is much more to it than love of one's own countryside. I have lived permanently in my own country for the past eighteen years and have learnt all over again to appreciate the many factors which are most important to me, and which, as a young man, I thought I could do without.

First and foremost, and this is perhaps selfish, I would miss family and friends if, for some reasons, I had to emigrate. In my latter years, it is an enormous pleasure to live near my sons and their families. Both sons, as it happens, are happy and successful. One is a member of Parliament and the other is a flourishing barrister. It would be sad indeed to miss their progress. It would also be a great loss if I could not watch the week-by-week development of my five grandchildren.

An then -- friends. What is life without them? Old friends especially. Those with whom we have shared experience, the ups and downs of life. Of course, we make friends abroad too but it is not always easy to identify with people from a totally different background. Again, one can practice one's religion anywhere. Yet is the overseas church, or mosque or temple quite the same as one's own?

There is always the language barrier, especially for the English. The fact that English is today's international language is no paradox. It is simply that our ancestors overseas, in the days when England was a great colonial power and had a trading empire, expected foreigners to learn English, though there were exceptions to this autocratic outlook. The fact remains that to speak one's own language in one's own country guarantees immediate contact and understanding. Perhaps Chinese, Malays, and some other far Eastern nationals do not see this as a problem. Unlike the lazy Englishman who will not learn, they can and do.

What else did I miss when overseas? Perhaps the British political and legal system and the freedoms we take for granted. Life abroad can be minefield for those who do not study the laws and customs of their country of adoption. At home, one is brought up to know about these things and to avoid mistakes. One English tradition is that of freedom of speech, that is, within the law. This also applies to the written word. The principle is 'I disagree with all you say, but I would defend your right to say it to the death'. This means that the English can criticize the monarchy, the government, religion and law with impunity, a freedom not universally conferred. One would miss that in a country where to transgress might mean prison, or even a death sentence.

The center of this freedom is the English pub , or public house. Every village has one or two, every town has several. People talk, gossip, let off steam, and put the world to rights over a drink, in comfort, and in congenial company. The pub is perhaps the reason why there has been no revolution in England since 1688. There is no equivalent institution abroad.

Good hospitals, good libraries, good clothes, good food and drink, good concerts and theatres, and good quality consumer goods are some of the other things.

my first day at school

My mother accompanied me to school on the first day. Other parents accompanied their children as well. We all waited in front of the school office.
Soon a teacher came and led us to some classrooms. There we were put into four separate classes. This was when some children began to cry as the parents were not allowed into the classrooms. I did not cry because I had been to kindergarten before. Actually my mother went home soon after for she knew I would be all right.

It was an enjoyable time for me as I got to know my new classmates. The teacher was very busy writing down our particulars so we had plenty of time to ourselves.

Meantime some children continued to sob while their parents looked in anxiously through the windows.

Soon recess came. Some of us headed for the tuck-shop while the rest headed for their parents. I bought a drink with the money my mother gave me. Getting to know my new friends had made me thirsty.

After recess we went back to out classroom and my new friends and I managed to coax two boys to stop crying. In fact, soon we were laughing and playing together. Once in a while the teacher had to tell us to keep quiet as we were making too much noise.

Still some parents looked in anxiously through the windows.

Finally the bell rang for us to go home. Some of us were very relieved to be reunited with our parents. I too was glad to see my mother waiting for me at the school gate. I had made many friends. It had been a wonderful first day at school.

My pet

Rosy, is a dog which I have been keeping for the past four years. It was sheer accident that Rosy came into my hands. Our neighbor Mr. Jones was a dog fancier. He had a good kennel in his house where he reared different breeds of dogs. Suddenly, he got transferred from the town and he wanted to dispose of some of the dogs. He was talking about it to my father. Then I told my father that we could have one of the puppies; though reluctantly, my father agreed. Thus, Rosy came into my possession. Why it was named Rosy, I can't say. It is an Alsatian. She is of medium height. She is grey colored with dark spots near her belly. The dog has a bushy tail and glistening eyes which has grown wonderfully well and can easily be the envy of many. Rosy, can be seen about our house when she is not engaged in playing or when she is not sleeping. She takes pleasure in sneaking about the corners when she has nothing particularly to do. She is as docile as a dog in our presence. When we are not there she will be in her mettle. None can easily come near our gate. Though she doesn't bite, she will bounce on the person and paralyze him. Since the postman regularly comes, she recognizes in him a friend and so does not do him any harm She will try to catch the sparrow and it will be a splendid sight to see. I give her a Spartan food. She takes some biscuits and milk in the morning and meat mixed with rice in the afternoon. Usually she is not given any food in the night. When we are at our table, Rosy keeps company with me but she shows no eagerness to touch even a crumb unless offered. So my father likes it. Rosy cries in a peculiar way. It is between barking and howling. Sometimes, she raises a cry like moaning. That means she wants to go out to relieve herself. Whenever I go out in the evening, she accompanies me. My friends are afraid of her because she doesn't like silly mischief of boys. She shows her displeasure by a big bark and that is enough to unnerve the boys. My father says, Rosy would soon become a mother. Then I will have a litter of nice puppies.

future wife or husband

What qualities would you look for in a future wife or husband ? Along the road from cradle to grave many of us get married. This in itself can cause more emotional disturbance than all the other events of our lives combined. Many factors make the difference between marital bliss and having "an old ball-and-chain" but the most important factor is probably whom we choose to marry. That is why I often meditate on the qualities I would seek in my future wife. To be honest, the first thing I notice when I meet a girl is whether she is pretty or not. Long lashes and sparkling eyes do not cause someone to "fall in love at first sight", of course, but few people go round seeking ugly mates. I am no different. Of course, I would also prefer to have a wife who is intelligent. Some men have the stereotyped "dumb blonde" image of a perfect woman. However, I know my life will be enriched by having an intellectually stimulating partner to share my thoughts with, and to offer fresh insights to old situations. More importantly, a husband and wife should be intellectually matched so that they can understand each other. Sports and games and other recreational activities are fun and foster closer ties. Who better to enjoy sports with than my wife? This will draw us even closer together. A wife should, after all, be a true friend whom I can have fun with and want to spend my leisure activities with. So, my ideal mate will be someone who participates in the games and sports I like or at least, be willing to learn them. Often, quarrels between husband and wife concern other family members. Your wife may be perfect but her parents may be irritating beyond comprehension. There was, for example, an incident in City Center where one man's mother-in-law came to stay. One day, she cooked and ate his pet dog for dinner! So, I always say that one's future in-laws should always be checked carefully before one makes decisions about marriage. If you are dead tired after a long, frustrating day at work, a loving wife who comforts you and listens to your problems can really make a difference. So I would say, a sympathetic, caring kind of woman is the only one with whom I would make any commitments for marriage. Commitment is very important on her part, too. If a girl isn't prepared to be faithful to you but she marries you anyway, chances are she's going to run away and leave you one day, for your best friend, perhaps. I realize that I have listed a whole string of qualifications for my future wife. Well, if I can find all these qualities in one woman, I will really consider her The Ideal Wife. However, chances are, with a girl like that, everyone else will be trying to win her hand, too. So, I'll be in for a tough time! Furthermore, as the proverb goes, "The best laid plans of mice and men can fail". More than likely, I will meet a girl one day, fall in love and get married. And even though she might not be perfect, I'll love her, and, through the years, that might just be enough.